Non-Plus Ultra, The Hofzinser Books

I'm very excited to have the NonPlus Ultra / Hofsinzer Card Artistry combo in my possession

http://www.hermeticpress.com/product_info.php?products_id=99

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Kudos to "Magic Christian" (the original composer of this collection) Hermetic Press and the Conjuring Arts Research Center for releasing this set in English. Only 900 sets were published and I couldn't be happier to be able to read one of them ;)  I'm a bit concerned that the set is to 'heady' to be enjoyed: but I'm going to do my best. I've never been a super-historian, but if there is anyone (aside from Erdnase) that I'd like to know more about: Hofzinser is the man.

Johann Nepomuk Hofsinzer was one of the most important magi in the history of our art. He was one of the first to bring it into the light as a form of sophisticated entertainment. Heck, it's quite likely; without his efforts, we wouldn't even have 'close-up' magic as it exists today. 

Most (american) cardmen point to Erdnase & his "Expert at the Card Table" as "The Bible" of card magic. I doubt that bible would have existed if it weren't for the efforts of Hofzinser and his contemporary. Oddly enough, Hofzinser was not one to disperse secrets lightly. They were nuggets of gold cherished and distributed gently (unlike today, where the distributors whore our art to the tune of 5-10 new items each week: that's HUNDREDS of new Tricks, DVDs, Downloads and Books each year.) Pimpin ain't easy.

Sidenote: you only need a dozen good tricks to be a great magician.

So anyway:
This collection traces magic back to the 16th century... 
500 years later, I'm wondering if technology has the power to render this art obscure & insignificant? Doubtful. People want to believe, they want to escape and if nothing else, they want personal / live interaction and entertainment. Magic has the power to deliver on all fronts: from Drama to Comedy and everything in between and beyond. 

Alright, I'm rambling when I could be reading. I'm gonna stop typing and go read.
After a brief span of being overwhelmed (and underwhelmed) at the info-glut our art has been presented with, I wonder if my addition to the sludge helps at all? I'd forgot the origianal goal of this blog was for ME to recall / remember  / notate the things that I found worthwhile and important. If someone else stumbles across them and finds these words helpful (or even legible) then, that is simply a bonus.

On that note, I'll be back to posting more often 

PS: regarding the video thing, I will be doing it... but it will be much more sparse than the schedule I had considered. The lack of response and my current schedule (etc) moves such a project to the bottom of the rather large to do list.

Ok, all for now: where's my reading glasses...

More MIMs

I've been reading the new/outstanding Magic in Mind tome from Josh Jay / Andi Gladwin (Vanishing Inc) It's a wonderful collection of 30plus essays on magical theory. IMO: It's a must read (and I'm only 1/3 the way through... this is not the kind of book you'll pick up and plow through.) I think each essay is worthy it's own meditation. IMHO: You should put some thought into what these masters are trying to say.

Last night I was reading John Carney's wonderful section (concerning magic as art) and I reflected back to how strong the opening segment to Carneycopia is.  If you're intention is to become a well rounded magician, I think his book should be both on your shelf and in your brain. The tricks in Carney's book are great, but the opening segment on HOW to do magic is greater. Carney's theories on magic (misdirection, timing, etc.) are among some of the best in our craft (art?) <heh, that's up to you to decide.

I have three favorite concise essays on performing competent magic. Writings that at least give you enough information to think about and make your own decisions. They're not all in Magic in Mind, so for your consideration, I suggest you track down and study:

#1: The Automatic Producer by Alex Elmsley (my main man!)
This is a  wonderful procedure for insuring that you're performing material that will interest and excite your audience. It can be found in Volume #1 of  The Collected Works of Alex Elmsley (Published by Stephen Minch and his Hermetic Press) Now that this book is available in Electronic / .pdf form for the low price of $20, there is simply no excuse to call yourself a magician without studying this man's work.

#2 Secret Philosophy by John Carney
The 15ish pages of magical theory that open Carneycopia breathe life into such subjects as "muse" , "craft", "misdirection" and much more. It's inspirational, thoughtful and giving. Read it (also Published by Stephen Minch and his Hermetic Press)

#3 The Books of Wonder by Tommy Wonder
These two WONDERful volumes are scattered with a variety of must read topics from one of the best magicians to  ever walk this planet. Tommy Wonder made magic art. Study his works and maybe you can as well. Is it any surprise that this is also: Published by Stephen Minch and his Hermetic Press!

There are many more I could mention...  but those above are my 'top three' (at least for today ;) If you've studied these works,  good for you. If not, there's no better time than the present... and then you can get started on Mike Close, Eugene Burger, Henning Nelms, Darwin Ortiz, Ken Weber and so on.

Meanwhile, I'll remind you that "Magic in  Mind" is a great place to start for free.
Thanks again Vanishing Inc. Good on ya!



Here's an excerpt from the Carney Book (which is an excerpt from another book ;)

Progress Well Begun

A Description of the Operator

He must be one of a bold and undaunted Resolution, so as to set a good face upon the matter

He must have strange terms and emphatical words to grace & adorn his actions
 and the more to amaze and astonish the bystanders

And Lastly, He must use such gestures of body as may take off the specators eyes from a strict and diligent beholding your manner of performance.

  Henry Dean    "The Whole Art of Legerdemain"  1722