Maskelyne's Book of Magic by Jasper Maskelyne. Philadelphia: David McKay Co., (1937). First American edition
Jasper Maskelyne (1902-1973) was a British stage magician in the 1930s and 1940s. His “Book of Magic” describes a range of stage tricks, including sleight of hand, card and rope tricks, and “mind-reading” illusions. A 1937 Pathé film, “The Famous Illusionist,” was made of Maskelyne, looking dapper and apparently eating a boxful of razor blades, one at a time.
Jasper Maskelyne was one of an established family of stage magicians, the son of Nevil Maskelyne and a grandson of John Nevil Maskelyne. He is most remembered, however, for his entertaining accounts of his work for British military intelligence during the Second World War. His exploits in the camouflage unit during the war are described in David Fisher’s book, “The War Magician” (1983), and in Maskelyne’s own book , “Magic: Top Secret” (1949). Book reviewer Peter Forbes writes that “the flamboyant magician’s contribution was either absolutely central (if you believe his account and that of his biographer) or very marginal (if you believe the official records and more recent research).” [Source: Wikipedia]
Here is a link to David Fisher's book "The War Magician:"
www.flickr.com/photos/57440551@N03/17739750104/in/album-7...
Maskelyne's Book of Magic by Jasper Maskelyne. Philadelphia: David McKay Co., (1937). First American edition
Jasper Maskelyne (1902-1973) was a British stage magician in the 1930s and 1940s. His “Book of Magic” describes a range of stage tricks, including sleight of hand, card and rope tricks, and “mind-reading” illusions. A 1937 Pathé film, “The Famous Illusionist,” was made of Maskelyne, looking dapper and apparently eating a boxful of razor blades, one at a time.
Jasper Maskelyne was one of an established family of stage magicians, the son of Nevil Maskelyne and a grandson of John Nevil Maskelyne. He is most remembered, however, for his entertaining accounts of his work for British military intelligence during the Second World War. His exploits in the camouflage unit during the war are described in David Fisher’s book, “The War Magician” (1983), and in Maskelyne’s own book , “Magic: Top Secret” (1949). Book reviewer Peter Forbes writes that “the flamboyant magician’s contribution was either absolutely central (if you believe his account and that of his biographer) or very marginal (if you believe the official records and more recent research).” [Source: Wikipedia]
Here is a link to David Fisher's book "The War Magician:"
www.flickr.com/photos/57440551@N03/17739750104/in/album-7...