One of the great things about having this newsletter is that it gives me a forum to write about almost anything magic related. I really enjoy sharing different things I’ve been contemplating and think can start some interesting conversations.
With that said, in this issue of the Erudite Magic Digest, I’m sharing an introspective look at why we collect magic books (on the surface, it doesn’t really make sense!), a look at some of the news in the magic book world, and finally, I’m sharing some thoughts on everyday carry for magic, including a breakdown of what I have in my pockets on any given outing.
Don’t forget, if you’re a paid subscriber, you can listen to me read this issue to you. Everyone else will have to do it the old fashioned way - with their eyeballs. Regardless of how you consume this content, enjoy!
Why We Feel the Compulsive Need to Collect Magic Books
The world of magic has always fascinated both practitioners and enthusiasts, and we’ve discussed those distinctions in various Erudite Magic outlets. For magicians, the allure goes beyond just performing tricks—it extends to the endless pursuit of knowledge hidden within the pages of magic books. But why do so many of us feel a compulsive need to amass a vast collection of these books? Here are some of the reasons I think so many of us have this obsession.
1. The Quest for Mastery: Magic, like any art form, requires constant learning and practice. Magic books hold the secrets to performing better sleights, refining routines, and mastering mentalism or card manipulation. Collecting them feels like acquiring the keys to becoming a better magician.
2. Curiosity and Mystery: Magic books are filled with mystery, just like the tricks they reveal. A new book might promise a revolutionary method or a new take on a forgotten classic. The allure of "what's inside" drives collectors to acquire more, hoping to uncover hidden gems.
3. Preservation of History: Magic has a rich, storied history, and books preserve the legacies of past masters, especially as it relates to their creative output. Owning a collection feels like safeguarding the secrets and techniques that shaped the art. It's a way of honoring the magicians who came before and contributing to the continuity of magic as an art form.
4. The Fear of Missing Out (FOMO): In the magic community, some books are only available for a limited time or as part of exclusive releases (whether or not the limit is actually a constraint). The fear of missing out on valuable insights or unique techniques can fuel the desire to acquire books, even if they're destined to remain unread.
5. A Reflection of Identity: A well-stocked magic library can be a reflection of one’s dedication to the craft. For many, these books are not just resources, but also symbols of their identity as a magician. Owning them becomes a way to demonstrate both commitment and investment.
6. Inspiration and Creativity: Beyond learning new tricks, magic books often spark creativity. Each book offers ideas that can be adapted or combined into original routines. Having a diverse collection can lead to more innovative and personalized performances.
Ultimately, the compulsive need to collect magic books stems from a deep passion for magic itself. Each book is a piece of the puzzle, contributing to both the personal and collective advancement of the craft. But unlike a normal puzzle, there is no image we’re all shooting for - everyone gets to decide what they’re going for. For magicians, the collection is more than just a library—it's a treasure trove of possibilities, waiting to be unlocked.
Michael Ammar back in Print
As many of you already know, The Magic of Michael Ammar was one of my earliest purchases, and still one of my all-time favorites. In fact, I like it so much that I recently included it on Foot 3 of my Five Foot Shelf of Magic series.
Michael is an excellent teacher, but also a tremendously talented performer, so you’re getting some of the best of the best material in this book. In fact, one of the tricks he teaches is included in my EDC down below.
I don’t know how many printings the first edition went through, but it’s back in print. Murphy’s Magic acquired the rights to it after L&L ceased operations, and they’ve re-released it with what appears to be a new slip cover. Otherwise, the TOC I’ve seen looks identical to the previous edition. Right now, Penguin Magic has a short window of exclusivity, but I understand it’s intended for a broader release in the near future.
If you don’t already own the book, you should. Michael teaches close up, stand up, getting ready for competition, his theories on making magic memorable, how to negotiate for higher performance fees, and even some philosophical discussions on magic.
An interesting anecdote came up in my interview with the author, where he mentioned that when this book was printed, he got paid in books by L&L - every time they did another print run, he got 100 copies to sell for himself. If you haven’t already seen that interview, check it out. He’s an amazing storyteller, and he shares his plans for his 2nd book, hopefully due in 2025. I had a great time getting to know him better, and I’m sure you will, too.
EDC Pocket Dump
Ice McDonald gave a lecture at Magifest a few years ago, and something he said in that talk really hit home for me. He was talking about always having magic with you that you can perform. Very few people have actually met a magician, and as soon as they hear that you are one, they automatically want to see what this is all about. The worst thing we could do is say “I don’t have anything on me.” His point was to be magical - always be prepared with something, no matter how small.
His point got me thinking about the items I almost always have with me - things that would be natural for me to make magic with. What can I learn to do with my Every Day Carry (EDC)? So what do I have with me? Here is a dump of what I have, and some ideas I’ve come across to deploy all of these items:
Wallet:
My wallet doesn’t have any built-in magical functionality, but you could opt to carry a gimmicked wallet with peek functionality or card-to-wallet built in.
Cash is an easy answer here. You can carry your favorite bill change (see John Lovick’s excellent Switch for a myriad of possibilities). Tricks with money are always memorable and exciting.
Credit cards - depending on how much space you have, you could keep David Regal’s “Restored Credit” in your wallet as a self-contained unit (Approaching Magic, p. 154). Pro tip - if you don’t have the necessary materials to make this using a credit card, switch it out for a hotel room key. The script practically writes itself…
Picture: Shawn Farquhar’s Torn 2 Pieces is a terrific torn and restored photo with a twist. It’s easy enough to come up with a script for this, looks impromptu, is cheap to perform (get your photos printed at Costco), and leaves your participant with a memorable souvenir.
Keep reading with a 7-day free trial
Subscribe to The Erudite Magic Digest to keep reading this post and get 7 days of free access to the full post archives.