Antiquarian Magic and Collectibles, Catalog 39 by Antiquarian Magic and Collectibles

Reviewed by Jamy Ian Swiss (originally published in Genii November, 1994)

By the time this column sees print, Mario Carrandi, noted dealer in magic history, should have released or be about to release this latest catalog of used conjuring books, props, ephemera, memorabilia, and the like. With so many important texts going quickly out of print, the ever-decreasing availability of quality apparatus, and the ever- increasing value of all things old and magical, it's a wonder so many magicians manage to get by without frequenting dealers in used magic. There are a number of excellent such suppliers in the marketplace today, and Mr. Carrandi is one of the biggest and best known. His catalogs are always fascinating, with plenty of illustrations and unusual items that in many cases you won't find anywhere else. It's great material just to browse through, whether or not you are a collector. This is not necessarily the place to look for bargains, but Mr. Carrandi's expertise is substantial, his claims reliable, and his catalog, diverse. Check it out.