Magic and its Professors

This is a very interesting book with a large amount of biographical material on Robert Houdin, followed by various magic effects from an impressive list of contributors. Frank Ducrot, Henry Hardin, Dr. William Elliott, Ellis Stanyon, Harry Kellar, and T. Nelson Downs. You will find effects with cards, coins, matches, handkerchiefs, and wands. Also, there are chapters on mechanical ways to produce ghosts, and other illusions that were popular at the time.