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| image_caption = | | image_caption = Courtesy of Doug A ([http://magicref.tripod.com/books/abbottpercylifetime.htm magicref]) | ||
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'''A Lifetime in Magic''' is an autobiography by [[Percy Abbott]] of the [[Abbott Magic & Novelty Co.]] and his start in Australia. It only covers up to 1960, so does not cover much of the Abbott Manufacturing Company's prime days. Illustrated with B&W photos and drawings. | |||
It was reviewed in [[Genii 1960 November]] | |||
The updated 2002 version also includes the full text of Percy's [[Magic for Magicians]]. | |||
== Contents (2002) == | |||
As this is a two-in-one book, each section is page numbered separately. | |||
<p><span style="font-weight: bold;">Part 1: A Lifetime In Magic</span><br> | |||
</p> | |||
<p>1 B&W Photo of Percy Abbott: likely around 1960<br> | |||
2 Memories: Intro by Greg Bordner<br> | |||
4 Dedication: to Gladys (his wife)<br> | |||
5 Foreword: by Sid Lorraine<br> | |||
12 Contents<br> | |||
13 The Chrystal Lantern: Percy's start and some memories of Chung Ling | |||
Soo and some famous stage illusions<br> | |||
23 Comedy Snake Basket: Abbott's Snake Basket and some discussion of | |||
the presentation of magic<br> | |||
28 Lost in the Bush - Australia: Early years away from Sydney and | |||
performing in small towns<br> | |||
36 Ventriloquism in Java: for people who have never seen a vent-doll | |||
before!<br> | |||
40 Clock Dial and Gambling: Provides some insight into the challenges | |||
of selling a show, and how Percy was able to take advantage of the | |||
situations before him (not always to great success!)<br> | |||
44 My Last Escape Dive: the dangers of not having adequate preparation | |||
time!<br> | |||
48 Magic in the Cockpits: no not planes, but Rooster-Fighting pits! | |||
Also, dealing with illness as one of the hazards of travel.<br> | |||
57 Phantasma: putting on an equisite Ghost Show<br> | |||
60 Japanese Repeats: doing the same show for the same "assistants"<br> | |||
61 Horace Goldin in Shanghai: Percy meets Goldin<br> | |||
64 Jensen In Australia Stage Thermometer: The Great Jensen's (later | |||
known as Dante) shows and a comedy prop Percy made for him<br> | |||
70 De Biere's Thumb Tip: Percy's "cocky" approach vents some magic | |||
competition; a bit on repetition of the same effects<br> | |||
74 Oswald Williams "Box of Tricks": how a magician cleverly modified | |||
old tricks, but they look all the same to the layman<br> | |||
76 Chinese Egg Act: an act that Mr. Abbott could not duplicate<br> | |||
77 The Lifting of the Steel Spikes: some discussion on the "stealing" | |||
of ideas in the magic circles<br> | |||
81 The Nicola Show: one of the greats<br> | |||
83 Fooling the Bookers: Nicola getting what he wanted<br> | |||
86 Inside Siberia: Percy's stint in Russia, and a dangerous one at that!<br> | |||
89 Sawing a Woman: everyone wanted this illusion<br> | |||
99 Carnival & Jensen: some time in New York<br> | |||
102 Magic in Japan: tough work!<br> | |||
103 The Silver Mines of Korea: more rewarding, though gruelling<br> | |||
107 Arrested in Cochin China: passport troubles and a unique Chinese act<br> | |||
111 The Walking Ball Trick: brief explanation of a trick by the | |||
Magicians of Ceylon<br> | |||
111 Stranded: in the USA of all places<br> | |||
114 Harry Thurston Show: Harry and Howard contrasted, and Percy's | |||
experience "helping" Harry's show as long as he could bear it!<br> | |||
126 Magic in Schools: easier fare in Indiana<br> | |||
128 The Family Arives: Harry Blackstone, Percy's wife Gladys, and more | |||
family. Autobiography concludes in part with the admission that Percy | |||
has "said little about the years of The Abbott Magic Co."; and this | |||
would have been great to hear about!</p> | |||
<p><span style="font-weight: bold;">Part 2: Abbott's Magic for | |||
Magicians, Occidental and Oriental Mysteries</span><br> | |||
<br> | |||
1 B&W Photo<br> | |||
4 Foreword by W.W. Durbin, President of I.B.M.<br> | |||
5 A Few Words from the Author: Percy Abbott<br> | |||
9 Finger Tip Card Production: from a palm<br> | |||
9 It Hasn't Started Yet: a comedy card effect<br> | |||
10 Mental Masterpiece: cards pass from one packet of cards to another, | |||
with a mentalism effect in the middle!<br> | |||
13 Double-Over Card Steal: bring selection to top of deck<br> | |||
14 Testing Strength: Magician magically removes selection from deck | |||
although held tightly by spectator<br> | |||
15 The Game of Thirty-One: a gambling game<br> | |||
17 Thirty Cards: cards from pocket to pocket with comedy<br> | |||
19 The Twitching Muscle: card revealed by a muscle twitch<br> | |||
20 Two to Four Ball Move: move for multiplying billard balls<br> | |||
20 Novel Four Ball Production: another move<br> | |||
21 Mouth Ball Move: a false swallow for the multiplying balls<br> | |||
21 The Last Ball Move: a vanish<br> | |||
22 Closed Fist Ball Move: another billiard ball vanish<br> | |||
22 Four Thimble Vanish: four thimbles placed in left hand from right | |||
hand fingertips vanish<br> | |||
23 Passing Thimbles: four thimbles pass one at a time from right to | |||
left hand fingertips<br> | |||
23 Body Load: to produce object from spectator's coat<br> | |||
24 Disappearing and Reappearing Coin Stand: coins vanish as removed | |||
from stand, then reappear after showing both sides<br> | |||
25 The Hairy Match: a "hair" pulls the end off a burnt match<br> | |||
26 Comedy Penetration: wand through glass illusion<br> | |||
26 The Repeat Candle: candle and silk trick<br> | |||
27 Vanish of Grains of Rice: grains of rice vanish as thrown in the air<br> | |||
28 An Egg Bag Move: spectator stomps on bag to show it empty<br> | |||
28 Chinese Pagodas: for stage<br> | |||
37 The Lung-Tester: red handkerchief changes to green in boy's mouth<br> | |||
38 Dry Wine: Wine poured into container turns to handkerchief and | |||
container is dry<br> | |||
39 A Novel Load: to produce a small object from a hat or newspaper<br> | |||
40 Wine and Water: Wine to Sherry to Water in two passes<br> | |||
40 Clink Coins: a second coin joins a first held by a spectator inside | |||
a handkerchief<br> | |||
41 Double Effect Silk Transposition: for the stage<br> | |||
42 Flash Cigarette: a gag with flash paper<br> | |||
42 Handkerchief Box: snappy production of multiple handkerchiefs<br> | |||
43 The Haunted House: stage illusion<br> | |||
45 Strait-Jacket Fake: to help get out of the jacket<br> | |||
45 The A.B.C. of Ventriloquism: a few basic tips provided<br> | |||
46 Chapeaugraphy: hat folding<br> | |||
</p> | |||
46 <span style="font-weight: bold;">Oriental Section</span><br> | |||
46 Chinese Double Bowl Production and Five Trays: large production from | |||
the Oriental robe<br> | |||
49 Chinese Bowl Effects: introduction<br> | |||
49 - Chinese Rice Bowls: briefly described<br> | |||
50 - Water Effect: Water poured from bowl to bowl, but then dry | |||
(briefly explained)<br> | |||
50 - Seed Bowls: overflow of seeds produced<br> | |||
50 - Frog to Fish Bowl: Frog turns into fish<br> | |||
51 - Egg to Frog Bowl: egg placed on floor is covered with bowl and | |||
lifted to reveal frog<br> | |||
51 Colored Powders: Any color can be removed even though powders | |||
are mixed in water <br> | |||
52 Single Chinese Bowl Production: a smaller variation<br> | |||
52 Seed Vase Vanish: seeds vanish and reappear in vase<br> | |||
53 Double Lighted Lamp Production: another production<br> | |||
53 Chinese Release: a load for a stack of bowls<br> | |||
53 Chinese Stack of Bowls Production: another production<br> | |||
55 Large Fish Bowl and Plate Production: yet another<br> | |||
55 Suspended Vase: vasae suspended by a cord<br> | |||
56 Chinese Plate Spinning: how it is done<br> | |||
<br> | |||
<p> | |||
{{DEFAULTSORT:Lifetime in Magic}} | {{DEFAULTSORT:Lifetime in Magic}} | ||
{{books}} | {{books}} | ||
Revision as of 15:53, 16 May 2013
| A Lifetime in Magic | |
 Courtesy of Doug A (magicref) | |
| Author | Percy Abbott |
|---|---|
| Publisher | Abbott Magic & Novelty Co. |
| Publication Date | 1960 |
| Language | English |
| Pages | 132 |
A Lifetime in Magic is an autobiography by Percy Abbott of the Abbott Magic & Novelty Co. and his start in Australia. It only covers up to 1960, so does not cover much of the Abbott Manufacturing Company's prime days. Illustrated with B&W photos and drawings.
It was reviewed in Genii 1960 November
The updated 2002 version also includes the full text of Percy's Magic for Magicians.
Contents (2002)
As this is a two-in-one book, each section is page numbered separately.
Part 1: A Lifetime In Magic
1 B&W Photo of Percy Abbott: likely around 1960
2 Memories: Intro by Greg Bordner
4 Dedication: to Gladys (his wife)
5 Foreword: by Sid Lorraine
12 Contents
13 The Chrystal Lantern: Percy's start and some memories of Chung Ling
Soo and some famous stage illusions
23 Comedy Snake Basket: Abbott's Snake Basket and some discussion of
the presentation of magic
28 Lost in the Bush - Australia: Early years away from Sydney and
performing in small towns
36 Ventriloquism in Java: for people who have never seen a vent-doll
before!
40 Clock Dial and Gambling: Provides some insight into the challenges
of selling a show, and how Percy was able to take advantage of the
situations before him (not always to great success!)
44 My Last Escape Dive: the dangers of not having adequate preparation
time!
48 Magic in the Cockpits: no not planes, but Rooster-Fighting pits!
Also, dealing with illness as one of the hazards of travel.
57 Phantasma: putting on an equisite Ghost Show
60 Japanese Repeats: doing the same show for the same "assistants"
61 Horace Goldin in Shanghai: Percy meets Goldin
64 Jensen In Australia Stage Thermometer: The Great Jensen's (later
known as Dante) shows and a comedy prop Percy made for him
70 De Biere's Thumb Tip: Percy's "cocky" approach vents some magic
competition; a bit on repetition of the same effects
74 Oswald Williams "Box of Tricks": how a magician cleverly modified
old tricks, but they look all the same to the layman
76 Chinese Egg Act: an act that Mr. Abbott could not duplicate
77 The Lifting of the Steel Spikes: some discussion on the "stealing"
of ideas in the magic circles
81 The Nicola Show: one of the greats
83 Fooling the Bookers: Nicola getting what he wanted
86 Inside Siberia: Percy's stint in Russia, and a dangerous one at that!
89 Sawing a Woman: everyone wanted this illusion
99 Carnival & Jensen: some time in New York
102 Magic in Japan: tough work!
103 The Silver Mines of Korea: more rewarding, though gruelling
107 Arrested in Cochin China: passport troubles and a unique Chinese act
111 The Walking Ball Trick: brief explanation of a trick by the
Magicians of Ceylon
111 Stranded: in the USA of all places
114 Harry Thurston Show: Harry and Howard contrasted, and Percy's
experience "helping" Harry's show as long as he could bear it!
126 Magic in Schools: easier fare in Indiana
128 The Family Arives: Harry Blackstone, Percy's wife Gladys, and more
family. Autobiography concludes in part with the admission that Percy
has "said little about the years of The Abbott Magic Co."; and this
would have been great to hear about!
Part 2: Abbott's Magic for
Magicians, Occidental and Oriental Mysteries
1 B&W Photo
4 Foreword by W.W. Durbin, President of I.B.M.
5 A Few Words from the Author: Percy Abbott
9 Finger Tip Card Production: from a palm
9 It Hasn't Started Yet: a comedy card effect
10 Mental Masterpiece: cards pass from one packet of cards to another,
with a mentalism effect in the middle!
13 Double-Over Card Steal: bring selection to top of deck
14 Testing Strength: Magician magically removes selection from deck
although held tightly by spectator
15 The Game of Thirty-One: a gambling game
17 Thirty Cards: cards from pocket to pocket with comedy
19 The Twitching Muscle: card revealed by a muscle twitch
20 Two to Four Ball Move: move for multiplying billard balls
20 Novel Four Ball Production: another move
21 Mouth Ball Move: a false swallow for the multiplying balls
21 The Last Ball Move: a vanish
22 Closed Fist Ball Move: another billiard ball vanish
22 Four Thimble Vanish: four thimbles placed in left hand from right
hand fingertips vanish
23 Passing Thimbles: four thimbles pass one at a time from right to
left hand fingertips
23 Body Load: to produce object from spectator's coat
24 Disappearing and Reappearing Coin Stand: coins vanish as removed
from stand, then reappear after showing both sides
25 The Hairy Match: a "hair" pulls the end off a burnt match
26 Comedy Penetration: wand through glass illusion
26 The Repeat Candle: candle and silk trick
27 Vanish of Grains of Rice: grains of rice vanish as thrown in the air
28 An Egg Bag Move: spectator stomps on bag to show it empty
28 Chinese Pagodas: for stage
37 The Lung-Tester: red handkerchief changes to green in boy's mouth
38 Dry Wine: Wine poured into container turns to handkerchief and
container is dry
39 A Novel Load: to produce a small object from a hat or newspaper
40 Wine and Water: Wine to Sherry to Water in two passes
40 Clink Coins: a second coin joins a first held by a spectator inside
a handkerchief
41 Double Effect Silk Transposition: for the stage
42 Flash Cigarette: a gag with flash paper
42 Handkerchief Box: snappy production of multiple handkerchiefs
43 The Haunted House: stage illusion
45 Strait-Jacket Fake: to help get out of the jacket
45 The A.B.C. of Ventriloquism: a few basic tips provided
46 Chapeaugraphy: hat folding
46 Oriental Section
46 Chinese Double Bowl Production and Five Trays: large production from
the Oriental robe
49 Chinese Bowl Effects: introduction
49 - Chinese Rice Bowls: briefly described
50 - Water Effect: Water poured from bowl to bowl, but then dry
(briefly explained)
50 - Seed Bowls: overflow of seeds produced
50 - Frog to Fish Bowl: Frog turns into fish
51 - Egg to Frog Bowl: egg placed on floor is covered with bowl and
lifted to reveal frog
51 Colored Powders: Any color can be removed even though powders
are mixed in water
52 Single Chinese Bowl Production: a smaller variation
52 Seed Vase Vanish: seeds vanish and reappear in vase
53 Double Lighted Lamp Production: another production
53 Chinese Release: a load for a stack of bowls
53 Chinese Stack of Bowls Production: another production
55 Large Fish Bowl and Plate Production: yet another
55 Suspended Vase: vasae suspended by a cord
56 Chinese Plate Spinning: how it is done