The Magic of Robert Harbin

The Magic of Robert Harbin
Author	Robert Harbin
Publisher	C.W. Mole and Sons
Publication Date	1970
Language	English

The Magic of Robert Harbin was a book by Robert Harbin which included the plans (and performance rights) for the Zig Zag Girl.

In August of 1968, after Jim Sommers finally admitted that he had made the Zig Zag Girl illusion without Harbin's permission, Harbin decided to write "The Robert Harbin Book of Magic" in order to provide the plans for the Zig Zag giving owners of the book the right to build and perform the Zig Zag Girl. To purchase the book, one had to send for a prospectus and sign a legal document agreeing to keep the secrets. The owner were only allowed to build things from the book for their own use.

Only 500 copies were printed and then Harbin had the plates destroyed. The Magic Circle is currently in possession of the rights.

There were also a limited number of the books sold to magic society libraries for £10, but not sent until two years after the initial printing.

Bootlegs

In the 1980's, individuals unknown for many years, but later determined to be Al Mann and Craige Snader, had a firm in Mexico print and bind a number of illegal copies of the Harbin book.

To tell the difference, on page 154 the original has a small sticker with text in the margin (beginning with "This is confusing..."), the copies have the text actually printed (not a sticker) on that page.

Another bootleg version, a softbound photocopied (one-side), was reportedly done by Gary Darwin.

The Agreement

Agreement

Magic of Robert Harbin

Published June 1970 and printed by C.W. Mole & Sons Ltd., 526 Watford Way, London, N.W.7, England.

This book is the copyright of the Author Robert Harbin. Reproduction of its contents either wholly or in part is strictly forbidden. All rights for the manufacture or making up of items published in the book are strictly reserved. Its conditions of sale are subject to the following undertakings:--

(a) That the purchaser will not divulge any of the magical secrets contained in the book.

(b) That for a period of two years from the date of publication of the book in June 1970 the purchaser agrees not to lend the book out, to give it away, offer it for sale, donate, sell or lend same to any Magical Society for the common use of its members or dispose of it in any way to a third party without first obtaining in writing the consent of the Author.

(c) The cannot be purchased for the use of any public library.

(d) That the purchaser will not manufacture or make up any of the items published in the book except for his own personal and exclusive use.

(e) That the purchaser will not at any lecture, demonstration or talk make use of any of the material contained in the book.

In breach of any of the above undertakings the Author reserves the right to institute such legal proceedings as may be necessary in protection of his interests.

TO BE SIGNED BY THE PURCHASER.

I have read the above conditions of sale of MAGIC OF ROBERT HARBIN and I solemnly agree to be bound by them.

Signed

Name in block letters and Professional name (if any)

Address

Witness

Address

Date

This agreement must be signed, witnessed an returned to Robert Harbin, 65 Clarence Gate Gdns, London, N.W.1, England, before the purchaser is permitted to take possession of the book.

Index

The Index of illusions in the Magic of Robert Harbin is as follows:

• The Vanishing Vase and Flowers
• Harbin's Vanishing Radio
• Harbin's Folding Trolly
• The R.H. Cigarette Routine
• The R.H. Rope Routine
• Harbin's Torn and Restored Newspaper
• Drinka Pinta
• Cage to Bouquet or The Ever Vanishing Birdcard
• My Lady's Ring
• Harbin's Packaway Tables
• Upside-Down Production Box
• Super X Plus
• Harbin Chair Suspension
• The Magic Carpet
• Super Simplex Levitation
• Beer Barrel Penetration
• Head Off
• Experiment 13
• R.H. Sww Saw (Visible Sawing Through)
• Topsy Turvey
• Take it Away
• Little by Little
• The Zig-Zag Girl
• The Great Book Test
• The Knight's Tour
• Master Plan
• Vana, the Living Plant
• The Red Hands
• The Hands of Dracula
• The Space Wheel
• Petra
• The Invisible Man (or Out of this World)
• The Wizard of OZ
  • The Ruby Shoes
  • The Cauldron
  • The Mutilated Straw Man
  • The Vanishing Witch
  • The Sentry Box
• Last Word (If Ever a Wiz there Woz)
• Last Last Word
• Will o' the Wisp
• Copy of Agreement
• Other Books by the Author

References

• Mike Caveney talk "The American Zig-Zag Girl Scandal" at EMC 2010 (Session 3)
• Mike Caveney article in Magic Magazine March 2009
• Doug and Dennis and the Zig Zag, MUM, June 2009
• http://www.geniimagazine.com/forums/ubbthreads.php/topics/228013/Re_The_Magic_of_Robert_Harbin
• http://www.geniimagazine.com/forums/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=111264