The Secrets Of Conjuring And Magic Or How To Become A Wizard, By Robert-Houdin. Translated and edited with notes by Professor Hoffmann. Pictorial cloth with Gilt, 373 pages with illustrations and ads at rear from Routledge.  A sought after desirable work as a classic in magic. Editor's preface dated 1877.

Chapters on: The Home of Robert-Houdin, Conjuring And Its Professors (History of Conjuring - Cup and Ball Tricks among the Romans - The first Conjurors who visited Paris, to name a few), The Art Of Conjuring, General Principles, The Hand, Coin Tricks (Disappearance by means of the sleeve, The Wand, The Table, Pockets and Pochettes, The Coat Sleeves), Tricks With Coins (Melting Coin, Flying Coins, Shower Of Money, Magical Filtration of Five-Franc Pieces to name a few), Card Tricks (General Sleights, Special Sleights Used In The Performance Of Particular Tricks With Cards, Ornamental Sleights), Tricks With Cards (The Thoughts of Two Persons Anticipated, Four Aces, Flying Aces and Kings to name a few), Sundry Expedients Used In Conjuring and Tricks of Various Descriptions such as Corks, Sundry Methods of Vanishing Articles for which the assistance of a Table is necessary to name a few), Chinese Rings, Crystal Balls, Cannon Ball Trick, The Plumes and Shower Of Sweets, The Cups and Balls, The Birth of Flowers or Magical Vegetation, Bowls of Gold Fish, The Marvelous Equilibrium.

Previous owner’s bookplate. Condition very fine.