Page 1 of 1

Amazing charity shop find

PostPosted: Dec 3rd, '17, 10:45
by mr invisible


:D :D :D :D :D :D
Morning folks.
Anyone on here ever scan through the charity shops for that special old magic prop/book/trick ? I do, in fact have been for many years. Only ever found the occasional item over the years.. Until, Friday !!! I was shocked to see lying in the rare books section, and only asking for £ 5, a 1897 thirteenth edition of Professor Hoffman, modern magic.. I knew when i saw this i hit the jackpot. The book isn't in bad condition for nearly 120 years old, and have seen them on Ebay sell for around £70-90, in the condition of my book.. So not bad for a £5 purchase. I will proudly add this to my book collection, after reading, and hopefully picking up a few tricks that have been lost over the years..
Regards Garry. 8)


Re: Amazing charity shop find

PostPosted: Dec 3rd, '17, 11:55
by moonbeam
Oooh nice find .... jammy sod lol :P

I can imagine that there are plenty of hidden gems in these shops ..... I just never find the time to go in them >.<


Re: Amazing charity shop find

PostPosted: Dec 3rd, '17, 14:28
by Mandrake
I spend far too much time in second hand bookshops - and far too much money! I have an original Bobo's Coin Magic which cost me forty smackeroonies even though I have the same tome as a PDF! The attraction of sorting through those dusty shelves and taking in the musty aroma of old books is very powerful. Congrats on your find!


Re: Amazing charity shop find

PostPosted: Dec 3rd, '17, 15:23
by mr invisible
moonbeam wrote:Oooh nice find .... jammy sod lol :P

I can imagine that there are plenty of hidden gems in these shops ..... I just never find the time to go in them >.<
Due to my work pattern, i normally go on a Sunday, but i was off for a few days, and just happen to pass one when i found the book.I probably would never come across this on a Sunday, if i never passed by on a Friday. So was a bit of fate that led me to it i suppose. :o


Re: Amazing charity shop find

PostPosted: Dec 3rd, '17, 15:25
by mr invisible
Mandrake wrote:I spend far too much time in second hand bookshops - and far too much money! I have an original Bobo's Coin Magic which cost me forty smackeroonies even though I have the same tome as a PDF! The attraction of sorting through those dusty shelves and taking in the musty aroma of old books is very powerful. Congrats on your find!
Thanks Paul.. I know exactly what you mean by the musty aroma. :)


Re: Amazing charity shop find

PostPosted: Dec 4th, '17, 12:58
by Lady of Mystery
That's a cracking find :)

I love hunting through second hand book shops, my best finds were a copy of volumes 1 and 2 of Rice's Encyclopedia of Silk Magic in almost perfect condition.


Re: Amazing charity shop find

PostPosted: Dec 5th, '17, 18:56
by bmat
I found Cards As Weapons by Ricky Jay. 7.99 Canadian dollars.


Re: Amazing charity shop find

PostPosted: Dec 5th, '17, 19:13
by bmat
Lady of Mystery wrote:That's a cracking find :)

I love hunting through second hand book shops, my best finds were a copy of volumes 1 and 2 of Rice's Encyclopedia of Silk Magic in almost perfect condition.


When I lived in Vancouver I had the pleasure of meeting the illustrator Francis B. Martineau. Well it was a pleasure for the first 10 minutes. his experiences, his knowledge and his ability were unmatched. Unfortunately he had the worst personality, not a nice man at all, somehow we managed to become 'friends' he would spend a lot of time in my magic store and tell me stories of all the greats he worked with, about illustrating the encyclopedia in fox holes during the war. But when other magicians came into the shop and see him there they would turn around and walk out and thankfully come back later. Yes he was that disagreeable.

After his death I learned about the many tragedies in his life that made him so bitter.

I learned you never know what goes on with another and we should usually give them the benefit of the doubt, and I am now happy I was able to become friends with him even though it was a difficult friendship to say the least.


Re: Amazing charity shop find

PostPosted: Dec 12th, '17, 15:30
by mr invisible
Lady of Mystery wrote:That's a cracking find :)

I love hunting through second hand book shops, my best finds were a copy of volumes 1 and 2 of Rice's Encyclopedia of Silk Magic in almost perfect condition.
Oh, that was also a good find Becky. Saw 2 of these volumes sold recently for a lot of money. 8)


Re: Amazing charity shop find

PostPosted: Dec 12th, '17, 15:32
by mr invisible
bmat wrote:
Lady of Mystery wrote:That's a cracking find :)

I love hunting through second hand book shops, my best finds were a copy of volumes 1 and 2 of Rice's Encyclopedia of Silk Magic in almost perfect condition.


When I lived in Vancouver I had the pleasure of meeting the illustrator Francis B. Martineau. Well it was a pleasure for the first 10 minutes. his experiences, his knowledge and his ability were unmatched. Unfortunately he had the worst personality, not a nice man at all, somehow we managed to become 'friends' he would spend a lot of time in my magic store and tell me stories of all the greats he worked with, about illustrating the encyclopedia in fox holes during the war. But when other magicians came into the shop and see him there they would turn around and walk out and thankfully come back later. Yes he was that disagreeable.

After his death I learned about the many tragedies in his life that made him so bitter.

I learned you never know what goes on with another and we should usually give them the benefit of the doubt, and I am now happy I was able to become friends with him even though it was a difficult friendship to say the least.
That's great . 8)