A few threads exist about the benefits of joining a magic society but with this one I intend to highlight one of the lesser know benefits - the annual auction night.
For those of you already in a club or society you'll probably know what I mean as I think that the auction night is firmly planted in almost everyones annual calendar.
Anyway, tonight was my new local - the Leamington & Warwick and what I great night I hadm and I think that was the opinion of everyone else there too. There were some great bargains and some items, as always that didn't sell for a variety of different reasons. In general though it was a real CUPS sufferers dream night
Anyway, this is what I bought and I was pleased with my haul.
First was Ron Baillie's book/pamphlet - Universal Mind for 50 pence. Billed as a demonstration of how mind reading works and poublished in 1952 then if not an interesting look at what mentalism looked like in the 50's then it's bordering on a piece of magic history (perhaps)
Next was Jerry Andrus' linking pins routine with some rather large safety pins from the 70's and a printed manuscript for the routine that is autographed by Jerry himself. This set is reputed to be one of the best, if not the best sets of pins ever marketed. I thought that the £7 price tag was a steal.
My third purchase was Homicide UK by Outlaw Effects, mint condition with full instructions etc. for £12.
Finally, I bought a copy of 'Introducing Bill's Magic' by W.G. Stickland (1976) who was known as the Wessex Wizard. I'm more pleased with this than with the other purchases for a variety of reasons. Firstly, W.G. Stickland hails from Dorset where I recently moved from and a skim through the book reveals some fascinating information about the man himself as well as his wife/assistant. Some great photo's and some interesting stage magic is explained in great detail. Such variety too and included are the instruction on how to make a Wessex die box amongst other things.
What makes this special is that the 273 pages are crammed with illustrations by none less that Ali Bongo himself. A bargain for £3 don't you think, particulalry when the book is in excellent condition with the original dust cover?
How nice to get back to how magic was before the DVD and video
