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You often see "magic for beginners" type books in charity shops. But I'm wondering if anyone has ever come across a real find - a "proper" magic book or DVD in amongst the "Da Vinci Code"s and video tapes. It must happen sometimes surely!

I read somewhere that someone found psychological subtleties! If only I had that kind if luck...

No such luck here. I regularly visit the many charity shops in Brighouse and always keep an eye out for anything remotely magical. I haven't even seen a Marvin's set yet.

You can sometimes find stuff. A friend of mine once picked up Hugard's 165 Card Tricks & Stunts for me.

Since I began working with people to design and build seance props, I've started lingering outside charity shops looking at all the lovely, strange old stuff they have.

I may have, on occasion, searched out Book Test books. Never found any, mind.

I got my first ever tailcoat from a junk shop, it came complete with trousers and bowler hat(!?!) for a mere £20. I still use the coat and trousers in my "'Not so' amazing Flashdini" show, it has nice big tail pockets and looks just right.

All in all it was a very good investment!

Tomo wrote:Since I began working with people to design and build seance props, I've started lingering outside charity shops looking at all the lovely, strange old stuff they have.

Don't go telling eveyone about the lovely weird stuff in charity shops

Mr_Grue wrote:I may have, on occasion, searched out Book Test books. Never found any, mind.

They're great for good cheap books to gimmick. Especially when you can't bring yourself to destroy that cheap book you've never or probably won't get round to reading.
Although not strictly related to magic... perhaps not at all related, me and a few mates did get some ladies attire for a bargain from a charity shop which we wore as we ran the cross country for charity, not only did it raise a few quid, we had a reason for not taking it seriously. We did get whistled by some passing builders and had to run past some frightened old lady who was probably wondering how we got hold of her clothes she gave to the charity shop....
Did I just tell you that?

If I remember correctly, I think Lomster has had pretty good luck with finding some gems in second hand shops!

Certainly did, I stumbled across the first two volumes of Rice's Encyclopedia of Silk Magic. They were original 1950s copies in mint condition for a couple of pound each.

I love a good charity shop! I found Dunningers Complete Encyclopedia Of Magic at the bottom of a pile of books. Got it for 50p

found some book by Britland about a guy named Berglas but I left it on the table....

DrTodd wrote:found some book by Britland about a guy named Berglas but I left it on the table....

Was it the special super-rare edition containing the definitive Berglas ACAAN appendix, by any chance?

I found Hugard's 165 card tricks for the cost of 10p.

I tend to get fancy boxes, and brass stuff in the local shops.

I once picked up some lovely edwardian/victorian playing cards,in a red morroco leather case.

that had been corner short, svengalied up. ( 50p)

and a theatre programe showing P.T Selbit on the bill, performing sawing, broadcasting a woman, and the wrestling cheese.(no more than 2 quid)

oh and the Linga singh poster on my web site, that came from a second hand place. It was about a fiver i think.