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Besides books and stuff which I can get is there anything else in the way of tricks or equipment you would recommend to someone just starting out. Money doesn't matter but the cheaper the better as I don't want this to cost me an arm and a leg. Not until I have my first sawing someone in half accident anyway.

You don't need to spend an arm and a leg mate, you don't want me to list you some books so what I will say is this; You can get two good books, a deck of cards and some elastic bands for less than £20 and still have change to practise coin tricks with.

Some of those books and DVDs are going to specify various items (gimmicks or otherwise). My advise is to look through the effects you find most interesting, and would like to try out, then buy the equipment listed.

T.

You don't need to spend much at all. Mark Wilson's Complete Course, a deck of cards and perhaps some sponge balls will keep you busy for quite a while

A trip to Staples or equivalent stationery store will provide you with most of the materials for hundreds of effects.

Please please please don't make the same mistake that loads of new magi's do. Don't buy gimmicks because they look good on a video.

Mark Wilson's complete course is fantastic and will introduce you to many types of magic. Spend a bit of time on a few different things, see what floats your boat then come back to this thread and let us know what magic you enjoy. We can then suggest certain things for you to try in that area.

One thing is for sure. This forum will not only support you, it has thousands of years worth of experience in it's members All of which are happy to help guide you along the right path.

Alec

Mark Wilson Course In Magic along with...

Deck of cards
Magicians rope, yes magicians rope is different, it is cotton not nylon
Sponge balls
cups and balls, can be the cheapo plastic ones, you will get the fancy ones once you decide you like the effect.
Coins.

My reasoning. All are covered in Mark Wilsons book. You will have a variety and not get stuck in one particular genre of magic.

Cups and balls on its own embodies all aspects of magic. The sleights you will learn will be useful in so many more effects. Plus you will learn timing, misdirection and how to perform.

Sponge balls, same as above. Many of the moves are also used in cups and balls but used differently.

Cards and coins because I love them, and so do spectators, the only ones that don't are magicians. Magicians don't like card tricks but ask yourself who are you performing for?

Rope, it has fallen out of fashion so to speak, but again uses a lot of skills that you will use in the future, plus you can use them close up, parlour, and stage.

What will also be nice is a silk and TT.

If you want some gimmicky stuff that is fun and easy:

Svengali deck
Mental photo / nudist deck
Dynamic coins
nickle to dime


Don't get it all at once. First look over the book and see what catches your eye and go from there. No need to spend a lot of money. On my list the most expensive item is the Mark Wilson course itself.

LostJester wrote:the cheaper the better

I would definitely recommend Mark Wilson's Cyclopedia of Magic, it's an abridged version of the Complete Course. Definitely a good jumping off point, and pocket sized (if you have very large pockets ).

You don't need to spend much at all. Mark Wilson's Complete Course, a deck of cards and perhaps some sponge balls will keep you busy for quite a while ...
_

... could keep you going forever. Do yourself a favour, buy those items, then promise yourself you wont buy anything else for 12 months

LostJester wrote:Besides books and stuff which I can get is there anything else in the way of tricks or equipment you would recommend to someone just starting out. Money doesn't matter but the cheaper the better as I don't want this to cost me an arm and a leg. Not until I have my first sawing someone in half accident anyway.

I am very partial/biased towards card tricks myself, So I personally would recommend a few normal decks of cards to learn 'many' of the basic non gimmicked card illusions and I would also purchase an 'ID' for a 'really cool' gimmicked cards illusion.

If cards are not your thing, I bought my son the Criss Angel Platinum Magic Kit for Christmas and both he and I have had a lot of fun with it.
I have even learned a few other cool types of illusions (Cups & Balls for example) from the Criss Angel kit.
The kit is not expensive ($25.00 U.S.).