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These two well produced books come in a superbly strong and academic looking slip case.

Volume 1 is a reprint of HArbincadabra (which is a reprint of Harbin's contributions to Abracadabra) and the second volume is a collection of material from the period 1929 to 1938. I thought that Lewis' 'The Genius of Robert Harbin' was an excellent book and these tow are of the same ilk.

The book is listed as being $120 (USD) and the price for the pair in GBP was £75, but in all it's a worthy addition to my Jack Hughes and Byron Wels bookshelf.

If you have an interest in the history of magic the books are interesting (as is Lewis' offering). If you want build tricks yourself, they are invaluable and if you are a person who wants to let the creative juices flow in terms of thinking about old tricks for new, then how have you lived without this?

Expensive on the surface but when you dig down it's probably the cheapest pair of books that will ever grace one's shelves.

Happy reading,

Vic

Having just read my way through the Harbincadabra book (will take me years of in-depth reading before I get near to finishing it) I have to say that having tried to get the original many times and failed, this is a super option.

These two books really warrant owning. They are well bound and the quality of the printing is super. Haven't had so much fun since I got my first Jack Hughes book.

For all you people out there who keep seeking for the perfect trick, this is a good foundation for originality (which isn't always hiding the source!) and developing your own patter.

Definitely a must, can't praise it highly enough. The only downside is that unless I put the blessed thing down will have to preach from it this weekend (whoops!),

Vic

they are on my wish list.
It is wonderfull to see Magico printing these historically important books.

unless I put the blessed thing down will have to preach from it this weekend

Not such a bad idea! We used to have a Vicar who regularly based sermons on Hitchhikers' Guide to the Galaxy which is quite theological in parts, so he said!

Well i may think about bying these but im not sure yet.

Have just started reading book two - early Harbin and must say that my first opinions were probably an underestimation!

This will be a collector's item in years to come just as the original Harbincadabra is now. This really is a must, and it's not often that I don't say that about a book !

Seriously, don't know much about the Magico company but read somewhere that the guy (apparently a Rabbi) is known for putting stuff out and then when they've gone shutting up shop on that particular volume. If this it true then grab it while it's hot. I should have added that I got mine from Davenports.

Hope this helps,

Vic

Mandrake wrote:

unless I put the blessed thing down will have to preach from it this weekend

Not such a bad idea! We used to have a Vicar who regularly based sermons on Hitchhikers' Guide to the Galaxy which is quite theological in parts, so he said!

Actually, there's a quite a few elements that I have already earmarked for inclusion in the family/parade/all-age services but don't think I'd get away with reading verbatim.

"Today's sermon comes from the fifth book of Harbin, beginning at the first verse of the third chapter."

The response to this would have to be "Thanks be you're odd!" I suppose ,

Vic

Anyone else bought these books yet?

Am I the only one and if so, why?

Surely there are more . . .

Vic

Hi Vic,

As a newcomer to Talkmagic, can I say a heartfelt thank-you to you for your posting regarding Harbincadabra. I have tried in vain over the years to obtain a copy, even resorting to alt. magic etc. which resulted in one individual, in the States, offering a copy to me for a quite exhorbitant amount of dosh, his offer was politely declined!

Having the read your posting, I contacted Davenports next day, (much to the chagrin of my wife!) and a copy is winging its way to me even as I write.

Once again Vic, many thanks.
Hope to hear from you.

Lester

Undoubtedly once you get your books I reckon we're going to be exchanging more pms than that!

Perhaps we could have a Harbin fan club topic area ,

Hope you enjoy the books, they're really worth the money,

Vic

Perhaps we could have a Harbin fan club topic area

It's a possibility....

Interestingly enough, the Magic Circle special referred to http://www.talkmagic.co.uk/ftopic6379.php&highlight=sun listed the top ten tricks of all time and Robert Harbin had two in that top ten - Zig Zag Lady and Levitation.

(How about that for linking two threads together?)

Thanks for the info, didn't see the thread but have found a copy of the relevant paper and will be seeing it soon (I hope!),

Thanks again,

Vic

Harbincadabra has been a much sought after collectors' item.

Both books contain a wealth of information about Harbin, his inventions and his life.

Whoever is into DIY magic cannot miss these volumes.

Whoever is into Harbin cannot also miss Eric Louis' "The Genius of Robert Harbin". Eric Louis was a confident and friend of Harbin, and many of Harbin's work contains sprinkles of Louis' genius. Indeed in this book, Louis goes into an indepth look at Harbin's creations and suggests better ways to actually build the needed apparatus. Indeed you will find many of the same items detailed in Harbincadabra, only more detailed.

bj wrote:Harbincadabra has been a much sought after collectors' item.

Both books contain a wealth of information about Harbin, his inventions and his life.

Whoever is into DIY magic cannot miss these volumes.

Whoever is into Harbin cannot also miss Eric Louis' "The Genius of Robert Harbin". Eric Louis was a confident and friend of Harbin, and many of Harbin's work contains sprinkles of Louis' genius. Indeed in this book, Louis goes into an indepth look at Harbin's creations and suggests better ways to actually build the needed apparatus. Indeed you will find many of the same items detailed in Harbincadabra, only more detailed.

That 's Eric Lewis.