talkmagic.co.uk

I work at a lot of medieval events, and want to do a display on the history of some of the props (without giveing anything away). Can anyone recomend a book to research this in. I'm after the history of the props as opposed to the artist (eg cup and ball, not Ali Bongo).

Hello. I am sure if you Google you will find what your looking for? I found a few myself but cant link to you because of the rules.

Recommendations and helpful information isn't a problem, it's only when people link to other places to sell stuff or divert topics that we get a bit miffed ! PMs are useful if you want to pass on the help but not to all & sundry.

There are several sources you might try

1. The Magic Catalogue by Wm. Doerflinger.
This has a large number of pages with old props plus past dealers in it
Paperback copies from Amazon UK are £6-38 pence.

2. Illustrated Magical Dictionary by Geoffrey Lamb
Like any dictionary it gives, in alphabetical order many many props & accessories used by magicians. Each is briefly explained and with some -their origin

BUT
Your Best Bet is
The Encyclopedic Dictionary of Magic.
This has hundreds of pages , again in alphabetical order DETAILING just about all the props magicians use with the dates invented and the inventors
You get it--pdf form from
Lybrary.com

$50

but it is a massive store of information


Allen Tipton