Jim Steinmeyer – Hiding the Elephant

Description

Jim Steinmeyer’s 2003 book is a journey thorough the rich history of magicians, their creations and their quest for the impossible. Starting with Houdini’s famous and infamous illusion of making an elephant disappear, Jim traces the various inventions in “optical conjuring,” from Pepper’s Ghost to Tobin’s Proteus Cabinet and the famous wonders at Egyptian Hall. The book discusses the creative masters of the art, including David Devant, Charles Morritt and Guy Jarrett. The book has received rave reviews. Publisher’s Weekly called it “a find.” Magician Teller, of Penn and Teller, reviewed it in the New York Times and called it “a loving celebration,” concluding that “no author has ever better conveyed magic’s joys, terrors and longings.” Published by Carroll and Graf. Author’s diagrams and magicians’ portraits by William Stout.