An updated edition of the classic history of magic - from sorcerer-priests in ancient Egypt to such modern conjurers as Houdini, David Copperfield, and David Blaine.

Set off on a magical history tour with Milbourne Christopher's classic Illustrated History of Magic. Follow the fascinating stories of the world's greatest conjurers, from sorcerer-priests in ancient Egypt, The Great Herrmann, Harry Kellar, Chung Ling Soo, Houdini, to modern miracle workers like David Copperfield, Siegfried and Roy, and David Blaine.

Filled with fantastic illustrations - poster art, photographs, illusion diagrams - this book is a feast for anyone interested in the conjuring arts.

"Knowing my passion for magic history, people often ask me how they can learn about the origins of the art. I always refer them to this work, without hesitation, as the best source on the topic."
- from the Foreword by David Copperfield

"A glowing, fascinating account of this ancient art. Christopher has woven a spell and offered the reader a front-row seat for the great mysteries and the famous mystifiers. It's pure magic."
- Jim Steinmeyer, author of 'Hiding the Elephant' and 'The Glorious Deception'

"This mesmerizing, intelligent history sweeps from the earliest known image of a conjuring feat - an Egyptian wall painting made around 2500 B.C. - to the feats of that renowned escapologist Harry Houdini."
- Publishers Weekly

"Lives up to Copperfield's recommendation as 'the best source on the topic'."
- Library Journal

Milbourne Christopher played a crucial role in reviving magic's appeal for audiences in America and Europe, practicing his craft on TV and Broadway. An expert and author on magic, extrasensory perception, and the hereafter, Christopher lectured at colleges and universities and was at the forefront of the magic world from the 1950s until his death, in 1984. Maurine Christopher, his widow, is keeping his good work alive by continuing to update The Illustrated History of Magic.

Foreword by David Copperfield!

Contains B&W photos and illustrations.
Plus 8 full color pages of performance posters featuring: Houdini, Blackstone, Thurston and more!

Pages 484