Magic for history buffs: a buyer’s guide
Magic for history lovers: free public-domain classics from 1584 to 1902, plus a hardback coin-magic book and a replica Morgan coin to give.
By The Online Magic Store
· 3 min read
In this story 6 sections
Good magic for a history buff comes with a story behind it. Start free with the public-domain classics in our library: a 1584 book that explains conjuring tricks to disprove witchcraft, a 19th-century magician’s memoirs, and two exposés of 19th-century card cheats. For something to hold, add a hardback coin-magic book or a replica Morgan coin.
What makes a good gift for a history buff?
History lovers tend to enjoy magic most when it connects them to the past. Look for:
- Original sources. Reading the actual words of a 16th- or 19th-century writer beats a summary.
- Stories about real people. Memoirs and exposés are full of names, places and dates.
- Something to try. Many old books still teach tricks you can do with coins and cards today.
- Objects with a past. A replica of a well-known coin is a small piece of history in the hand.
Which pick suits them?
| If they love… | Try | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Tudor and early modern history | The Discoverie of Witchcraft | Conjuring explained in 1584 to show “witches” were ordinary people |
| Biographies | Memoirs of Robert-Houdin | A 19th-century magician’s life in his own words |
| Crime and con artists | Sharps and Flats or Fools of Fortune | Cheating methods exposed in the 1890s |
| Card history | The Expert at the Card Table | The 1902 card-handling classic |
| A gift to unwrap | Coin Magic or the Morgan Replica | A hardback book or a finely made coin |
What can you start with for free?
Our free ebooks are scans of classic public-domain books. Check out at $0 and the PDF arrives by email and on your order page. Scans come from library copies, so expect the odd stain or stamp of an old book, which a history buff may well enjoy.
The Discoverie of Witchcraft (1584)
The Discoverie of Witchcraft by Reginald Scot was written to prove that so-called witches were ordinary people and that their marvels were sleight of hand. Our 692-page scan is the 1886 reprint, with the conjuring tricks, including feats with balls, coins and cards, explained in Book XIII.
Memoirs of Robert-Houdin (1859)
Memoirs of Robert-Houdin is the autobiography of the clockmaker turned conjuror. It covers his early lessons, his automata, his theatre in the Palais Royal and a performance at Buckingham Palace. Our scan is the 382-page 1860 edition. Read our profile Who was Robert-Houdin? first.
Sharps and Flats (1894)
Sharps and Flats by John Nevil Maskelyne is a 390-page exposé of the card sharp’s methods, from marked cards and holdouts to crooked dice and roulette, written to protect players. See also our profile of John Nevil Maskelyne.
Fools of Fortune (1890)
Fools of Fortune by John Philip Quinn is a reformed gambler’s exposé of 19th-century cheating, 643 pages long. It runs from gambling in ancient times to faro, poker, three-card monte and the shell game.
The Expert at the Card Table (1902)
The Expert at the Card Table by S. W. Erdnase, published by the author in Chicago, teaches the shifts, blind shuffles, palms and bottom deals of the professional card handler, then the conjuring tricks built on them. It’s a complete 230-page PDF. For more on the author, read Who was S. W. Erdnase?
What should you buy as a gift?
For the reader: Coin Magic by Richard Kaufman
Coin Magic is a 266-page hardbound book of coin moves and routines, back in print. David Roth, Edward Marlo and Slydini each have their own section, and every routine is explained in detail with Richard Kaufman’s own illustrations. It pairs well with the older coin chapters in the free classics above.
For the collector: Morgan Replica
The Morgan Replica by Tango Magic is a finely crafted replica Morgan coin in silver colour (not real silver). Tango Magic won the FISM 2012 International invention award. No box is included, so add your own gift wrap. See more in our ungimmicked coins.
How do you make the gift feel special?
- Print a chapter. As a suggestion, print a favourite chapter of one of the free ebooks and tie it with ribbon around the physical gift.
- Add a trick from the past. Learn one classic yourself, such as the four burglars card trick, and perform it when they open the present.
- Follow a thread. Pair a book with our history posts, such as the history of the cups and balls.
Frequently asked questions
Are the classic magic ebooks really free?
Yes. They are public-domain books. Check out at $0 and the PDF arrives by email and on your order page.
Do the old books still teach tricks you can do?
Yes. The Discoverie of Witchcraft explains feats with balls, coins and cards in Book XIII, and The Expert at the Card Table ends with conjuring tricks built on its sleights.
Is the Morgan Replica made of real silver?
No. It is a silver-coloured replica made by Tango Magic, and it comes without a box.
What is a good physical gift for a history buff who likes magic?
Coin Magic by Richard Kaufman is a 266-page hardbound book, and the Morgan Replica is a finely crafted replica coin.
