Antique Magic Tricks - The Black Art of Magic Made Easy

Enter the golden age of illusion with Antique Magic Tricks – The Black Art of Magic Made Easy by Frederic A. Brady, a fascinating manual that unveils the secrets, sleights, and stagecraft behind the most captivating tricks of nineteenth-century conjurers. Blending practical instruction with the flair of theatrical showmanship, Brady introduces readers to the “black art” of deception—a classic term for the subtle techniques of misdirection, optics, and clever contrivance that defined early parlor and stage magic.

From vanishing objects and mechanical illusions to feats of sleight-of-hand, this guide reveals how magicians of the era transformed simple props into marvels of mystery and wonder. Brady’s tone is both entertaining and instructive, celebrating a time when craftsmanship, ingenuity, and imagination were the true tools of enchantment—long before the age of modern technology.

A treasure for collectors, performers, and lovers of the curious, this book remains an essential window into the heritage of magical performance and the artistry that once enchanted audiences across candlelit stages.

Complete edition of Frederic A. Brady’s classic 19th-century magic manual

Explains sleight-of-hand, optical tricks, and mechanical illusions

A historical study of the craft, performance, and philosophy of magic

Essential for readers of stage history, illusion, and performance art