In addition to the discussion in here, you may also enjoy reading:
By: Wayne Coyle
My passion is manipulation. I love to perform the moves that take
months of practice. Hovever, I'm not exactly crazy about videos. Are
there any books out there, particularly the large expensive ones, that
cover certain, if not all areas of stage manipulation.
By: Jack
'Now You See it, Now You Don't' by Bill Tarr. There are about 3
different books in the series that cover just about every aspect of
prop manipulation (cards, coins, balls, thimbles, etc...). Maybe check
with Hank Lee's Magic Factory to see what copies are available. They
will make you into a happy magician. They're not expensive either.
By: Magic Mike
Routined Manipulation I & II
Routined Manipulation finale
Card Control
Most of the Vernon books like Inner Card Trilogym or the Dai Vernon Book of Magic
Card Fan Productions (a Marlo booklet on split fans)
A Card Act
Card Magic by Manupulation
Card Manipilations
More Card Manipulations
Manipulating with Al Leech
By: Frank Yuen
I never see them recommended but Geoffrey Buckingham's "It's Easier
Than You Think Vols 1,2 and 3" are must haves.
By: Jon A. Hand
First, Frank Yuen's recommendation is a fine one. Geoffrey
Buckingham's It's Easier Than You Think is undeniably a fine
reference, and also undeniably hard, despite its title. Coverage of
billiard balls is excellent, with routines up to 13 or 14 balls in the
hands at once! The thimble work is extensive, and I believe there is
some coin work as well (haven't seen these in a long time). They are
not very expensive, though; hope that's not a drawback for you! :)
You'd be surprised at what fine manipulation stuff you can find in some old, out-of-print books that you can find in places like Bibliofind on the web. Some examples:
Card Manipulations by Jean Hugard, several volumes, but I've never seen these; are they really manipulation, as opposed to card effects and sleights?
Exhibition Card Fans (cannot remember the author)
Thimble Magic by Jean Hugard
Learn Magic by Henry Hay has a fine thimble routine in it, as well as many other excellent magical standards.
Classic Secrets of Magic by Bruce Elliott has two multiplying billiard ball routines that are very learnable, but still challenging.
Modern Magic Manual by Jean Hugard has whole chapters on Billiard Balls and Thimbles, as well as fine coverage of flower productions (both real and spring flowers) which would add a nice contrast to an all manipulation act. This almost-forgotten 1950's standard has excellent coverage on traditional Cups & Balls, Sponge Balls, etc; it is almost a mini-Tarbell, and I recommend it highly for a great general reference book on your shelf.
Complete Course In Magic by Mark Wilson has a good multiplying billiard ball routine in it, as well as many other fine tricks and routines; many of us who have had it for 25 years have forgotten just how good it is.
Now You See It, Now You Don't, 2 volumes by Bill Tarr and beautifully, copiously illustrated by comic/commercial artist Barry Ross, have much info on starting out in billiard balls and thimbles. Volume 2 is somewhat hard to find.
I am at work now, and cannot check, but surely the monumental Greater Magic by Hilliard has some thimble and billiard ball work in it. It can be found easily and relatively cheaply (compared to the original used copies) in the recent Kaufman reprint.
Finally, Cyclopedia of Magic edited by Henry Hay, has long feature articles on Billard Ball moves and thimble moves, all of them extracted from classic sources (listed by authors initials at the ends of the articles, which are referenced at the start of the book); you could then track down the full books on the used market. Do add this great general magical reference book to your library.
I am sure that I could think of more, but I am at work, and really ought to do something for which I am getting paid! :)
By: Olde Rabbit
The books by Professor Hoffmann, "Modern Magic" and "Later Magic"
Written in the mid to late 1800s, they are the original English
Language explanations for all manipulation, stage, and parlor magic of
the time. Manip with not only the props you mentione, but eggs, all
sorts of things. Also in-depth knowledge and diagrams on body loads
and steals, hat loading, etc.
These books are available in Dover reprint from www.conjuror.com for about $15 or so each. Original olde writing style, but this is where all the books written since then got their info and inspriation.
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