Rupert Howard Magic Course (1-25) by Rupert Howard

Most likely you have never heard about this magic course. When I think about a 'magic gem' I have these 25 volumes in mind. This course could be called the 'British Tarbell Course' and in many respects it is much better than the Tarbell Course. It came out around the same time Tarbell issued his course and it had the same intent, to take a novice, introduce him to magic in a serious and thorough manner and give him all the information to develop him into a performer who can earn a living from performing magic. Rupert Howard's course does not cover as much ground as the Tarbell on trick technique, but quantity is not necessarily equal to quality.

Rupert Howard whose real name was Stuart Raw thought this course through extremely well. Let's start with the production values. The 25 volumes are large format volumes measuring almost 9.5" x 12" (larger than letter size). The covers are color covers and the inside paper is high quality glossy paper. Howard uses both photos and illustrations wherever most appropriate. There is lots of space on the side and sometimes on the bottom of pages for student notes. The structure of his instructions is very methodical and pedagogical. For example he doesn't simply start to explain tricks but rather with

• Professional Attitude
• Scientific Principles
• How to Study
• Your Success in Magic

Howard also adds a bit of magic history spread out through the first lessons - not too much to overwhelm the beginner but enough to keep you interested and teach you some of the most important historical facts.

It covers all major forms of magic from cards, coins, ropes, silks, balls, paper, cigarettes, thimbles, mentalism, illusions, escapes, and all the essential parts of the business from marketing to the appropriate dress and attitude.

The 25 lessons are:

1. Easy Magic
2. Presentation and Paper Magic
3. Showmanship & Impromptu Magic
4. String and Rope Tricks
5. Sleight-of-Hand with Cards
6. More Tricks with Cards
7. Advanced Card Magic
8. Sleight-of-Hand with Coins
9. Handkerchief Magic
10. Cigarette Magic
11. Billiard Ball Manipulation
12. Thimble Magic and Watch Tricks
13. Egg Tricks
14. Productions and Opening Effects
15. Liquid and Chemical Magic, Tricks with Live Stock
16. Comedy Magic
17. Mental Phenomena
18. Spiritualistic Tricks
19. Miscellaneous Magic
20. Oriental Magic
21. Stage Illusions
22. Publicity Feats and Escape Tricks
23. Sensational Illusions
24. The Business Side of Magic
25. More Miscellaneous Magic

1st edition 1931; 556 pages.