The mechanician jeaneugene roberthoudin uc press e. Robert houdin was born jean eugene robert in blois, france, on 7 december 1805, a day after his autobiography said he was. One of the oldest books in my collection is natural and unnatural magic by. Roberto giobbi is a fulltime professional magician who is probably best known as the author of the international bestselling fourvolume series, card college. He was a clockmaker, a creator of automata, the conjuror who founded the famous soirees fantastiques in paris the magic show that revolutionized magic. He was the first major magician to make extensive use of. In 1877 the book appeared in this english translation by louis hoffmann 18391919. Free downloadable magicautomata books from robert houdin s private club. Memoirs of robert houdin, ambassador, author and conjurer by robert houdin free ebook project gutenberg.
Memoirs of roberthoudin, ambassador, author, and conjuror. Jeaneugene roberthoudin, original name jeaneugene robert, born dec. Magic of robert houdin, the by christian fechner quality. His life and works are also cited in robertson davies s deptford trilogy, notably in the trilogys third novel, world of wonders, which takes place on the set of a movie about robert houdin. Eventually robert houdin started building more than clocks. Two volumes, the first describing the secrets of roberthoudins tricks, the second a faux book containing faithfully recreated souvenirs of roberthoudin, including fans, booklets, bank notes, and a dvd. Roberthoudin, le roi des magiciens editions a dos dane. The project gutenberg ebook of the unmasking of robert. From robert houdin to chung ling soo to black herman and harry houdini, the world of magic and magicians has always found a place in books. Jeaneugene roberthoudin december 7, 1805 june, 1871 was a french watchmaker. A reading of the full text of the memoirs of roberthoudin.
Feuillet artistique philatelique pac 71 34 j e robert. It is located in the loiretcher departement in the loire valley, in france, in the center of the city of blois. All the classic works of the great master of magic, roberthoudin, under one cover, lavishly illustrated with hundreds of beautiful prints, engravings, and photos. It covers the gamut of the classic and popular illusions of the day. He is generally considered to have been the originator of conjuring in its modern sense. Fechner has uncovered the story behind the scenes of robert houdin s life, magic, and writings and illustrated his discoveries with hundreds of rare pho. Fechner has uncovered the story behind the scenes of robert houdin s life, magic, and writings and illustrated his discoveries with hundreds of rare photos, playbills, and other treasures. Robert houdin 18051871 revolutionized the art of magic with his incredible stage mysteries and. Mar 29, 2016 jean eugene roberthoudin was a french magician who lived during the 19th century. Robert houdin 18051871 revolutionized the art of magic with his incredible stage mysteries and lifelike automata, and he thankfully left a number of books recording his philosophy. Memoirs of roberthoudin, ambassador, author and conjurer by roberthoudin. Jeaneugene robert houdin december 7, 1805 june, 1871 was a french watchmaker, magician and illusionist, widely recognized as the father of the modern style of conjuring.
He transformed magic from a pastime for the lower classes, seen at fairs, to an entertainment for the wealthy, which he offered in a theatre opened in paris, a legacy preserved by the tradition of. From a photograph taken by the author, especially for this work, and now in the harry houdini collection. In 1844, a small android he had built for the universal exposition was purchased by american circus impresario p. The name harry houdini pays homage to jean eugene roberthoudin, the. Unmasking of roberthoudin, the by harry houdini quality. Unmasking of robert houdin harry houdini vanishing inc. Robert houdin 1805 1871 revolutionized the art of magic with his incredible stage mysteries and lifelike automata, and he thankfully left a number of books recording his. He tries to show that most tricks roberthoudin claimed as. Mayne livre the magic book by harry lorayne livre the royal road to card magic livre the secret life of houdini w. Jean eugene roberthoudin, the father of modern magic who. One of the most elegant magic books ever produced, christian fechner explores the incredible world of roberthoudin, the legendary master of magic.
The whole art of performing with paper, including paper tearing, paper folding and paper puzzles. Being the life by harry kellar published 1890 chymical natural and physical magic by george william, septimus piesse published 1858. This unique artist also displayed his talents abroad and made groundbreaking scientific discoveries in optics and. As a revenge harry houdini wrote the unmasking of roberthoudin, in which houdini tries to push roberthoudin from his pedestal. In what is arguably the most beautiful and elegant magic book produced, christian fechner explores the amazing life and times of robert houdin the. This is an abridged republication of memoirs of robert houdin as published by t. Christian fechner has researched this fascinating magician and in doing so provides us with behind the scenes peek. He named the trick second sight, a title that was already used by magicians such as john henry anderson, but the effect was entirely different. Jean eugene roberthoudin was a french magician who lived during the 19th century. Free downloadable magicautomata books from robert houdin. In this book houdini strips roberthoudin of his veil of romance and reveals him.
Essential roberthoudin book essential roberthoudin finally back in print. Amongst other things, robert houdin is commonly regarded today as the originator of the modern style of conjuring the performance of magical tricks, and has even been dubbed by some as the father of modern magic. Jean eugene roberthoudin biography life of french magician. Feuillet artistique philatelique pac 71 34 j e robert houdin. Free kindle book and epub digitized and proofread by project gutenberg. Barnum for the handsome price of seven thousand francs. William manning was a club member who gave an after dinner talk on his recollections of the great magician robert. Jun 11, 20 free kindle book and epub digitized and proofread by project gutenberg. He transformed magic from a pastime for the lower classes, seen at fairs, to an entertainment for the wealthy, which he offered in a theatre opened in paris, a legacy preserved by the tradition of modern magicians. This book, originally published in 1868, is devoted primarily to coin and card tricks, but robert houdin also describes many other magical tricks and includes a history of conjuring. Houdini was upset that the widow of roberthoudin did not want to meet him. Fechner has uncovered the story behind the scenes of roberthoudins life, magic, and writings and illustrated his discoveries with hundreds of rare photos, playbills, and other treasures. The magic of robert houdin an artists life fechner, christian on. May 24, 2019 the story of the english magician jasper maskelyne, recruited in a special unit charged with deceiving and intoxicating the enemy, thanks to certain principles proper to magic.
In the mid1820s, he saved up to buy a copy of a twovolume set of books on. Gervais, near blois, french magician who is considered to be the father of modern conjuring. Being the life by harry kellar published 1890 chymical natural and physical magic by george william, septimus piesse published 1858 houdinis paper magic. Now translated into six languages, card college has become the standard instructional guide for the study of closeup magic with playing cards. Roberthoudin 18051871 revolutionized the art of magic with his incredible stage mysteries and. The magic of roberthoudin an artists life hardcover january 1, 2002 by christian fechner author see all 2 formats and editions hide other formats and editions. My interest in conjuring and magic and my enthusiasm for roberthoudin came into existence simultaneously. The story of the english magician jasper maskelyne. Houdini was upset that the widow of robert houdin did not want to meet him. Roberthoudins explanation of tricks performed by other magicians and not. This unique artist also displayed his talents abroad and made groundbreaking. Robert houdin jean eugene robert spent his earlier years working for his familys clockmaking business in the french town of blois. Essential robert houdin book essential robert houdin finally back in print.
Robert houdin a magicians tour, up and down and round about the earth. At twentyfour, he married the daughter of a prominent parisian clockmaker, soon adding their family. Roberthoudins grave, in the cemetery at blois, france. Roberthoudin prince des magiciens by collectif and a great selection of related books, art and collectibles available now at. All the classic works of the great master of magic, robert houdin, under one cover, lavishly illustrated with hundreds of beautiful prints, engravings, and photos.
He could not have known it, but he later inspired harry houdini to become a magician. Amongst other things, roberthoudin is commonly regarded today as the originator of the modern style of conjuring the performance of magical tricks, and has even been dubbed by some as the father of modern magic. Memoirs of roberthoudin, ambassador, author, and conjuror by roberthoudin, jeaneugene. New episode of cultural brackets, to change air during the health crisis. The sight of jean eugene roberthoudin in his elegant evening attire set him apart from other magicians in their long robes and this has led many to see houdin. This book, originally published in 1868, is devoted primarily to coin and card tricks, but roberthoudin also describes many other magical tricks and includes a history of conjuring. Two volumes, the first describing the secrets of robert houdin s tricks, the second a faux book containing faithfully recreated souvenirs of robert houdin, including fans, booklets, bank notes, and a dvd.
Not simply a collection of tricks, card college is an unprecedented learning and. Roberthoudin 18051871 revolutionized the art of magic with his incredible stage mysteries and lifelike automata, and he thankfully left a number of books recording his philosophy. Page 180 the doctor moved in his turn, and waited patiently till his adversary, whose movements had all the dignity of the sultan he represented, had moved. Roberthoudin was born jean eugene robert in blois, france, on 7 december 1805, a day after his autobiography said he was. T his book is the natural result of the moulding, dominating influence which the spirit and writings of roberthoudin have exerted over my professional career. Roberthoudin, jean eugene introduction by milbourne christopher published by dover, new york 1964 isbn 10. Jean eugene roberthoudin 18051871 american experience. In what is arguably the most beautiful and elegant magic book produced, christian fechner explores the amazing life and times of robert houdin the french master magician and scientist. Robert houdin s autobiography is the memoirs of robert houdin. Written by the father of modern magic, jean eugene robert houdin.
One of the most elegant magic books ever produced, christian fechner explores the incredible world of robert houdin, the legendary master of magic. Roberthoudin a magicians tour, up and down and round about the earth. Jeaneugene roberthoudin french magician britannica. The magic of robert houdin by christian fechner martins. A reading of the full text of the memoirs of robert houdin. From the moment that i began to study the art, he became my guide and hero. Roberthoudin was paid 7000 francs and this financial injection gave him the opportunity to finish the creations he was building for a magic theatre which he was soon to open in paris. Later roberthoudin toured the english provinces under his own management and made return trips to london, but his tour under mitchell was the most notable engagement of his career. As of the late nineteenth century, when houdini was growing up, not many first class magicians had written books about conjuring techniques, as roberthoudin. Set in vienna at the end of the nineteenth century, this is a beautiful film, full of romance, politics and, yes, illusions including the orange tree, originally invented by roberthoudin and currently performed by rob james as part of his show magicana. The game, though slow at first, soon grew animated, and the doctor found he had to deal with a tremendous opponent. Harry houdini had travelled far and wide, speaking to retired magicians and.
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