This is a quality reprint of the 1897 classic by Albert A. Hopkins. Many of the illusion secrets were provided to him by William E. Robinson, assistant to Alexander Herrmann and Harry Kellar, who later became famous performing as Chung Ling Soo and died performing the bullet catch. Henry Ridgely Evans provided an historical introduction and a bibliography. Still considered by many experts to be one of the best threee books on illusion principles, as well as an excellent anthology of small magic, stage special effects, etc. Harry Kellar, show performing a levitation on the cover of this reprint edition, was furious that many of his illusions were exposed in this book.