Curious about the Secrets of Magic? What you need to know.
My interest (curiosity) in magic goes back around 40+ years. There was no internet to access magic secrets. Those serious about the craft would visit magic shops. If there was one or more in your vicinity, you were fortunate.
Upon entering a magic shop, you would feel you have arrived at a magical wonderland. You would find shelves stacked with colorful apparatus and books. “So many books; indeed, it was a virtual “magic library” that covered every form of magic, ranging from close-up to stage magic.” Magic with balls, candles, even cigarettes and cigars. Books with secrets of mentalism and the standard “card tricks,” everything you might find of interest, were available in a book.
The Magic Demonstrator
There was always one person or more there to help you find what interested you and also to demonstrate individual tricks that were available for sale. It was no small task to perform the many tricks that were stocked in the store.
In front of the shelves were glass cases displaying special apparatus for the close-up performer. Cups and balls, specialty coins, wallets, cards, silks, the list is endless. If you’re a magician, your eyes will light up. Only one thing matches the stimulation of a magic shop.
One of my fondest memories was the Magic Catalog, which represented the entire stock of the magic inventory. If you didn’t have a retail location near you, the Catalog was your only way to find what you “think” you needed. “Although Catalogs were beneficial in some ways, they, on the other hand, also had drawbacks.”The writers and illustrators crafted the description to conjure up dreams in our minds of the magic we could perform. It was enticing, to say the least, addictive at its worst. Sadly, the items we received didn’t always match our imaginations of what we read in the catalog.
Too Much Magic Paraphernalia
Every magician understands what a “junk drawer” is. It’s the place where we keep our magic props/tricks that didn’t quite live up to our imaginations. “Hype” is not a recent phenomenon. It walks a fine line between our expectations and our realizations.
Sometimes Deceptive Descriptions
Descriptions of magic effects can sometimes be misleading. It’s common to hear about what a “trick” doesn’t use. “No magnets, no rough and smooth, no thread”. You’ll understand the jargon if you are a magician. It seemed the only solution could be “real magic.” Which, of course, was never the case. When receiving the secret, disappointment would sometimes set in. Without getting into the weeds on this topic, I spent many hours fantasizing as I perused a magic catalog. A little “Magic Pornography” if you will.
A Hard Lesson to Learn
Let me not blame the retail establishment entirely. Often, the secrets of magic are disappointing. A lesson that is hard to learn for the perpetually curious. Also, magic can be difficult, requiring many hours of study and practice. Beginning magicians want easy tricks, which will provide immediate gratification. The real reward comes after many hours of serious study. Some tricks are easier than others, but no shortcuts for dedicated practitioners. Just as musicians spend countless hours practicing in order to play “music.” To perform “magic,” the Magician must make the same commitment.
Today’s Magic Retail Business
Today, the magic retail business is for the most part conducted online. Brick and mortar shops have disappeared. Demos and performances are available via video. With the advent of social media, expectations of open communication held promise for honest discussions and understanding alternative views. If you’ve spent more than a minute on Facebook, you know how that turned out. As in social media, the results are the same in the magic industry.
To end on a positive note… Creativity is endless in magic. Sleight-of-hand techniques continue to advance. New effects and handlings of the classics never cease to amaze me. Magic is more popular than ever, and when audiences approve of the end result. Listen to the applause!
