Silvan’s performing record as a “general practitioner” reflects a tremendously accomplished career, including as the author of a dozen books for both magicians and the public, not to mention the sale of more than a million magic kits for beginners.

“How do you even begin to review The Magic of Johnny Thompson Volumes I and II? First, I suppose, you drive down to the word store and load up on superlatives. Every aspect of these books is first rate, and their contents constitute a graduate course in close-up and platform magic.”—STEVE BRYANT

We are pleased to announce that, with the sell-out success of The Magic of Johnny Thompson, Magicana is now preparing a second printing of this historic book.

What accounts for the longevity of this classic? A recent survey has been touted that suggests that the public supposedly dislikes the classics of magic. The results of this survey mean, well, absolutely nothing to me, because the survey simply measures participants’ preconceived notions about magic.

Believe it or not, we are just a couple of copies away from selling out of The Magic of Johnny Thompson!

The Yankee Gathering—November 15, 16, 17—registration is now open! Space is limited ... act soon to save your spot!

We are pleased to announce that the next issue of Magicol—No. 193—will be in the mail this week! This issue—which completes our current subscription—is bigger than usual and chock-full with an eclectic collection of articles. 

FINALLY...they are almost ready to ship. 

Louis Tannen, the founder and original proprietor of Tannen’s Magic in Manhattan, was the first person to teach me sleight of hand. He taught me sponge balls when I was about ten or eleven years old, and later dice stacking, and the Chop Cup. By the time I was about 13 I was performing the Chop Cup for my parents’ friends at home cocktail parties, behind our four-stool home bar....