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The Tarbell Course in Magic
Hardcover.
- GenresMagicNonfiction
Hardcover
First published January 1, 1971
10 people are currently reading
139 people want to read
About the author
Harlan Tarbell
132 books8 followersTarbell was born on February 23, 1890 in the Illinois town of Delavan, but spent his childhood in Groveland. He
created cartoons for a newspaper in Morton when he was 12 years old. It was at this time that Tarbell received one of his earliest introductions to professional magic, when he hiked five miles along the railroad tracks to watch magician Harry August Jansen, aka Dante, perform at the Morton Town Hall.
During World War I, Tarbell served with the 24th Air Company in France, working with the medical department. He found time during his service to illustrate a military atlas and study with French impressionist Claude Monet.
In 1911, Tarbell moved to Chicago in order to pursue a professional career in illustration. His efforts attracted the attention of the magic company Read and Covert, which hired Tarbell to work on their Illustrated Catalogue of Superior Magical Apparatus. Tarbell continued to produce illustrations for Read and Covert until 1941.
Originally hired as illustrator for a magic course to be written by Walter Baker, he was given the entire job when Baker defaulted. Thus, beginning in 1927 as a series of 60 mail-order lessons, he produced the influential Tarbell Course. Illustrated Hilliard's Greater Magic. SAM President 1949-50. SAM Hall of Fame.
Invented over 200 effects, including color-changing handkerchief (c1905), Chinese Laundry Ticket (by 1906), Tarbell Rope Trick (c1919), and Tarbell Egg Bag (1927).
created cartoons for a newspaper in Morton when he was 12 years old. It was at this time that Tarbell received one of his earliest introductions to professional magic, when he hiked five miles along the railroad tracks to watch magician Harry August Jansen, aka Dante, perform at the Morton Town Hall.
During World War I, Tarbell served with the 24th Air Company in France, working with the medical department. He found time during his service to illustrate a military atlas and study with French impressionist Claude Monet.
In 1911, Tarbell moved to Chicago in order to pursue a professional career in illustration. His efforts attracted the attention of the magic company Read and Covert, which hired Tarbell to work on their Illustrated Catalogue of Superior Magical Apparatus. Tarbell continued to produce illustrations for Read and Covert until 1941.
Originally hired as illustrator for a magic course to be written by Walter Baker, he was given the entire job when Baker defaulted. Thus, beginning in 1927 as a series of 60 mail-order lessons, he produced the influential Tarbell Course. Illustrated Hilliard's Greater Magic. SAM President 1949-50. SAM Hall of Fame.
Invented over 200 effects, including color-changing handkerchief (c1905), Chinese Laundry Ticket (by 1906), Tarbell Rope Trick (c1919), and Tarbell Egg Bag (1927).
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
November 3, 2016
Wonderful series of books. Now have everything memorized. Loving it
January 16, 2013
Harry Houdini was asked to write a book to teach aspiring magicians the craft. He declined because of his commitments, but recommended Dr Harlan Tarbell.
The result is an eight-volume set that teaches how to perform countless magic effects of all types. What makes this book and series stand out from other guides to magic effects is that it's focus is on teaching you how to be a performer – the real secret of magic. The book starts with a history of magic, from the esoteric to performance magic and then launches in teaching about 30 ways to palm coins. Dr Tarbell doesn't expect you'll use them all, but knowing them, and having them practiced, means you can always switch to a different method if you the need calls for it. It then covers coin tricks, impromptu tricks, ball tricks, mathematical mysteries, card tricks, torn paper tricks, rope and tape tricks, handkerchief tricks, and silk tricks.
Apart from being practical, the book is entertaining and Dr Tarbell drew clear illustrations. My friend Adam Mada, one of Australia's best magicians, recommended this series of books to me after seeing how I was learning magic.
If you want to be a magician, then you must read and master this book.
The result is an eight-volume set that teaches how to perform countless magic effects of all types. What makes this book and series stand out from other guides to magic effects is that it's focus is on teaching you how to be a performer – the real secret of magic. The book starts with a history of magic, from the esoteric to performance magic and then launches in teaching about 30 ways to palm coins. Dr Tarbell doesn't expect you'll use them all, but knowing them, and having them practiced, means you can always switch to a different method if you the need calls for it. It then covers coin tricks, impromptu tricks, ball tricks, mathematical mysteries, card tricks, torn paper tricks, rope and tape tricks, handkerchief tricks, and silk tricks.
Apart from being practical, the book is entertaining and Dr Tarbell drew clear illustrations. My friend Adam Mada, one of Australia's best magicians, recommended this series of books to me after seeing how I was learning magic.
If you want to be a magician, then you must read and master this book.
September 28, 2019
Magic 101 for generations of illusionists. The intro is delightfully kooky, Tarbell explains how Christianity got everything from Zoroastrianism.
February 7, 2022
The only reason this is getting 4 stars instead of 5 is that it is very much of its time. Some of language, the props, and methods are dated. To see updated versions, I highly recommend the video series of every trick in Tarbell by Dan Harlan on Penguin Magic.
On the other hand, it is still marvelous and a fantastic resource for magicians new and old.
On the other hand, it is still marvelous and a fantastic resource for magicians new and old.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews