Your guide to London's culture and transport news and events taking place across the city.

Your guide to London's culture and transport news and events taking place across the city.

Exhibition: Staging Magic – The Story Behind The Illusion

Location

Senate House Library,

Senate House Malet Street,
London,
London,
WC1E 7HU

Dates

This exhibition CLOSED on Sat, 15th Jun 2019

This exhibition has finished.

Cost: Free of Charge

Description

An exhibition that covers a long period in the history of magic, from the 16th to the early 20th century and features some of the most precious and exciting treasures of the collection.

Among the highlights are the first edition of Reginald Scot’s The Discoverie of Witchcraft (1584) for its chapter on ‘the art of juggling discovered’ which includes descriptions of the tricks of jugglers of the 16th century and the first edition Hocus Pocus Junior (1634), the first work dedicated to legerdemain in English to feature illustrations of its tricks.

The book was one of Price’s prize acquisitions and is referenced in a signed photograph Harry Houdini sent to Price, also on display. Innovation in magic is explored through the work of the great French magician of the 1840s Jean-Eugène Robert-Houdin, including a playbill from his 1848 London tour.

From books produced for those learning magic are Parlour Magic (1838): an early book for children dedicated to sleight of hand and magical experiments and a pamphlet produced by Oxo to promote their products through basic magic tricks.

Ian has Visited - review here.


Contact and Booking Details

More information at this website.

No need to book tickets - just turn up on the day.

Disclaimer

The information and prices in this listing are presumed to be correct at the time of publishing, but please always check with the venue before making a special trip.

All images are supplied by the exhibition organiser.

This exhibition has finished.

This event runs over several days/weeks. Dates include:

Location

Senate House Library,

Senate House Malet Street,
London,
London,
WC1E 7HU

Map
Map