The magic of robert houdin an artists life fechner, christian on. Fittingly, jean eugene robert houdin, a 19thcentury french magician and clockmaker, is widely hailed as the inventor of the mystery clock, but even his name is something of an enigma. He transformed magic from a pastime for the lower classes, seen at fairs, to an entertainment for the wealthy, which he offered in a theatre opened in paris, a legacy preserved by the tradition of modern magicians to perform in. Jean eugene roberthoudin magicpedia genii magazine. Robert houdin was born jean eugene robert in blois, france, on 7 december 1805, a day after his autobiography said he was. In 1877 the book appeared in this english translation by louis hoffmann 18391919. Robert houdin jean eugene robert spent his earlier years working for his familys clockmaking business in the french town of blois. I was considering getting the book essential robert houdin. The project gutenberg ebook of memoirs of roberthoudin. Harry houdini is perhaps the most famous magician of all time. You can now enjoy the complete work that robert houdin envisioned. It is located in the loiretcher departement in the loire valley, in france, in the center of the city of blois. Roberthoudin, le roi des magiciens editions a dos dane.
In 1856 he was asked by louisnapoleon to pacify the tribes in frenchalgeria. Jeaneugene roberthoudin december 7, 1805 june, 1871 was a french watchmaker, magician and illusionist, widely recognized as the father of the modern style of conjuring. Roberthoudin 18051871 revolutionized the art of magic with his incredible stage mysteries and lifelike automata, and he thankfully left a number of books recording his philosophy and techniques. Robert houdin 1805 1871 revolutionized the art of magic with his incredible stage mysteries and lifelike automata, and he thankfully left a number of books recording his philosophy and techniques. Jun 11, 20 free kindle book and epub digitized and proofread by project gutenberg.
The game, though slow at first, soon grew animated, and the doctor found he had to deal with a tremendous opponent. Robert houdin 18051871 revolutionized the art of magic with his incredible stage mysteries and lifelike automata, and he thankfully left a number of books recording his philosophy and techniques. Much of what is known about robert houdin is from his writings including the secrets of conjuring magic or how to become a wizard and life of robert houdin, king of the conjurers. William manning was a club member who gave an after dinner talk on his recollections of the great magician robert. All of robert houdin s classic books essential reading for anyone striving in the art of magic. Houdini was upset that the widow of robert houdin did not want to meet him. Discover book depositorys huge selection of robert houdin books online. He was the first major magician to make extensive use of electricity, an idea which stemmed from his background as a clockmaker.
Other readers will always be interested in your opinion of the books youve read. Excerpt from the unmasking of robert houdinfor a time the. Free kindle book and epub digitized and proofread by project gutenberg. Memoirs of roberthoudin, ambassador, author and conjurer by. From a photograph taken by the author, especially for this work, and now in the harry houdini collection. Roberthoudin, jeaneugene 18051871 worldcat identities.
Christian fechner has researched this fascinating magician and in doing so provides us with behind the scenes peek. Essential robert houdin book essential robert houdin finally back in print. Or how to become a wizard cambridge library collection spiritualism and esoteric knowledge robert houdin, jean eugene on. Following the hallowed tradition of his craft, the name pays. Christian fechner has researched this fascinating magician and in doing so provides us with behind the scenes peeks into his life, and his magic. This book has been published by david haversats 1878 press co. Page 180 the doctor moved in his turn, and waited patiently till his adversary, whose movements had all the dignity of the sultan he represented, had moved. Jeaneugene roberthoudin december 7, 1805 june, 1871 was a french watchmaker. Each century has introduced at least one exceptional magician. Download pdf the magic of robert houdin free online. This is just to inform imdb users that the documentary on roberthoudin was first released on french tv in 1995, and subsequently on video in french and english language. French born magician robert houdin is widely considered to be the father of modern magic. Memoirs of roberthoudin, ambassador, author, and conjuror by roberthoudin, jeaneugene.
Here is a replication of houdinis personal copy of his book with annotated pages written in his hand. He is generally considered to have been the originator of conjuring in its modern sense. Click download or read online button to the magic of robert houdin book pdf for free now. Free downloadable magicautomata books from robert houdin s private club. His influential books, based largely on the best ideas of his predecessors. This book, originally published in 1868, is devoted primarily to coin and card tricks, but robert houdin also describes many other magical tricks and includes a history of conjuring. Robert houdin 18051871 revolutionized the art of magic with his incredible stage mysteries and.
Discuss the historical aspects of magic, including memories, or favorite stories. I quote from this book in disproving roberthoudins claims to the invention of automata and secondsight. Aspiring teenaged magician ehrich weiss did not conjure the name harry houdini out of thin air. After much research, houdini wrote a collection of articles on the history of magic, which were expanded into the unmasking of roberthoudin published in 1908. The project gutenberg ebook of memoirs of roberthoudin, ambassador, author and conjurer, by jean henri roberthoudin this ebook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with almost no restrictions whatsoever. But above all, it was recently completely remastered, with new editing, and released in dvd format, with one hours worth of extra footage and features. Gervais, near blois, french magician who is considered to be the father of modern conjuring. With the release of essential robert houdin, the miracle factory has performed a great service for the serious student of the magical arts. Going back to robert houdin s quote, i wonder if we still misunderstand exactly what he was saying. All the classic works of the great master of magic, robert houdin. Jean eugene roberthoudin 180571 is often called the father of modern conjuring. Find great deals on ebay for robert houdin and howard thurston. Facebook is showing information to help you better understand the purpose of a page.
Unmasking of roberthoudin book stevens magic emporium. Magic of robert houdin, the by christian fechner quality. Now available to the world for the first time since houdini himself made these unseen additions and changes. Memoirs of roberthoudin, ambassador, author and conjurer by roberthoudin free ebook project gutenberg. I wonder if he was trying to say that a magician isnt a ragamuffin street performer. Magie et physique amusante jeaneugene roberthoudin.
Jeaneugene roberthoudin french magician britannica. Online shopping from a great selection at books store. Obviously, the scripts require updating but any magician should write his or her. The project gutenberg ebook of the unmasking of roberthoudin. Journal of economic education 19692015 books by language journal of management studies 19822015 journal of labor economics 19832011 journal of paediatric dentistry. The unbelievable secrets of robert houdin s automated house, with remotecontrol gates and. He tries to show that most tricks robert houdin claimed as his invention were infact not his. Jean eugene roberthoudin biography life of french magician.
A book on the recollections of william manning, a member of sette of odd volumes about the magician jean eugene robert houdin. As a revenge harry houdini wrote the unmasking of robert houdin, in which houdini tries to push robert houdin from his pedestal. Jean eugene roberthoudin 18051871 was a french magician. Apr 12, 20 roberthoudin, celui qui a reinvente lillusionnisme, au milieu du xixe siecle. Houdin s last name at his birth in 1806 was robert. Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders. The magic of robert houdin by christian fechner martins. The unmasking of roberthoudin by houdini, harry, 18741926. It is common knowledge that one of the worlds greatest magicians gave himself the stage name of houdini. Secrets of conjuring and magic by jean eugene roberthoudin. Later roberthoudin toured the english provinces under his own management and made return trips to london, but his tour under mitchell was the most notable engagement of his career. The most complete version of robert houdin s wonderful autobiography ever published, with material previously omitted from earlier editions. Robert houdin expressed an interest in mechanical toys at a very early age, creating his own working toys before reaching his 8th birthday.
The magic of robert houdin download the magic of robert houdin ebook pdf or read online books in pdf, epub, and mobi format. Free downloadable magicautomata books from robert houdin. Napoleon the third was worried about a religious tribe called the marabouts. One of the most elegant magic books ever produced, christian fechner explores the incredible world of roberthoudin, the legendary master of magic. Houdinis personal copy of his book with annotated pages written in his hand. During this period the french army commanders maintained order in the newly occupied region. Whether youve loved the book or not, if you give your honest and detailed thoughts then people will find new books that are right for them. When he accidentally received a book on conjuring he became very interested in the art and began taking lessons from a local amateur magician. His name was later adopted by magician and escape artist harry houdini.
His interest in conjuring and magic happened by accident when he was mistakenly given a book on magic instead of a book on horology. In this book he attacked his former idol roberthoudin as a liar and a fraud for having claimed the invention of automata and effects such as aerial suspension, which had been in existence for many years. Roberthoudins grave, in the cemetery at blois, france. Once robert houdin s assistant turned on the magnet, the attraction made it impossible to move the chest. In what is arguably the most beautiful and elegant magic book produced, christian fechner explores the amazing life and times of robert houdin the french master magician and scientist.
A reading of the full text of the memoirs of robert houdin. So jeaneugene began taking lessons from a local amateur magician. He transformed magic from a pastime for the lower classes, seen at fairs, to an entertainment for the wealthy, which he offered in a theatre opened in paris, a legacy preserved by the tradition of modern magicians. He could not have known it, but he later inspired harry houdini to become a magician. Fechner has uncovered the story behind the scenes of roberthoudins life, magic, and writings and illustrated his discoveries with hundreds of rare photos, playbills, and other treasures. Did you find it to have a practical translation that you were able to use with your performances, or was it more of an interesting history read. Book is rubbed through the cloth at the edges and spine. This book, originally published in 1868, is devoted primarily to coin and card. Amongst other things, robert houdin is commonly regarded today as the originator of the modern style of conjuring the performance of magical tricks, and has even been dubbed by some as the father of modern magic.
Jean eugene roberthoudin 18051871 american experience. Roberthoudin, the father of modern magic, even silenced a. Published by david haversat the unmasking of roberthoudin was published 110 years ago. Christian fechner has researched this fascinating magician and in doing so provides us with behind the sce. Mar 29, 2016 jean eugene roberthoudin was a french magician who lived during the 19th century. Memoirs of roberthoudin, ambassador, author, and conjuror. Jeaneugene roberthoudin, otherwise known as the father of modern magic, was a french magician who performed in europe in the 1840s and 50s. Jean eugene roberthoudin, the father of modern magic who. This is just to inform imdb users that the documentary on robert houdin was first released on french tv in 1995, and subsequently on video in french and english language. For the firsttime since houdini himself made these unseen additions and changes, this book has been published by david haversats 1878 press co. Think about the way robert houdin presented his magic.
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