Hocus Pocus; or The Whole Art of Legerdemain, in Perfection

Hocus Pocus; or The Whole Art of Legerdemain, in Perfection

Enriched edition. Unveiling the Enchanting World of Illusion and DeceptionBy Henry Dean
Michael Caine
Listen with Sir Michael Caine™ and 1,000+ voices
Length2h 29m

About this audiobook

In "Hocus Pocus; or The Whole Art of Legerdemain, in Perfection," Henry Dean intricately explores the captivating world of sleight-of-hand and deception. The book weaves together a rich tapestry of practical techniques, detailed illustrations, and engaging anecdotes, reflecting a literary style that marries both scholarly depth and lively narrative. Situated within the broader context of 17th-century literature on magic and performance, Dean's work not only serves as a manual for aspiring magicians but also as an insightful commentary on the societal fascination with illusion and artifice during the age of Enlightenment. Henry Dean, a noted figure in the realm of magic and performance arts, emerged in a time when public enchantment with the mysterious was paramount. His background in entertainment informs his thoughtful approach, blending personal experience with a thorough examination of the techniques of legerdemain. Dean's exposure to both the theatrical and scientific realms of his era undoubtedly influences his rigorous yet accessible treatment of the subject, allowing readers to appreciate not just the mechanics of magic, but also its cultural implications. For anyone intrigued by the art of illusion, "Hocus Pocus" is an essential read that invites the modern audience to unravel the secrets behind the stage. Dean's blend of practical instruction and philosophical inquiry makes this book not only a practical guide for performers but also a thoughtful exploration of the human penchant for wonder and belief in the extraordinary. In this enriched edition, we have carefully created added value for your reading experience: - Hand‐picked Memorable Quotes shine a spotlight on moments of literary brilliance. - Interactive footnotes clarify unusual references, historical allusions, and archaic phrases for an effortless, more informed read.

Audiobook details

GenreOther
Length2 hrs 29 mins
Narrated byListen with 1,000+ voices
FormateBook with Audio
Publish dateNov 29, 2019
LanguageEnglish

Table of contents

1Introduction
22How to make a knife leap out of a pot.
2Hocus Pocus; or The Whole Art of Legerdemain, in Perfection
23The melting-box.
3THE PREFACE TO THE READE R.
24A trick upon the globe-box.
4The Whole ART of LEGERDEMAIN; OR, HOCUS POCUS I N PERFECTION, &c.
25To tell the number of spots on the bottom cards, laid down on several heaps.
5To put a lock upon a man’s mouth.
26How to burn a thread, and to make it whole again with the ashes.
Show all chapters
6How to shew the Hen and Egg-bag, and out of an empty bag to bring out above an hundred eggs, and afterwards to bring out a living hen.
27To draw a cord through your nose, mouth, or head, so sensible, as it is wonderful to see.
7How to cut the blowing book.
28To thrust a bodkin into your forehead without hurt.
8To shew the trick with the Funnel.
29How to thrust a bodkin through your tongue.
9How to make three little children dance in a glass upon a table.
30To thrust a dagger into your guts, very strangely, and to recover immediately.
10Bonus Genius: or Hiccius Doctius.
31How to cut a man’s head off, and to put the head into a platter, a yard from his body.
11A notable trick to transform a counter to a groat.
32To fetch a shilling out of a handkerchief.
12Of cards, with good caution how to avoid cozenage therein, especially rules to convey and handle the cards, and the manner and order how to accomplish all difficulties and strange things wrought with cards.
33To cause the beer you drink, to be wrung out of the handle of a knife.
13How to deliver out four aces, and to convert them into four knaves.
34How to make a sheet of paper called Trouble-wit.
14How to tell what card any man thinketh on, and how to convey the same into a kernel of a nut or cherry stone, and the same again into one’s pocket; and how to make him draw the same, or any card you please, and all under one device.
35How to command seven half-pence through a table.
15How to change a pack of cards into all manner of pictures.
36How to call for any card in the pack.
16How to knit a knot upon a handkerchief, and to undo the same with words.
37How to make a card jump out of an egg.
17How to take three button moulds off two strings.
38How to make the fountain of command.
18READER,
39A very strange trick, whereby you may seem to cut a piece of tape into four parts, and make it whole again with words.
19To cure the tooth-ach.
40A device to multiply one face, and make it seem to be a hundred or a thousand.
20The Egg Box is looked upon to be as good a trick and as cunning a slight, as any that is done, but because it cannot be expressed in words, I have put these figures underneath to explain it.
41To make the fulminating thundering powder.
21How to eat fire, and to blow it up in your mouth with a pair of bellows.
42Memorable Quotes
The Holy Bible - 1 Samuel
The Holy Bible - 1 SamuelKing James2h 13m3.0 (1)$3 · $0.00
KJV Holy Bible
KJV Holy BibleBroadStreet Publishing Group LLC96h 16m$10 · $0.00
Book of Colossians
Book of ColossiansUnknown Author16m$8
The American Standard Bible — The Gospel of Matthew
The American Standard Bible — The Gospel of MatthewMatthew3h 56m$2 · $0.00
Everyday Chanakya | Time Management S01E08
Everyday Chanakya | Time Management S01E08Radhakrishnan Pillai42m$4
Bad Fat Black Girl
Bad Fat Black GirlSesali Bowen6h 32m$24 · $0.00
The King James Audio Bible New Testament Complete
The King James Audio Bible New Testament CompleteChristopher Glyn20h 2m5.0 (1)$12 · $0.00
Faiths Checkbook
Faiths CheckbookCharles Spurgeon12h 44m$11 · $0.00
Be Wild Be Free
Be Wild Be FreeAmber Fossey26m$7 · $0.00
Ten Things I Wish You Knew About Your Child's Mental Health
Ten Things I Wish You Knew About Your Child's Mental HealthDr. Billy Garvey4h 53m$20 · $0.00
Designing Terry Pratchett’s Discworld
Designing Terry Pratchett’s DiscworldPaul Kidby3h 52m$20 · $0.00
The Chosen Book One
The Chosen Book OneAmanda Jenkins, Kristen Hendricks, Dallas Jenkins3h 8m$10 · $0.00
The Lives of Brian
The Lives of BrianBrian Johnson9h 45m$29 · $0.00
The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse
The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the HorseCharlie Mackesy58m$11 · $0.00
Expository Thoughts on the Gospel of Luke
Expository Thoughts on the Gospel of LukeJ.C. Ryle27h 13m$18 · $0.00
Crossroads
CrossroadsKaleb Dahlgren7h 56m$26 · $0.00
Across the River
Across the RiverKent Babb11h 40m$29 · $0.00
Brain Training for Riders
Brain Training for RidersAndrea Monsarrat Waldo5h 56m$19 · $0.00
My Effin' Life
My Effin' LifeGeddy Lee17h 11m5.0 (1)$40 · $0.00
Kings and Pawns
Kings and PawnsHoward Bryant10h 9m$29 · $0.00

You may also like

Magic, Stage Illusions and Scientific Diversions, Including Trick Photography (Annotated)
Magic, Stage Illusions and Scientific Diversions, Including Trick Photography (Annotated)Albert A. Hopkins13h 15m$2 · $0.00
The Practical Magician and Ventriloquist's Guide
The Practical Magician and Ventriloquist's GuideAnonymous3h 34m$1 · $0.00
Sharps and Flats (Annotated)
Sharps and Flats (Annotated)John Nevil Maskelyne5h 57m$2 · $0.00
Hindu Magic: An Expose of the Tricks of the Yogis and Fakirs of India
Hindu Magic: An Expose of the Tricks of the Yogis and Fakirs of IndiaHereward Carrington58m$1 · $0.00
Fact and Fable in Psychology
Fact and Fable in PsychologyGordon Stables11h 5m$2.30
Etidorhpa; or, The End of Earth (Annotated)
Etidorhpa; or, The End of Earth (Annotated)John Uri Lloyd11h 30m$2 · $0.00
Modern Magic
Modern MagicProfessor Hoffmann21h 58m$2 · $0.00
The Collected Works of H. P. Lovecraft
The Collected Works of H. P. LovecraftH. P. Lovecraft50h 39m$2 · $0.00
Magic Box. Tricks and illusions!
Magic Box. Tricks and illusions!Tom Jackson35m$13 · $0.00
The Bullet Catch
The Bullet CatchJohn Gaspard8h 6m$20
Spellbound
SpellboundDavid Kwong7h 38m$26 · $0.00
Spirit Slate Writing and Kindred Phenomena
Spirit Slate Writing and Kindred PhenomenaChung Ling Soo4h 11m$2 · $0.00
Devil-Worship in France: The Question of Lucifer (Annotated)
Devil-Worship in France: The Question of Lucifer (Annotated)Arthur Edward Waite7h 22m$2 · $0.00
Projection
ProjectionRisa Green8h 1m$20
Kabbalah - Premium Collection
Kabbalah - Premium CollectionJ. Abelson, Nurho de Manhar, Bernhard Pick, S. L. MacGregor Mathers, W. W. Westcot36h 23m$1 · $0.00
Ink Blood Sister Scribe
Ink Blood Sister ScribeEmma Törzs13h 54m$33 · $0.00
The Cartographers
The CartographersPeng Shepherd14h 42m$33 · $0.00
The Aspern Papers
The Aspern PapersHenry James4h 10m$1.20 · $0.00
TELEPATHY - The Theory, the Facts & the Proof (Annotated)
TELEPATHY - The Theory, the Facts & the Proof (Annotated)William Walker Atkinson3h 33m$2 · $0.00
The Coming of the Fairies
The Coming of the FairiesArthur Conan Doyle3h 43m$2.30