Discover the Enigma of Chung Ling Soo

Immerse yourself in the captivating world of Chung Ling Soo, the legendary stage magician whose life and illusions continue to fascinate. "The Silence of Chung Ling Soo," meticulously compiled by Todd Karr and featuring contributions from Jim Steinmeyer, is an unparalleled collection that peels back the layers of mystery surrounding William E. Robinson, the brilliant American conjurer behind the iconic Chinese persona. This comprehensive volume goes far beyond a simple biography, offering an intimate look into Robinson's mind, his artistic genius, and his profound impact on the art of magic.

A Treasure Trove of Magical History

This extraordinary book is a veritable vault of magical history. Readers will delight in an extensive compilation of over fifty of Chung Ling Soo's remarkable close-up and stage effects, providing invaluable insights into his performance techniques and inventive illusions. Beyond the tricks, the book showcases forty breathtaking color posters, capturing the visual grandeur of Soo’s act, alongside a wealth of rare photographs, programs, and memorabilia that chronicle his illustrious career. It's a visual feast for anyone passionate about magic's golden age.

Robinson's Own Words & Houdini's Perspective

"The Silence of Chung Ling Soo" offers unique access to William E. Robinson's personal and professional thoughts through his insightful articles and writings, including "The Art of Magic" and "Wrinkles on Magic." Perhaps most compelling are over fifty previously unpublished letters from Robinson to his contemporary, Harry Houdini, revealing a fascinating correspondence between two titans of illusion. The book even includes Houdini's own impressions of Chung Ling Soo, adding another layer of historical depth and intrigue to their intertwined legacies.

Rare Insights into Spirit Slate Writing

A significant highlight of this collection is the complete reprint of Robinson's exceptionally scarce and sought-after work, "Spirit Slate Writing and Kindred Phenomena." This inclusion alone makes the volume indispensable for collectors and serious students of magic. Delve into the intricate secrets of this classic magical discipline, explained by one of its masters. "The Silence of Chung Ling Soo" is not just a book; it's an experience, an essential addition to any magic library, offering an unparalleled exploration of one of magic's most enduring figures.

Original Specs

Jim Steinmeyer

This fascinating collection of writings examines legendary performer Chung Ling Soo, alter ego of William E. Robinson of New York, and includes more than fifty of Soo's extraordinary close-up and stage effects, forty gorgeous color Soo posters, over fifty letters from Robinson to Houdini, Robinson's insightful articles and books, including a full reprint of his scarce Spirit Slate Writing and Kindred Phenomena, plus programs, reviews, biographical profiles, rare photos, and memorabilia.

CONTENTS

INTRODUCTION Todd Karr

SKETCHING ROBINSON'S CRYSTAL LANTERN Jim Steinmeyer

WORDS BY WILLIAM E. ROBINSON
The Art of Magic
Wrinkles on Magic
Alexander Herrmann
Indian Jugglery
How It Happened
Can Such Things Be?

MAN OF MYSTERY
Mr. and Mrs. W. E. Robinson
Billy Robinson Walter B. Gibson
Marvellous Chinese Conjurer Ellis Stanyon
Australia
The Silent Performance
The Wizard Thurston
Howard Thurston
Bamboo Blossom

THE CHALLENGE

DEAR FRIEND HOUDINI
Dear Friend Houdini
An Impression of Chung Ling Soo Houdini
Ching Ling Foo and Chung Ling Soo Houdini
Conjurers' Monthly Magazine

MYSTERIES
Aerial Fishing
Animated Cork
Astarte
Birth of the Pearl
Black Art
Chinese Magic
The Coin, Handkerchief and Ring Trick
The Rice Bowls and Mystic Coin
The Magic Coin Box
Gold or Silver?
The Floating Coin
The Chinese "Miser's Dream"
Chung Ling Soo Coin and String
Crystal Casket
Defying the Bullets
Disappearing Demon
Dream of Wealth
Drum Production
A Few Card Tricks
A Few Coin Tricks
Fire Balloon
Flying Handkerchiefs
Goddess of Wine
Gone
Linking Rings
The Chinese Rings
A Chung Ling Soo Method
Magic Cauldron
Mysteries of the Mind, or Mental Magic
Mysterious Sum
New? Old? Card Trick
New Thought Card Sleights
Odds and Ends
Old Tricks
Rice Bowls
The "Best of All" Rice Bowls
The New Rice Bowls
Rising Cards
Sugar Stick Trick
Target Illusion
Vanish in Mid-Air
Varied Mysteries
The Orange Tree
New Method of Getting Flowers into Cone
Improved Finger Through Penny
The Best Watch-box

MARVELLOUS CHINESE CONJURER
July 7, 1900
November 1903
May 14, 1906
Ca. 1906
January 1908
1908
April 10, 1909
July 17, 1909
February 25, 1911
April 8, 1911
February 21, 1914
January 23, 1915
July 31, 1915
1915
March 18, 1918

SILENCE
Silence
Chung Ling Soo by One Who Knew Him

A FEW OF ROBINSON'S NEW IDEAS

EXTRAORDINARY MYSTICAL NOVELTIES

SPIRIT SLATE WRITING AND KINDRED PHENOMENA
Preface
1. The Single Slate
2. The Double Slate
3. Miscellaneous Slate Tests
4. Mind Reading and Kindred Phenomena
5. Table Lifting and Spirit Rapping
6. Spiritualistic Ties
7. Post tests, Handcuffs, Spirit Collars, etc.

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