Conjurers’ Hydraulic & Pneumagic Secrets by S.H. Sharpe

Within the pages of this work, historian S.H. Sharp defines and describes seven fundamental principals; including secret: Closures; Reservoirs; Conduits; Liquid Substitutes; Displacement; Siphons; and Hydraulic and Pneumatic Control. The author traces hydraulics and pneumatics as used in the religious wonders of early history – moving and speaking statues, inexhaustible vessels, unfillable basins, etc. – to today’s modern Lotta Bowl, Foo Can, Multum in Parvo, Mermaid Illusion, various automata, etc.

Also included in this massive work are two special appendices: Scientific Magical Invention and Characterization – a system on which to base the scientific invention or creation of new magical illusions; What Happened to ‘Psycho’? – an essay which traces the chronology of the automaton from 1875 to modern times.

This outstanding instructive work is a must. It contains technique every magician should know about!