Modern Conjurer by C. Lang Neil

This is my favorite magic book. The reason for this is that it was a ground breaking book at the time it appeared and its contents is excellent. It was the first magic book which had photos instead of drawings or engravings throughout. And the contents is fantastic. It is one of the few books with a large chapter on chapeaugraphy. Add to this great chapters on shadowgraphy, plate spinning and paper folding. A large part is devoted to card magic, magic with coins, balls, and handkerchiefs, and much much more.

If I would have to select one book this would be it. It is a book not many people know about. But you will not be disappointed. This book was rated one of the ten basic books for a working library of conjuring by H. Adrian Smith, historian, collector and owner of the largest private magic library in his time.