1976 Victorian Magic Geoffrey Lamb Illusionists Maskelyne Pepper 1st Ed HCDJ
______________________________
Victorian Magic
by Geoffrey Frederick Lamb
Published by Routledge & Kegan Paul (1976)
Condition:
Excellent++ 1st Edition / 1st Printing Hardcover Book with Dust Jacket! NO MARKS! The binding is tight and all 136 pages within are bright white with NO WRITING, UNDERLINING, HIGH-LIGHTING, RIPS, TEARS, BENDS OR FOLDS. The covers look perfect! The dust jacket is in excellent condition but does have some minimal wear and a price clip, as can be seen in my photos. You will be happy with this one! Always handled and packaged with care! Buy with confidence from a seller who takes the time to show you the details and not use just stock photos. Please check out all my pictures and email with any questions! Thanks for looking!
About the Book:
Victorian Magic by Geoffrey Frederick Lamb is a vivid exploration of the golden age of illusion, when conjuring transformed from fairground novelty into sophisticated theatrical spectacle. First published in 1976 by Routledge & Kegan Paul, this richly detailed work recreates the atmosphere of 19th-century Britain, revealing how magic became one of the most fashionable entertainments of the Victorian era.
During the reign of Queen Victoria, professional magicians rose dramatically in social standing, performing not only in public theatres but also in elite salons and royal residences such as Buckingham Palace and Balmoral Castle. Lamb introduces readers to legendary performers who shaped modern illusion, including John Henry Anderson, whose spectacular stagecraft captivated audiences; John Henry Pepper, whose ghostly illusions astonished the world; John Nevil Maskelyne, who made London’s Egyptian Hall synonymous with magic; the Davenport Brothers, famed spiritualist escapologists; and Charles Bertram, a favorite entertainer of the Prince of Wales.
Blending biography, cultural history, and theatrical intrigue, Lamb portrays magicians as showmen, inventors, skeptics, and masters of psychological misdirection. He explains their apparatus, stagecraft, and scientific ingenuity while preserving the mystery that made their performances unforgettable.
Collectors prize Victorian Magic for its engaging narrative, historical photographs, and documentation of performers who shaped modern stage illusion. The book appeals to historians, magic enthusiasts, theater scholars, and collectors of Victorian culture. Copies have become increasingly sought after due to limited print runs and enduring interest in the history of illusion and spiritualism.
A fascinating journey into a world of spectacle, wonder, and deception, Victorian Magic reveals how illusion captivated a society—and continues to enchant audiences today.
About author, Geoffrey Frederick Lamb:
Geoffrey Frederick Lamb was a British writer and historian known for his engaging studies of cultural and social history. His work often explored overlooked aspects of everyday life and entertainment, presenting them with scholarly care and narrative flair. In Victorian Magic, Lamb examines the rise of stage illusion during the 19th century, combining historical research with vivid storytelling to illuminate the performers, technologies, and audiences that shaped this unique art form.
Lamb’s writing stands out for its ability to balance historical accuracy with accessibility, making specialized subjects appealing to both scholars and general readers. His attention to social context helps readers understand not only the mechanics of illusion but also the cultural fascination that allowed magic to flourish during the Victorian era.
This volume remains one of his most enduring contributions, valued by collectors and historians for preserving the personalities and innovations that influenced modern magic. Lamb’s careful reconstruction of this vibrant entertainment tradition ensures that the wonder and ingenuity of Victorian conjuring continue to inspire new generations of readers and enthusiasts.
Copyright © 2018-2026 TDM Inc. The photos and text in this listing are copyrighted. I spend lots of time writing up my descriptions and despise it when un-original losers cut and paste my descriptions in as their own. It is against ebay policy and if you are caught, you will be reported to ebay and could be sued for copyright infringement and damages.