Introduction
In this episode of The Magic Book Podcast, Philip David Treece, a magic historian, publisher, and bookseller discusses his contributions to documenting and preserving magic's printed heritage. As the founder of collectingmagicbooks.com, Philip curates an extensive collection of new, used, and antiquarian magic books.
As someone who for years before I knew I would be in this field, I was a customer of these magic shops and bookshops, and I know which ones I liked and which ones I didn't. I just basically try to emulate the ones that I liked and look at it from the customer's viewpoint.
Philip's passion for magic history is evident throughout our conversation, as he shares his insights on the fascinating world of magic books and publishing.
Early Influences
Philip's early influences in magic include watching The Paul Daniels Magic Show as a child and receiving the Paul Daniels Magic Set for his fourth birthday.
The Paul Daniels Magic Show ... in the UK was a huge institution. It went on for years and years. When I was a toddler, it was just coming to an end, so I caught it probably the last couple of series.
His first magic book was Ali Bongo's "Be A Magician," which sparked his interest in magic and the history behind it. This early exposure to magic ignited a lifelong passion for Philip, leading him to collect, preserve, and share magic books and ephemera with others.
The Golden Age of Magic Publishing
In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, magic publishing thrived due to the rise of magic as a form of entertainment and the decreasing cost of printing. This era saw the emergence of many notable magic publishers, including Percy Tibbles (Selbit), Will Goldston, Harry Leat, Percy Naldrett, Eric C. Lewis, and Edward Bagshawe. But what does Philip believe prompted this Golden Age?
I think it was two things combining. One was the rise of magic as a concert party entertainment. People were having private parties, smaller events. The idea of the semi-amateur and amateur magician was becoming a big thing in the UK, particularly.
These publishers played a crucial role in shaping the landscape of magic literature, producing books and magazines that continue to inspire and inform magicians today.
Collecting and Selling Magic Books
Philip's passion for collecting magic books led him to establish his online magic bookshop, offering a wide variety of new and pre-owned books. He shares the challenges of managing and pricing thousands of books, emphasizing the importance of customer satisfaction and fair pricing. He shares CollectingMagicBook.com's origins:
It was a few things. As a collector of magic books myself, I was already selling duplicates I had on a casual basis to try and keep on top of the space. I was doing that through Etsy, which is extremely cost inefficient. They take a big wedge of your money when you sell that way.
Philip's dedication to providing a comprehensive selection of magic books at reasonable prices has made his shop a valuable resource for magicians and collectors worldwide.
Documenting Magic History
Philip has written and published several books on magic history, including a two-volume history of Ellisdons, an iconic London magic shop, and "The Collected Writings of John Nevil Maskelyne." He discusses the challenges of researching and presenting historical material, emphasizing the importance of preserving magic's rich history.
It wasn't easy. The first challenge was getting the material. I did a thorough literature search and I say in the foreword of the book that it can't be complete. There will be things that I haven't found and that other people haven't found.
Philip's meticulous research and engaging writing style bring the history of magic to life, offering readers a glimpse into the fascinating world of magicians and their craft.
Advice for Collectors
For those interested in collecting magic books, Philip advises having focus and specializing in a particular area. He recommends starting with general magic history books before investing in rare or specialized volumes.
Start with some really good general magic history books from around the world like get Eddie Dawes's "The Great Illusionists," get Milbourne Christopher's "Picture History of Magic," or "The Illustrated History of Magic." Maybe see what tickles your fancy in there, see what really interests you, and then look at what's available.
This approach allows collectors to develop a deeper understanding of their chosen area and build a meaningful collection over time.
Books Mentioned in this Episode
"Be a Magician" by Ali Bongo
"The Collected Writings of John Nevil Maskelyne" edited by Philip David Treece
"The Davenport Story" (four volumes) by Fergus Roy
"Drawing Room Conjuring" by Professor Hoffmann
"Ellisdons: The History" (two volumes) by Philip David Treece
"Ernest Sewell and the London Magical Co." by Philip David Treece
"The Great Illusionists" by Eddie Dawes
“Magic Papers: Conjuring Ephemera 1890-1960” by Philip David Treece
"Modern Spiritualism" by John Nevil Maskelyne
"Sharps and Flats" by John Nevil Maskelyne
"Stanley Collins: Conjurer, Collector, And Iconoclast" by Edwin Dawes
"The Supernatural" (with appendix about The Georgia Magnet)
"The Conjurer's Companion to The Strand Magazine" compiled and edited by Philip David Treece
Books by Bruce Elliott
Timestamps
00:00: Introduction and Meet Philip David Treece
02:03: Early Magic Experiences and First Books
03:09: Conservation Background and “Magic Papers”
05:51: The Golden Age of Magic Publishing
10:49: Founding and Running CollectingMagicBooks.com
15:52: Pricing and Customer Service Philosophy
19:15: The Ellisdons Project and Research
26:17: The Maskelyne Publication
29:38: The Ernest Sewell Biography
33:26: Publishing Strategy and Approach
36:36: Personal Collection and Cherished Books
38:38: Future Projects
40:45: Advice for Collectors
45:05: Conclusion