Our Life of Magic [Includes "My Life of Magic"]

Phil Temple Publication, 1989. Hardcover. Fine/Fine. Green cloth boards with gilt lettering under illustrated dust jacket; small reproduction of an original Thurston poster laid in as issued. Fine in fine jacket. This is partially a reprint of Howard Thurston’s scarce 1929 memoir My Life of Magic, but also includes a previously unpublished manuscript by his daughter Jane Thurston Shepard, as well as a “scrapbook” (articles, photos, etc.) contributed by Olson & Temple. Howard Thurston (1869-1936) was the most successful magician of his day. He began magic by learning card tricks, and called himself “The King of Cards”, yet his stage performance was extensive, and at its height, he had eight train cars of equipment—the largest of any vaudeville magic act. His adopted daughter Jane provides a fascinating behind-the-scenes insight into Thurston, with details not often seen when magicians write their own memoirs (which are usually at least partly self-promotion). Extra postage required for international or expedited shipping.