HOPKINS, Neville Monroe "Twentieth Century Magic" [George Routledge, 1898] 1st Edition

"Twentieth Century Magic and the Construction of Modern Magical Apparatus" by Nevil Monroe Hopkins [George Routledge and Sons, 1898]. First edition. Illustrated with 100 technical drawings and diagrams. vi + 160pp + 2pp ads. Brown pictorial cloth, rubbed at extremities. Rear hinge starting to crack. Two minor instances of pencil scribbling - on dedication and on rear endpaper. Good+

A landmark work in the evolution of stage magic, this richly illustrated volume offers a rare glimpse into the mechanical and electrical ingenuity behind late 19th-century illusions. Hopkins, an engineer and inventor, presents detailed explanations of apparatus construction, optical tricks, and the use of emerging technologies like electricity in performance. With its emphasis on innovation and precision, the book represents a significant shift toward the modern magician’s toolkit. A foundational reference for collectors, historians, and practitioners of the conjuring arts.