Correspondence from Egyptian Hall Museum by Mike Caveney

Created by: Mike Caveney

Correspondence from Egyptian Hall Museum is a unique magic trick that delves into the historical and personal exchanges between magicians through annotated letters, enriched with context, artwork, and visuals. This trick is not a traditional performance piece but rather a deep dive into magic's golden age, offering inspiration and insight into the lives and secrets of past masters. It's perfect for magicians interested in the history and culture of magic, providing short, standalone reads that can inspire modern performances.

Key features

Historical insight into magic's golden age
Annotated letters between magicians with rich context and visuals
Short, standalone chapters perfect for casual reading
Inspiration for modern performances from past masters

Pros

Rich in historical content and visuals
Short, engaging reads that can inspire
Provides unique insight into the personal lives of magicians

Cons

Not a traditional magic trick or performance piece
May not appeal to those looking for practical magic tricks

Effect

Correspondence from Egyptian Hall Museum presents a unique experience for audiences. The trick involves sharing historical letters between magicians, often filled with gossip, secrets, and insights into magic's past. The performer can use these letters to create a narrative, blending storytelling with historical intrigue. The visual elements, including posters, lithographs, and magicians' stationary, add depth to the performance, making it feel like a journey through magic history.

Full details

Correspondence from Egyptian Hall Museum is a four-volume series originally published in Magic Magazine and later compiled into books. Each volume contains annotated letters exchanged between magicians, providing context about their lives, rivalries, and contributions to magic. The books include artwork, historical photos, and detailed explanations by Mike Caveney, making them both educational and entertaining.

The material is not a traditional magic trick but a resource for performers who want to incorporate historical anecdotes into their acts. The letters can be used as inspiration for routines, presentations, or even as standalone storytelling pieces. The books are designed for short, engaging reads, allowing performers to pick and choose content that fits their style.

Who should consider the trick

This series is ideal for magicians who:

Enjoy magic history and want to deepen their knowledge.
Incorporate storytelling into their performances.
Seek inspiration from past magicians' methods and personalities.
Prefer a mix of visual and narrative elements in their acts.

It may not suit those looking for step-by-step trick instructions or quick, self-working effects.

Information on how difficult it is to perform

Since Correspondence from Egyptian Hall Museum is primarily a historical resource, the difficulty depends on how the performer integrates it into their act. Reading and understanding the letters requires no technical skill, but adapting them into a performance demands creativity. A magician must craft engaging presentations around the material, which may involve scripting, pacing, and audience interaction.

What magicians say

EruditeMagic describes the series as "colorful, gossipy, and insightful," praising its historical value and visual appeal. They highlight its suitability for short, inspiring reads, making it perfect for performers who want to blend history with magic. The annotations by Mike Caveney are noted as particularly helpful for understanding the context of each letter.

The series is recommended for magicians who appreciate deep dives into magic's past and want to add a historical dimension to their performances.

What people are saying about Correspondence from Egyptian Hall Museum

EruditeMagic says...

Mike Caveney’s *Correspondence from Egyptian Hall Museum* is a historical gem featuring letters between magicians, annotated with context and rich visuals. Great for short, inspiring reads.