"Expurgated" Greater Magic?

Discuss general aspects of Genii.
observer
Posts: 342
Joined: August 31st, 2014, 5:32 am
Favorite Magician: Harry Kellar - Charlie Miller - Paul Rosini - Jay Marshall
Location: Chicago

"Expurgated" Greater Magic?

Postby observer » May 16th, 2017, 3:34 pm

Among my emails this morning an offer to sell "the Expurgated Edition" of Hilliard's book. Is there such a thing? The accompanying photo looks like the same edition as I have, black/white/turquoise with four magicians doing magician things (pulling rabbit out of a hat etc.).

Randy DiMarco
Posts: 183
Joined: March 13th, 2008, 3:45 pm

Re: "Expurgated" Greater Magic?

Postby Randy DiMarco » May 16th, 2017, 3:36 pm

Is that the sample edition with the blank pages?

observer
Posts: 342
Joined: August 31st, 2014, 5:32 am
Favorite Magician: Harry Kellar - Charlie Miller - Paul Rosini - Jay Marshall
Location: Chicago

Re: "Expurgated" Greater Magic?

Postby observer » May 16th, 2017, 4:06 pm

Randy DiMarco wrote:Is that the sample edition with the blank pages?


I guess that would fit the definition all right! Guaranteed not to offend anyone. Not sure I'd pay $275 for that though.

User avatar
Richard Kaufman
Posts: 27055
Joined: July 18th, 2001, 12:00 pm
Favorite Magician: Theodore DeLand
Location: Washington DC
Contact:

Re: "Expurgated" Greater Magic?

Postby Richard Kaufman » May 16th, 2017, 5:06 pm

When Greater Magic was originally publisher, Carl Jones wanted to show it off to his laymen friends, but without exposing any magic. So he had 50 copies made with only the first signature (32 pages) printed. The rest of the pages were blank.

When I reprinted Greater Magic, I did an homage expurgated edition of 50 copies. It's for collectors.
Subscribe today to Genii Magazine

observer
Posts: 342
Joined: August 31st, 2014, 5:32 am
Favorite Magician: Harry Kellar - Charlie Miller - Paul Rosini - Jay Marshall
Location: Chicago

Re: "Expurgated" Greater Magic?

Postby observer » May 16th, 2017, 5:18 pm

That must be it. Now that I know it's a specialized usage of "expurgated" rather than a mistake I'll say that the email came from Potter & Potter. They're asking $275.

User avatar
Richard Kaufman
Posts: 27055
Joined: July 18th, 2001, 12:00 pm
Favorite Magician: Theodore DeLand
Location: Washington DC
Contact:

Re: "Expurgated" Greater Magic?

Postby Richard Kaufman » May 16th, 2017, 7:35 pm

Yes, I believe it's on their Quicker Than the Eye website.
Subscribe today to Genii Magazine

User avatar
erdnasephile
Posts: 4770
Joined: January 17th, 2008, 12:00 pm

Re: "Expurgated" Greater Magic?

Postby erdnasephile » May 17th, 2017, 1:03 pm

When this was first published, a buddy of mine somehow ended up with one of these. He didn't recognize the significance of what he had and traded it back in!

User avatar
Richard Kaufman
Posts: 27055
Joined: July 18th, 2001, 12:00 pm
Favorite Magician: Theodore DeLand
Location: Washington DC
Contact:

Re: "Expurgated" Greater Magic?

Postby Richard Kaufman » May 17th, 2017, 1:33 pm

Yes, the dummies at the shipping warehouse I use accidentally sent a few of these out instead of the regular editions.
Subscribe today to Genii Magazine


Return to “General”