The Magic of Mark Wilson
In this week’s History of Magic, we feature master illusionist Mark Wilson.
Mark Wilson had a long-running television show called “The Magic Land of Alakazam” through the 1960’s and 70’s. Mark also wrote a wonderful encyclopaedic book entitled Mark Wilson’s Complete Course in Magic and that’s exactly what this book is–an actual full course in magic for you to learn magic tricks. Each magic trick described is a real lesson in magic. You can check Mark Wilson’s life and book at www.markwilsonmagic.com. He has sold over 800,000 copies so it must be good.
Marks book is a big book, 472 pages, and hundreds of step by step illustrated instructions and photos that cover things from cards, coins, silks, ropes, rings, sponges, D I Y magic tricks, mentalism, illusions and so much more. This is one of the many magic books I can highly recommend for all aspiring magicians. Those who are just getting into magic as well as for experienced performers, this book is a tremendous investment. There is enough material between the covers to let you build a complete show or shows and is a marvellous reference book that you will refer to time and time again throughout your magical journey and career
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I had been involved in magic for a few years before I discovered this incredible book where Mark Wilson shares so much for those that are seriously interested in magic. Magic is a very serious business but many would be magicians believe that magic is just being able to do a few tricks. Dogs can do tricks but magicians perform magic because it takes lots of study and practice to become an entertaining magician. I regard this book as an essential read for everyone where each trick is like a personal lesson in magic.
In my early days in magic, I tended to neglect card magic but once I had got into Mark Wilson’s big book, I began to realise the benefits of learning card tricks and this book set me on the right road towards performing with card tricks. Then gradually I began to become aware of all the other types of magic I had neglected. As I absorbed each chapter, I was to discover many other different forms of magic that allowed me to build on what I already knew and increase my knowledge. The instructions and details were just so easy to follow with sketches and pictures.
Mark Wilson performed with his wife Nani Darnell and a clown called Rebo aka known as Bev. Bergeron and together they presented the very first syndicated television show in 1960 that ran successfully for many years. They presented some wonderful illusions and intimate magic, and the success of the television series led to Mark and his assistants to perform in countries all over the world, U S A, Canada, Europe, South America and China. He often produced rabbits and even an elephant in some of his shows and appeared on select T V shows hosted by Ed Sullivan and Johnny Carson.
His magic tricks appeared on millions of Kellogg’s cereal boxes and packs of Fritos. Because of his success in magic, he wanted to give something back to the art he loved and he did this through writing.
He became a magical author with his “Mark Wilson’s Complete Course in Magic” (ISBN Number 0-89471-623-9) that became a best seller. It is available from amazon and other major book stores. Why not check out Mark Wilson on ‘YouTube’ and you too may begin to discover and appreciate Mark’s wonderful magic as I do. His book is available in hardback and soft cover. The pages will leave a legacy for all of us to follow. Mark Wilson will go down in the history of magic for his contribution to the art we all love and the tricks he shared.
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