The Silence of Chung Ling SooEdited by Todd KarrPublished 2001488 pagesOver 125 illustrations8-page color section with 40 Soo postersCover by Katlyn BreeneIntroductory essay by Jim SteinmeyerI’m delighted that, through this collection, we have a chance to appreciate Robinson’s inventive abilities and insights into magic, and that his portrait will, line by line, be that much clearer to us all. — Jim SteinmeyerThis fascinating collection of writings examines legendary performer Chung Ling Soo, alter ego of William E. Robinson of New York, and includes more than fifty of Soo’s extraordinary close-up and stage effects, forty gorgeous color Soo posters, over fifty letters from Robinson to Houdini, Robinson’s insightful articles and books, including a full reprint of his scarce Spirit Slate Writing and Kindred Phenomena, plus programs, reviews, biographical profiles, rare photos, and memorabilia.CONTENTSINTRODUCTION Todd KarrSKETCHING ROBINSON’S CRYSTAL LANTERN Jim SteinmeyerWORDS BY WILLIAM E. ROBINSONThe Art of MagicWrinkles on MagicAlexander HerrmannIndian JuggleryHow It HappenedCan Such Things Be?MAN OF MYSTERYMr. and Mrs. W. E. RobinsonBilly Robinson Walter B. GibsonMarvellous Chinese Conjurer Ellis StanyonAustraliaThe Silent PerformanceThe Wizard ThurstonHoward ThurstonBamboo BlossomTHE CHALLENGEDEAR FRIEND HOUDINIDear Friend HoudiniAn Impression of Chung Ling Soo HoudiniChing Ling Foo and Chung Ling Soo HoudiniConjurers’ Monthly MagazineMYSTERIESAerial FishingAnimated CorkAstarteBirth of the PearlBlack ArtChinese MagicThe Coin, Handkerchief and Ring TrickThe Rice Bowls and Mystic CoinThe Magic Coin BoxGold or Silver?The Floating CoinThe Chinese “Miser’s Dream”Chung Ling Soo Coin and StringCrystal CasketDefying the BulletsDisappearing DemonDream of WealthDrum ProductionA Few Card TricksA Few Coin TricksFire BalloonFlying HandkerchiefsGoddess of WineGoneLinking RingsThe Chinese RingsA Chung Ling Soo MethodMagic CauldronMysteries of the Mind, or Mental MagicMysterious SumNew? Old? Card TrickNew Thought Card SleightsOdds and EndsOld TricksRice BowlsThe “Best of All” Rice BowlsThe New Rice BowlsRising CardsSugar Stick TrickTarget IllusionVanish in Mid-AirVaried MysteriesThe Orange TreeNew Method of Getting Flowers into ConeImproved Finger Through PennyThe Best Watch-boxMARVELLOUS CHINESE CONJURERJuly 7, 1900November 1903May 14, 1906Ca. 1906January 19081908April 10, 1909July 17, 1909February 25, 1911April 8, 1911February 21, 1914January 23, 1915July 31, 19151915March 18, 1918SILENCESilenceChung Ling Soo by One Who Knew HimA FEW OF ROBINSON’S NEW IDEASEXTRAORDINARY MYSTICAL NOVELTIESSPIRIT SLATE WRITING AND KINDRED PHENOMENAPreface1. The Single Slate2. The Double Slate3. Miscellaneous Slate Tests4. Mind Reading and Kindred Phenomena5. Table Lifting and Spirit Rapping6. Spiritualistic Ties7. Post tests, Handcuffs, Spirit Collars, etc.8. Séances and Miscellaneous Spirit Tricks9. Miscellaneous TricksIndex to Spirit Slate WritingREVIEWSThe Miracle Factory has produced another beautiful, fascinating, and useful book.. The Silence of Chung Ling Soo features beautiful production values and fascinating information. I highly recommend it..— Michael Close, Magic
