Bob Ostin: A Lifetime of Magical Inventions by Stephen Tucker

Effect The name Bob Ostin is synonymous with innovative close-up and card magic, yet the full extent of his original effects and techniques has remained largely undiscovered—until now! This groundbreaking book, *The Magic of Bob Ostin*, secures his rightful place in the annals of magic history as one of the foremost creators of the 20th century.

Magic enthusiasts have long celebrated Bob’s earlier work, *Fingertip Fantasies*, as a classic. Despite its acclaim and Bob’s underground status as a master creator, he has remained relatively unknown within the broader magic community. This is about to change! In a time when many are attempting to invent fresh, novel, and commercial tricks, it’s a delight to witness a true master at work. For over fifty years, Bob Ostin has been crafting cutting-edge magic, and the material he produced decades ago is just as clever, practical, and deceptive as his latest creations.

Bob is always innovating, constantly tackling new magical challenges, and consistently devising brilliant yet practical solutions. His creations are designed to impress both fellow magicians and lay audiences alike. Genius can be defined as someone who creates something that would not exist without them, and this definition certainly applies to Bob Ostin. A glance through this volume will quickly reveal Bob’s extraordinary creative abilities; diligent readers will be rewarded with tricks and routines that seem impossible! From water that turns to beer to origami figures that come alive, and cards that seemingly pass through one another—Bob’s repertoire includes tricks with cards, coins, dice, rubber bands, chopsticks, liquids, matches, paper, numbers, photographs, and much more. Whatever object you can think of, chances are Bob has a trick for it.

This comprehensive book encompasses nearly all of Bob’s published work over the last fifty years, featuring material from limited-circulation lecture notes, rare manuscripts, numerous magazine contributions, and complete instructions for all his marketed effects, along with many hidden gems from his notebooks—until now. This book is a significant and enduring tribute to *The Magic of Bob Ostin: A Lifetime of Magical Inventions*.

What People Are Saying:

“Knowing Bob’s reputation amongst magicians, I am delighted to know that his amazing routines will be compiled and made available to those who love fine magic.” – Michael Ammar

“Bob was the first real magician I ever met. He’s a charming guy with an utterly devious mind when it comes to creating magic effects. And best of all, they’re all wonderfully practical. This book is long overdue.” – David Britland

“I met Bob many years ago, at Ken Brooke’s magic studio, and still have his interesting book *Fingertip Fantasies*, from which his routine for the coin through the hanky is my favorite. It is straightforward, direct, and nearly impromptu. I appreciate these kinds of routines and look forward to exploring his latest ideas in his new book.” – Magic Christian