The magic encyclopedia
Magicians, tricks and the history of magic
Everything we know about magic, gathered in one place: the performers who made it, the tricks they made famous, the words they use and how the art grew. We describe magic the way an audience sees it. We never give away how a trick is done.
37 magicians
Famous magicians
From an Egyptian papyrus to Las Vegas: who they were and what audiences saw.
28 tricks
Classic magic tricks
What each effect looks like from the front, where it came from and how long it takes to learn.
3 illusions
Famous illusions
Sawing a woman in half, the bullet catch and the other great illusions: who, when and what audiences saw.
51 terms
Magic terms and phrases
The words magicians use, from abracadabra to walk-around.
30 moments
History of magic
A timeline of the books, performers and illusions that shaped magic.
From the poster archive
Posters and portraits from magic's golden age, all in the public domain.
Coming soon
Want to learn magic properly?
We're preparing lessons that teach classic tricks step by step, for members. Leave your email and we'll write once, when they open. Nothing else.
Magic tricks A to Z
- Appearing Flowers
- Bounce / No Bounce Balls
- Coins Across
- Collectible Playing Cards
- Cups and Balls
- Cut and Restored Rope
- Forcing Dice
- Oil and Water
- Out of This World
- Silk Magic
- Sponge Balls
- The Ambitious Card
- The Appearing Cane
- The Ball and Vase
- The Card Box
- The Card Force
- The Change Bag
- The Chop Cup
- The Coin Vanish
- The Dove Pan
- The Floating Card
- The Linking Rings
- The Marked Deck
- The PK Ring
- The Stripper Deck
- The Svengali Deck
- The Thumb Tip
- Triumph
Famous magicians
- Dedi
- Isaac Fawkes
- Giuseppe Pinetti
- Jean-Eugène Robert-Houdin
- Johann Nepomuk Hofzinser
- John Henry Anderson
- John Nevil Maskelyne
- Alexander Herrmann
- Harry Kellar
- Adelaide Herrmann
- Chung Ling Soo
- T. Nelson Downs
- David Devant
- Mercedes Talma
- Howard Thurston
- Horace Goldin
- Max Malini
- Harry Houdini
- Okito
- P. T. Selbit
- Harry Blackstone Sr.
- Dai Vernon
- Dell O'Dell
- Jasper Maskelyne
- Tommy Cooper
- Mark Wilson
- Siegfried & Roy
- Juan Tamariz
- Ricky Jay
- Doug Henning
- Penn & Teller
- David Copperfield
- Lance Burton
- Derren Brown
- David Blaine
- Dynamo
- Shin Lim
Famous illusions
Articles about magic
- Spoon Bending: The History of the Famous Mentalism Effect
- Unique Christmas Gifts for Adults (Not Another Candle)
- Abracadabra Meaning: Origin, History and Magic Words
- Pulling a Rabbit Out of a Hat: History and Meaning
- Card Magic for Beginners: Where to Start with a Deck
- Magic Tips for Beginners: 15 Rules Every Magician Learns
- Rope Magic Tricks: The Classics and the Legend
- Coin Magic for Beginners: The Effects, the Coins and Where to Start
- Looking for a Magic Shop Near You? What to Know First
- Magic Supplies: What Every Magician Needs
- Famous Magicians in History and Today
- How to Become a Magician: A Real-Life Guide
- Gifts for Magicians: What a Performer Actually Wants
- The Snowstorm Magic Trick: A Blizzard From Your Hands