What does Black Art, The Vanishing Lady, Multiplying Billiard Balls, Spring Flowers, The Cocoon, The Vanishing Birdcage and The Expanding Die have in common? They all came from the fertile mind of the great French illusionist, Buatier de Kolta.

Peter Warlock has researched the life of one of magic’s most influential artists, and the result is this new addition to our series of historical profiles. Highlights of this book include:

• The full story of the life and successful career of this world-renowned performer and inventor.
• Dozens of photographs, playbills, programs and diagrams to help illuminate his illustrious life.
• A detailed chapter devoted to the construction and history of de Kolta’s legendary Expanding Die.
• The previously-unpublished biographical manuscript written by Mrs. de Kolta over 80 years ago.
• A de Kolta illusion secret that, until now, has never appeared in print.
• British or U.S. patent papers for all four of de Kolta’s magical inventions.
• A beautiful, full-color, tipped-in frontispiece. Printed end-sheets; hardbound, gold stamped; and limited to 1,000 numbered copies.

Contents:

002 Also by Peter Warlock
003 Dedication (for Violet)
005 Frontspiece (color insert)
007 Limited Edition (“This is number 601 of 1,000 copies”)
009 Title Page
011 Table of Contents
013 Publisher’s Note
015 Foreword
019 Chapter 1 – 1847 Plus
025 Chapter 2 – Angleterre
047 Chapter 3 – Hibernia
051 Chapter 4 – Chez Paris
057 Chapter 5 – The Jubilee Years
085 Chapter 6 – Exhibition Years
091 Chapter 7 – Westward Ho
101 Chapter 8 – L’Echelle
109 Chapter 9 – The Long Journey
129 Appendix 1 – The Expanding Die
155 Appendix 2 – Alice Mumford Manuscript
171 Appendix 3 – Patent Papers
203 Appendix 4 – References
211 Credits
213 Index