Ebook - Leo Behnke - Taylor-Made Magic (Digital Download)

This definitive digital download, 'Taylor-Made Magic' by acclaimed author Leo Behnke, offers an unparalleled deep dive into the fascinating world of Merv Taylor, a true visionary in the realm of illusion. Spanning 273 richly illustrated pages, this ebook brings to life the intricate story of a man whose dedication to craftsmanship redefined magic apparatus. Behnke, a prolific author with over 90 books to his name, meticulously details Taylor's journey, presenting it with both biographical depth and historical precision.

A Life Forged in Innovation

Journey back to Merv Taylor's early days, from his childhood as one of twelve children who migrated to Los Angeles, to his formative years mastering the arts of metal and wood machining. Uncover how these practical skills led him to create intricate models for Hollywood movie studios, a foundation that would profoundly influence his later magical endeavors. The narrative expertly traces his fortunate introduction into the world of magic, highlighting his groundbreaking approach to designing and constructing props that consistently surpassed the aesthetic and functional standards of typical magic shop apparatus. Readers will also uncover insights into the 'movie magic' he contributed and the pivotal opportunity that arose with his shops in Disneyland, cementing his legacy.

Unveiling Merv Taylor's Magic Legacy

The second, equally compelling part of 'Taylor-Made Magic' serves as a comprehensive archive of the illusions that emerged from the Merv Taylor company. This section provides detailed instructions, archival photographs, original advertisements, and insightful comments for an astonishing 87 pieces of his inventory. While a mere three or four items remain lost to history, nearly all of Taylor's ingenious creations are meticulously documented here, offering an invaluable resource for magicians, historians, and enthusiasts alike. This includes the complete and famed 'Gambling Demonstration' meticulously assembled by Bob Haskell, ensuring a truly exhaustive exploration of Taylor's contributions to the art of magic. This ebook is an essential addition to any magic library, preserving the innovative spirit of a legendary craftsman.

Original Specs

Taylor-Made: The Life of Merv Taylor was written by Leo Behnke. Author of more than 90 other books. It is 273 pages 8.5 x 11″ and is filled with many photographs in black & white and color! The book is hardbound in red and black to match the Merv Taylor packaging.

The first part of the book is the biography of Merv and his Magic, starting with his life as one of twelve children coming out to Los Angeles at the age of eight. The first chapter covers his life of learning skills of machining metal and wood, sometimes creating models for movie studios, and then his fortunate introduction into the world of magic. The years of designing and building magic props that looked better than the usual magic shop apparatus, and some of the movie magic he made are also brought to light. Then the great opportunity knocked on his door with the shops in Disneyland.
The second part of the book consists of the instructions, photos, ads and comments about the magic that came out of the Merv Taylor company. Three or four pieces of his inventory left no trail in the history but all others are here, 87 in total., including the complete Gambling Demonstration put together by Bob Haskell.