Magic Video - Del Ray: America's Foremost by John Moehring ( Ebook,Video , ) (Digital Download)

Unveiling a Master's Legacy

Step into the secretive world of Del Ray, a magician widely considered the most innovative of the 20th century. For years, his unique blend of technology and traditional trickery created miracles unlike any other, with his secrets fiercely guarded throughout his life. Now, seven years after his passing, this groundbreaking digital download grants unprecedented access to the genius of Del Ray, brought to life through the dedicated efforts of Bob Escher, David Baldwin, and Bill Spooner, with author John Moehring at the helm.

A Comprehensive Biography

Part One of this essential volume meticulously traces Del Ray's extraordinary career. From his humble beginnings performing for $3 in an orphanage to his meteoric rise as 'America's most successful nightclub magician ever' in the 1950s, and his innovative development of close-up magic that commanded fees as high as $10,000 a week. This compelling narrative is brought vividly to life with 116 vintage photographs, offering a rare glimpse into the personality, achievements, and unique genius that defined Del Ray's magical world.

Master Del Ray's Signature Routines

Part Two delves into the practical magic, focusing on eight of Del Ray's most cherished close-up routines. Magician Gary Plants provides incredibly detailed descriptions for seven effects, including 'Half-dollar Through Ring,' 'The Bet,' 'Blackjack Deal,' and 'The Computer Deck.' These explanations are accompanied by 80 original photographs of Gary's hands executing each precise sleight-of-hand maneuver. Additionally, 'The Royal Assembly,' originally detailed by Ed Marlo in 1954, is illustrated by Jay Marshall, offering a complete instructional guide for aspiring and seasoned magicians alike.

Exclusive Companion Video Content

Enhance your learning with the included 92-minute companion video. This invaluable resource allows you to witness Del Ray's magic in action, featuring his iconic stage act from the 1983 Tannen's Magic Jubilee. The video also showcases close-up performances of routines like 'Rabbit & Frog,' 'The Singing Bird,' 'Million Dollar Card Trick,' 'Coin Through Card Box,' and many more of the effects discussed in the book. This digital download delivers a comprehensive, revelatory experience, ensuring Del Ray's unparalleled magic continues to inspire generations.

Original Specs

Del Ray: America's Foremost by John Moehring ( Ebook,Video , Instant Download )

Del Ray was considered the most innovative magician of the 20th century. Secretly intermingling technologies with traditional trickery, he performed miracles of magic that were unlike those of any other magician. Throughout his life, he passionately guarded the secrets of both his professional and personal affairs. Because Del Ray remained steadfast in his refusals to ever discuss or share his magic, his magician friends and fans feared that a book on his life would never see print.

Now, seven years after Del Ray's death in 2003, through the gracious efforts of the publishing partnership of Bob Escher (who was bequeathed the Del Ray collection), David Baldwin, and Bill Spooner, the book has become a reality and a welcome addition to magic history's literature. Having complete access to the Del Ray archive, which included his personal scrapbooks and memorabilia as well the ingenious magic that Del Ray created over the years, author John Moehring has crafted a volume that is both insightful and revelatory.

Part One traces Del Ray's career in magic beginning with his adolescent years in an orphanage where he performed his first paid show for $3, to his meteoric rise to fame in the 1950s as America's most successful nightclub magician ever, to Del Ray's development of a stunningly modern approach to close-up magic that enabled him to demand fees as high as $10,000 a week. This remarkable story is illustrated with 116 vintage photographs. Told with exacting detail and a reverence for the master's secrets, the biography section of Del Ray: America's Foremost is a celebration of the personality, the achievements, and the genius that made the magical world of Del Ray unique.

Part Two focuses on a selection of eight of Del Ray's favorite close-up routines. Gary Plants has written detailed descriptions for seven of these effects: Half-dollar Through Ring, The Bet, Blackjack Deal, the Computer Deck, Gymnastic Aces Without Aces, Final Aces, and Del Ray's Card Stab. Eighty original photos of Gary's hands executing the sleight-of-hand maneuvers accompany his explanations. The Royal Assembly, a Del Ray effect originally written up by Ed Marlo in 1954, is illustrated by Jay Marshall. This section also includes the eight-page audiovisual script for the Companion Video that accompanies the book, two pages of acknowledgements, and a comprehensive Index.

The Companion Video is a 92-minute DVD located in a flap pocket on the inside back cover of each copy of Del Ray: America's Foremost. Contents include Del Ray's stage act at the 1983 Tannen's Magic Jubilee; close-up performances of the Rabbit & Frog, the Singing Bird, Half-Dollar Through Ring, Blackjack Deal, Computer Deck, Dice Stacking, Final Aces, Million Dollar Card Trick, Coin Through Card Box, Gymnastic Aces Without Aces, Card Stab, Flipper, Little Willie, and The Bet.

Pages: 448 - Hardback with dust jacket
Over 200 photographs and illustrations
92 minute Companion DVD included