Sanders The Great » Will Goldston

Will Goldston, Dave and Dusty

Sanders The Great — Wed, 26 May 2010 19:15:14 +0000

I’ve just stumbled upon this wonderful Pathe newsreel dating from 1946.

It shows the eponimous Dave and Dusty visiting Will Goldston’s magic shop in London.

It includes footage of Will, and another magician performing a disappearing birdcage trick.

Dave and Dusty start playing with ventriloquists dummies making a GI dummy say “Got and gum chum?” and are soon scared from the shop as another dummy springs to life.

Great Tricks Revealed - Will Goldston - 1939 - Conjuring

Current Price: £9.99
Ends: Feb 19, 2012
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Will Goldston

Instantaneous Card Production

Sanders The Great — Tue, 25 May 2010 22:02:57 +0000

Here is a wonderful item of magical history for sale: Will Goldstons Instantaneous Card Production dating from the early 1900’s. As the advertisement states:

Very rare and vintage Instantaneous Card Production from Pocket Set – a bit of very early 20th century magical history. Made and marketed by Will Goldston – from his shop at 14, Green Street, Leicester Square, London. This is an amazing pair of original Will Goldston card indexes, with the original instructions by Will Goldston. The indexes and instructions are in fantastic condition, especially considering their age.
The indexes are made from stiffened black linen cloth and could still be used today, however one would most likely keep them in a collection. The instructions are original and complete, with only a very small crease in on of the corners. This is a must for any serious magic collector, as I have not seen another example as fine as this one.

I couldn’t agree more.

Sand, Smoke & Rag Pictures Will Goldston C.1925, Magic

Current Price: £45.00
Ends: Mar 08, 2012
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Auction, Will Goldston

Exclusive Magical Secrets First Edition For Sale

Sanders The Great — Fri, 03 Apr 2009 22:50:35 +0000

There is a first edition of Will Goldston’s famous book Exclusive Magical Secrets for sale on ebay
. This is number 755 of 1000 and is in fantastic condition.

I am fortunate enough to own a copy (number 252 originally owned by Bennett Scott) otherwise I’d be bidding myself. This is a rare opportunity to purchase a piece of magical history. I don’t make a habit of plugging other peoples auctions, but this is a rare find and deserves to be once again owned by a member of the magical set.

Great Tricks Revealed - Will Goldston - 1939 - Conjuring

Current Price: £9.99
Ends: Feb 19, 2012
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Auction, Will Goldston

My Thoughts on Will Goldston

Sanders The Great — Mon, 11 Feb 2008 15:02:55 +0000

Will Goldston (1878-1948) magical entrepreneur, author and dealer is one of my favourite figures in magical history.
He began his magical career at the age of 17 performing as Carl Devo. He went on to manage the magical department at Gamages store in London, later opening his own shop Will Goldston Limited at Alladin House, London supplying books and effects to the magical trade.

He became famous as a prolific author, writing many books, including his infamous “locked books” beginning with Exclusive Magical Secrets (1912) the first editions of which had a lock and key designed to keep there contents secret. I am very privileged to own one of these first editions, and it is a fantastic book, and the cream of my collection.

Many discredit Goldston as merely a writer who stole and republished other magicians tricks, and partially that is true. I believe, however, that he had a nobler intent: he wanted to record and share information within the magical community to allow new ideas to germinate and magic in general to improve. This extract from a chapter called “Let There Be Harmony” from “Tricks of the Masters” published in 1942 spell out his hypothesis:

“Why is it that so many magicians are over-cautious in the manner in which they keep their secrets? I do not suggest, of course, that a conjurer who has spent much thought, time and money in producing a series of new tricks should be willing to satisfy the curiosity of any beginner who wants to take a peep behind the scenes. But are not some magicians a little too secretive in their behaviour to other magicians of equal rank? … One feels sure that a more free exchange of ideas would be of great benefit to the art of magic, and to magicians themselves, for the better the trick the greater the public interest in its performance, and the more the public can be interested in a trick the better for magic and for magicians generally.”

Derren Brown Lowry Salford Stalls Row H (7Th Row) Sat 10Th March X 2 Tickets

Current Price: £148.66
Ends: Feb 18, 2012
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Will Goldston

The New Card Change Improvement

Sanders The Great — Sat, 14 Jul 2007 10:08:50 +0000

This advertisement dates from 1908 and includes three tricks by Will Goldston: “The New Card Change Improvement”, “The Hypnotised Cards” and “The Devo Torn Card” where “A selected card is torn … and at command from performer same is restored. Back of card is freely shown, before and after trick is performed. No elastic or black velvet used.”

Derren Brown Pure Effect Superb Pro Mentalism

Current Price: £159.00
Ends: Mar 06, 2012
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Posters, Will Goldston

Gamagic Card Frame

Sanders The Great — Fri, 29 Jun 2007 20:24:21 +0000

This advert was published in 1908 and describes the “Gamagic” Card Frame. It was designed by my hero Will Goldston whilst working in the magic department of Gamages (the great house for everything magical). I love the recommendation from Chung Ling Soo:
My Dear Goldston,
The “Gamagic” Card Frame you worked for me to-day is indeed very well thought out, and should sell well. Make me up a duplicate.Sincerely,
(Signed) Chung Ling Soo

And notice “No Sand or Spring Blind Used”.

Paul Daniels Genuine Hand Signed Autograph,Low Start No Reserve.

Current Price: £1.99
Ends: Feb 15, 2012
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Chung Ling Soo, Posters, Will Goldston