This book aims to pay homage to 500 years of extraordinary visual art created around the most exceptional magicians the world has seen . More than 750 posters , photographs , hand programs and engravings document the history of stage magic from the 1 400s to the post-World War II years . Through sensational images and clear and instructive accompanying text, The Magic Bookexplores the evolution of the magical arts from the first street illusionists to the exceptional theatrical magicians responsi ble for the first special film effects from the golden age of magic in the nineteenth century to daring escapists like Houdini and the great vaudeville artists of the early 20th century.