Blow Book (Magic Book)

19th century

Not on view

At first sight, this book of prints appears to be a normal coloring book. Instead, it is a so-called "blow book", which was used as a prop in popular magic tricks. The genre goes back as far as the 16th century. This example dates from the early 19th century. Tricks performed with blow books were based on the principle of transformation. After showing specific pages from the book to the audience, the performer would blow on the book or "magically" manipulate it in some other way to change its contents. Illustrations could turn from uncolored to colored, could be multiplied, or could disappear altogether. The illusion is created through strategic repetitions within the book, often with introduced variations, and the insertion of empty pages strewn throughout. As is to be expected, this blow book shows signs of frequent use and handling.

Artwork Details

Overview

Provenance

Title: Blow Book (Magic Book)
Date: 19th century
Medium: etchings, some with handcoloring
Classifications: Books, Ephemera
Credit Line: Gift of Lincoln Kirstein, 1964
Object Number: 64.629.12
Curatorial Department: Drawings and Prints

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