The Art of Magic – An unparalleled look into the visual history of magic

Step into one of the world’s most astonishing private collections of magic posters—now revealed for the first time. The Art of Magic documents one of the most impressive collections of magic posters ever assembled. This oversized book is a work of art in itself: a tribute to the visual splendor and history of the art of magic.

Author Ken Trombly is one of the most passionate collectors of magic art. Lithographs, posters, etchings—if it depicts a magician from history, chances are Ken owns a mint-condition copy. His home is a wonder room from the golden age of magic. But since only a few can admire his collection in person, The Art of Magic brings this visual spectacle straight to your coffee table.

Grand in size and content

What immediately stands out is the size: 40 x 30 cm. Too large and too beautiful to disappear into a bookshelf. This book belongs prominently on the table, where you and your guests can take a journey through the rich visual history of magic with a single page. From world-famous masters to forgotten legends—they all make an appearance.

Of course, you’ll discover the icons everyone knows: Kellar, Chung Ling Soo, Thurston, Houdini… But you’ll also see images that haven’t been published anywhere else. You’ll learn about pioneers like John Henry Anderson and Robert-Houdin, who paved the way before the golden age. What makes this book especially fascinating is that you literally see how the technique and artistic style evolved: from simple broadsides and woodcuts to explosions of color in the beloved lithographic posters.

Heroic unknowns and curious details

The true magic lies in the unknown names. Like Professor Hartz, Will Wood, and a mysterious magician who called himself “Hellmann”—though his most beautiful poster misspells his name. You’ll even come across a stunning advertisement for an artist whose only act consisted of… eating stones.

And then there’s Carlincourt, a traveling magician who was personally hired by Abraham Lincoln to spy on the Confederacy during the American Civil War.

The book isn’t limited to people. Ken also owns a hilarious collection of animal broadsides featuring performances by learned pigs, geese, dogs, and even horses.

️ Personal, unique, and breathtaking

Ken Trombly provides his own commentary for each image: short biographies of the performers, stories about how he acquired the piece, and why it is meaningful to him as a collector. The result is a personal and unique glimpse into a lifelong passion for the art of magic.

In addition to countless, often never-before-published full-color lithographs, the book contains rare ephemera: from sheet music featuring magicians to unique documents and photos of Houdini. There is even an entire chapter dedicated to iconic prints and engravings of cup-and-ball artists.

Photographer Richard Nowitz (known from National Geographic) captured the collection in stunning quality, and Andi Gladwin designed the book’s layout to do justice to the grandeur of these images.

For lovers of the visual side of our rich history of magic, The Art of Magic is simply indispensable. ✨