$15.00
ESTATE Condition Like New
The 1994 Master Magician Magic Kit & Book by Sandy Ransford (published by Viking/Quarto Children's Books) is a classic interactive novelty kit designed for kids aged 7 to 12.
The main premise of the kit is to give young beginners everything they need not just to learn secrets, but to put on a complete, spectacular magic show from scratch.
What Was Inside the Box?
Unlike basic book-only guides, this kit featured a built-in mix of physical props, dress-up elements, and an illustrated instructional book. The component lineup included:
The Master Magician Book: A fully illustrated, step-by-step guide explaining the secrets behind the illusions.
Performance Costume Accents: A fold-out cardboard top hat and a matching bow tie to help kids look the part.
Classic Magic Props: A magic wand, a deck of cards, three plastic rings (for linking tricks), three small balls, a handkerchief, a piece of magic rope, a coin box, two coins, three dice, and a custom dice holder.
Gimmicks: A false thumb tip (a staple tool in professional magic for vanishing items like the handkerchief).
The Magic Book & Tricks
The core text, written by Ransford, covers the secrets and presentation details for more than 20 mystifying tricks. The book is organized to build confidence by starting with simpler sleights and moving into full-blown routines.
The content generally breaks down into these major categories:
Sleight of Hand & Vanishing Acts: Utilizing the coin box, handkerchief, and false thumb to make items materialize out of thin air or disappear entirely.
Card & Dice Magic: Mind-reading and math-based tricks using the provided card deck and dice holder to guess an audience member's chosen number or card.
Illusion & Wizardry: Classic parlor tricks like linking the plastic rings or making knots mysteriously untie themselves from the magic rope.
Showmanship and "Patter": A key feature of Ransford’s guide is that it teaches kids how to perform. It includes instructions on how to write invitations, set up a stage, manage audience misdirection, and deliver the spoken lines (patter) that make a magic trick truly convincing.
Ultimately, it stands out as a memorable 1990s keepsake because it treated magic as a theatrical production, guiding kids from their first practice session all the way to taking a bow in their paper top hat.