Illustrated by Marina Trayham. There are 6 volumes in the NY Magic Symposium collection. The books include material submitted by participants in the symposium, held in the 1980’s. Although most of the material is close up magic, there are a few stage and parlor type items. The last volume was to be Collection #6, but instead was published as Spectacle, by Stephen Minch.

Contents:

6 Author’s Introduction (Stephen Minch): essay on the event, the innovative performers
9 Advertisement for NYMS in Los Angeles, CA
10 Poster reproduction featuring Jeff McBride
12 Application form for NYMS
14 Essay (Adam Fleischer): More about the Symposium
15 1985 Magic Symposium Highlights: short introductions of each magician
18 The $10,000 Magic Entertainer of the Year Competition
21 Looking Back: the 1984 NYMS in San Francisco & NY: photos and tidbits

30 A Cut & Restored Rope Replacement (Michael Ammar): a smooth method for bringing up the end as the middle
32 Volte-Face (Daryl): Any four of a kind is removed from deck and placed back in, and when deck is spread they are found reversed
35 The Tallahassee Tent (Paul Harris): a two card transposition using ungimmicked cards and beginning with the story of the Bermuda Triangle
38 The Great Sugar Swindle (Pat Hazell): Finger ring is borrowed and vanished and after some byplay is found in a sugar packet
41 The Flying Flourish Cut (Pat Hazell): three versions of this fancy cut, with increasing difficulty
43 Vacillation (Richard Kaufman): a card is chosen from the center of the deck and left there. The outer end is riffled, and the selection pops out, but has shrunk! And more.
50 Necktie Party (Jeff McBride): the well dressed magician removes his bow tie and ties it into a knot. It suddenly unties itself, is tossed into the air, vanishes, and reappears on the neck
53 Twice the Tithe (David Roth): a half dollar is shown and a piece broken off. When the piece is shown, it is seen to be a dime! The dime is balanced on the half. waved over, and the half is restored.
55 And Paint the Roses Red (David Roth): An English Penny is shown and painted with a paint brush where it turns into a half dollar.
56 Coniunctio Traiectio Disiunctio (Amalgamation, Transposition, Separation): Two halves transpose with English Penny, change to a Dollar coin, resplit, etc.
58 Bit by Bit (Jay Sankey): Signed selection rises but the alien signature doesn’t; deck is riffled again, and part of the signature rises; a third time, and the entire signature is present, and the card is given away
62 Descartes Meets the Pop Outs (Jay Sankey): a difficult but satisfying production of 4 coins at the close up table using Roth’s Pop Out move
65 The Invisible Tailor (Slydini): a button is “borrowed” from a spectator’s jacket and restored with an invisible needle and thread
70 Contrary Himber (Harry Anderson): idea for securing a Z-fold Himber wallet for casual handling by the spectator
72 Telepathy Plus Woman (Leslie Anderson): Three billets, 3 spectators – 2 digits, one word, and a time are written, and the magician determines each
77 In the Shadow of the Synchronous: Cards in a fishbowl determine card dealt to, which matches prediction.
79 Dartanian’s Release (John Cornelius): sort of a ring off rope performed almost impromptu with little sword swivel sticks found at the bar
81 Just One More (Paul Cummins): The trick done, the magician puts the deck in the case and tables it. With requests to continue, the deck is suddenly back in the hands
84 Jazz Fusion (Louis Falanga): Aces and Jokers transpose as spectator finds all 4 Aces
88 The Camel’s Back (Goodwin & Kosby): Torn wrapper from straw is restored and then restored to the straw.
92 The Zoellner Phenomenon (Ray Hyman): a knot is tied in a cord whose ends are held. Includes an extensive true storyline about Johann Carl Friedrich Zoellner, who was researching the “fourth dimension”
97 The L.J. Add On (Larry Jennings): The LJ add on move as an alternative to the Braue sequence with a handling of “the four robbers” and an Ace Assembly
101 Half Passe Histed (Ken Krenzel): Peeked card is reversed in the deck, twice.
104 Point Blank (Latta & Swiss): 3 of Clubs is found but not the selection, so pip is removed, but still not correct. Finally chosen card is found.
111 Blotched (Lisa Menna): Selection is attempted to be found using Rorschach ink blots.
116 S’No Ball (Turk Pipkin): ping pong ball tossed in the air suddenly vanishes, an no sleeves or topits are used
118 Mount of Venus (Gary Lee Williams): Clear tube with screw on cap is placed on spectator’s palm with a ball inside. Although the performer’s hand never touches the apparatus, the ball moves inside the tube. No magnets.