Karl von Eckartshausen is best known for mystical writings such as The Cloud upon the Sanctuary. In this 1793 manual, the Bavarian court official turns to secret writing and animal magnetism, then gives most of the book over to the conjurer’s bag. The title promises instruction and entertainment, and the entertainment receives a generous share. This is the second, improved edition.
The opening “General Theory of Secret Writing” describes ways to encode messages or conceal them in apparently innocent text. Cipher alphabets appear alongside invisible inks and mathematical methods. A shorter section then considers animal magnetism, the theory associated with Franz Anton Mesmer that an invisible fluid connected living bodies. It discusses magnetic sleep and the therapeutic possibilities attributed to it.
The Gauckeltasche, or “Conjurer’s Bag,” runs for more than 270 pages. There are cups and balls and card tricks, optical illusions made with mirrors and lenses, and chemical demonstrations for household entertainment. Mechanical automata and self-moving devices extend the repertoire. Eckartshausen draws on earlier conjuring books, including Simon Witgeest’s Natürliches Zauber-Buch and the pseudonymous Hocus Pocus of Elias Piluland.
The engraved frontispiece shows the cups and balls among optical instruments and magnetic apparatus. It is a useful introduction to the breadth of natural magic: sleight of hand and effects produced with instruments share a book with inquiries into forces whose existence the author took seriously. A reader drawn to Eckartshausen through his mystical works finds him here explaining some of the equipment as well.
The copy retains its blue-gray interim paper wrappers and printed spine label, chipped with losses. A circular stamp on the front free endpaper identifies the Hungarian Ministry of People’s Education Library and includes the words “Nem adható el,” “Not for sale.” The stamp is evidence of institutional ownership; the copy’s later journey is not documented here.
ECKARTSHAUSEN, Karl von. Verschiedenes zum Unterricht und zur Unterhaltung für Liebhaber der Gauckeltasche, des Magnetismus, und anderer Seltenheiten. [Various Items for Instruction and Entertainment for Lovers of the Juggler's Bag, Magnetism, and Other Rarities]. Munich: Joseph Lindauer, 1793.
Second, improved edition ("Zwote, verbesserte Auflage"). Small Octavo (8vo). [16], XXVI, 296 pp., [1]. Complete with engraved frontispiece depicting scientific and magical apparatus, including the classical "Cups and Balls" (Becherspiel), optical instruments, and magnetic devices. Contemporary blue-grey interim paper wrappers (Interimsbroschur) with original printed paper spine label (chipped with losses). Edges trimmed and stained red.
Condition: A solid, honest copy in its original state. Contemporary blue-grey interim paper wrappers (Interimsbroschur) with original printed spine label present, though chipped with some loss to label. Spine ends and corners show wear consistent with the inherently fragile nature of interim bindings. Edges attractively trimmed and stained red. Internally, the text block is structurally sound. Paper shows scattered foxing and spotting typical of German paper stock from the 1790s, but remains entirely legible throughout. The engraved frontispiece is clean and well-preserved.
Provenance: Verso of front free endpaper bears the circular institutional stamp of the Hungarian Ministry of People's Education Library (Népművelési Minisztérium Könyvtári), marked "Nem adható el" (Not for sale/Not transferrable).
References: VD 18 15299139 (Verzeichnis der im deutschen Sprachbereich erschienenen Drucke des 18. Jahrhunderts).
Karl von Eckartshausen is best known for mystical writings such as The Cloud upon the Sanctuary. In this 1793 manual, the Bavarian court official turns to secret writing and animal magnetism, then gives most of the book over to the conjurer’s bag. The title promises instruction and entertainment, and the entertainment receives a generous share. This is the second, improved edition.
The opening “General Theory of Secret Writing” describes ways to encode messages or conceal them in apparently innocent text. Cipher alphabets appear alongside invisible inks and mathematical methods. A shorter section then considers animal magnetism, the theory associated with Franz Anton Mesmer that an invisible fluid connected living bodies. It discusses magnetic sleep and the therapeutic possibilities attributed to it.
The Gauckeltasche, or “Conjurer’s Bag,” runs for more than 270 pages. There are cups and balls and card tricks, optical illusions made with mirrors and lenses, and chemical demonstrations for household entertainment. Mechanical automata and self-moving devices extend the repertoire. Eckartshausen draws on earlier conjuring books, including Simon Witgeest’s Natürliches Zauber-Buch and the pseudonymous Hocus Pocus of Elias Piluland.
The engraved frontispiece shows the cups and balls among optical instruments and magnetic apparatus. It is a useful introduction to the breadth of natural magic: sleight of hand and effects produced with instruments share a book with inquiries into forces whose existence the author took seriously. A reader drawn to Eckartshausen through his mystical works finds him here explaining some of the equipment as well.
The copy retains its blue-gray interim paper wrappers and printed spine label, chipped with losses. A circular stamp on the front free endpaper identifies the Hungarian Ministry of People’s Education Library and includes the words “Nem adható el,” “Not for sale.” The stamp is evidence of institutional ownership; the copy’s later journey is not documented here.
ECKARTSHAUSEN, Karl von. Verschiedenes zum Unterricht und zur Unterhaltung für Liebhaber der Gauckeltasche, des Magnetismus, und anderer Seltenheiten. [Various Items for Instruction and Entertainment for Lovers of the Juggler's Bag, Magnetism, and Other Rarities]. Munich: Joseph Lindauer, 1793.
Second, improved edition ("Zwote, verbesserte Auflage"). Small Octavo (8vo). [16], XXVI, 296 pp., [1]. Complete with engraved frontispiece depicting scientific and magical apparatus, including the classical "Cups and Balls" (Becherspiel), optical instruments, and magnetic devices. Contemporary blue-grey interim paper wrappers (Interimsbroschur) with original printed paper spine label (chipped with losses). Edges trimmed and stained red.
Condition: A solid, honest copy in its original state. Contemporary blue-grey interim paper wrappers (Interimsbroschur) with original printed spine label present, though chipped with some loss to label. Spine ends and corners show wear consistent with the inherently fragile nature of interim bindings. Edges attractively trimmed and stained red. Internally, the text block is structurally sound. Paper shows scattered foxing and spotting typical of German paper stock from the 1790s, but remains entirely legible throughout. The engraved frontispiece is clean and well-preserved.
Provenance: Verso of front free endpaper bears the circular institutional stamp of the Hungarian Ministry of People's Education Library (Népművelési Minisztérium Könyvtári), marked "Nem adható el" (Not for sale/Not transferrable).
References: VD 18 15299139 (Verzeichnis der im deutschen Sprachbereich erschienenen Drucke des 18. Jahrhunderts).
