Illusionology | Emily Hawkins

Illusionology reveals the practical science of magic. Purportedly written in 1915 by one of America's top scientists, William Schafer, the book is an expose of the tricks of the masters for new initiates of the Illusionists' Guild. As well as revealing inside info about many famous tricks - levitating a lady, making things disappear and mind-reading, among others - and providing instructions, it gives explanations of the science that makes the magic possible. In the course of the book, we learn that Schafer has been perfecting a machine that exploits 'radiant matter' to effect the full dematerialization of a person. On the final spread, Schafer tries out the invention - and is never seen again!