Because of Fred Rickard’s enduring friendship with Floyd Thayer, this is a very personal biography. The many stories recorded here are the result of countless hours Fred spent at the Thayer Manufacturing Company in downtown Los Angeles, at the shop and studio Floyd built at his famous home, Brookledge, and finally in Floyd’s last shop at his Pasadena home, where his career had started some fifty years earlier.
To augment Fred’s manuscript, within the files of Egyptian Hall Museum, I found an article written by Fred about his life in magic, and another manuscript typed by Floyd about his own early life. No trace of the apparatus photographs were found but through the kindness of Jim Olsen, John Gaughan, and David Copperfield, I was able to photograph every one of the items Fred discussed in his manuscript. Furthermore, I have annotated the entire book and included more than 200 rare photos from Egyptian Hall Museum. The book contains 167 pages measuring eight by ten inches, printed end-sheets, and a cover and spine stamped with copper foil. This book is number sixteen in our long-running series of Magical Pro-Files. It is a feast for the eyes and I couldn’t be happier with the final result.
I thought long and hard about how I might produce a deluxe copy of this book. I had a hand-tinted photo of Floyd and Jennie taken for their 40th wedding anniversary in 1951 at their Pasadena home. This photo appears on the limitation page. Also included is a reproduction of a brochure advertising souvenirs Floyd and his father produced, even before they started making magic. Napkin rings, pin cushions, gavels, bread boards, and other items were available at wholesale prices to the many tourist locations in Pasadena. Then I thought, “If Floyd Thayer were here today, what would he do for a deluxe edition?” And then it hit me. Floyd would make a slipcase out of wood and that’s exactly what we’ve done. Hand-crafted from beautiful walnut, with a laser-etched image on the cover, this unique book will stand out on your bookshelf like no other. This deluxe edition is limited to 200 copies and once they are gone, there will be no more.
Deluxe edition: $220
Because of Fred Rickard’s enduring friendship with Floyd Thayer, this is a very personal biography. The many stories recorded here are the result of countless hours Fred spent at the Thayer Manufacturing Company in downtown Los Angeles, at the shop and studio Floyd built at his famous home, Brookledge, and finally in Floyd’s last shop at his Pasadena home, where his career had started some fifty years earlier.
To augment Fred’s manuscript, within the files of Egyptian Hall Museum, I found an article written by Fred about his life in magic, and another manuscript typed by Floyd about his own early life. No trace of the apparatus photographs were found but through the kindness of Jim Olsen, John Gaughan, and David Copperfield, I was able to photograph every one of the items Fred discussed in his manuscript. Furthermore, I have annotated the entire book and included more than 200 rare photos from Egyptian Hall Museum. The book contains 167 pages measuring eight by ten inches, printed end-sheets, and a cover and spine stamped with copper foil. This book is number sixteen in our long-running series of Magical Pro-Files. It is a feast for the eyes and I couldn’t be happier with the final result.
I thought long and hard about how I might produce a deluxe copy of this book. I had a hand-tinted photo of Floyd and Jennie taken for their 40th wedding anniversary in 1951 at their Pasadena home. This photo appears on the limitation page. Also included is a reproduction of a brochure advertising souvenirs Floyd and his father produced, even before they started making magic. Napkin rings, pin cushions, gavels, bread boards, and other items were available at wholesale prices to the many tourist locations in Pasadena. Then I thought, “If Floyd Thayer were here today, what would he do for a deluxe edition?” And then it hit me. Floyd would make a slipcase out of wood and that’s exactly what we’ve done. Hand-crafted from beautiful walnut, with a laser-etched image on the cover, this unique book will stand out on your bookshelf like no other. This deluxe edition is limited to 200 copies and once they are gone, there will be no more.
Deluxe edition: $220
