Stoddard, Edward: The First Book of Magic ©1953 Franklin Watts, Inc., NY Hardcover, w/dj, 68 pages ©1977 Franklin Watts Inc., NY

Image courtesy eBay seller MagicCollectiblesPlus

Comments: Pictures by Robin King. There is a later paperback version of this book that I owned that shares much of the same contents, but not exactly the same. The items below with an * are in this hardcover edition but not in the 1980 edition paperback. The listing for the other edition will show what items are in that book but not in this one.

Contents (from book ToC):

7 The First Secret: It's the person who does the tricks that fools people

10 Tricks with Money
10 Rubbing a Quarter Away: after dropping it on the floor
12 The Disappearing Nickel*
15Penny Nickel Dime Quarter: magician knows what coin is hidden under a coffee mug (accomplice)

16 Tricks with Handkerchiefs
16 The Knot That Ties Itself
18 The Knot that Melts Away
20 The Vanishing Handkerchief: using a Pull

22 Tricks with String
22 Cutting Through Your Neck
24 The Mended String: cut and restored
27 The Ring Through the String: candy/mint ring off string under handkerchief

29 Ticks with Cards
29 The Changing Card: a simple trick using the Double Lift
31 The Telltale Face: magician knows when the spectator is lying
32 The Flying Aces*

34 Tricks with Balls
34 The Ball That Rolls By Itself: on a tablecloth
35 The Amazing Cups and Balls: standard no-sleight balls penetrate the cups routine
38 The Wandering Sponge Balls: a beginner's sponge ball routine in the spectator's hands

42 Famous Magicians*

44 Mind-Reading Tricks*
44 The Easiest Mind Reading Trick
45 You Can't Fool Me
46 How To Read Sealed Messages

48 Tricks With Numbers*
48 THe Predicted Total
49 The Magic Number
50 I'll Guess Your Number

51 Spirit Tricks*
51 The Rising Table
52 A Lights Out Seance
54 Spirit Writing

55 Magic At the Dinner Table
55 The Jumping Candle Flame*
56 The Magnetized Knife
57 The Vanishing Salt Shaker*

59 Your Own Magic Show
59 What Happens In the Show
60 What You Will Need

61 How to Get Ready
61 The Disappearing Candle*
62 The Milk in the Hat*
62 The Rope Through the Man
62 The Rabbit From the Box*

65 How to Give the Show*