This 1920s edition of Tricks and Illusions for Amateur and Professional Conjurers by Will Goldston is a unique and historically significant piece of magic history—not just for its printed contents but also for the annotations left behind by the previous owner.
 
Once owned by magician George Weisensel, known as "Weisini," this book was gifted to him by fellow Baltimore magician John Tomlin. Adding to its rarity, Tomlin signed the book on two separate pages calling Weisensel his best friend, leaving a personal mark on this treasured volume. Inside the front cover, a snapshot of both magicians together was pasted by Weisensel, along with a newspaper clipping of John Tomlin’s obituary. This book was clearly a very special personal treasure from Weisensel's library.
 
George Weisensel (1898–1990) was an influential figure in the Baltimore magic community, performing under the name "Weisini." He moved to Baltimore in 1924 after being inspired by Harry Houdini and became deeply involved in local magic circles while also working as a traveling dental salesman. John Tomlin, while lesser-known in the broader magic world, was clearly a respected magician in his own right, as evidenced by his relationship with Weisensel and his presence in this book. This volume not only serves as a valuable resource for illusionists but also stands as a remarkable collector’s item, preserving the friendship and shared passion of two dedicated magicians.
 
The book is overall in pretty great condition for its age. It features the above-mentioned photograph pasted inside the front cover, newspaper clippings loosely kept between pages throughout, and John Tomlin's obituary pasted on one of the front pages. All of the tricks and magic instructions are still legible throughout the book and it contains some great 1920s-style illustrations. The cover boards seem to have been customized for this book with some sort of tape placed by either John Tomlin or George Weisensel. It seems that this book was more of a personal keepsake than it was an actual reference guide.