DIGITAL GEN. Published by Martin Breese Digital Limited and obtainable from Martin Breese International at 82 Broad Street, SHEFFIELD S2 5TG. £75 post free in the UK and $120 post free to the USA. All other countries £75 plus postage.

All 303 issues of the magazine published between 1945 and 1971 on four CD's, one of which is Michael Colley's cross referenced, very detailed index.

The Gen was the house organ of Harry Stanley's Unique Magic Studio and grew, mainly under the fine editorship of Lewis Ganson from a small news letter to a world class glossy. Practically every known name in magic at the time contributed and every branch of magic is included. Through the lifetime of the Gen one can see the change in focus from stand-up to close-up and the development of style away from Devant and Bertram towards Vernon, Slydini and Ken Brooke whom Harry Stanley was mainly responsible for promoting in Britain.

So what do you get for your money? Almost 1000 card tricks. Routines and lessons for all the Classics. Children's Tricks from the top earners of the time. Presentation, Patter and Comedy items. Sleight of Hand lessons from the Masters, A Portrait Gallery on the Covers. It's an Encyclopedia and a History Book. I love it as much now as when it was issued originally. But then I'm biased because there is a picture of a much younger me on one of the covers.

Great value that works out at 2½ pence an issue and should carry an addiction warning.

Neville Wiltshire January 03



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