Nevertheless, it is doubtful that Professor Hoffmann realized what prominence they would achieve in the world of magic after the publication of his book. But above all, perhaps, mention should be made of his neglect of the escape, from handcuffs, ropes, boxes and other containers. Houdini, perhaps the best-known magician, of all time, made a specialty of this now-classic trick-and the whole subject is never once mentioned in the Professor's treatise.

So a great deal has changed in magic since 1876; but in its exposition of many of the classic effects still being performed, Modern Magic continues to be of particular interest to the present day magic performer. The Egg Bag, the Chinese Rings, the Rising Cards, the Ring on the Stick and, the oldest known magic effect, the Cups and Balls, are all explained in detail. To this last classic effect, described by Professor Hoffmann as «the groundwork of all legerdemain,» an entire chapter is devoted. True, there have been some changes in Cups-and-Balls technique over the last century (the use of the servante has largely been replaced by the performer working from his coat and pants pockets), but basically the teaching in this chapter remains as solid a grounding in this great effect as one could find. And Hoffmann's strong beliefs on the fundamentals of magic performance are as valid today as when they were first penned: «The ideal entertainment, from the point of view of the spectator, will be one in which feats of dexterity, or supposed dexterity, are worked in conjunction with brilliant stage effects of a more spectacular kind.» This prophetic realization describes with uncanny accuracy the approach of most of the major magicians since that time.

After the publication of Modern Magic, Professor Hoffmann produced dozens of books on magic and games and wrote scores of magazine articles. Among his most notable books were two sequels to Modern Magic: More Magic (1890) and Later Magic (1903). He also wrote a novel for juveniles entitled Conjuror Dick (1886).