Performance scenes were a popular choice for instructional manuals for amateurs and beginners. Here the magician demonstrates his skills using objects found in any home. The books yellow cover comes from Routledge’s history as a publisher of yellow-backs, particularly in the “Railway Library” series. These were cheap, entertaining editions to be picked up at railway stations or street corners. They were mostly sensational literature but also educational and instructional books such as this were also produced. The book has also employed a punning pseudonym for the author.