Today we’d like to introduce you to Don Bursell.
Hi Don, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I began my performing career at 10 years old, when my Grandmother gave me a magic set. I performed my first show when I was 12, and went full time at 15 years of age. Upon graduation from high school, I applied, and was accepted, to Ringling Brothers & Barnum and Bailey’s Clown College, at the time located in Venice, Florida.
When I graduated, I was offered a contract to travel with the circus, but after only 6 months, had to leave the circus due to severe allergies to animals.
I then worked for Disneyland in California for 3 years, on a project that Disney & Ringling Brothers did together, Circus Fantasy. I performed in shows, on the streets, and in parades.
I then spent the next 5 years performing around the United States, with theatre companies, cruise ships, and ministry programs in churches. I’ve now performed in all of the United States except Hawaii, but I’m working on it.
I have always been a reader, and owned about 600 magic books, including history of magic, teaching magic, etc. In October 2019 I purchased the remaining stock of a Magic Book Store in Texas, to simply add to my own personal library. It was about 4000 books and pamphlets. In March of 2020, when Covid hit, my performing disappeared completely. So I took the time to sell off some of the 4000 items I now had, and my new business, Don’s Magic & Books, was born.
I buy and sell magic books from magicians when they retire, or from their family when a magician passes away. I’ve sold an entire illusion show, a lifetime collection for an overseas missionary’s family, and at least 40 magic book collections that I’ve purchased since starting this business.
I’ve bought and sold over 23,000 titles since starting this endeavor.
I also have a show that I perform for libraries, demonstrating and performing amazing, and fun things, kids can learn through their local libraries around Minnesota.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It hasn’t always been smooth. Being a self-employed performer means feast or famine throughout the year. There were years when my family had to scrape by and eat a lot of soup, to years where we rode the wave comfortably.
Performing on the circus was fun, but finding out I was allergic to all animals, which then set off my Asthma, caused many nights in the hospital, which inevitably ended up with me leaving the show much earlier than I ever wanted.
More recently, I was married for 36 wonderful years, but in 2024 became a divorcee. That really throws a wrench into your life, especially when it comes unexpectedly. However, I’m very blessed with friends and family that truly care, and 2025 has been my best year, financially and mentally, in many years.
We’ve been impressed with Don’s Magic & Books, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
Don’s Magic & Books grew out of my own “addiction” to magic books, and the knowledge contained within them. When the opportunity to purchase a large 4000 title collection was made available to me, my addiction was well fed! Thanks to Covid, this addiction led me directly into the current business of buying and selling magic books to people around the globe.
I specialize in magic books from 1940 to current titles. I don’t do much with antique, or collectible books, because there are other dealers in the US that already have all of that knowledge. I am known for providing books that have gone out of print, or recently discontinued titles that are harder to come by. I also have deals with some UK authors to be the only dealer in the US to carry their books and lecture notes.
What sets me apart from other magic book dealers is my constantly changing stock, and my average pricing scale (I don’t like to mark things way up). I’ve appeared at many magic conventions as a performer and dealer, so I’ve come to be known as “the guy with the great books.” Don’s Magic & Books is talked about on many internet forums and websites. I also sponsor a magic book review channel, so that also puts my name in front of about 1000 magicians every week.
Not everyone is into magic books, or performing magic, but for those that are, I’m proud to be the provider of knowledge for those information seekers. I just purchased 2 large collections, amounting to 1200+ books, from magicians on the East Coast, and I am adding about 40 titles to my site every day.
It gives me great pride to be involved with the amazing magic community in the United States. As a whole, magicians are great people that love learning new tricks and routines.
What are your plans for the future?
As I continue purchasing collections, I have had 4 employees working with me, and I hope to continue growing this business as long as I can.
Pricing:
- I have books ranging from $1.00 all the way up to $800.00
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.doonsmagicandbooks.com
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/donsusedmagic
