From the LLPub website:
Bruce Cervon’s Castle Notebooks Volume 5 – the final volume includes a complete index of all 5 volumes Bruce Cervon’s Castle Notebooks are a holy grail for students of close-up magic from the golden years of the Magic Castle. Within them are held countless tricks, sleights and secrets that were kept exclusive by Cervon for many years, and are still ahead of today’s cutting edge. Respecting Bruce’s desire that this information remain exclusive, his wife, Linda Lipps Cervon, in conjunction with L&L Publishing, is releasing Bruce Cervon’s Castle Notebooks in a facsimile set of hardcover books. Each page scanned from the original hand-written notebooks. Volume 5 containing Cervon notebooks 12 and 13, composed from 1967 through 1986 — 403 pages— is now available in a limited edition —just 500 copies will be sold! A must-have for the serious student of fine, advanced, close-up magic. $200
My Take: if you have the money, go for it. If you don't...borrow, beg, go on welfare. I've seen the first four volumes go for over $1000 on ebay. My guess is that for magic book collectors this volume will up the price.
I have the first four volumes. When I first received Volume 1, I was a bit disappointed. LLPub makes no bones about it- these are cleaned up scans of Bruce's meticulous notes from his years at the Magic Castle. And yes, using the books, you can track down where he published certain items. But there is nothing like looking at the thinking that went behind the effects. The contents are mostly card magic, as Bruce was mentored by Dai Vernon. I met Bruce back in 1986 and my wife said he was the best magician she had ever seen, which is saying a lot (she's very discerning). I purchased some items from Bruce over the years and he was always kind and had a wicked sense of humor.
You'll have to dig through the books for material if you want to perform them. There are little presentation notes but heavy on moves, and routines. They are, in my opinion, a great legacy from a great magician.
