The big Tarbell Book by Tarbell.
Royal Road to Card Magic, by Hugard & Braue.
Modern Coin Magic by Bobo.
Abbott's Encyclopedia of Rope Tricks by James.
Mark Wilson's Complete Course in Magic
Amateur Magician's Handbook by Hay
Magic and Showmanship by Nelms
This is pretty darn close to what my list would like like when it comes to traditional magic. Those curious about Mentalism should check out my 6 part series @ E Forums "Re-Evaluating the Bilbe's of Mentalism" in that it's a big departure from the usual list we see and with good reason. Then again, Bob Cassidy's 39 Steps to Mentalism is probably as important if not more so.
I do not believe those moving into conventional magic need to know anything about Mentalism unless it appeals to them and they wish to move in that direction; Mentalism & Magic operate from conflicting psychological mechanism and when you treat Mentalism as you would a Magic trick you and your audience loose when it comes to the impact it could give you when approached properly. That said, I do believe that magician's should cultivate a handful of "Mental Magic" bits that they can do . . . "gags" for lack of a better term, such as Cellular Mitosis by Docc Hilform; bits that come off more as a "betchya" than psychic or an act of mental prowess (especially when you're younger).
If you are curious about Big Stage. . . you need the following;
The Darwin Book of Inexpensive Illusions
The Paul Osborne Compiled Books of Illusion Design
Everything from Jim Stinemeyer & Rand Woodbury
Though a bit dated the Sharps Encyclopedia series would also be a smart move; especially the book on Levitations & Suspensions and Pnuematics.