Cards in Magic & Conjuring: page 63

Who among us has not heard of, seen, or performed The Princess Card Trick? For the record, it was conceived by Henry Hardin and was first made available way back in 1903. Mahatma magazine carried advertising for it and in the decades that followed, countless 'improvements' ended up in print.

It seems that not too many of these ideas were ever celebrated by the magical fraternity, and no wonder - with crazy fakes and gimmicks being introduced that almost drowned its popularity.

Fortunately, the original idea has remained unchanged which is why today, it is still regarded as a classic of card...

A new approach to the Stewart James classic Miraskill.

Theo Annemann's journal The Jinx, September 1936, was where Miraskill was first published. Subsequently reprinted in various books and magazines over the years, this Stewart James creation still baffles one and all. The years have not dulled the remarkable impact it can have on today's audiences.

Courtskill is a brand-new version of Miraskill. Australian card man Ian Baxter has concocted a totally new version, with some very distinct advantages.

Barely half the deck is used, trimming the performance time considerably, not to mention a surprise approach involving court...

A new approach to the Stewart James classic Simplicity Four Ace Trick.

First appearing in print in Ralph W. Hull's book More Eye Openers, Jean Hugard wasted no time in grabbing it for Encyclopedia Of Card Tricks; it also ended up in John Northern Hilliard's mammoth book Greater Magic, along with a number of other texts as well.

The straightforward plot involves the four Aces of the pack assembling in one heap, following a careful separation from other cards. Economy of movement is top of the list here, buoyed by an absence of sleights and very easy moves. Within reach of any card handler, beginner or expert.

And now, years down the track, Ian Baxter offers this...

A new approach to the Stewart James classic Pocketheral.

Stewart James (1908 - 1996) was known not just for an immense output of published effects, but his deliberate, somewhat humorous conferring of odd titles to various tricks. Pocketheral was certainly no exception, attracting the attention of, among others, Edward Marlo.

The Cardician, Marlo's celebrated book released back in 1953, included two very worthwhile variations of PTR. Marlo, along with many others, would doubtless have been amused by the name chosen for this one. Marlo's approach involved not twenty but ten cards being dealt in a row, a spectator being asked...

A new approach to the Stewart James classic Queer Quest.

Another Stewart James card mystery from the past, brought right up to date by Australian cardman Ian Baxter.

Queer Quest first appeared in The Jinx magazine back in 1938. Publisher Ted Annemann endorsed it immediately because this was obviously not just another card trick. Although the effect is far from new, three spectators each selecting a card with the performer locating them one at a time, Queer Quest stood out because of its simple method and straightforward presentation.

Eighty-five years down the track and Q.Q. is now totally revamped, with easier handling...

To all magicians, amateur and professional - here is a loaded question:

Have you ever been bored silly watching a magician perform a spelling trick?

This is contentious and very obviously axiomatic. Quoting from the Preface of his new manuscript, Australian card man Ian Baxter comments: "Unfortunately, spelling effects in card magic hold the onerous title of being the most laborious, boring presentations imaginable."

This is the point at issue - boredom setting in, thanks to the tedium of endless counting and spelling, usually propped up with trivial patter. Such effects are simply...

Doctor Jacob Daley was one of the most respected sleight-of-hand artists of the twentieth century. This acclaimed New York performer left the magic fraternity an astonishing cache of published works, from the acclaimed Stars Of Magic series to prized entries in assorted books and magazines.

Three Daley Deceits offers a new look at three of the Doctor's most celebrated card mysteries, carefully revised by Australian cardman Ian Baxter.

Daley's Aces - In Spades is Baxter's spin on this ever-popular transposition. The four Aces from the deck are slowly and deliberately placed on the table, Hearts and Diamonds...

Following on from Michael Close's ground breaking series of eBooks, Ian has taken over The Work with volume 4 - The Pass. This eBook combines the detailed, structured writing for which Ian has become known with clear photographs and sixteen video clips that show every step in exacting detail. Five passes are covered, the classic pass, Ian's Simple pass, riffle pass, turnover pass and the one handed pass. As they used to say - equal to personal instruction.

[Please note that you need to use Acrobat Reader to view this eBook on PC or Mac. Foxit, Preview and other software cannot handle the video files. On iPad we tested it with PDF-Expert and on Android with ezPDF. Both apps can play the videos embedded in the PDF.]

• The Work: Palming 1: Bottom Palm and The Gambler's Cop
• The Work: Palming 2: The Top Palm
• The Work: Palming 3: The Side Steal
• The Work Volume 5

1st edition...

This ebook covers three different handlings of the top change, as well as the book change, the Erdnase change and Marlo's Snap Change. 56 photographs and 13 video clips show the moves in the kind of detail that is to be expected from Ian's teaching. All the moves have been used by Ian in the real world, so you get the level of detail that comes only from experience.

[Please note that you need to use Acrobat Reader to view this eBook on PC or Mac. Foxit, Preview and other software cannot handle the video files. On iPad we tested it with PDF-Expert and on Android with ezPDF. Both apps can play the videos embedded in the PDF.]

• The Work: Palming 1: Bottom Palm and The Gambler's Cop
• The Work: Palming 2: The Top Palm
• The Work: Palming 3: The Side Steal
• The Work Volume 4

1st edition 2010, 30 pages....

Palming - This video pack contains three video lessons on palming cards - the two handed top card palm, the one handed top card palm and the Gambler's cop. 27 minutes in total, these lessons will have you palming cards with confidence in a relatively short time.

length 27 minutes

"I have never come across such a well-thought out and explained package of false dealing tutorials, in print or on screen, ever." - Will Morton, MagicBunny.co.uk

These lessons teach dealing Tops, Seconds and Bottoms from the same grip. A few things to note:

1. The methods in the lessons are the ones I use in the demo clips. I don't talk about seventeen different methods.
2. Nothing in the lessons is self working. If you are not willing to put in the practice, then don't buy them.

Between 2009 and 2011 a very special column appeared in M-U-M, the in-house magazine for the Society of American Magicians. Conceived to be an introduction to sleight of hand aimed at beginners, the thirty-six lessons ended up being one of the most detailed courses in conjuring to date. The topics covered included all aspects of magic; cards and coins, balls, ropes and cups, stand up and close up, interspersed with real-world performance hints and tips from someone who has spent time in the trenches.

This e-book version contains all thirty six Basic Training columns, plus two extra lessons...

Add to your arsenal of outstanding close-up effects with this hard-to-find manuscript from a recognized master of deception. The effect is simple and direct: Four Aces change places with four Kings, which are later found face-up in the deck.

Meanwhile, in the pile formerly occupied by the Kings, are cards that match one previously selected by a spectator.

Or, as Canadian reviewer Sid Lorraine says:

"Aces in one pile, Kings in another. The Aces and Kings change places; then the Kings jump into the deck face up and the four remaining cards on the table turn out to be the four Queens."

Let...

Over 200 different impromptu take-a-card trick endings.

From the introduction by John Braun:

From the foreword:

J. G. Thompson, Jr's fabulous master-key to card control.

From the introduction by B. W. McCarron, "T-Formation (TF) is a monograph of card sleights that are not at all difficult for the average performer; yet they allow a nice range of performance possibilities. Forces, controls, peeks and even the versatile double lift are all given the 'Thompson treatment.' "

T-Formation teaches the average magician or mentalist an assortment of maneuvers with cards that are easy to execute but full of deceptiveness. In the author's words, T-Formation "enables the performer, with a minimum of effort, to perform...

Excellent work filled with strong card routines. Explanations are detailed and supported by photo illustrations. From the preface by Ned Rutdlege:

J. Stewart Smith presents more of his mystifying card effects, accomplished without knuckle-busting sleight of hand. The author was something of an enigma, eschewing public performances in favor of fooling magicians and mentalists at magic conventions. After a process of continual refinements from demonstrating his effects under the critical eyes of magicians, he would assemble a small number of his latest creations and issue them in small, limited-edition booklets. To say that his books are hard to come by is a gross understatement. This is a shame since the magic is priceless.

Smith was...

Available again after a long absence is this fine work by J. Stewart Smith, presenting eleven more of his mystifying card effects, each of which is accomplished without knuckle-busting sleight of hand. This is the book that had card workers talking all over the country. It had to be good to receive praise from such internationally known close-up workers. See below for a few brief quotes from some of the very best.

PARTIAL CONTENTS:

• Ascending Treys
• Pop Over Treys
• The Four Aces
• The Four Queens
• Follow The Leader
• Sevens and Jacks
• The Inseparable Sevens
• Peek-A-Boo Discovery
• Horse...

J. Stewart Smith's third book on card magic, containing six more card masterpieces. Like his previous releases, all the work is accomplished without knuckle-busting sleight of hand. Only a few simple moves are necessary, easily within the grasp of the average magician.

PARTIAL CONTENTS:

• Our Cards
• False Cut
• Ascent of the Black Fours
• A Restoration
• Triple Alliance
• The Four Aces
• Double Cut
• A Prediction

Card workers the world over praise his beautiful effects and their methods. See below for a few brief quotes from experts in the field.

"The author has attempted to approach as...

J. Stewart Smith continues with his professionally-praised run of card magic routines, this one containing seven appealing card mysteries. Like his previous releases, all the work is accomplished without knuckle-busting sleight of hand. Only a few simple moves are necessary, easily within the grasp of the average magician. Smith strives to strip down his creations so every move is logical, from an audience's perspective. There is no confusion as to what happens. It looks like pure magic.

PARTIAL CONTENTS:

• A Transformation
• The Nostalgic Trio
• The Unseen Passage
• Two Faces Up
• Pure and...

PARTIAL CONTENTS:

• A Cocksure Choice
• Topsy-Turvy
• Without Doubt
• Invisible Power
• A Weird Event
• A Surprising Revelation
• A Transformation
• In Like Manner
• The Survivor
• A Magical Restoration
• Hide and Seek
• At Ease
• An Interchange

"Within these pages the reader will find many new effects. He will also discover a few oldies in new dress. But most of all he will find good, effective card tricks that he can perform with a minimum...

Excerpt from the Foreword:

• Foreword
• It Is Certain To Happen
• The Notorious Society
• Nebuchadnezzar’s Nightmare
• Occult Powers In Full Force
• Unfriendly Influence
• The Offensive Jacks
• An Unexplainable Purpose
• So Great Is Its Power
• This Strange Mystery
• Within The Realm...

Sixty Years of Magic from the Private Notebooks of Jack Avis!

After Jack's death in 2004, 28 notebooks were discovered among his vast collection of manuscripts, books and other publications that contained his collected thoughts over the past half century. Some original, some of his own handlings of effects of his friends, some sleights, some tips and ideas but all bearing the stamp that earned him a world reputation for simple, baffling, natural magic. This important volume contains much of Jack's original thinking and ideas as well as rare photographs and notes from throughout his sixty...