Brick Tilley illustrated Ed Marlo's The Shank Shuffle, was a contributing writer on The Mark Wilson Course In Magic, toured China with the Wilson troupe in 1980, served as an adviser on teleseries such as Charlie's Angels, Jake And The Fatman and ER, and worked for David Copperfield. As an actor he appeared in The Autobiography Of Miss Jane Pittman, The Osterman Weekend and Knots Landing. Has made props for Modern Family that are now in the possession of the Smithsonian Institute.
A mysterious creature appears in your empty hands and then vanishes. It includes an easy do-it-yourself tutorial for the construction of the little fellow and performance details. It is a big hit with children.
1st edition 2025, video 1:11.
The third and final installment of our Jimmy Havilland tribute, from his long-out-of-print lecture notes. A simple, easy-to-execute sequence using four coins and an ungimmicked purse. It resets automatically, has no angle problems or complicated sleights. It actually works itself. Jimmy was known in London as "The Last of the Street Conjurors" and for good reason. We supply this to you as a free download to celebrate our 100th submission on Lybrary.com. Thank you for your patronage.
Cover art by James Humble.
1st edition 2025, video 40s.
In the early '70's Jon Racherbaumer received 8 mm color footage of Chuck Smith executing a five-card poker hand switch. This was featured in the short film Lookout, Cleveland, now on YouTube. An excerpt is shown below. A letter from Smith is included here describing how he used it during WWII while in the military. This unique technique has been kept hidden until now. It is not easy, as many things are happening at once. This takes skill and nerve. The price is designed to keep it out of the hands of the curious. While we don't condone cheating, it is time this was recorded for posterity. ...
Early books on magic, such as Modern Magic and Illustrated Magic (1931) stressed mastering the pass as fundamentally necessary to every card handler. As time went on, easier sleights such as the double cut to the break replaced it, rendering it anachronistic. Times change. Recently, a friend was asked to comment on one of today's card experts. Her reply, "Too much shuffling." Modern audiences often don't know what happened, but they sense when it happened (He did something tricky) because of excessive cutting and shuffling. Attention spans are shorter now so effects must...
Want a sock finish for your favorite ambitious card routine? Here it is. The object card is always handled by two indifferent cards. A perfect effect to add "medical" themed patter to your routine.
[Cover photo credit: Louis Sahuc]
1st edition 2025, video 40s.
When Jimmy Grippo saw this in 1974, he realized its merits and immediately added it to his repertoire. It requires no turnovers or other distracting actions, but is not for the card novice. The effort it requires is more than adequately repaid by its stunning effect, coupled with a surprise ending. You receive a bonus tutorial on the Ascanio Spread with the instructions for the effect. These helpful videos easily enable you to achieve success. Note that a table isn't required.
[Cover photo credit: Patricia Ireland]
1st edition 2025, video 3:04
One night at the Magic Castle, two young Germans showed this to Dai Vernon. Nine cards change to completely different cards with no hint of sleight of hand. A startling effect, it has the added plus of being in anybody's skill range, using only nine cards and no gaffs. You can customize this to illustrate whatever your imagination can devise.
The demo and tutorial videos will have you doing this in a matter of minutes.
1st edition 2025, video 2:02.
One of the finest and fastest card effects from the creative mind of Ed Marlo. It uses no special cards and requires only basic skills. Fast and clean. A reputation marker.
1st edition 2025, PDF + video 00:45.
The timeless elegance of Max Londono's version of the Gypsy Thread.
A stark departure from the standard accepted concept, for the discerning performer who wants something special.
1st edition 2025, PDF 3 pages illustrated, video 49 seconds.
You show two buttons, one in each hand, but magically one moves into your other hand despite your hands being separated.
The two short videos will explain to you a little preparation you will have to do to the buttons and the move to accomplish the deception.
This is essentially the same as Tenkai Pennies except here you will learn how to prepare the buttons to make it much easier to do.
1st edition 2024, video 1:18.
Three named playing cards are located aided by a wind-up toy. Self-working, foolproof, a real crowd pleaser. From the lecture notes of Jimmy Haviland, London's last street conjuror.
You will have to supply a wind-up toy yourself. It is ungimmicked. Anything that walks, hops, or drives a few inches will work.
1st edition 2024, PDF 4 pages + video.
Here's something that will enhance your reputation and make you appear to have great skills. A one-coin routine that is within range of anyone. It showcases a conceit that David Copperfield liked well enough to introduce in one of his later TV specials. Unlike other routines, it is easily mastered. It includes a concise video tutorial.
1st edition 2023; PDF 1 page, video 1min 36s.
Brick Tilley began as an extra on the famous ER series TV show. He worked his way up to stand-in and finished as an actor. This is a diary he kept during 15 seasons. Included among other things is a detailed history of the Warner Brothers Studio and a description of a typical day of filming on the lot.
It is a must-read for anyone who is interested in working in the motion picture industry. This is the information you need in order to have a successful career in film.
You will learn a lot of bits and pieces about the cast and crew, and what it was like working for the show, including...
When you think of Albert Goshman what usually comes to mind is his coins under the saltshakers. Unfortunately, this, like Rene Lavand's crumb trick, takes a lifetime of devotion to master. But Albert left us something else, his revolutionary take on the sponge balls. This startling effect is within the skill range of every serious student of magic. If you already perform this in some form, you can add his version in minutes, after acquiring a few easily obtained supplies. You may already have them among your props.
Also included is a suggestion for an astounding opening effect to add to your sponge ball...
The spectator is allowed to freely call out random numbers. Through a fair process of elimination, he arrives at a single digit. This number matches exactly a prediction that you have written down previously. This is an easy, foolproof method for apparently reading the spectator's thoughts.
1st edition 2022, PDF 4 pages, video 39 seconds.
The most streamlined, concise version of this classic ever created. Only four phases, but each of the last three could stand alone as the finish. No longer a tepid guessing game, now you can present this gem as a true work of art, filled with stunning surprises. Distilled from over 40 years of trial and error. Foolproof.
1st edition 2021; PDF 2 pages, video 1 min 43 s.
This old standby has been given a make-over by adding a comedy ending that revitalizes the handling and assures the performer a laugh and a round of applause. Get that deck out of the drawer and breathe new life into it. (Requires you to have or get a so-called "Electric Deck" which can be purchased new typically below $10.)
1st edition 2021, PDF 1 page, video 38s.
A modern version of this classic gaffed card. Detailed are the two methods: splitting cards and printing them yourself to achieve this mysterious effect. Included is a self-printed example. This card has a matte finish that is enhanced by the candlelight used to effect the transformation. This is a remarkable illusion that takes no skill and differs greatly from Hofzinser's original construction. As seen in the video, the image seems to melt from one card value to another. Simple in construction.
1st edition 2021, PDF + gimmicked card
This is a delightful departure from the standard card effect due to its ingenious patter line and startling conclusion. First conceived in the 1970s, the visual of four "cannibal" cards devouring a pair of "missionary" cards stands out in the memory of spectators. A welcomed addition to your bag of tricks.
1st edition 2021, PDF 2 pages, video 42 seconds.
For centuries this classic has utilized elaborately crafted models that no longer fit into our performing style. Here is an up-to-date, inexpensive, suspicion-free version that you can construct with minimal skills that is perfect for any type of magical performance. Use your imagination to craft your own customized version that will separate you from other performers.
1st edition 2021, PDF 3 pages, video 1 min 9 s.
A comedy version of the sometimes tragic bullet catch that plays for laughs and eliminates any danger or controversy. Especially geared for outdoor performances, it allows you to catch a jelly bean propelled by a toy slingshot and can provide welcomed humor and a degree of silliness to your children's shows. Easy to construct, safe and sure to please.
1st edition 2021, PDF 4 pages, video 42 s.
A playing card held between both hands vanishes in an instant. It does not use a thread or pull or topit.
1st edition 2021, PDF 3 pages, video 17 s.
A two card switch for Baccarat or Blackjack that paralyzed casinos in the 80's. As clean a move as you could hope for. Excellent as part of a gambling exposé.
1st edition 2021, PDF 3 pages, video 22 s.
This hardcore tool is not an easy thing to acquire. That said, it is, with dedication, within the skill range of anyone willing to devote the time necessary to master it. The drawn-out process of selecting a card has become tedious and time-consuming, causing the audience to lose interest. With this side steal, a card is peeked, transferred from the middle of the pack to the top in an instant. This PDF and video will put the side steal within your skill range.
1st edition 2021, PDF 3 pages, video 39 s.
A dollar bill to impossible location effect that incorporates the timeless Buddha Money Papers. The noted bill vanishes from the papers only to reappear inside a pocket watch case that has been in full view the entire time.
Included here possibly for the first time is the fool-proof method for preparing two bills so that they bear the same serial numbers. This is not the inferior dodge of erasing the last digits on the bill. These bills utilize the entire serial number.
1st edition 2021, PDF 4 pages, video 1 min 12 s.
