Frank Garcia
(New York City, NY: 8th May 1927 - 15th July 1993)
Son of Spanish-born parents. Inspired at age 9 seeing David "Fú-Manchu" Bamberg show in NYC in 1937. Learned around age 11 by buying books (including Erdnase). Debut c1942. Pro since 1945. Worked at Holden's 1948-50, ending as manager. Billed as "The Man With The Million Dollar Hands". Invented Utilo Cup (1953). Joined the staff at Tannen's in late 1958.
Also noted expert on gambling cheating methods. Co-founder (with George Schindler) of the School for Magicians (in New York City) 1973-78.
Wrote Frank Garcia's Sponge Balls (1959, 14pp), Frank Garcia's Billiard Balls (1960, 23pp), Marked Cards and Loaded Dice (1962, 274pp), Million Dollar Card Secrets (1972, 128pp), Super Subtle Card Miracles (1973, 214pp), Million Dollar Card Secrets (1974, 96pp), All in a Nutshell (1974, 81pp; with French translation by G. Lammertijn, 45pp), Amedeo's Continental Magic (1974, 115pp, with George Schindler), Magic with Cards (1975, 175pp, with George Schindler; repr), The Encyclopedia of Sponge Ball Magic (1976, 224pp; German translation as Das Lexikon der Schaumgummibälle, 1976), Wild Card Miracles (1977, 147pp), Exclusive Card Miracles (1980, 76pp), Exclusive Card Secrets (1980, 80pp), etc. See Richard Vollmer, The Very Best of Frank Garcia (1979, in French). Tricks in Phoenix, New Phoenix, Hugard's Magic Monthly, Chronicles, Magic, etc. Did "New York News" column for Magic Manuscript. Videos (1983, 1985, 1986).
Coauthors: George Schindler