Ian Baxter

Here is a 21st Century version of John Scarne's Think-A-Card, published by U.F. Grant back in 1938. Whereas Scarne's version relied on the convenience of writing predictions on cigarette papers, Baxter completely dispenses with this quaint idea with a new, slick presentation.

Daley was really fired up about this highly effective mental test from the ingenious Scarne: "You are about to become the possessor of a rare and beautiful gem in mental magic" he enthused. "Simple in its modus operandi and yet so tremendously effective...an almost perfect demonstration of mind reading."

Scarne, a universally recognized...

A perennial favorite in card magic: A chosen card is lost in the deck and the performer, showing the Ace, Two and Three of one suit, offers to change whichever is picked into the selection. That is exactly what happens, with Baxter’s smooth method making good use of The Ascanio Spread, achieving just that. Full instructions given, straightforward and easy to learn.

This revision of the Vernon classic not only underlines the all-important simplicity angle by using a shortcut display move, but dispenses with Vernon's need for Palming. Bruce Elliott briefly touched on this in the concluding lines...

Here is a fall-over-easy card trick that has taken in well-informed magicians. Based on Ken de Courcy’s ‘You Do As I Do’ approach called [lp=922355You’ll Get The Point], Baxter rises to the occasion with a baffling presentation using a cleverly concealed, ancient principle. Totally impromptu, no gimmicks, set up or sleights.

Why the extraneous procedure of changing packets? To Ian, this seems totally unnecessary, although (obviously) the mechanics of the trick, as is, necessitate it. This effect is almost exactly the same as the de Courcy contribution, but the method is altogether different.

1st edition 2018, 2 pages....

In Miraskill Detour Ian has taken the classic Miraskill and turned it into a totally impromptu and self working mystery, while in the process managing to streamline the procedure and still maintain the strong impact of the original routine.

MBJ Echo is a re-working of an old Henry Christ trick, simple both in effect...

Ian loves to tinker! Given his strong creative abilities, this tinkering has more often than not, resulted in much improved effects, more streamlined methods, or both. Over the years, Ian has released a number of books and manuscripts that detail some excellent card effects. Numerous One Man Parades in the IBM monthly magazine The Linking Ring have also been published.

On one occasion I remember fooling many well informed card men at the prestigious FFFF meeting in New York State, with one of Ian's streamlined handlings of a classic card effect. ...

Jon Racherbaumer steps forward with a very keen Introduction to this Baxter treatment of the classic Three Jacks Deal. “…celebrate and perform Baxter’s latest, evolutionary entry.” It has been around since 1928, but this version guides it well into the 21st century.

Ian Baxter has accomplished something remarkable. He has taken a wonderful classic self-working effect, that has been described and worked on by such luminaries as Walter Gibson, John Scarne, Rufus Steele, Harry Lorayne, Ed Marlo and made it even better, more direct, less dealing procedures while preserving the effect, the sleight-less feature as well as adding an additional climax....

1. Volume 7, Number 1, July, 1980, 4 pages - Phil Goldstein Special Issue
1. Red Uprising - Phil Goldstein
2. Newsworthy - Phil Goldstein
3. Split Octet - Phil Goldstein
4. The Blueroom - editorial comments

5. Volume 7, Number 2, August, 1980, 6 pages
5. The Mysterious Cross of India - Daryl
8. Think Ace - Ray Grismer
9. Blueprint In Print - Murray Cooper reviews:
   • Ray Grismer's "Shorty"
   • Ray Grismer's "Handy"
   • Ray Grismer's "Thirty"
   • Ray Grismer's "Loopy"
   • Ray Grismer's "Shorty"
   • Ray Grismer's "Charts" lecture notes
9. Blueprint Review - Murray Cooper reviews:
   • Phil Goldstein's...

1. Volume 5, Number 1, July, 1978, 4 pages
1. The Cardsharps Apprentice - Barry Govan
3. Patter for ... The Cardsharps Apprentice
3. Blueprint In Print - Ian Baxter reviews:
   • Paul Harris' "Supermagic"
4. The Blueroom - editorial comments

5. Volume 5, Number 2, August, 1978, 4 pages
5. Control Ace Transpo - Derek Martin
6. Blueprint In Print - Ian Baxter reviews:
   • Harry Lorayne's "The Card Classics of...

1. Volume 3, Number 1, July, 1976, 4 pages - cover has drawing of a monster with cards
1. The Blueroom - editorial comments
2. Coin Sandwich - Barry Govan
2. Blueprint In-Print - Ian Baxter reviews:
   • "The Complete Mike Rogers"
3. The Dice of Zohar - Tom Gagnon (USA)

5. Volume 3, Number 2, August, 1976, 4 pages - no cover
5. The Blueroom - editorial comments
6. The E.R. Thimble Routine - Errol Robinson, described by Murray Cooper
8. Blueprint In-Print - reviews:
   • James B. Alfredson...

1. Volume 1, Number 1, July, 1974, 4 pages - cover has drawing of W. C. Fields
1. The Blueroom - introductory editorial
2. Your Card My Card - Anton York
2. Thumb Flip Flourish - Barry Govan
3. Blueprint In-Print - Ian Baxter reviews:
   • Harry Lorayne's "Rim Shots"
3. Back Clip Coins - Barry Govan
4. Trio Surprise - Ian Baxter

5. Volume 1, Number 2, August, 1974, 4 pages - no cover
5. The Blueroom - editorial comments ...