Magic: page 2

Freaks, strange people, monsters, and even prodigies are some of the words used to describe the human beings that you will find in this ebook. While we realize that today many of these words might be considered "politically incorrect" we have taken the liberty of using these terms insofar as to better communicate the mindset of the sideshow people of that era. No disrespect is intended.

At the time, sideshows went by many different names, among these: dime museums of one kind or another and tent attractions, fronted by huge banners, depicting very unusual people and or animals. Curiosities...

There once was a dream world that travelled at night on a train full of possibilities. This was the Golden Age of the circus (1880-1930s). Aboard this magical train, you would find circus performers, a menagerie of exotic animals and those known as "freaks".

Also called human prodigies, the "freaks" were born with special physicalities. Among these were giants, midgets, siamese-twins, etc. All were gathered inside a giant tent known as the sideshow (or annex attraction).

Get ready to see many astonishing if not shocking pictures. The Archives of Human Prodigies is published in three...

"Tarot is a deck of cards but the Tarot represents a person. We are the Tarot and we use the Tarot because we live." (Andrea Mecchia)

I don't know if it happens to you too ... when I particularly love a project, I start to collect elements, I work on it a bit, but it always seems that something is missing ... you leave and resume the project, but that something is always missing ... then, one day, it arrives like that in one fell swoop, and makes everything good.

This is the story of this project, which I finally want to share, with the hope that it will also satisfy your desire to present...

"I tarocchi sono un mazzo di carte ma Il Tarocco rappresenta una persona. Noi siamo il Tarocco e noi usiamo i tarocchi, perché noi viviamo." (Andrea Mecchia)

Non so se accade anche a voi ... quando amo particolarmente un progetto, incomincio a raccogliere elementi, ci lavoro un po', ma sembra sempre che manchi qualcosa... lasci e riprendi il progetto, ma manca sempre quel qualcosa ... poi, un giorno, arriva l'illuminazione che, in un colpo solo, fa quadrare il tutto!

Questa è la storia di questo progetto, che voglio finalmente condividere, con la speranza che soddisfi anche la Vostra...

Reviving "Between the Palms" one of Alex Elmsley's most offbeat plots. This is sort of a "locked room" mystery with playing cards.

It is an offbeat plot because the implicit aspects of effect, particularly its climax, are not immediately understood or appreciated. Yet the effect still has an emotional impact. Compared to other card tricks being done in 1952 it was very different. (Perhaps its closest cousins may be Fred Braue's "The Prechosen Chosen Card" from The Gen (February 1962) or Brother John Hamman's "Signed Card.")

Effect: The performer removes a card from the deck and, without showing its face, places it between...

The latest ebook from Jeff Stone, Diary of a Madman is an eclectic collection of ideas, tricks, presentations, moves, and routines ranging from card control, to mind control. Sprinkled in amongst the madness you'll find card magic, voodoo doll magic, stuff with pendulums, the zodiac and more. The variety of each effect when combined together can make a complete show with texture, and take your audience on an emotional journey from the silly to the intimate, the scary, and the creepy all in one show. Enjoy Diary of a Madman.

Over the Mountain: Use this technique to prove that you can truly...

A visual penetration like no other. The preparation of the gimmicked card requires some arts and crafts but is not difficult. You will need a blank face card among other easily obtainable items. (No threads are required.)

1st edition 2021, video 18 min.

3 cards are shown and a joker is openly placed in various places amongst the cards, for example on top, in the middle, and at the bottom. Magically the joker always returns to its original position. The audience soon suspects that 3 identical cards are being used, and at one point even see 3 jokers. Eventually the magician admits that he has 3 identical cards and suddenly all 3 cards change to mirrors. 3 identical mirrors and no jokers anywhere! Isn't that how most tricks work? With mirrors?

This is a snappy, fun, and magical routine with a tremendous unexpected, surprise ending. You learn...

It is almost impossible to imagine any card expert worth his salt to have either ignored or overlooked Double Reverse. Here is a firm favourite that has entertained audiences for decades. Now, Australian card man Ian Baxter steps forward with a brand-new approach that will knock your socks off. Two cards chosen, one by spectator, another by the performer, then in the blink of an eye they both reverse in the deck. But here is the cruncher: Baxter's handling allows the effect to be presented, believe it or not, in well under one minute! Not be missed and a bargain at just $4.00.

1st edition...

A unique cut and restored rope effect.

• no weird loop in the hand - just cut the rope in the center as a layperson would
• both cut ends are shown separately and apart
• no knots or fumbling
• the rope is snapped like a whip and is fully restored (other endings possible)
• it can be used in another effect or passed out

This intro price will go up to $12 from September 21, 2021.

Teletrack is a quick propless effect where the performer impossibly tracks the thought of a participant telepathically. Beginning from the 'fate' of the participant and ending with the 'destiny' of the participant, the performer is able to identify the final silent thought.

Nothing is said or written down by the participant. You can perform this completely propless over a voice phone call, in a virtual show, or face to face in close-up, parlor, street venues, or even over a text chat. The method is easy and self-working but...

The effect on the phone has always intrigued me: you cannot arrange the cards, nor do you see them, the deck is that of the spectator, you cannot touch it or see it. Then there is an insurmountable difficulty: you have to explain each operation in a simple, step-by-step way and, not being able to visually check, you are forced to prepare, in the presentation, control "stakes"; all this, however, provided that your description is perfect and, at the same time, flawless, without danger of misunderstanding.

And then there is the "revelation" mode: it can only be presented as an effect of mentalism,...

L’effetto al telefono mi ha sempre incuriosito: non puoi predisporre le carte, né adocchiarle, il mazzo è quello dello spettatore, non puoi toccarlo né vederlo!

Poi c’è una difficoltà insormontabile: devi spiegare ogni operazione in modo semplice, passo - passo e, non potendo controllare visivamente, sei costretto a predisporre, nella presentazione, dei “paletti” di controllo; il tutto, però, a patto che la tua descrizione sia assolutamente perfetta e, contemporaneamente, impeccabile, senza pericoli di fraintendimenti.

E poi c’è la modalità di “rivelazione”: non...

I have always been fascinated with time, just how precious it is. It's the one commodity we can afford to give away for free. I present to you, two different time predictions one for analog clocks and one for digital clocks. They are simple and to the point.

Volunteer names an hour or draws an hour hand pointing to their freely chosen hour and performer reveals a prediction.

Digital time: they merely think of one specific digital time among many. Associate their time with a time task and the performer reveals that specific task. I also included some extra, super easy impromptu time predictions. ...

Two DIY card-marking systems for the ones who like to take things into their own hands. Pigment & Pixel 3.0 has two marking systems designed for the standard Bicycle Rider back design. Information for both value and suits are marked on one square-centimeter area of the card making it easy to identify the card at one go. The marks are on the side border area for one of the systems while it is towards the center for the other.

Note: This download consists of only the marking systems and does not come with any tricks for a marked deck.

1st edition 2021, PDF 12 pages.

Ten-Ten Marking System is a reliable playing card marking system for creating a marked deck that is easy to read and understand, based on the binary system, and practically invisible to your spectators. Easily identify each card at a glance.

• Easy to read marking system
• Easy to learn and remember
• Inexpensive and easy to make

1st edition 2020, PDF 6 pages.

The card index is an item that should be in the accessory department of every working magician; once the method of working has been grasped and the necessary practice acquired, a new field of card magic miracle effects is open to the practical performer.

• Setting The Indexes
• The Method Of Stacking
• Actual Working
• Position Of Indexes In The Pockets
• The Cards From The Pocket
• The Twins
• Transposed Aces
• Lone Ranger
• The Invisible Card
• The Last Card
• Pairs
• The Card In The Pocket
• Six Cards In The Hat
• Card Stab
• Card In Wallet
• Various Other Uses For The Index

1st edition 1982, 16...

An adventure into glove and rod puppet theatre.

From the introduction:

This small spring-loaded Bingo Shooting Device causes a loud bang by exploding a gunpowder cap.

According to its creator, S.S. Adams, ". . . It goes off with a loud bang when moved or disturbed. This little fun-maker can be used for jokes in a hundred different ways. Place it in a napkin or magazine, under a plate, cigarette box, hat, etc. [it’s] entirely harmless and always creates a big laugh."

Adams himself was known to install them in decks of playing cards, cigar boxes, books with risqué titles, and a whole lot more. Many of the ideas originated by Adams are sprinkled throughout this...

Mpeep is short for Mind Peep. It is also an acronym for all the routine names in this manuscript. Based on an innovative combination of classic methods, this novel principle enables you to quickly and deceptively plant a word and then divine it from a participant's mind. 5 routines and a bonus routine are explained. In fact, based on the method, you can create several routines yourself to suit your performance situation or customize for a particular audience or participant. You can perform this completely propless, in a virtual show, or use a couple of your business cards and perform in close-up,...

An ingenious alternative to a Chop Cup where the 'cup' is constructed "on the fly" from a magazine sheet while spectators make paper balls, or crumple dollar bills. No gimmicks! The trickery is built into the cup itself and undetectable. There are moves not possible with a standard Chop Cup and ends with a transport to a spectator's hand who keeps the cup and ball. No difficult sleights or handling as the Fold Cup does its thing automatically. But, the special techniques taught moves the astonishment far above a traditional Chop Cup approach.

There are many suggested Effects with special...

Like the title says, this collection of excellent effects will inspire you to become a better magician. Magic author and dealer Chas. Eastman has compiled a dozen great magical mysteries that you will enjoy performing. There's something here for performers of all skill levels. Contributors include Bob Weill, Harry Valcarte, Will Ross, R. S. Bailey, James D. Taylor, and more.

From the introduction by T.A. Whitney:

PERCEPTIONISM - The recognition of audible or visible signals, transmitted voluntarily, or involuntarily, which reveal personal traits and idiosyncrasies. The interpretation of these signals may be used in a variety of ways by the receiver.

The complete inside dope on the Magic Bar Act and Soda Fountain Act where you can pour a seemingly endless number of tasty drinks from a single bottle.

Here's a swell addition to your regular act - a routine that appeals to most any audience. For adults, you pour whiskey, beer, sloe gin fizz, a vodka martini - and other drinks - which are then served to your audience. And, unlike other inexhaustible bottle routines, this isn't colored water; the drinks actually have flavor and are refreshing. Perform it on a regular nightclub floor. Or do it behind the bar at your local watering hole. You'll...