Scrapbook

This issue deals with two routines. The first one is de Cova's version of the famous 'Ten Card Poker Deal'. This is a routine in four phases and makes use of a full deck, which is shuffled and cut. Each phase is build up and more challenging. All the time the spectator wins against you and he has no idea how. With all phases the spectator makes absolute free decisions and the climax is an overwhelming Royal Flush of Spades in his poker hand. Easy to do and entertaining.

The second routine is called 'The Green Card' (has nothing to do with Lennart) and it was one of the main routine in Alexander's...

This time I start a little series on the "signed folded card in box" plot. The effect that a signed card ends up folded in a little box is a classic and has been performed by many top professionals and amateurs alike. I am a great lover of this trick and accumulated quite a lot of methods and ideas concerning this top trick. These I will share with you through my Scrapbook magazine. This is the first issue dealing with this highly interesting topic. After a lengthy and detailed discussion on my opinions, strategies and thoughts about this effect, learn:

THE WILD WILD WEST FOLD - A novel method...

CONFABULATION - The routine I have been doing since the 80s (oh my gosh!). Out of the need to create a DIY version of the marketed effect of Alan Shaxon, I devised this baby. It's easy to use, practical and you don't need any Kaps wallet for this. At the end, everything can be left with the spectators.

SOAP BUBBLE CARD - Finn Jon is a genius with both threads and his omni-present soap bubbles. In 1987 I created a revelation with a smoke filled soap bubble that is really eye candy and surprising. A signed selection appears with the burst of a soap bubble. Easy, simple and visual. A truly unusual...

THE REAL PREMONITION - My take on Eddie Joseph's famous Premonition effect, which eliminates all calculations through the use of a devilish "prompter list", which is in full view but can't be seen. Also, in my version the freely chosen card (which is the only card missing in the deck) is predicted in a letter in a sealed envelope! For the gimmick you get the printing templates which can be found at the end of the PDF.

REVERSE TAKE - The most convincing "take" with a thumb tip possible. This one will fool even the experts, guaranteed. It will take some time until you get this down, because it works completely against...

MY MAGIC SQUARE - I worked a long time to get together my "perfect" magic square. This one is different, because on the back of the card, where you make the grid, the square is predicted in big bold letters! A very good number force is described that has been long time underground and that can be used in many other effects as well. I always carry this one with me in my wallet and it has never ceased to really amaze people. [Note: In order to perform this magic square effect you will either need E-Z Square 4 by Werner Miller or Patterns of Perfection Revisited by Sam Dalal.

HOFZINSER IN MY WALLET - A very convincing and bold "card to wallet". NO palming whatsoever. Based on ideas by Peter Duffie and Chip Kleiman. I took the original...

PAPER DARTS - This is the routine I've kept back. You stand on stage with a folded paper dart. Spectators decide on a three digit number. The dart is thrown into the audience and the audience member catching it brings it to the stage. The paper dart is opened and on it is PRINTED in big bold letters the chosen number! NO nail writing or whatsoever, the method will make you laugh. Completey "out-of-the-box" thinking here. Hopefully, only a few magicians will go into the troubles making this one up.

HOPA-GIMMICK - This can be made up withing minutes and enables you to force two cards as convincingly...

This issue deals with the kind of tricks Pat Page would have loved and performed. Therefore it is dedicated to him. Here the contents:

STAB IN THE DARK - A card stab routine, where you stab (underneath a silk) into the deck and hit the mate of a spectator's selected card.

SIMPLE MISRES DREAM - This gimmick enables you to do a perfect coin catch without any sleight of hand! Can be applied to many other things as well.

POOR MANS RINGFLIGHT - The easiest ringflight with an unprepared leather key case. This is really for the working performer and perfect for table hopping.

GAELIC SWITCH - My...

In this issue, I go into great detail for my version of the routine "Cards Through Newspaper", an effect which was popularized by the great Albert Goshman in his professional act.

CARDS THROUGH NEWSPAPER - I taught this version to Doc Eason years ago. Here is the complete description with all the details (for you, Doc!). Doc told me that he showed the routine to Eric Mead and Eric had some nice words for it, means, he liked it. Four cards (any four cards, signed or unsigned) penetrate a sheet of newspaper one at a time. This is a worker's version, no duplicates, preparation or anything. You...

The new issue is packed with workable stuff. This time, you'll find also something for the stage magician! Here the contents:

ESPACOLOGY 2 - My take on a routine by David Berglas. This one is intended for stage/plattform use and can be made to play really big. Multiple predictions lead to a knockout climax incorporating the name of the company you are working for.

GIANT CARD TO SILK - This is truly the most visual and baffling transformation of a giant card into a silk. It looks like trick photography and you end clean. I describe some tips for the table-hopping magician as well.

TAMARIZ MEMO DECK...

ABSTRACTOR - My take on the "Extractor" gimmick which is completely different. The deck can be fanned, spread and quite freely shown. The spectator himself can insert his card into the case. The case is shut and rubber bands are placed all around the case (!). You can show the case from all sides - all looks perfect. You put the deck in your pocket and immediately have the selected card at your disposal! Easy to construct in less than half an hour with only one deck used.

TAMARIZ MEMO DECK - Here I start with a five part "course" on the memorization of this brilliant stack. It's fun to read,...

BOXED - A signed bill ends up in the interior of a lighter, which has been inside a cigarette packet. This one has fooled everyone on my last lecture tour. Perfect for table-hopping, instant reset and easy to do. [Note: This routine was intended to be published as a separate eBook for a much higher price than this issue of Scrapbook. However, for completeness sake I decided to add it here.

TOTALLY STONED - A mental routine based on a Max Maven idea. I changed the routine, method and added an additional climax to it. Very powerful and easy to do.

ENTHYMEMATA - Thoughts, tips and hints.

1st edition 2014, 6 pages....

AL KORAN FINESSE - An additional idea for the well-known Al Koran 5-star forcing deck which enables you to perform a baffling version of the "Oscar" card trick.

THROUGH THE LOUPE - The fastest loading technique for a ring in a sealed envelope. This one has fooled more than one magician!

CLIPPED OUT - A concept for a headline prediction or a live prediction. Some subtle thinking behind this one.

MAGIC VS. MUSIC - A thought provoking article on practise, performance and more. Music is compared to magic and this will get you started thinking different about our art.

ENTHYMEMATA - Various...