Magic & Mentalism

... to be feted by fellow magicians.

This article, from the Brooklyn Eagle, gives us a nice overview of Jean Hugard's life, including a description of a performance of the bullet catch, where he was shot but luckily not killed.

For folks interested in the Erdnase mystery, this article is a bit of a head-scratcher, because it dates Erdnase's book to 1890. Since we do not have any other piece of evidence confirming the 1890 date, but overwhelming evidence for the generally accepted 1902 date (more than 100 first editions, copyright form, ads and mentions in periodicals), it is obviously...

This 19th-century book is a treasure trove of incredible magic tricks.

Magician Paul Gertner is famous for his cups and balls routine using metal balls. I don't know if the idea occurred to him on his own ... but this very same idea that seems so modern was already written over 100 years prior in this book from 1874! I'm talking of Jean Nicolas Ponsin's monumental work, Nouvelle Magie Blanche Dévoilée translated into English in its entirety. And I assure you that within its pages you will find many other excellent magic effects to enrich your repertoire in the 21st century! ...

Criminally good effects...

15 Effects - all self-working with a variety of objects (some you'll have to buy - but nothing that'll cost you more than a few bucks). Several brand new effects, a few crackers (including the Pencil Case Mystery) which have been published before, plus a few other ideas ... brilliant value! Ho! Ho! Ho!

McFooled: An easy effect which uses a McDonald's paper bag and a few pieces of card....

Predict-a-ball: A mentalism effect where a spectator comes up and selects a single, coloured table tennis ball from a stand and shows it to the audience, then replaces it...

One of the first lessons I learnt in my performing days was that a tongue-in-cheek presentation could be as effective and possibly much more entertaining than one with pompous pretensions. And in pursuit of this, I spent as much on literature devoted to patter and one-liners as I did to books with new tricks and routines, sleights and subterfuges.

Robert Orben was the "guru" - one just had to have everything he put out for magicians. There were many others like Harry Allen, Ken DeCourcy and Val Andrews, who took their presentations with a pinch of salt, and...

This is my adaptation of Marlo's A Number for Fast Company. I've reworked it to be completely impromptu, finishing with a clean, accurate cut to the spectator's selection.

The spectator shuffles the deck freely, chooses any card, and returns it before shuffling again. The performer then names the exact position of the selection and says, "If I know the position of your card, I should be able to cut straight to it." He then lifts off a packet - matching the number just named - and the final card of that packet is the spectator's selection. Full performance in the demo video. ...

A fun and simple routine using the Sanada Gimmick and a couple of sponge balls.

The trick is extremely flexible for writing different scripts, and the trick plays as well on stage as it does close-up.

1st edition 2025, PDF 15 pages.

After the spectator creates a two-digit number from cards numbered from 1 to 16, he shuffles the 16 cards, not once but twice. The magician deals them out, once for the past, once for the present and once for the future. The dealt matrix forms a magic square adding to the spectator's number in 80 different ways!

Works automatically. No memorization. No calculations. A new combination of principles never before used.

1st edition 2025, PDF 34 pages.

Effect: A spectator shuffles the deck, freely selects any card and looks at it. They put the card in an envelope. The friend is facing away from the spectator. The friend reveals what card was chosen without looking at the envelope or asking any questions.

Description: Do have that friend that wants to learn a trick? This is the perfect effect. Your friend is the star, and with the secret Crib they do not have to remember anything. You are helping them so they don't feel intimidated. This is a fun effect that leaves the spectator amazed.

• This is a great party trick.
• This can be done...

An incredible mentalism effect with cards, totally impromptu and hands-off, in which the illusionist will find the card thought of and scattered within a deck that the spectator himself, cutting in various parts, will shuffle several times, also faces against backs.

This is an incredible effect involving the retrieval of a thought-of card, totally impromptu, practically hands-off (the illusionist will only pick up the deck of cards at the end of the experiment) and therefore always ready for a performance, even if the magician only has a borrowed deck of cards, which may even be incomplete. ...

Un incredibile effetto di Mentalismo con le Carte, totalmente Impromptu e Hands-Off, in cui l'illusionista troverà la carta pensata e dispersa all'interno di un mazzo che lo spettatore stesso, tagliando vari mazzett, mescolerà più volte, facce contro dorsi!

Si tratta di un incredibile effetto di Ritrovamento di una Carta Pensata, totalmente Impromptu, praticamente Hands-Off (l'illusionista prenderà in mano il mazzo di carte solamente al termine dell'esperimento) e quindi sempre pronto per una performance, anche solo disponendo di un mazzo di carte preso a prestito e magari persino incompleto! ...

How the mediums produce their "manifestations".

In this article from 1893 from the Chicago Tribune, August Roterberg explains some of the tricks and techniques used by fraudulent spirits.

• Mediums Have an Easy Thing
• Other Ways of Doing the Trick
• How Spirit Questions Are Answered
• People Easily Deceived
• Mediums Exchange "Tests"
• Example of Cool Effrontery
• Uses of Luminous Paint
• Conjurers Only Need Natural Means

1st edition 1893, PDF 6 pages.

Celebrating a lifetime in magic dealing, author Ian Adair remembers a wealth of amusing incidents, all of which happened over fifty years whilst trading at the famous Supreme Magic Company - disasters, failures, catastrophes, misjudgements, misfortunes, blunders, bloopers and quirky situations which he reminisces with the readers of this ebook.

One such 'incident' happened outside the Supreme depot late one evening. Arriving early the following morning at the premises, we noticed the letter P missing from the Supreme sign. We later found out that a small gang of lads were returning home...

Two Jokers produce two Aces in the middle, and finally, the Jokers transform into the remaining two Aces. A classic effect with a unique and visual handling. Complete performance in the video.

1st edition 2025, video 4:53

A prediction effect with ESP cards that fits in your pocket.

The performer invites a spectator to take part in a brief experiment in intuition. He removes a small packet of cards from an envelope, holding it face down as he explains that it contains all five E.S.P. symbols.

After confirming that he has no way of knowing the order of the cards, the spectator freely names a number between one and five (inclusive). Let's say he chooses four. The performer counts the cards and removes the one corresponding to that number – let's say it is the Circle. The remaining four cards are clearly...

"When Daryl told me that he planned on making his living doing shows in an area that would have him sleeping at home every night I thought he was crazy. You have to travel to make a living in magic. He wouldn't succeed, I thought! HE DID." - Hank Moorehouse

There is room in every town for the magic collector, the magic hobbyist, the magic club and the novelty shop. There is also room for clowns, jugglers, and sideshow acts. Yet it requires a dedicated and competent performer of magic shows, with a proper magic table at their side, to become a true Hometown Magician. Someone whose claim...

Effect: A spectator names one of the four suits (Ex: Hearts). The spectators shuffle the deck. When the spectator spreads the cards, all the Hearts are grouped together. The magician seemingly never touched the cards.

"I really like the concept. It's clever, direct, and the psychological frame you suggest for the alternative presentation is a great touch. That the magician never touches the cards and yet the Hearts come together makes it feel genuinely impossible. The reset is also very practical: a big plus!" - Gaia Elisa Rossi

Description: Are you looking for a killer effect that...

This intro price will go up to $18 from December 1, 2025.

A unique principle is used to get an invisible and completely propless star sign divination method which is quick, easy, elegant and highly effective. There is no long drawn process here. The presentation here is not the typical astrology based one but goes on the lines of brain functions, human mind and general psychology. The sun sign reveal comes most unexpectedly as a surprising finale.

This method is completely different from any of my other over dozen star sign divination methods. And you do not need to own any of these...

An exciting mentalism effect in which the spectators themselves, after naming any card in the deck, imagine in their mind that they can find it as the only one still in its 'right' place in a shuffled deck, giving rise to an amazing "A.C.A.A.N."!

This is an original new "Any Card At Any Number" type effect, which will most likely be different from anything you have ever seen before!

"... Kudos for coming up with this stack that lets you find any card in its place... And congratulations also for the method you used... Everything is explained very well and in an understandable way! Great!!!...

Un emozionante effetto di Mentalismo in cui saranno gli spettatori stessi, dopo aver nominato una carta qualsiasi del mazzo, ad immaginare nella loro mente di poterla ritrovare come l'unica ancora al 'giusto' posto in un mazzo mescolato, dando luogo ad uno stupefacente "A.C.A.A.N."!

Si tratta di un originale nuovo effetto di Carta al Numero, che molto probabilmente vi risulterà DIFFERENTE DA QUALSIASI ALTRO CHE POSSIATE AVER VISTO SINORA!

"... Ti faccio le mie congratulazioni per aver ideato questo stack che permette di ritrovare qualsiasi carta al suo posto.. E complimenti anche per...

This is a guide on performing Identity Aura Readings, outlining a system for interpreting auras based on the colors associated with the letters of a person's name, insuring a unique and repeatable reading for every sitter.

It combines elements of color theory, numerology, tarot, Richard Webster's Psychometry, and astrology to create distinctive readings based on a person's name.

It provides a personal keepsake for clients, making it less likely they will discard the reading. The readings can be presented as psychic or psychological, and can overlap with other systems like tarot...

A practical treatise on mind reading, according to Stuart Cumberland and the late Washington Irving Bishop. Ventriloquism as practiced by Valentine Vox and others. Sleight of Hand secrets and methods of performing many marvelous mysteries, such as have astonished the public of all nations.

• CHAPTER I. GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS
  • The Mystic Wand
  • The Magician's Clothes
  • Magic Tables
• CHAPTER II. SIMPLE TRICKS WITH CARDS
  • United By A Single Cut
  • To Discover The Value Of Certain Cards On The Table
  • Cards Change Places At Command
  • To Name Successively All Cards In Pack
  • To Tell Whether The Number...

"I have a message for you."

Long out of print, this masterpiece of mentalism was offered as the greatest sealed message exhibition the world has ever seen. Questions written and sealed in envelopes by spectators, yet the psychic entertainer gets the answers, calls people by name, etc. What makes this routine different from other Q&A tests is the bold method that J. Thurman Lord used to supplement the written questions. Some audience members received a personal "spirit message" from the medium, without writing any question in advance!

Excellent for large parties, dinner shows, or theater...

The typical venues that a hometown magician encounters are diverse and a utility table is needed to accommodate all of them. The design of Daryl Hurst's Hometown Magic Table is both elegant and pragmatic, solving a myriad of challenging issues at once. This table became part of his performing style, brand and marketing. The top and base unit nest together for transport, easy re-setting of props, and fast set-up at a show site. Daryl's Hometown Magic Table Plans include 10 detailed architectural drawings, 16 photographs, hardware specs and cutting diagram, and "The Journey to My Magic Table"...

Minimal Colossal is one of my favorite approaches from the neoclassic Kolossal Killer from Kenton Knepper.

• One envelope in full view
• Any playing card is named through a simple and flowing procedure
• One card, completely correct

In this video you will learn the basic secrets, a simple and effective use of the classic OBO principle (thanks Kenton for your permission and blessing), the construction of the special envelope (DIY, very simple to make) and much more. You will learn variations and extra uses and ideas using the methods at play.

• 100% practical for all situations ...

Magic tricks, bar bets, gambling scams, cons, puzzles, and gotcha's with playing cards, dice, coins, rope, dominoes, and humor.

"Bob's brilliance, deviousness, and creativity are perfectly balanced by his wacky sense of humor .... With The Bammo Flim-Flam Conglomeration you get everything you expect from a Bob Farmer book: an off-the-wall sense of humor, laser-sharp intelligence, clear and concise writing, and a mountain of intriguing and entertaining scams, cons, betchas, and tricks - enough to amuse any magic enthusiast of any skill level, whether or not they have larceny in their heart."...

This is my direct cut to the four Aces and four Kings routine. It's simple and easy to learn, using only basic card handling techniques. No crimp, no estimation needed. Full performance in the video.

1st edition 2025, video 4:29

As a professional magician for over two decades, I truly can't thank the resort and hotel industry enough, as they have been a constant stream of income over the years. Not just a stream of income but a stream of enjoyment and stability. This is an evergreen market and has been my "holiday" on stage. I have finally decided to share my secrets with you. Every bit of info I share with you comes from a passionate magician's heart, a heart that is hungry for success. The resort and hotel market can provide you with success in many forms. Enjoy!

"As a professional full-time entertainer with...

This special intro price will go up to $18 from November 24, 2025.

The previous versions of this routine, Future Test 2019 to Future Test 2025 were very well received. This routine can also be performed in almost all performing situations - one on one, close up, parlor, street, virtual show or even on a video call.

Future Test is a 'packs small plays big' kind of effect. Actually packs very small in your wallet and plays very big to a full room or in a virtual show or even over a video call. This effect is done on the back of your business card which you can later leave with...

Corner Short Cards (CSC) are the secret weapon of the top card magicians. These advanced secrets will take your card magic to the next level.

• Reduce the amount of riffling to find the CSC in the deck
• Cutting a non-index CSC to the top of the deck
• Riffle stacking secrets using CSCs
• An Incredible force using CSCs
• Know the spectator’s freely chosen CSC blindfolded
• Practice Tips

This eBook is for magicians who have a working knowledge of CSC. How to create them and the differences (index vs non-index CSC) is not covered in this eBook.

1st edition 2025, PDF 18 pages.

This book presents a large compilation of home entertainment, including conjuring and illusions, but also theatre, dance, puzzles, scientific experiments, shadowgraphy, marionettes, paper folding, and even how to build your own telephone, and many other activities. This paragraph from the prefatory note sums it up:

• PREFATORY NOTE
• PART I
  • CHAPTER I: AMATEUR THEATRICALS
    • STAGE CONSTRUCTION...

Noah probably performed this ancient deceit during the dinner shows on the Arc. Not unlike the Magic Coloring (FLIP) Book, it has been denigrated by countless magicians as "Old Hat". Don't believe that. It can be the perfect icebreaker or casual introduction to a dinner table setting. Done with the unwitting host's family silverware, it elicits gasps from startled witnesses. Restored to its pristine condition, the laughter is immediate. Combined with the proper acting and patter, it can be a performance highlight, the result of the surprise it engenders.

1st edition 2025, video 35 seconds....

The real-life tale of a hometown magician.

Once Upon a Magic Show is the inspiring, funny, sometimes poignant story of how a self-styled "ordinary Joe" from Ann Arbor, Michigan, grew up to become an accomplished "Magic Man," who, for decades, brought joy and amazement to audiences of all ages.

From the moment his third-grade magic routine came to its hilarious conclusion, Daryl Hurst was certain his vocation was to be a magician, someone whose innate talent was destined to cement his hometown reputation. Indeed, Daryl's school years were marked by steady acquisition of the tools and experience...

The Society of American Magicians was founded in 1902. Their first society journal was published in October 1911 on the suggestion of Charles Roltare. The currently serving president was the editor. Its content is a mix of meeting notes, news, opinions, and articles on historical matters, a good portion of which has been contributed by Harry Houdini.

1st edition 1911, PDF 821 pages.

This is a location-based stack that allows you to determine the position of two freely cut cards, even after the spectator shuffles. No sleights, no force, no gimmicks. Full performance is in the video.

1st edition 2025, video 5:53

In the art of magic, the ultimate goal is to create a moment of pure, unadulterated astonishment - an experience so clean and impossible that it transcends mere trickery and feels like real magic. For the spectator, this requires an effect built on a foundation of total fairness. The challenge is to guide them to a place where the only remaining explanation is: your spectator has just experienced the impossible.

Effect: Imagine this from your spectator's perspective. You are handed a deck of cards. You inspect it and shuffle the deck. When you are satisfied, the magician turns his back....

Five effects that connect into one routine.

Tired of forgetting your best tricks when an audience asks for a spontaneous performance? Magic a la Card solves the routine problem, offering a complete, five-effect card set that requires zero sleight of hand. This is a fully sequenced act designed to build in crescendo to a powerful climax: a sleightless Card in the Wallet effect. From the psychological deception of The Lie Detector (where the back of the card predicts the outcome) to a modernized 21 Card Trick and an impossible Mathematical Prediction, the pack is prearranged, and the tricks...

Annemann's Synthetic Sympathy is a long-regarded classic of card magic, with a history dating back to 1921 when Charles T. Jordan put out his original version. Annemann slotted it into an early edition of his magazine The Jinx. It took off like wildfire and Jean Hugard promptly included the Annemann update in Encyclopedia Of Card Tricks, further enhancing its popularity. Then Max Holden jumped on the bandwagon and published it yet again, including it in his Annemann compendium Full Deck Of Impromptu Card Tricks.

Holden was particularly...

This ebook contains only five card tricks that require some additional help, a gimmick, or an altered card. Presented is a variety of straightforward effects with little demand on one's skill in sleight of hand.

• Inspired Marked Card
• In Plain Sight
• Margery Seance
• Unseen
• Whispering Jokers

1st edition 2025, PDF 20 pages.

This is Cedric Richardson's routine that uses just a normal-looking paint book, with black and white drawings, ready to colour by the children. What could be simpler? They often say 'Keep it Simple' and that's what Cedric did. Yet he managed to introduce real, solid bits of business which made his routine stand above all others.

1st edition 2000, PDF 8 pages.

• No. 159: Houdini Memorial
• Nos. 160, 161
• No. 162: From Theo. Hardeen
• No. 163: Twenty-five Years Old May 10, 1927
• No. 164: Report of the Annual Banquet, Entertainment and Dance

1st edition 1927, PDF 18 pages.

• No. 148
• No. 149
• No. 150: Special Notice to Members of All Assemblies
• No. 151: Houdini Has Magicians' Night in Philadelphia
• No. 152: Harken to Ye Editor
• No. 153: Annual Banquet
• No. 154: Laws for Spiritualists
• No. 155: A Time for New Resolutions
• No. 156: Houdini in Memoriam
• Nos. 157, 158: A Few of the Tributes

1st edition 1925, PDF 41 pages.

• Nos. 136, 137, 138: In Loving Memory of John William Sargent
• No. 139: As It Should Be! / Oscar S. Teale
• No. 140: In Memoriam Francis J. Martinka; Ben Ali Bey
• No. 141: Is This Merely a Question of Veracity? If So, Who is at Fault?; Ben Ali Bey (continued)
• No. 142: Wah Chan / John Mulholland
• No. 143: An Open Letter / Oscar S. Teale; Physical Phenomena - Margery fails to win the Scientific American Prize and now she follows all other alleged supernormals / Oscar S. Teale
• No. 144: Dr. Johann Nepomuk Hofzinser
• No. 145: In Memory of Mr. Alfred Becks
• No. 146
• No. 146-147: The Twenty-First Annual...

• Nos. 124, 125, 126: Magic and Magicians of Australia / Robert Kudarz
• Nos. 127, 128: Society of American Magicians to Fight Exposures
• No. 129: Random Thoughts on Magic / Henry R. Evans
• No. 130: A Bit of Magical Archeology / G. G. Laurens
• No. 131: Head shots of Presidents of the Society of American Magicians
• No. 132: Hands Across the Sea / Will Goldston
• No. 133
• No. 134
• No. 135: Banquet of the Society of American Magicians

1st edition 1923, PDF 41 pages.

• Nos. 112-113: Our Welcome to Noted Mystifiers
• Nos. 114-115: Magic and Magicians in New Zealand and Australia / Robert Kudarz
• No. 116: Magic and Magicians in New Zealand and Australia (continued)/ Robert Kudarz
• No. 117: Well! Well! Look What Is Going On
• No. 118 Robert Kudarz dies; William Berol Lamented
• No. 119: T. Nelson Downs Mystified
• No. 120: Concerning Robert Kudarz, late Compeer No. 167
• No. 121: A Carnival of Magic
• No. 122: Houdini Entertains 500 Kiddies in San Francisco / H. Syril Dusenberry
• No. 123: Our Annual Banquet

1st edition 1922, PDF 55 pages.

• No. 100: Magician, Inventor and Publisher Hanged in London
• No. 101: Adam Hull Shirk Visits New York; Grave of the Great Lafayette
• No. 102: Meeting of the Parent Assembly; Historical Data Sawing a Lady in Two
• No. 103: News of November Meeting; Graves of Ling Look and Yamadeva
• No. 104: An Open Letter to All Editors / Harry Houdini
• No. 105: Unknown Facts About Philippe, father of the "Gift" Show / Harry Houdini
• No. 106: The Evolution of Superstition / Joseph F. Rinn
• No. 107: Great Victory for Magic
• No. 108: Dean Harry Kellar dies
• No. 109: Membership Cards Nearing 1000 Number
• No. 110:...

• No. 87: Sixteenth Annual Banquet, Society of American Magicians; Signor Blitz Before Abraham Lincoln / Oscar S. Teale
• No. 88: Breslaw, one of the great mystifiers of the eighteenth century / Harry Houdini
• No. 89: Breslaw (continued)
• No. 90: Philadelphia, a historical seventeenth century magician / Harry Houdini
• No. 91: Tributes to John William Sargent; Philadelphia (continued)
• No. 92: Ladies' Night
• No. 93: Hell Gate to Golden Gate
• No. 94: Trewey - an Appreciation / Henry R. Evans
• No. 95: Frizzo - Master Magician / Harry Houdini; A Comparison of the Oldest Magic with Modern Illusions ...