Magic & Mentalism: page 96

A collection of twenty-six of the best Living and Dead Tests. Indispensable to the mentalist and providing a wide variety of routines suitable for performance under every possible condition.

A well performed Living and Dead Test can create intense emotions. Please use these effects responsibly. Many of the effects described can be performed one-on-one, in an intimate close-up setting or for a large audience. Several ingenious methods are described. I find the one of method 26 the most clever one. It would sell like hot cakes as a single effect miracle on a DVD for $39.50. I was even tempted...

15 amazing card routines using gimmicked cards and prepared decks.

• Blind Deal
• Blowing Away
• Chip-Chip Hooray!
• Deep Rising
• In Between
• Mixed Relations
• Turning Point
• Twice Blank
• Ulti-Mate-M
• Wild Mix
• Add-Acadabra
• Cornered
• Joker Dilemma
• The Rubber Illusion
• Cut It Out

1st edition 2011; 20 pages.

14 amazing card routines using gimmicked cards.

• A Free Choice
• Bleached
• Blinder
• Brain Sell
• Clear Thought
• Ghost Flight
• Star-Struck
• Total Magic
• Printerface
• Point-Blank Assembly
• Stund!
• The Universal
• The Vanishing
• Thunderstruck

1st edition 2011; 26 pages.

These are Jon Racherbaumer's contributions to the New Pentagram Magazine from 1979.

• Surprising the Princess: ESP card effect with a surprise ending that will whack you down.
• Simplex Mental Reverse
• Magical Separate Colors
• King-Currence
• Still Another Lie Detector

articles first appeared 1979; 14 pages

Can a magic trick be too perfect? Too impossible? Well, opinions differ. Some of the most prominent minds in magic disagree. Reading these essays will help you form your own personal opinion on this fundamental question. The theorists are:

• Rick Johnsson
• Jon Racherbaumer
• Tomas Blomberg
• Magic Christian
• Robert Neale
• Bob Fitch
• Jamy Ian Swiss
• John Carney
• Michael Close
• Darwin Ortiz
• Harry Lorayne
• Martin Lewis
• Patrick Watson
• Simon Aronson

1st edition 2008; 61 pages....

Magic for everyone: Close-up, parlor and stage. Rachel and Aldo Colombini are performing and explaining the following routines:

• RING TWICE (Aldo Colombini): Two rings are threaded on a piece of rope. One is selected and it becomes free (or vice versa!).
• SORCERER’S STONE (Rachel Colombini): Five ‘stones’ are shown and a spectator selects one. While you are back to the audience you find the selected stone. Can be done with any objects (even with people) and over the phone.
• CONTROL COINS (Subir Kumar Dhar): Great impromptu coin routine. No sleights at all, yet, you predict the chosen...

Ten amazing routines with a regular deck of cards.

• LONE RIDER (Aldo Colombini): A spectator selects a card from a deck. It is the only one with a different colored back.
• THE MAGNETIC ACES (Nick Trost): A spectator deals the cards and finds the four Aces.
• SPELL-KING (Aldo Colombini): A funny routine. You find the four Kings and then the four Aces.
• NOW SERVING (Karl Fulves): Missionaries and cannibals are involved. You find them all.
• PALATINO (Aldo Colombini): A card is selected. You show the four Aces. The Ace of the same suit turns out to be the selection.
• MAGIC ELIMINATION (Hideo Kato): A selected card is found...

This manuscript explores in detail the possibilities of the 'Double Count'. As the title implies, the possibilities seem unlimited. After reading this PDF you will surely come up with your own variations and takes on the effects presented. The Double Count in its basic form is to show five cards absolutely cleanly as six. One of the five cards is a double facer.

1st edition 1953, 2nd edition 1983, 3rd edition 2002, 48 pages.

Table of Contents

8. The Card Goes Home (Norm Osborn)
13. Improved Double Count (Edward Marlo)
14. Effect One
18. Effect Two
20. Effect Three
22. Effect Four
22. Effect Five
26. Effect...

This set consists of 52 gaffed cards with Bicycle backs. The cards are listed below and can also be seen in the image to the right. They come in a white tuck box that has a small window on one side.

• Ace of Spades with inverted black Bicycle back (2 cards)
• Ace of Clubs with inverted yellow Bicycle back (2 cards)
• Ace of Hearts with inverted red Bicycle back (2 cards)
• Ace of Diamonds with inverted blue Bicycle back (2 cards)
• King of Hearts - King of Spades horizontal split face, Ace of Clubs on the back (11 cards)
• King of Diamonds - King of Clubs horizontal split face, Ace of Clubs on...

John Ramsay was called "The Magician's Magician" because even for those in the know he could create miracles. He consistently fooled his peers with his incredible skill, misdirection and unique thinking. Here are a few quotes about him:

"... We are not given to uncritical boosts.... But it is difficult to write with moderation of the work of Johnnie Ramsay. His sleight of hand is unexcelled, perhaps even unequalled. Performers who know all there is to know about the Cups and Balls are not merely puzzled, but utterly baffled by Ramsay's presentation. His Cap and Pence is a masterpiece of...

Don't be misled by the title of this effect. It is not a new mathematical method. This is a purely sleight-of-hand effect. However, it uses the Fibonacci sequence as a presentational tool.

Effect:

The magician explains the idea of Fibonnacci's Numbers which are numbers in the following integer sequence: 1, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 13, 21, 34, 55, ... (every next number is a sum of two previous numbers). This sequence appears in many spheres such as: art, nature, science...

Performer introduces a deck of cards in random order. The card is freely selected by the spectator. Before the card is placed...

These are all seven volumes in the series.

This seven-volume series is probably the longest and most detailed audio-testimonial of a famous magician. Each of the recordings can be heard individually; if purchased and listened to in sequence they quite clearly form a complete course of magic for anyone with or without experience. Billy has worked everywhere and with most kinds of magic. What he relates on these tapes is the result of a lifetime of experience in magic. Invaluable lessons are taught. Each volume lasts around 90 minutes each (more than 10 hours in total) describing not only the...

This is volume 7 of a seven-volume series. The full routine for the Bill in Lemon effect.

• The Full Routine for the Bill In Lemon Effect
  • Side 1 [46:37 long]
    • Recording of Bill In Lemon Effect [0:00]
    • Discussion of the Bill In Lemon [5:18]
    • Preparing the lemon [13:09]
    • Identification of the bill [24:26]
    • Vanishing the bill [28:21]
    • Inserting the bill in the lemon [32:25]
      • Delaying the applause [33:59]
    • Cutting the lemon [35:59]
    • Getting the correct lemon selected [39:46]
  • Side 2 [31:16 long]
    • Getting the correct lemon selected continued [0:00]
    • Presentation...

This is volume 6 of a seven-volume series. The full routine for the Nap Hand effect.

• The Full Routine for the Nap Hand Effect
  • Side 1 [42:07 long]
    • History of the Nap Hand (Whist) effect [0:00]
      • What is Nap (and Whist)? [2:06]
    • Basis of the effect [2:46]
      • Do tricks the audience likes [6:24]
    • The blindfold [17:00]
    • The set-up [19:41]
    • The routine [20:23]
      • Getting volunteers on stage [21:13]
      • Following suit [35:51]
      • The run of the cards [39:19]
  • Side 2 [33:52 long]
    • The routine continued [0:00]
    • References...

This is volume 5 of a seven-volume series. The full Ring On Stick routine.

• The Full Ring on Stick Routine
  • Side 1 [44:01 long]
    • Himber Ring Routine [0:00]
    • Ring on Stick Routine [1:51]
      • About the recording [2:40]
      • Sound & lighting [6:38]
      • Practicing [9:25]
      • The stick [11:18]
    • Recording of performance – part 1 [13:10]
    • Ring on Stick Routine continued [14:48]
      • The jeweler’s loupe [14:48]
      • Rings & ring index [21:08]
    • Recording of performance – part 2 [27:06]
    • Ring on Stick Routine continued [28:08]
    • Recording of performance...

This is volume 4 of a seven-volume series. Close Up Magic.

• Close Up Magic & More
  • Side 1 [28:22 long]
    • Close Up Magic Conditions [0:00]
    • Cigarette Through Handkerchief [1:59]
    • Paper Napkin in Hand [7:53]
    • Silk Vanish in Hand [11:55]
    • Close Up Magic Conditions – again [15:57]
    • My Drink [17:25]
    • The Recurring Card [19:17]
    • Magic Auctions [20:41]
    • Punch & Judy Outfit [21:22]
    • Glove Monkey [22:27]
  • Side 2 [27:52 long]
    • Glove Monkey continued [0.00]
    • Selbit Sawing Through a Woman [1:21]
    • Crushing a Woman [5:48]
    • Compeering a show [7:23]
      • Thief Proof Case [9:32]
      • Flash...

This is volume 3 of a seven-volume series. The Himber Ring Routine and Night Club Magic.

• The Himber Ring Routine and Night Club Magic
  • Side 1 [36:53 long]
    • Night Club Magic – recording of a performance [0:00]
      • Half Dyed Silk [0:00]
      • Silk to Egg [4:09]
    • Cabaret Magic [8:46}
      • Heckler stoppers [11:46]
        • Coin in Bottle [18:32]
      • Gags and recording your act [23:02]
      • Opening Effects [24:18]
        • Six Card Repeat [25:06]
        • Golf Balls in the Handkerchief [27:37]
        • Torn and Restored Letter [27:47] ...

This is volume 2 of a seven-volume series. Introduction continued, together with a great deal of information on working cruise ships.

• Introduction Continued from tape 1
• Together With a Great Deal of Information on Working Cruise Ships
  • Side 1 [29:50 long]
    • Teaching magic continued from tape 1[0:00]
      • What to wear [0:00]
      • Established acts [10:33]
      • What stagecraft you need for an act [17:05]
      • The business end [17:47]
      • Effects that suit the performer [21:54]
        • Two Linking Rings [24:29]
      • Knowing what pleases an audience [25:36] ...

This is volume 1 of a seven-volume series. Get to know Billy. A general introduction to magic.

The Magic of Billy McComb Volume 1

• A General Introduction to Magic
  • Side 1 [29:38 long]
    • Introduction [0:00]
    • Adding a trick to the act [1:30]
    • Writing patter & structuring a routine [3:34]
    • Selling yourself vs selling the tricks [6:15]
    • Picking effects that have problems & overcoming them [7:36]
      • Rice Bowls [8:39]
    • Bad experience with a rocket trick [16:00]
    • Heckler stoppers [20:16]
    • Arriving at an engagement [23:37]
    • Taking an ordinary trick and dressing it up...

Racherbaumer thinks that the greatest sleight of the 20th-century is the Double Lift Turnover. If we consider the scores of different ways to lift, turn, toss, propel, flip, rotate, and spin two cards as one—not to mention ways of getting ready, gripping, insuring alignment, and unloading, then this is certainly a pretty valid move to pick as the most important sleight. At the minimum Racherbaumer has me convinced.

In this ebook Jon collects ways to finesse the move and also traces its historical development. I am pretty sure you are using probably several times a double lift turnover somewhere...

Several decades ago Bob Hummer invented a new principle which caused a short-lived stir among cardicians. The effect was called "The Mindreader's Dream". It sounds too good to be true: A spectator merely thinks of a card and performs a few, unseen dealing procedures with a deck of cards. The magician briefly scans the cards, consults a "dream book," and then names the mentally selected card.

Racherbaumer collects in this ebook several improvements and variations on this basic principle, including the original Hummer method. The contributors are an eclectic group of specialists including Justin Higham,...

Essays and thoughts on the performance of restaurant magic.

"This is real world experience from a top pro who has spent his professional life learning what works, what is important and, most importantly, what is universal." - Richard Osterlind (from the foreword)

The Restaurant Magic Reader collects the many articles and essays that Jim Sisti has written over the last 20 years on the subject of restaurant magic. Between these covers, you will find thoughts and ideas on such important topics as choosing material, selecting a performing character, getting and keeping a restaurant magic...

Edward Marlo and Jon Racherbaumer study three similar effects:

• Everywhere and Nowhere
• The General Card
• The Universal Card

2nd edition 2002, 50 pages.

Table of Contents

4. Afterword
9. A Future Classic
16. Streamlined Classic
20. Comedy Classic
21. Quick Three-Way
24. In Lieu of the Hindoo Shuffle
27. Mini-Classic I
28. Mini-Classic II
29. A Sixy Effect
31. Early Marlo: Everywhere and Nowhere
33. No Deck: Everywhere and Nowhere
37. Spade Book: Everywhere and Nowhere
40. Marlo's Hofzinser
42. Additional Climax
43. Future Classic Double-Cross
45. Four Eightses Classic
48. 'Tis Rough On Hofzinser

Magic for stand-up and walk-around performers with effects that do not require a table. Fifteen routines with cards, coins, rubber bands, sponge balls, rope, finger rings, bills, jumbo cards and even a carpenter’s ruler!

[Note that these routines are also taught in the ebook: Standing Room Only.

Including:

• CHINESE PURSE: A Chinese coin appears on a rope between two knots.
• INTERCHANGE: A stunning in-the-hand four-card transposition.
• IMAGINARY JOURNEY: Four Kings assemble in one packet revealing, at the same time, two selected cards.
• RING UP: A borrowed ring is knotted onto a rope. Magically, the ring becomes free, leaving the knot on the rope.
• RING THRU:...