"Believe in your dreams!"
"If you love magic history, you need this book. If you love card magic, you'll also get a big section of hardcore card methods from France. Christian Gambin, one of Paris' last remaining classic music-hall performers, has preserved the wild, bygone world of the Paris cabaret magic scene in his autobiography, an entire field of the art that disappeared as the modern era dawned. Gambin is a multitalented entertainer who's performed everywhere in Europe from the Paradis Latin to the Monaco Grand Prix of Magic. I saw him knock out audiences at many of those places. You'll have fun peering into his life." - Todd Karr
This is the story of how, in 1965, a ten-year-old boy made the decision to become a magician. But how impossible can be possible? When there was no school, no teacher, no diploma ... only a passionate child?
But one day, his luck changed when he discovered an old magic book that opened the door to the wonderful world of magic. It's the beginning of a problematic ten-year apprenticeship, during which he would learn all the secrets of this mysterious art from magic books.
In September 1977, the light finally appeared at the end of the tunnel when he became the French Magic Champion. He won the Special Jury Prize at the World Magic Championship two years later. A few years later, he received the French Magic Comedy Prize and the Louis Merlin Burlesque Prize at the World Circus Festival. This self-taught magician will also share his life as an artist, highlighting the unusual encounters he has experienced and the captivating anecdotes he has recounted over his fifty years of experience.
Embellished with numerous photos and lyrics from his songs. Christian Gambin is a multifaceted artist: a magician, singer, author, composer, dancer, and actor. He is also the founder of the Théâtre de L'Antre Magique in Paris. You will be captivated by his narrative and his methods for creating original magic, visual arts, and musical performances.
Additionally, you will discover many explanations of personal magic tricks and other secret techniques.
Don't forget to keep the secret!
- Preface by Justin Higham
- CHAPTER I. CHILDHOOD - THE FAMILY
- CHAPTER II. THE BEGINNING
- CHAPTER III. THE PERFORMING ARTS
- CHAPTER IV. INTERNATIONAL ATTRACTION
- CHAPTER V. THE PIERROT LUNAIRE
- CHAPTER VI. THE CABARETS
- CHAPTER VII. THE GREAT GAMBINI
- CHAPTER VIII. L'ANTRE MAGIQUE THEATRE
- CHAPTER IX. KIDS SHOWS
- CHAPTER X. HOW TO CREATE A SHOW
- CHAPTER XI. WELCOME TO LONDON
- CHAPTER XII. THE MAGIC OF FEATHERS
- CHAPTER XIII. THE EXCELSIOR BALLS
- CHAPTER XIV. CARD TECHNIQUES
- Double Lift
- Charlier Cut
- False Illusion Cut
- Top Card to Bottom of the Deck
- Triple False Cut
- Elmsley Count
- Cut on Crimp Card on Table
- Charlier Crimp Cut
- Stop Force
- Card Palm
- False Shuffle on Table - Shank
- Boomerang Card
- Catching a Boomerang Card in the Deck
- Straight Ribbon on Table
- Curved Ribbon on Table
- Reverse Card Face Up in the Deck
- Reverse Card Face Down Under the Deck A & B
- Deck Switch by Lapping
- Deck Switch by Lapping and Cut on Table
- The Crimp Card
- CHAPTER XV. THE CARD SHARK
- PART ONE
- 1. Appearance of an Ace by Triple Cut
- 2. Appearance of an Ace Under the Deck
- 3. Appearance of an Ace Face Up in the Middle of the Deck
- 4. Appearance of an Extra Card
- 5. Appearance of a Card with an Elmsley
- PART TWO
- 6. Losing Aces by Charlier Cut
- PART THREE: Reappearance of the Aces with the Exact Number
- 7. Spelling the Ace of Spades
- 8. Appearance of the Ace of Hearts by Exact Cut to Eight Cards
- 9. Appearance of the Ace of Clubs by Exact Cut to Twelve Cards Cut
- 10. Appearance of the Ace of Diamonds Under the Deck
- PART FOUR
- 11. Transformation of Aces into a Royal Flush with Return of Aces
- PART FIVE
- 12. Losing Aces in the Deck in Order
- 13. Shuffle Upside Down
- 14. Subtle Replacement of Aces in the Deck
- PART SIX
- 15. Various Appearances of the Spades
- 16. The Grand Finale
- 17. Gambin's Change Bag
- CHAPTER XVI. MY CARD TECHNIQUES
- Four Ace Control
- Palm with the Little Finger
- Controlling a Card Below the Deck when it's Pushed In
- Internal Fan Palm
- Double, Triple and Quadruple Lifts
- CHAPTER XVII. MY CARD TRICKS
- Finale for Oil and Water
- Cheating Poker
- One Million Dollars, One Hand
- Feeling
- The Ace of Aces
- Mental Thought
- The Cheater's Cut
- Gambin's Stacking Aces
- Impossible Royal Flush Blindfolded
- Aces Expert and Royal Flush
- CHAPTER XVIII. A LITTLE OF EVERYTHING
- Awards
- Business Cards
- Show Creations
- Unexpected Advertising
- The Golden Contract
- My Videos on YouTube
- Acknowledgements
1st edition 2025, PDF 310 pages.
word count: 63956 which is equivalent to 255 standard pages of text