Peter Duffie

(April 15, 1957 - )

Peter first became fascinated by magic at the age of eight after his uncle showed him some magic tricks using cards, coins, matches and chalk. But it was the cards that held his deepest interest, and so began a learning process that continues to the present day.

Peter’s chief mentor was, and still is, Roy Walton. Others whom he met and had a profound influence on his path include, Gordon Bruce, Andy Galloway, Tommy Frederick, Fred Robinson, Dave Campbell, Eric Mason, Ken Brooke, Peter Kane, Alex Elmsley, Pat Page, Phil Goldstein, Gene Maze, Richard Kaufman and Dai Vernon.

A past winner of the Scottish Conjuror’s Association Close-up competition and the British Ring Zina Bennett Cup, Peter considers competitions "good fun but meaningless."

His early association with Jerry Sadowitz led to a series of books, beginning with 17916 Alternative Card Magic (1982). It started with two young men - a manuscript - and no publisher. Peter is grateful that Martin Breese saw in the material what others didn't, and took the chance. All five Duffie/Sadowitz books have recently been reprinted by Martin Breese in a single collection titled Cardzones - a handsome cloth-bound tome. While the material dates back to the 1980's, Peter is proud of this collection.

The 1990's saw a new direction with the release of Imagine, a self-produced manuscript of near-self-working card tricks. This was followed by Obsession, Ulterior Motifs, and so it went on, and indeed, Peter continues to release new booklets to this day.

In the mid-90's, a chance encounter with Richard Kaufman at a Blackpool convention led to a publishing contract being signed. Duffie's Card Compulsions was published in 1995 by Kaufman and Greenberg. This was followed by Five Time Five (Scotland) and Effortless Card Magic.

Peter is currently in partnership with the clever Californian magician Robin Robertson. Together they have created over 200 new effects and recently released Card Conspiracy Vols. 1 and 2. A third book is planned.

Coauthors: Robin Robertson, Jerry Sadowitz, Cameron Francis, Aldo Colombini

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