(1881 - 9th September 1955)
Rufus was his nickname. His real first names were William Francis. He was born in Janesville, Wisconsin. By his own dubious accounts, a pro gambler, soldier (WW I), engineer, journalist, hotel clerk. Inspired and learned magic c1900 by private demo from Dr J.W. Elliott. Amateur magician. Voted into the New York "Inner Circle" by 1940. Died in Chicago.
Booklet stapled in very good condition. For the content see the digital edition.
This is a collection of self-working and very easy card effects. Rufus Steele has released several other publications along this line. Check them out.
Excerpt from the foreword:
Tricks with a pack of cards afford one of the easiest and most interesting forms of entertainment in existence. They are amazing and mysterious to those who witness them, yet they are within the ability of everyone.
The idea that long practice and exceptional skill are necessary in the performance of card tricks is erroneous. Some of the cleverest and most bewildering tricks are made possible by the use of...
This is another fantastic compilation of card tricks that require no sleight-of-hand. Rufus Steele writes "The simplicity of a card trick adds much to its mystery!" - I couldn't agree more. In total there are 51 tricks explained.
This ebook is a compilation of three booklets Rufus Steele released:
You will encounter contributions from people like Bert Allerton, Arthur Buckley, Paul Rosini, Ed Marlo, Dai Vernon, Dorny, Harry Blackstone and many more.
This ebook is a compilation of self-working card tricks with contributions by legends like Paul Rosini, Eddie Joseph, Edward Marlo, Martin Gardner, Ken Krenzel, Al Baker, Carmen Da Mico, H. Adrian Smith, Sid Lorraine, John Scarne, Dai Vernon, Audley Walsh and of course Rufus Steele.
This is certainly not 'the last word on cards'. There never will be a last word on cards. But it is a delightful collection of self-working card effects. Some of the brightest minds contributed: Ed Marlo, Eddie Joseph, Al Leech, Bill Simon, Eddie Fields, Oscar Weigle, Audley Walsh and of course Rufus Steele himself.
You will find the original "Sam and Moe" card story on which Bill Malone's "Sam the Bellhop" is based. I also found a very interesting magic card square routine that I was not aware of.
For anyone who likes clever card tricks which...
After Rosini's death, Frederick Braue wrote in the February, 1949 issue of Hugard's Magic Monthly, "What a book Rosini could have written - and now his knowledge of audiences is lost. Others, take note." Unfortunately, Rosini never did get the chance to write a book detailing his own methods. He planned on writing one, but his dream was never realized during his lifetime.
In 1947 Paul approached his longtime friend and fellow magician Rufus Steele to aid him in writing a book of his tricks. Steele was a mysterious character whose background was questionable to say the least. An electrical engineer by trade, Rufus was also a gambler and...