Encyclopedia of Card Tricks

edited by John J. Crimmins Jr.

Book
1936/37
Written by Glenn G. Gravatt*, Jean Hugard
Work of Various
403 pages (Hardcover), published by D. Robbins & Co., Inc.
Illustrated with drawings by Nelson Hahne
Language: English
733 entries
This publication has been reviewed by
Cover photograph
250 per page
Creators Title Comments & References Page AA Categories
Al Baker Twin Souls two spectators select cards via counting, performer writes down two predictions one by one
Also published here
 17
The Magic Breath trick succeeds on second count
Related to
 17
Charles T. Jordan Reversed Court Card four cards in a row, spectator turns one end for end, performer knows which one
Also published here
 18
Walter B. Gibson*, Charles T. Jordan The Sagacious Joker four spectators pocket a card each, the joker is tapped against pocket and performer knows the cards, four methods (first one Charles T. Jordan's)
  • No. 2
  • No. 3
  • No. 4
Related to
 19
Reverse Deal Force see No. 3
 		19
Dr. James William Elliott The Trio simple no-touch force for any number of cards
 		20
Cards of Chance
21
Classic Force crude and brief
 		21
Victor Farelli Push selection procedure that sets a key card
 		22
Shuffling Despite Key Card
22
Glenn G. Gravatt* Card Detectives spectator pockets two cards and performer divines them, basically a bold force
 		22
The "Easy" Card In Wallet card brought to arm pit from behind back
 		22
Prediction confusing cut to force two cards, possibly by Ralph W. Hull (see Trost reference)
Related to
Variations
 23
A Smart Location card is inserted and hit through deck, control with riffle shuffle
 		23
Ladson Butler The Whispering Queen deck is shuffled and dealt in four heaps, bottom cards divined
Related to
Variations
 24
Ladson Butler Memorizing Four Cards tips
 		24
Theodore Annemann* The Card Doctor
24
Charles T. Jordan Stampedo card identified with post stamp travels from packet into deck
Also published here
  • marketed 1920
 25
Charles T. Jordan Color Divination colors separated, spectator moves red card in black pile, card is predicted, repeated
Also published here
Variations
 26
Charles T. Jordan Throw-Switch Addition
Also published here
 26
Charles T. Jordan The Vanishing Pair two cards travel from one half into half in card case, miscalling
Also published here
Related to
 26
Charles T. Jordan The Unknown Leaper card at thought-of position transposes with unknown card
Variations
 27
Jean-Eugène Robert-Houdin, Arthur Leroy Self Control any card is removed and put in pocket where it sticks out, any card named, card from pocket is named card
Related to
 27
Arthur Leroy Breast Pocket Switch card is sticking out of pocket and switched as it is removed
Related to
 28
In His Pocket one of three cards thought of, performer puts all in pocket, removes two of them, right one remains
 		28
Showing Pocket Empty brief
 		28
Theodore Annemann* Find The Queen four Aces and a Queen sealed in five envelopes and mixed, performer locates Queen
Also published here
 28
Dai Vernon Super Card Prediction stabbing force with principle that used deck splits always at same point
Variations
 29
Al Baker The Finger Points muscle reading, thought of card
Also published here
 29
Dai Vernon The Five Card Mental Force
Also published here
Related to
Variations
 30
"Just Think" Mental Mystery any card thought of, spectator writes down indifferent cards and selection, psychological, pencil reading
 		31
Lu Brent Matching the Aces psychological force of one of the Aces
 		31
Walter B. Gibson* Surpasso selection is inserted in cased deck by spectator and divined, deck pressed together in case
 		32
New Card Discovery two key cards above and below selection, spectator overhand shuffles briefly
Related to
 32
Thought Card from Pocket one of five, deck is put in pocket and performer removes thought-of card
 		33
Naming Cards in the Dark cards are divined by touch with lights out
 		33
Theodore Annemann* The Magic Thrust
Also published here
Variations
 34
Lu Brent U Find Your Card
Also published here
Related to
Variations
 34
Joe Berg, The Card and Crystal Ball spectator divines selection in crystal ball, with variation by Joe Berg
Related to
 35
Charles T. Jordan, Arthur Finley* The Secret Mathematician from any named card the performer removes a card with same suit and cards that add up to the value from pocketed deck, binary, spelled "Findley"
Also published here
Related to
Variations
 35
Howard Albright The Secret Mathematician - Variation
Inspired by
 36
Tommy Tucker The Card Miracle - Certain: 1. Tucker's Version spectator cuts anywhere and remembers bottom card, estimation, card is on top or in pocket in this handling
Related to
 37
Percy Abbott 2. Abbott's version. "The Certain Card Trick." spectator cuts anywhere and remembers bottom card, estimation, dealing out in packets and asking in which one it is
Also published here
  • marketed 1934
Related to
Variations
 37
T. Nelson Downs 3. The Nelson Downs Original. spectator cuts anywhere and remembers bottom card, estimation, card is on top or in pocket in this handling
Related to
 38
William Larsen Cut in Detection estimated floating key card
 		39
Milton Sleight of Foot deck is kicked with foot and splits at selection, salt
Variations
 39
Jean Hugard System for Arranging Cards for Any Spelling Combination explained with the effect in which every value in a suit is spelled out
 		41
Jean Hugard Spelling Trick spelling trick with thirteen cards of a suit and story
 		41
Charles T. Jordan Trailing the Dovetail Shuffle to its Lair distributing stacked suit with two riffle shuffles
 		42
Lawrence "Larry" Grey Spelling a Card simple, "Lawrence Gray"
Also published here
Variations
 43
Lawrence "Larry" Grey Duplex Comedy Speller indifferent card is spelt, spectator spells his card but succeeds only in second try, "Lawrence Gray"
 		43
Victor Farelli Farelli's Impromptu Speller (Gray's Speller - Single Card) simple
 		44
Knock Out Speller simple
 		44
A Single Speller four piles of thirteen to place card
 		45
Ben Erens Superlative Speller estimation to follow position, maneuvering selection to approximately twelve
Variations
 45
You Selected the - estimation
 		46
Arthur H. Buckley Spell It spelling every card with eleven letters except for four exceptions, card is placed at position eleven by simply picking up a break while spreading for selection
Also published here
 46
Impromptu Speller system for spelling every card with thirteen letters
 		46
Charles T. Jordan Wizard Spelling Master two banks that spell with nine resp. twelve card each
Also published here
 47
Top Bottom Cull as cards are counted from hand to hand one section is placed on top, one on bottom
 		47
Charles T. Jordan Spectator's Red Black Shuffle spectator deals divided deck in two heaps and riffle shuffles them
 		47
Peculiarities of the Pasteboards three selections, one spelt to, one appears on top, one reversed
 		48
Double Lift Reverse top of page
 		49
Jean Hugard The New Spell card is spelled out and appears reversed at correct position
 		49
Jean Hugard Oops Control Variation reversed key card that is accidentally discovered
 		49
Jean Hugard Leg Reverse
49
Mihlon Clayton The Automatic Speller three piles are formed and reassembled to place selection at twelve
Also published here
 49
U. F. Grant Spellino spectator's name is spelt
Related to
 50
U. F. Grant Spellino Climax performer names a card and spells it, repeated
 		51
Howard Albright Howard's Simplex Speller
Related to
 51
Control with Bridged Deck bottom of page
 		51
Push-Back Count cards are counted from top of pack, first one is stolen back
 		52
U Spell Your Card
52
An Easy Speller
52
Thought Spelling progressive set-up, three spectators
 		53
Quadruple Spelling progressive set-up, four spectators
 		54
Theodore Annemann* Another Thought Spelling progressive set-up
 		54
James Kater Thompson Improved Spelling Trick progressive set-up
 		55
Think It - Spell It progressive set-up with eight cards
 		55
Charles T. Jordan Improved Chevalier deck shuffled twice, named suit removed, all values spelt out
Also published here
Related to
 56
Charles T. Jordan Spelling Any Card Called For full deck stack
Also published here
Variations
 56
The Shuffled Spelling Bee deck shuffled twice, named suit removed, all values spelt out
 		57
The Double Speller two selections, out of hand selection procedure
 		58
Tom Sellers The Whispering Speller cards in small packet are spelt apparently at random
 		59
Ralph W. Hull The Joker Spelling Routine thirteen card packet, values are spelt out one by one, but when spectator tries it, he always gets the joker
Also published here
 59
Variation of Joker Spelling thirteen card packet, values are spelt out one by one, but when spectator tries it, he always gets the joker
 		59
Tom Sellers The Joker Speller ten card packet, values are spelt out one by one, but when spectator tries it, he always gets the joker
Variations
 60
Sure Winner Spelling Bee eleven cards (Ace through Jack) order themselves like the magician wants, doesn't work for spectator
 		60
Frank Squires, Lloyd E. Jones Frank Squires' Speller answers to questions about selection are spelt out, selection shows up
Also published here
Variations
 61
Jack Gwynne Gwynne's Speller every value is spelled out from full deck, stack
Related to
Variations
 61
Theodore Annemann* Spell It Yourself two decks, progressive set-up, out of hand selection procedure
 		62
Tom Sellers Seller's Speller Idea any named card is spelled out with deck in pocket, pocket index
 		63
Charles T. Jordan Incomprehendo Speller set-up and one-way deck
Also published here
Variations
 63
Perfect Spelling Trick deck with four duplicate sets of thirteen different cards
 		64
Card Spelling Deluxe very fair, deck with four duplicate sets of twelve different cards
 		64
Lorne de Blois Lazybones card reverses itself and is then spelled out to find second selection, short card, see "Fan Letter" for credit information
Related to
 65
Theodore Annemann* Think of a Card one of eighteen, card spelled out, short card
 		65
Double Lift Reverse
65
J. C. Cannel The Spelling Bee three spectators choose four cards each and choose of one of them, short card
 		66
A Peculiar Coincidence key card
 		67
You Do As I Do key card
 		68
Identical Thought key card
 		68
Two Souls with a Single Thought key card
 		68
Follow Me
68
Victor Farelli A Close Work Discovery key card
 		69
A Follow Up Effect key card
 		69
Donald Holmes Coincidence card added from top of glass
Related to
 70
Donald Holmes Card on Glass card on top of glass is invisible for audience when they look on edge
Also published here
 70
Loyd's Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde two cards are exchanged from two packs
 		70
A Variation of the Above two cards are exchanged from two packs
 		71
Another Do As I Do
71
Do As I Do In The Dark to be done with lights out
Also published here
 72
Sam H. Sharpe Domination of Thought key card, originally from Conjured Up
Variations
 72
A Strange Coincidence each one reverses two cards - the same, one deck is stacked
 		73
Coincidence Again card with mirror foil on the corner to glimpse spectator's selection
 		74
Charles T. Jordan Sympathetic Sympathy two cards put in envelope from different decks match, can be repeated
Also published here
Related to
Variations
 74
Synthetic Sympathy two selections from different decks match
 		75
Slip Transfer transferring a card from deck to deck
 		75
Showing Two Cards as One crude
 		76
Backs Up forcing a picture card by placing all other picture cards to bottom ("take the first picture card" after riffle shuffle)
 		76
Mental Coincidence two cards from two deck put in pockets match, one switched in pocket
 		77
Coincidence two decks, one in spectator's pocket one in performers, two selections, repeated (spectator plunges in pocket and takes out first card he can get), one marked, card index in pocket
 		78
Donald Holmes Another Marvelous Coincidence two selections from two packs match, uncredited
Also published here
Related to
 78
Donald Holmes Card on Glass card on top of glass is invisible for audience when they look on edge
Also published here
 78
Missing Corner Second Deal whole corner is missing
Also published here
 79
A Card Sympathy one stacked
 		79
Dr. Jacob Daley Paradox of Pairs
Also published here
Related to
Variations
 80
Jean Hugard Follow Me with two spectators, originally from Jinx
 		81
Theodore Annemann* A Couple of Cards Get Together two selections come together on top despite the spectator's overhand shuffle, pencil dot card
Related to
 82
Glenn G. Gravatt* Mental Vision four cards chosen and divined, pencil dot card
 		82
Card Control with Pencil Dot Card one or multiple cards
 		82
Phenominal Thought Cards selection is found by sense of touch blindfolded, punch marked key card
 		83
Arthur H. Buckley Indetecto divining chosen number and card, impromptu punched card with finger nail
Also published here
 83
Detected by Fingerprints behind the back key placement
Related to
 84
The Three Heaps three key cards
 		84
Charles T. Jordan, Walter B. Gibson* Double Prediction two cards are counted to after reverse faro procedure, positions predicted, actually Walter Gibson's (see article "Reverse Faro Shuffle" on ConjuringCredits)
Also published here
  • "The Double Prediction" (Walter B. Gibson, Sixteen Master Card Mysteries, 1928)
Related to
Variations
 85
Reverse Faro
85
Charles T. Jordan Impenetrable Stop Trick performer tells spectator to stop when before he deals selection
Also published here
Related to
Variations
 85
Nail Bump Card
85
Charles T. Jordan Mephisto's Prediction position of selection is predicted
Also published here
 86
Charles T. Jordan The Sequel position of two selections is predicted
Also published here
 86
A Count Down Mystery with out-of-hand key card placement
 		87
The Card and Number
88
Tone Control key card location
 		88
L. Widdop The Mystic Seven key card location
 		88
Tilt Glimpse as deck is handed to spectator with thumb below, fingers above
 		88
Master Mental Mystery key card location, nail marked card
 		89
Charles T. Jordan Infallible Detection key card location, uncredited
Also published here
Variations
 89
Charles T. Jordan Spectator Riffle Shuffles and key remains on top or near top
Also published here
 89
William Larsen Face Down Detection cards dealt in piles, a card remembered, all without the performer looking, he then deals through deck and stops before selection, two key cards
Also published here
 90
Devilish Cards three selections, three key cards
 		90
Comedy Twin Card Prediction
91
Double Counting Force
91
Sam H. Sharpe The Nervous Card card jumps from one packet into another next to selection
Also published here
 91
Charles T. Jordan The Nifty Key
Also published here
Variations
 91
Up Your Sleeve spectator cuts off a packet, performer finds out how many
 		92
Sleeve Addition key cards are added behind the back from sleeve
 		92
The Quartette four cards chosen and spelled out
 		92
Multiple Card Control simple
 		92
William Larsen Think of a Card one of about five, no outs given
 		93
Charles T. Jordan Demon's Detection two key cards, out of hand selection procedure with dealing
Also published here
Variations
 94
Jean Hugard "Slick" Principle history and basic handling
 		95
The Half Moon Location slick card as distant key card
 		96
Location Plus slick key card, spectator overhand shuffles
 		97
Everybody's Card several spectators all select the same card, slick card
 		97
, Alexander Herrmann Stage Location three selections found in spectator's pockets, one by spectator himself, variation of Alexander Herrmann's "The Egyptian Pocket"
 		97
Slick Card Control for multiple cards
 		98
The Master Card Speller using a slick card
 		98
Counting by Eye cutting off certain number of cards, slick locator
 		99
Odd or Even cutting off odd or even number of cards at will, slick card
 		99
The Mystic Cut
99
Frank Lane A Slick Card Routine combo in which spectator finds selection, card is predicted, poker game is dealt, slick card and set-up
 		100
Frank Lane Count-Down see no. 9, stranger card
 		102
Jean Hugard Diachylon history and basic information, more sticky than rough-smooth
 		104
Professor Hoffmann The Flying Card card from deck to case, sticky card
 		105
The Missing Card card travels from pack to another pack to named number, sticky card
 		105
Dr. A. L. Smith Mesmerized Cards cards cling to hand, sticky card
 		106
Diachylon Force sticky card and tray
 		106
The Queen Turns Over double backer and sticky card
 		106
Diachylon Book Test. Forcing A Number
107
Another Diachylon Force like sticky svengali
 		107
Glenn G. Gravatt* Twin Aces sticky card
 		108
Turno sticky card
 		108
Melrose card vanishes and reappears with "think stop" procedure, sticky substance on finger
 		108
Two Viewpoints challenge location with sticky substance on finger, cards stabbed on table
 		109
Diachylon Stop Trick
109
Charles T. Jordan Fate and the Joker card selected by stabbing joker, card named, stacked deck
Also published here
 109
Reversed Color Surprise card reverses and changes back color, sticky card
 		110
Diachylon Super Color Change card found with think stop procedure, back changes, sticky card
Variations
 110
Flyaway Cards card vanishes and reappears, sticky card
 		111
Ace Transposition odd-backed in packets, sticky cards
 		111
Orville Wayne Meyer Remote Control Improved odd-backed unknown card signed on back is chosen from face
Also published here
Inspired by
  • "Remote Control" (The Sphinx, July 1929, Max Holden's column, description without method)
Related to
Variations
 112
Card in Pocket selection located in pocket by touch, sticky card
 		113
The Diachylon Do As I Do
113
Glenn G. Gravatt* A Real Magical Vanish odd-backed card from deck into spectator's pocket (where other cards are), two-color double backer, sticky card
 		114
The Acme Spirit Test living dead test with cards, one has sticky edges
 		114
Number Please any number, sticky card
 		115
The Sympathetic Pair - No. 1 two named cards end up next to each other, sticky card
 		115
The Sympathetic Pair - No. 2 two selected cards end up next to each other, sticky cards, duplicates
 		116
The Sympathetic Pair - No. 3 two selected cards end up next to each other, sticky substance on finger
 		116
Jean Hugard Double Back Principles in Card Magic some credit information
 		117
Alice in Wonderland card turns over and is spelled to, double backer
 		117
Slip Cut in the hands
 		117
Frank Lane Double Backed Card Routine back of selection changes, ambitious card phase, count-down phase, card reverses, double index gaff and double backer
 		118
Double Index Card
118
Block Turnover in ambitous card routine
 		118
Transposition Extraordinary between two odd-backed decks, red-blue double backer
 		119
Theodore Annemann* Insto-Transpo spectator's and performer's pocket, double backer
Related to
Variations
 120
Theodore Annemann* Remote Control odd-backed unknown card signed on back is chosen from face, red-blue sticky double backer
Also published here
  • "Remote Control" (The Sphinx, July 1929, Max Holden's column, description without method)
Related to
Variations
 121
Theodore Annemann* Initialled Card Telepathy signed card at chosen number or stop trick, double backer
 		121
Turnover double backer
 		122
Repeating Card Turnover twenty-six double backers
 		123
William Larsen A Reverse Location cards next to selection turn over, double backer(s)
Also published here
Variations
 123
Double Backed Card Force odd-backed card stabbed into deck next to force card, red-blue double backer
 		123
Reversi three selections turn over, 51 double backers
 		124
Dai Vernon Chameleon Backs two odd-backed cards, back color transposes, red-blue double backer
 		125
Two Card Monte Move
125
Satan Behind You double backer
 		125
Belt Holdout
126
The Double Card Prediction double backer
Related to
 126
Comedy Relief gag for people that know the air pressure turnover, double backer
 		126
U. F. Grant Giant Acrobatic Cards some jumbo cards are dealt face up face down alternating, they turn over again while a second packet is now mixed alternately, double backers
Also published here
  • "Stage Magic" (Burling Hull, 1932)
Variations
  • "Believe it or Not" (Nick Trost, Linking Ring, Feb. 1955, Vol. 34 No. 12, p. 63)
 127
Single Card Force thick card
 		127
Henry Christ The Perfect Force double backer, 203rd force
Variations
 128
Doubleback Card Force for two cards, double backer
 		128
Easy Coin Switch using double backed card
 		128
Jess Kelly The Sympathetic Card blue backed card changes to red when rubbed on red deck, red-blue double backer
 		129
Jean Hugard Double Faced Cards history and basic information
 		130
U. F. Grant Hat and Card Change card is in hat, other card vanishes, card in hat is that card, original card in hat is in deck, double facer
 		130
U. F. Grant The Funny Deck card travels back from pocket, leaving behind a blank card, double facer
 		130
U. F. Grant U Can't Do As I Do double facer
 		131
U. F. Grant The Spotter Cards card reverses itself and indicates position of selection, double facer
 		131
Sundry wrong card rises and transforms into right one, double facer
 		131
The Four Aces three double facers
 		132
Kings and Aces four double facers, backfire
Related to
 133
Deck Turnover Switch turnover at side of body
 		133
David Devant The Triangle Trick twenty-six double facers
Also published here
 133
William Larsen Double Reverse double facer
Also published here
 134
U. F. Grant New Card Monte spectator think of one of two cards, double facer
Related to
 135
U. F. Grant A Book Test forcing word with cards, double-facer
Also published here
 135
U. F. Grant A Changing Card wrong card turns over and changes into right one in sandwich, double facer
 		136
Hindu Shuffle Force
136
Theodore Annemann* The Improved Burned Card selection turns over, is burned and reappears in deck, double facer
 		136
U. F. Grant A Spirit Message writing appears on card, double facer
 		137
U. F. Grant A Transposition with sucker element
Variations
 137
Card in Glass Transformation half turn of glass
 		137
Jean Hugard One-way Back Design general comments
 		138
Theodore Annemann* Subtle Method of Setting the Deck Openly for one-way backs in course of a location
Related to
 139
Divination Supreme out-of hand selection, one-way back
Related to
Variations
 139
The Phantom Stab one-way backs
 		140
250 per page
Data entered by Denis Behr, February 2010.