Monthly Update #5 (May 2023)
Monthly Update #5 (May 2023)
Upcoming articles, effective elevators and some magic book recommendations.
Hello there again! Welcome to the May monthly update for Marty’s Magic Ruseletter. You’ve probably noticed that there’s been a whirlwind of activity at Ruseletter HQ recently, with the release of three monthly updates in as many days. Even though I haven’t finished this month’s regular columns yet, I’ve decided to go ahead and release this update as planned. Please accept my apologies for the delay, but fear not! I have exciting plans to make it up to you.
In June, I’m doubling the magic! Yes, you heard that right. So, prepare yourself for an extraordinary treat, as I’ll be publishing twice as many articles to get things back on track. So, they’ll be plenty of new content for you to enjoy over the next few weeks.
Here’s what to expect:
Legends of Legerdemain: Count Caligstro and Comus
Understanding the Impossible: Misdirection Demystified, Parts 2 and 3
Corrupting the Classics: Chicago Opener and Twisting the Aces*
Obscure Origins: Elevator Cards Plot and The Twirl Change
Hocus Focus: SPREAD Sequence and False Count Practice Drill
Tricks, Tricks and More Tricks: Elevated Elevators and Let’s Makes Sandwiches!*
Hidden Gems: Elevator Cards by Bill Simon and Harlequin by Eric Jones
Deeper Magic: Basic Magical Effects, Parts 2 and 3
Packet Trick Paradise: Petit Pinetti and Three-Card Stunner*
Vernonesque: Tongue Twister and Three Times Daley*
Fully Stacked: Simple Tricks with the Si Stebbins Stack and Lucky For Some
Easy Does It: Refined Robbers and Aussie Dating Service*
* These articles will contain links to trick tutorials on my blog.
I’m not going to explain the details of all these items, but hopefully, the names will give some of you a sense of what to expect. I’ll be sharing a total of fifteen original card tricks from my notebooks (see items marked with an asterisk).
Effective Elevators
This month, I’ve been spending most of my free time exploring the Marlo/Simon Elevator Cards Plot and other related tricks, such as The Four Burglars, which, incidentally, dates back to at least 1591! For this reason, you’ll find four articles on “effective elevators” in this month’s offering (see the above list).
In Tricks, Tricks and More Tricks, I’ll be sharing my handling of “Penetration”, the Marlo effect that started it all. I’ll also be tipping two modifications of “Hellraiser 1-2-3” by Peter Duffie (Perplexities, 2016). This is Peter’s updated handling of his popular packet trick, “Hellraiser II”, from his 1997 book Effortless Card Magic, now available as an ebook, which is unusual for a book originally printed by Kaufman & Company. (In my humble opinion, this is one of the best books on card magic, and Peter is one of the most creative card magicians on the planet.)
In Obscure Origins, I’ll be digging into the history of the Multiple Ambitious Card Plot. And in Hidden Gems, I’ll be highlighting “Elevator Cards” by Bill Simon from Effective Card Magic. Bill was the first person to attach the elevator presentation to Marlo’s trick (this is why I think he deserves co-credit for the plot).
Another book that was particularly useful when researching the Elevator Cards Plot was Elevation Ovations by Jon Racherbaumer. It includes most of the significant variations of the plot that have been published, including a favourite trick of mine by the Magician’s Magician Daryl: “Rising Crime”. The book is just under $20 (about £16) and is well worth the modest investment if you’re interested in this plot. However, I wouldn’t recommend it to complete beginners because it doesn’t describe all the moves needed to perform the various tricks in it. The only downside of the publication is that it references illustrations that don’t exist, something that seems to happen a lot in Jon’s more recent ebooks. This is a shame because, otherwise, his ebooks provide excellent value for money.
You can also buy Effective Card Magic by Bill Simon for $6 from Lybrary.com! This is an absolute steal for a book crammed full of brilliant card magic. This text should be in the library of every discerning card conjurer!
Finally, I’ll be sharing some refinements for The Four Burglars, a classic card trick that magicians often overlook because the basic method is well-known by the lay public. Even so, it can be a very entertaining piece of card magic (if you approach it correctly).
Why So Much Monthly Content?
You might wonder why I’m insistent on publishing so much monthly content. If you’ve been keeping up with my previous monthly updates, you’ll know I’ve been heavily inspired by Austin Leon’s bestselling book, Show Your Work. I’m fully embracing the “show your work” approach to creativity. Principle #10, aptly named “Stick Around,” has struck a chord with me. It emphasises the importance of perseverance and encourages you to keep pushing forward even when faced with challenges. Hence, my commitment remains unwavering: I aim to publish twelve new articles monthly. While I acknowledge that delivering this much monthly content is unnecessary, the challenge motivates me to delve deeper into the deceptive arts and explore the many aspects of magic that continue to fascinate me.
Without a reason to pursue my interest in magic, I fear that it could gradually lose its importance in my life, just as it has in the past, and my passion for it might fade. I don’t want this to happen because I find boundless joy in unearthing, practising and performing new magic tricks, refining sleight-of-hand techniques, and exploring the depths of performance and stagecraft theory. Writing articles for the Ruseletter provides me with a structured outlet to pursue these passions and share my discoveries with like-minded individuals.
Yours Magically,
Marty
P.S. If you decide to use any of the links or buttons in this update to buy Effective Card Magic, Effortless Card Magic or Elevation Ovations from Lybrary.com, I will receive a small amount of affiliate commission. I only receive commission payments on books that I’ve bought myself from Lybrary.com. This is a small way you can support the Ruseletter and also get some new card magic to learn. I thought I’d better mention this for the sake of transparency. Obviously, you don’t have to buy anything, but if you want to explore the Elevator Cards Plot, or the clever card magic of Peter Duffie and Bill Simon, then I’d thoroughly recommend you buy these three books.