Hooker Rising Cards Explained in the May Genii

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Richard Kaufman
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Hooker Rising Cards Explained in the May Genii

Postby Richard Kaufman » April 1st, 2008, 12:03 pm

I think we've set this up pretty nicely. First the cover story in April, and now our May cover story will explain all the details of the Hooker Card Rise, with photos of all the apparatus and hidden mechanics. We're printing an extra 10,000 copies to meet the demand.
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Re: Hooker Rising Cards Explained in the May Genii

Postby David Prouty » April 1st, 2008, 12:20 pm

Hahahaha!!! You got me !! (almost)

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Re: Hooker Rising Cards Explained in the May Genii

Postby Pete Biro » April 1st, 2008, 12:23 pm

Not a gag... I took the photos at John Gaughan's shop.
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Re: Hooker Rising Cards Explained in the May Genii

Postby Darryl Harris » April 1st, 2008, 12:35 pm

Hmmm! What's today's date?
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Re: Hooker Rising Cards Explained in the May Genii

Postby Bill McFadden » April 1st, 2008, 12:52 pm

Hey Peat, is your refrigerator running?

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Re: Hooker Rising Cards Explained in the May Genii

Postby Richard Kaufman » April 1st, 2008, 1:03 pm

Pete did take the photos, but he's not supposed to be telling anyone!
Pete, be quiet!
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Re: Hooker Rising Cards Explained in the May Genii

Postby Joe Naud » April 1st, 2008, 1:11 pm

I got suckered in you dog!! LOL Richard, why did you not tell us that the DVD was going to be inserted in this issue as well. Can't wait!!!!!!!!!

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Re: Hooker Rising Cards Explained in the May Genii

Postby Richard Kaufman » April 1st, 2008, 1:19 pm

Oh, I did forget to mention the DVD ... thanks for reminding me.
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Re: Hooker Rising Cards Explained in the May Genii

Postby Bill Mullins » April 1st, 2008, 2:48 pm

All of the discussion in this thread is causing me to break some news I wasn't quite ready to release. Perhaps I should wait, but here goes. Recently, I've been doing research on Hooker's Rising Cards (ever since it was announced that the performance would be featured at the History Conference), and have found some very interesting information on the history and mechanics of the trick. I had hoped to announce after I had finished writing it up, but by posting now, I'll be able to guage interest.

Look's like I've found some information that eluded Jim Steinmeyer and John Gaughan. From family members of Hooker, and from digging through archives, I've put together a pretty good idea of how much of the how much of the trick was performed.

One source is William Hooker's granddaughter. On page 70 of the Genii article, it states that William Hooker becamed estranged from his father in 1932. Later, he moved to the Atlanta area and started a family. His second son's daughter has a number of letters, papers, photos, etc from her grandfather, including a diary that he kept when he was in his early 20's (during the period when Hooker first presented the trick). I've also found indications in the Chattanooga _Times_ that he performed some stage magic (but no evidence that he recreated the Rising Cards).

The second source is Dr. Samuel Cox Hooker's professional library. He had a full and active career as a chemist, apart from his magic interests. His magic library went to the New York Public Library upon his death. His professional papers went elsewhere. I found a folder that was apparently neglected when Hooker's family disposed of his effects, including handwritten notes and drawings of the houlette used in the rising cards, and details of the table upon which it sat (including invoices for the wood and hardware used in its construction!)

I've been able to put a fair explanation together of most effects in the Rising Cards peformance. Where my information is solid, I say so. Where I'm speculating, I explain why I've come to the conclusions I've reached. I have _no_ information on Miltiades III, but it's pretty obvious that some of the levitations are similar -- at least I can see no reason that the methods wouldn't work for a small stuffed bear head.

It had been my intention to write this up and publish it in a limited, numbered, fine press edition. I've completed the manuscript and am currently researching printers. The cost will not be cheap. The more limited, the higher it will be since a number of "one-time" costs will have to be amortized over the entire print run. Perhaps 25 to 50 copies total.

The recent discussion of the "mystique" of not knowing is making reconsider much of what I've planned to do. However, I've sunk a great deal of time and energy into the project so far, and have the blessing of this branch of the family (like many laypeople, they had no idea how important their great-grandfather was in our little part of the world, and are proud of any recognition he may get).

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Re: Hooker Rising Cards Explained in the May Genii

Postby Jonathan Townsend » April 1st, 2008, 3:23 pm

Bill - maybe like the limited edition K**s book which came with special glasses back in 1980?
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Re: Hooker Rising Cards Explained in the May Genii

Postby Joe Naud » April 1st, 2008, 4:31 pm

Given the amount of work you have done I am curious as to why you are considering such a limited printing?
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Re: Hooker Rising Cards Explained in the May Genii

Postby Bill Mullins » April 1st, 2008, 5:13 pm

Joe Naud wrote:Given the amount of work you have done I am curious as to why you are considering such a limited printing?
Peace, Joe


It's a struggle to balance the competing goals of documenting some historical research, the subject of which would otherwise be lost, and the greater good of not telling everybody in the world about one of the true remaining secrets of magic.

I've been involved in magic for a little over ten years. It's incredible how much attitudes have changed about the value of secrets, and how and why they are a good thing. I don't want to be a part of a bad trend. Maybe Harbin had it right -- non-disclosure agreements with every copy sold.

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Re: Hooker Rising Cards Explained in the May Genii

Postby Robert Toomer » April 1st, 2008, 5:57 pm

This is for real! I just finished posting about no dvd and now you telling the seceret and a dvd. What's going on. Your just joking, right!
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Re: Hooker Rising Cards Explained in the May Genii

Postby Richard Perrin » April 3rd, 2008, 4:10 am

Just ordered one. Thanks y'all!
I enjoy read the other thread on "starbuck" cup on the top of car while driving. I use it for 3rd time in 3 years. Love the respond from people!

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Re: Hooker Rising Cards Explained in the May Genii

Postby Pete Biro » April 7th, 2008, 7:46 pm

At dinner last night with John Gaughan he told me that the performances he did were ONLY PART OF THE HOOKER MTERIAL, that he could have done ANOTHER HALF HOUR of amazing stuff, but didn't feel it was necessary.
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Re: Hooker Rising Cards Explained in the May Genii

Postby Leonard Hevia » April 9th, 2008, 6:06 pm

Hi Bill--your possible upcoming pamphlet on the Hooker Rising Cards sounds tantalizing. The hunger for magical secrets has been around for ages. In David Ben's excellent biography of Vernon, we see how T. Nelson Downs was a rapacious devourer of secrets.

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Re: Hooker Rising Cards Explained in the May Genii

Postby Richard Kaufman » April 9th, 2008, 9:10 pm

It's just amazing how an April Fool's hoax can take on a life of its own. :)
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Re: Hooker Rising Cards Explained in the May Genii

Postby hopbell » December 12th, 2012, 9:58 pm

And here it is 4 and a half years later and you fooled me!! Thanks for the laugh it was a good smile.

--Philip

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Re: Hooker Rising Cards Explained in the May Genii

Postby Bill Mullins » December 12th, 2012, 10:36 pm

Philip -- check the first letter of each sentence in my post of 4/1/2008.

Don't feel bad about getting fooled -- you weren't the only one.

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Re: Hooker Rising Cards Explained in the May Genii

Postby Leonard Hevia » December 12th, 2012, 10:51 pm

Richard Kaufman wrote:I think we've set this up pretty nicely. First the cover story in April, and now our May cover story will explain all the details of the Hooker Card Rise, with photos of all the apparatus and hidden mechanics. We're printing an extra 10,000 copies to meet the demand.



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Richard Kaufman
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Re: Hooker Rising Cards Explained in the May Genii

Postby Richard Kaufman » December 12th, 2012, 11:00 pm

They're on ION right now! Live from Madison Square Garden!
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Re: Hooker Rising Cards Explained in the May Genii

Postby F.Amílcar » December 13th, 2012, 5:36 am

Good news Richard.

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Re: Hooker Rising Cards Explained in the May Genii

Postby Jonathan Townsend » December 13th, 2012, 8:53 am

Richard Kaufman wrote:It's just amazing how an April Fool's hoax can take on a life of its own. :)


Also surprised there have not been parodies in print/performance.


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