Card on Back

[Joe Finkler]

I am wondering if one you Genii subscribers can help me. Months (maybe even a year) ago there was an old trick published in the Genii Magazine in which the spectator's selected card apparently appeared on the back of the magician's suit jacket. Unfortunately, I did not save my copy of that issue and I'd like to re-order it, so that I can learn this routine.

Joe Finkler
Vancouver, BC
CANADA

[Ian Kendall]

It was in one of Ammar's lecture notes, I think 1998. You should be able to pick up a copy from his site.

On reflection, that was a dollar bill. Same prinicple, though.

Take care, Ian

[AnthonyBrahams]

Card on Back is in Close-Up Elegance by Davide Costi. I produced and published (as The Cairn Press) this book in 2004. Some dealers, and me, have some copies. The effect is very thoroughly written up. Davide refers to it as "not new, even though seldom seen."

[Richard Kaufman]

This is the original version and was worked out by Peter Pit.

[Joe Pecore]

"The Card on the Back" by Peter Pit and Persi Diaconis was in the November 2007 Volume 70 Number 11 issue: http://geniimagazine.com/back_issues/2007/11/index.html

[erdnasephile]

The dollar bill on back belongs to Rory Johnston (according to the article cited above).

[Richard Kaufman]

I think you mean Roy Johnson.
Rory Johnston is a cruise ship magician who also writes for MAGIC.

[erdnasephile]

Hi, Richard:

When I read your comment, I was puzzled. I could have sworn I read Rory's name in the Pit article.

When I pulled out my November 2007 Genii, sure enough, no mention of Rory.

I went back to the original write up of the trick (July 1981 Genii, page 442) and to my surprise found the following: It turns out there was some editing of the November 2007 version of the article.

In the original write up, Mr. Pit wrote: "Personally I think the purse makes no sense and the only different version of the card effect I like is the dollar bill which is pinned to Rory Johnston's back because I helped Rory with the effect and he does it well." [emphasis mine]

Contrary to what I posted, this doesn't prove that Rory Johnston originated the effect, but it does appear that he was/is associated with it according to the original article.

[Gary Plants]

Peter Pit performed this (card on back) on the Magic Palace TV show back in the late 70's or early 80's.

Gary Plants

[Brad Henderson]

Michael Ammar and I published a version of this effect (with bill) on one of the Easy to Master Money Miracles videos. This would have been around 1994 I think. He also published this in written form in one of his notes from that time.

[Richard Kaufman]

The Peter Pit version goes back to the 1960s.

[Brad Henderson]

Yes, he and Persi were both credited on the tapes. TA Waters had an interesting take on the idea in Mind, Myth and Magick.

[erdnasephile]

Paul Harris published a methodologically related item of Danny Korem's in "Las Vegas Close-Up"

[Jonathan Townsend]

Is this the item from The Magic of Rezvanni?

[erdnasephile]

Yes.

[Joe Finkler]

Joe,

Thanks for directly answering my question.

I recall that the article was well written and that the necessary preparation of the card and jacket is adequately explained and illustrated.

Joe Finkler

[Joe Finkler]

Anthony,

What is the price of the book you published and what other effects are described?

For your information, I am just an amateur/hobbyist magician, but I think the effect is quite clever.

Joe Finkler

[AnthonyBrahams]

Joe

The website blurb includes, "Cards, coins and more in these scholarly writings such as the Curve of Maturing, the Importance of the Gesture, a chapter of five Double Lifts for many situations, sleights including Ultimate Retention Vanish, Click Pass, Floating Count. Effects such as No Force Prediction, Birth of A Coin, Amex, Card on Back. Ascanio said of Davide, "I have discovered that you are my twin soul." Over 100 drawings by Tony Dunn. Many interesting photographs. A hard back of quality. 150 pages approx. Attractive dust jacket."

My price is Sterling 22.00 plus postage.

Please reply by PM. Thanks.