The Magic Researcher - History on The More Things Change by Jerry Sadowitz

[Phil Lawson]

Those interested in the history of the seminal effect "The More Things Change" by Jerry Sadowitz in Alternative Card Magic (1982) can find a detailed history here. There's a few things that may surprise you!

https://themagicresearcher.wordpress.co ... -sadowitz/

[Sean-Dylan]

I loved it!
Very nicely done.
Post more!

[Richard Kaufman]

We already have a website set up for this, Conjuring Credits, to which many talented people contribute. What is the point of starting your own website that will be seen by far fewer people. Your time would be better spent contributing to Conjuring Credits.

[Phil Lawson]

I did actually work with Denis Behr on supplying the article for the Conjuring Credits website. (see below) I agree that one central source is better and think Conjuring Arts website is a great resource. My angle is totally different, my aim with 'The Magic Researcher' site is to enhance the level of detail already on the Conjuring credits website and the Conjuring arts website. Neither site is really designed to allow the level of detail that I am supplying, I do explain this in the article itself. I've had some nice feedback so far.

https://www.conjuringcredits.com/doku.p ... nterchange

[Sean Piper]

I've always enjoyed this effect, and that was a fascinating read.

Thanks for sharing Phil!

[Phil Lawson]

I'm glad you enjoyed it!

[AJM]

Alternative Card Magic can also be found in Card Zones, the compilation book put out by Martin Breese a number of years ago.

Andrew

[Leo Garet]

Those interested in the history of the seminal effect "The More Things Change" by Jerry Sadowitz in Alternative Card Magic (1982) can find a detailed history here. There's a few things that may surprise you!

https://themagicresearcher.wordpress.co ... -sadowitz/

"Seminal"?

[Gordon Meyer]

"Seminal"?

Apparently you haven't looked at the document. Read the 2nd paragraph.

[Philippe Noël]

The historical background behind Jerry Sadowitz's motivation for creating this effect is very interesting.
Thank you very much for your article and I hope you will also share the following ones.

[Leo Garet]

"Seminal"?

Apparently you haven't looked at the document. Read the 2nd paragraph.

I've not only looked at the document, I've read it twice. This is the third forum I've seen it referenced.

Disagree with me by all means, but please don't tell me what I (apparently) have or have not done.

[Jonathan Townsend]

Thank you for sharing the historical writeup. Thoughtful magician in context.

There may be a demand for more such history of routines occasioned by meeting Vernon. Items brought before the Vernon touch.

[Gordon Meyer]

I've not only looked at the document, I've read it twice. This is the third forum I've seen it referenced.

Disagree with me by all means, but please don't tell me what I (apparently) have or have not done.

"Seminal?" is all you wrote. If you don't know what the word means, look it up. If you want to dispute the claim you apparently have read, make an argument. Posting a single word with a question mark is not a refutation, or even a cogent thought.

[Ian Kendall]

Well, the author certainly likes commas...

[Jonathan Townsend]

Those interested in the history of the seminal effect "The More Things Change" by Jerry Sadowitz in Alternative Card Magic (1982) can find a detailed history here. There's a few things that may surprise you!

https://themagicresearcher.wordpress.co ... -sadowitz/

"Seminal"?

"Seminal Effects" ... no... leave it go for a book of paddle tricks. Unflinching audacity?

[El Mystico]

Hi
Interesting article, although I agree with Richard about the benefits of one site. I don't really understand what you mean about Conjuring Credits not being designed for your level of detail....some of the items there are pretty long. But maybe Denis didn't want it there? - That would be different.
I agree Jerry's effect is 'seminal ' - at least in terms of 'strongly influencing later developments' but perhaps not 'relating to or denoting semen' which maybe what Gordon had in mind.
However, since you are aiming for a high level of detail in your history, I think you are missing an important aspect. In The Crimp #10, Jerry wrote, 'Richard Kaufman pointed out that my handiwork was essentially Bro Hammon's Underground Transposition with pockets. I never realised that at the time but he is quite right.
Interestingly enough, I fell out with my own routine about two years after working it out... it occurred to me that all I did was clutter Vernon's original trick. In other words, why bother with the transposition when you can make four signed cards travel invisibly to your pockets? Vernon's original routine is direct, baffling and original...To this day it remains my favourite card trick. My version is not an improvement."

[Phil Lawson]

Thanks El Mystico, i'll look to incorporate this detail into the article as well.

p.s. I did work with Denis on the inclusion on the conjuring credits site. The level of detail I had amassed and the fact that some of the detail is hearsay (e.g. from Earl Nelson whom I've been in touch with) I decided to do my own blog. Denis would rather keep the conjuring credit site to a level where the reader can easily verify the fact themselves. I think this is the best way.

To be clear I'm not starting my own indexing site and I think I make it clear in the article that the idea is to complement the detail already there on the Conjuring credits site.

I will work with Denis on anything I do to ensure accuracy in both places where possible,

thanks

[Philippe Billot]

Gentlemen, I have a question. If you read this :

Put the four aces under a hat and the four kings on the deck that we tie in hand, bring in these four aces on the deck, in place of kings, and find these last under the hat where the aces were; then return the aces under the hat and the kings on the deck, as they were before.

Istn't it the premises of Reset AND The More Things Change ?

[Richard Kaufman]

Yes, it does! And from the use of a hat I'd say the early 1900s. Is it DeLand and I've missed it?

[Philippe Billot]

No, it's BEFORE.

Ponsin described this trick in 1853 in his book Nouvelle Magie Blanche Dévoilée.

And now, guess how this trick was done (Richard, by quoting Deland, you approach the truth)...

[Richard Kaufman]

Divided cards or double-faced cards.

[Philippe Billot]

Double face, you win!

[Jonathan Townsend]

Easy and fun after you have the cards printed . From the card tricks in Ponsin's book as noted by Philippe:

SECTION VII
Mettre les quatre as sous un chapeau et les quatre rois sur le jeu qu'on tient dans la main, faire venir ces quatre as sur le jeu , en place des rois , et trouver ces derniers sous le chapeau où étaient les as; ensuite faire revenir les as sous le chapeau et les rois sur le jeu, comme ils étaient auparavant.

Ce tour est aussi facile à faire qu'il est joli. Il faut avoir quatre rois derrière lesquels on aura imprimé im point pareil à celui que le roi porte, de sorte que ces quatre cartes paraissent rois d'un côté et as de l'autre.

? tient -> held

[Philippe Billot]

It was easier in 1853 to do double faced cards because a lot of deck have still no index and white back

[Philippe Billot]

For Jonathan

"? tient -> held"

Yes, "tient": third person of the verb "tenir"

Je tiens
Tu tiens
Il tient

[Phil Lawson]

I've updated the article with a few more pieces following feedback. Thanks guys

[Jonathan Townsend]

Reed McClintock mentioned having some work on the card changes in his Twist DVD.
There's also a line from earlier worth tracking down about card tricks wanting to become transpositions.