The Genii Forum

The Deland Deck was the first trick deck I owned and it is still my favorite, marked or otherwise. I am amazed by all that you can do with that deck! I am certain that there are many others who feel the same way.

Deland also created great card tricks such as Phantom Cards which was one of the first tricks I ever bought as a child. Chances are it was one of the first for many others.

His life story is quite fascinating and I am very interested in learning more.

The bottom line for me is that I consider the Deland book to be a needed publication for a variety of reasons. It will be fresh and very worthwhile. I expect it to be unlike any other magic book and will fill a void in anyone's magic library.

Let's hope to see it published this year or at least, as soon as possible.

I just took out my Deland's 100 Dollar Deck and they are indeed made by the USPCC.

There are some things that should be changed to this deck to make them perfect. First, the extra card SS Adams included with the stacking order should be added. Second, the Ace of Spades should not advertise the maker. A more generic card would be better. Third, a generic box which only says PREMIUM PLAYING CARDS or QUALITY PLAYING CARDS or something like that would suggest that they are not a trick deck but something bought at a Dollar Store. Perhaps the deck design on the back of the box and words on the front. Last, the bottom of the box should not have the advertising. There are other ways to include that without actually printing it on the deck box.

So, my ideal Deland Deck would look like nothing more than a plain inexpensive deck of generic playing cards.

Steve, interestingly, every package in which the deck has come since the very first one rolled off the press in 1914 has been a "magic deck" type of thing. It has never come in a generic box.

Part of the reason, I think, is because the back design is so unusual. It doesn't look like a normal deck.

SS Adams also had a habit of labeling their trick deck boxes with the name of the deck such as Svengali.

Perhaps they felt that the performer should not be taken too seriously. In essence, it is okay to display a trick deck and proceed to entertain with them. It's like saying: "In my hands I have a trick deck and look at what I can do with them".

SS Adams produced magic for anyone to be able to pick up and use so the apparatus didn't have to be regular looking. As well, it was good advertising for them. The spectator could say that they want to buy and do those tricks and ask where the performer got them.

That's how I got started. When I was a little kid, a neighbor would return from center city with a pocketful of tricks and show them to me. I went home and told my mom that I wanted to get some.

Good psychology I suspect!

Svengali Decks were simply made from existing playing cards when they were first put on the market in, I think, 1909. Regular boxes were used because they were simply made from rejiggered regular decks.

The first trick deck that I know of which came in a "speciality" package announcing what it was is DeLand's "Dollar Deck" in 1914. DeLand always sold his deck in a paper wrapper (not uncommon at that time). Because the deck had to be specially printed, the wrapper also had to be printed for the deck. Hence, the "non-regular" box/wrapper. S.S. Adams only copied what DeLand had already done.

Wow, what a letdown! I was giving SS Adams credit for actually planning a method for releasing their products.

I wonder what the status of this book is...... been waiting for years....

If I recall correctly, Richard said that he expected it to become available by the end of this year.

We've reached p.440 in the layout! So, yes, later this year!

I edited this book so long ago that in my advanced years I remember little. So can't wait to read it!

Richard,

Back in the halcyon days of 2012 you mentioned that the book would include a 56 card deck. Is that still in the works?

I think the De Land Deck is a fantastic trick deck of cards. Quite ingenious. I used to advertise it heavily when I had a magic studio. It actually used to be a pitch deck many years ago. There was a guy called Seewald who used to pitch them and keep Adams going from his sales alone. In fact he was such a good pitchman that Adams used to lend him money and give him credit to keep him on the road.

I have also pitched marked decks although not as complex and wonderful as the De Land Deck. Of course pitchmen never bother reading the marks. In fact the Chinese brand I sold you would have needed a bloody microscople to see the marks. Of course I specialise is sub standard merchandise and the stuff is only for buying and selling anyway. It doesn't necessarily have to work.

Anyway, when pitching marked decks to the public you use a stacked deck so you don't need to read the marks. That way I could do some of the De Land deck stuff where you tell the position of a card in the deck. However it is the stack telling you, not the marks. I had quite a pitch with them and it gathered a very large crowd. I am sure there were a lot if disappointed potential card cheats who purchased them from me. Serves them right for having malicious intentions of course. Law of Karma I suppose.

Or, perhaps, the law of Kardma...

Yes, the specially printed deck with many of the gimmicked cards will still come with the book.

Nice to hear. Thank you.

It appears that the December release date for the Deland book(s) will not occur as originally planned. Not a problem but I am very much looking forward to the Deland book(s) and am wondering if there is a new estimated release window for it.

Not many new books excite me (Tenyoism certainly did) and the Deland work has me on the edge of my seat.

I am expecting it to be a wonderful treat for a variety of reasons!

So RK...please do tell!

The book is laid out: 600 pages. It's been waiting for me to write all the captions to the images (a large undertaking). Things keep getting in the way of my time!

Out in 2018, hopefully the first half of the year.

Looking forward to this.... sounds like a big one, any idea of the price range, so I might be prepared.

NM. Saw the answer on the other thread on the subject.

1. Any news on a ship date?

2. I ordered the book and decks a week apart. Will they ship in the same package and at the same time?

The books for the deluxe edition showed up at my house yesterday.
The regular editions should have arrived at the fulfillment warehouse either yesterday or Monday.
Now I am waiting for the Mystery and Madness decks from The United States Playing Card Company. They should have been printed last week and hopefully ship next week. As soon as they arrive, one will be dropped into every box with a book and they will be shipped.

Richard, not that I'm anxious to get this or anything, LOL, any news on the shipping?

Thanks, Joe

Books are all here. Waiting now for the decks from USPCC, which should arrive at the warehouse tomorrow. So the regular edition should ship by the end of the week (they have to open every box and put a deck inside, then reseal it).

Deluxes should also ship end of the week or next week.

DeLand regular editions shipped out yesterday from Michigan. People in the middle of the country are starting to receive them today.

DeLuxe editions will be mailed out next Tuesday by UPS.

Would appreciate a heads-up here when your copy arrives.

Richard, mine arrived today in Chicago.

There is an issue with the marks on the back of the cards for "Devil's Own Trick."
Noting this here so you don't go crazy.

DeLand just landed in Indiana -- with a large thump! Gorgeous!

Just got mine in Maryland.
Excellent packing of the book. Excellent condition.

Lester

Richard is playing Santa again! Reminds me of 3 years ago when Tenyoism started arriving on people's doorsteps just before Christmas. That year - over here in the UK - my copy actually arrived on xmas eve. That was a magical feeling.

I can't wait to check out this book! Thanks again (and a million times again) for a lifetime of incredible work.

Can't wait to see what xmas 2021 has in store!

Arrived safely in Madison, WI on Sat Dec 15. Thus far I have only had time to marvel at the packing.

I hope everybody has adjustable shelves -- with the slipcase, this is extra tall!

Both DeLand and Tenyoism measure 9 x 12 inches before the slipcase. Because they are graphically driven books, I like the extra size of the page.

I know full well that it's a pain in the ass to have a book larger than 8.5 x 11 because it won't fit on the shelf. (In fact, I have all the books I've done over the years in one Ikea Billy Bookcase. But Tenyoism and DeLand sit on top!)

Hope you all enjoy the book. No point in shipping a book if it's not packed correctly.

My copy is expected to arrive here in Sacramento on 12/19 (Wednesday) per Fedex. Making some room on the top shelf of my bookshelf for this highly anticipated book.

Read about half the book (skimming past some explanation parts ) really enjoyable book. It's fun learning so much history and the ads and engravings are funny and stunning. Not to mention the cool tricks along the way.

My copy arrived here in Simi Valley, CA today. The beautiful looking book (haven't opened it yet) and a "Mystery and Madness" deck (ditto).

I ordered on Cyber Friday or something, so I believe I'm getting two other decks shipped separately. Can't wait to officially "get" this book for Christmas and start reading it.

All cyber Monday decks are shipping separately.

The Deck Sets will ship once the Dollar Deck shows up in January.

Mine arrived Monday in the DFW area of Texas.

It's so beautifully packed and designed that it deserves an unboxing video. In fact, it looks so great, I had to check to make sure I hadn't been sent a deluxe edition in error. I can't wait to start reading it, but it's in that "almost too nice to open" phase in my brain at the moment.

Thanks, and nice job. Elegant, understated, and just classy.

It arrived in San Francisco yesterday, but I have to wait until Christmas morn to devour it. Damn! The anticipation is giving me hives.

The Deluxe Edition arrived in Wilmington, DE today. I need to do some push-ups and dumbbell work to get in shape to use it.

The only thing that has yet to be mailed out is the Deck Sets (in January) and the deluxe editions to those outside the US. DHL will pick up the later tomorrow.

Everything else is out the door!

DeLand arrived here in Sacramento today. 11 lbs shipped! Book looks fantastic and I think the huge size of the book really works well for the color reproductions and overall design.

It's a big, beautiful and fascinating book.

Really looking forward to playing with the other decks when they're ready.