Micromagic
Encyclopedia
Micromagic or close-up magic or table magic is magic
performed in an intimate setting usually no more than ten feet (three metres) from one's audience and is usually performed while sitting at a table.
The vast majority of magicians around the world are micromagicians.
Micromagic can combine sleight-of-hand manipulations with flourishes.
Sleight-of-hand, also known as prestidigitation ("quick fingers") or léger de main (Fr., "lightness of hand"), is the set of techniques used by a micromagician to manipulate objects such as cards and coins secretly.
Flourishes are an example of skill rather than of illusion or deceit. It is the equivalent of juggling to a juggler. The two principal forms of micromagic are card tricks and coin tricks but any small item can be used for sleight-of-hand performances including dice, bottle caps, sugar cubes, sponge balls, pebbles, pens and cups and balls
. It's not uncommon for micromagicians to combine several of these objects in a single trick. Famous micromagician, Johnny Ace Palmer
produces baby chicks in his cups-and-balls routine.
Micromentalism is mentalism
performed in an intimate session. Inevitably, this form of mentalism involves examples of telekinesis, ESP, precognition
and telepathy
. Most cold reading
takes place in such an intimate session as are most Theatrical Séances
.
Magic (illusion)
Magic is a performing art that entertains audiences by staging tricks or creating illusions of seemingly impossible or supernatural feats using natural means...
performed in an intimate setting usually no more than ten feet (three metres) from one's audience and is usually performed while sitting at a table.
The vast majority of magicians around the world are micromagicians.
Micromagic can combine sleight-of-hand manipulations with flourishes.
Sleight-of-hand, also known as prestidigitation ("quick fingers") or léger de main (Fr., "lightness of hand"), is the set of techniques used by a micromagician to manipulate objects such as cards and coins secretly.
Flourishes are an example of skill rather than of illusion or deceit. It is the equivalent of juggling to a juggler. The two principal forms of micromagic are card tricks and coin tricks but any small item can be used for sleight-of-hand performances including dice, bottle caps, sugar cubes, sponge balls, pebbles, pens and cups and balls
Cups and balls
The cups and balls is a classic performance of magic with innumerable adaptations. The effect known as acetabula et calculi was performed by Roman conjurers as far back as two thousand years ago...
. It's not uncommon for micromagicians to combine several of these objects in a single trick. Famous micromagician, Johnny Ace Palmer
Johnny Ace Palmer
Johnny Ace Palmer is an award-winning American close-up magician. He is famous within the worldwide magical community for his prodigious sleight-of-hand abilities.-Early life:...
produces baby chicks in his cups-and-balls routine.
Micromentalism is mentalism
Mentalism
Mentalism is a performing art in which its practitioners, known as mentalists, appear to demonstrate highly developed mental or intuitive abilities. Performances may appear to include telepathy, clairvoyance, divination, precognition, psychokinesis, mediumship, mind control, memory feats and rapid...
performed in an intimate session. Inevitably, this form of mentalism involves examples of telekinesis, ESP, precognition
Precognition
In parapsychology, precognition , also called future sight, and second sight, is a type of extrasensory perception that would involve the acquisition or effect of future information that cannot be deduced from presently available and normally acquired sense-based information or laws of physics...
and telepathy
Telepathy
Telepathy , is the induction of mental states from one mind to another. The term was coined in 1882 by the classical scholar Fredric W. H. Myers, a founder of the Society for Psychical Research, and has remained more popular than the more-correct expression thought-transference...
. Most cold reading
Cold reading
Cold reading is a series of techniques used by mentalists, psychics, fortune-tellers, illusionists, and con artists to determine or express details about another person, often in order to convince them that the reader knows much more about a subject than they actually do...
takes place in such an intimate session as are most Theatrical Séances
Theatrical Séances
A theatrical séance is an aspect of mentalism that purports to give its audiences the feeling of contacting the spirits of the dead, as in a successful Spiritualist seance....
.
Famous micromagicians
- David AcerDavid AcerDavid Acer is a Canadian scientist, stand-up comedian and close-up magician.As a magician he has performed at The Magic Castle and FISM. He has also authored numerous well respected books on magic. Since 2002, he has had a regular column in Genii magazine...
- Jewel AichJewel AichJewel Aich is a Bangladeshi magician and bānsurī player. He has been described as Bangladesh's leading magician.Aich has been described as "a true artist and humanitarian".-References:...
- Jay Alexander
- Michael Ammar
- Harry AndersonHarry AndersonHarry Laverne Anderson is an American actor and magician.-Early life:Born in Newport, Rhode Island, Anderson was a street magician before becoming an actor.-Career:...
- John Henry AndersonJohn Henry AndersonJohn Henry Anderson was a professional magician, born in The Mearns, Scotland. Anderson is credited with helping bring the art of magic from street performances into theatres and presenting magic performances to entertain and delight the audience....
- Tony AndruzziTony AndruzziAntonio C. "Tony" Andruzzi was a professional magician. From the 1950s to the early 1970s his performances were comedy illusions. He adopted the name Tom Palmer and had his legal name changed to Thomas S. Palmer...
- Barry and StuartBarry and StuartBarry Jones and Stuart MacLeod are a two-man magic act from Scotland, who perform as "Barry and Stuart" or "The 2magicians". They are known for their dark and gory performing style, and for taking as inspiration the accounts of Biblical miracles to form the basis for some of their illusions.-...
(Barry Jones & Stuart MacLeod) - Keith BarryKeith BarryKeith Patrick Barry is an Irish illusionist, mentalist, and close-up magician.-Early and personal life:Born in County Waterford, Ireland on 2 October 1976, Barry's interest in magic began at the age of fourteen when he purchased a book entitled Magic for the Complete Klutz.Barry's grandfather, 82,...
- Herbert L. BeckerHerbert L. BeckerHerbert Lawrence Becker is a magician and the inventor and patent/copyright holder for BOIP...
- Arian Black
- J.B. BoboJ.B. BoboJ.B. Bobo was a magician most known for his work and writing in the arena of coin magic....
- Derren BrownDerren BrownDerren Victor Brown is a British illusionist, mentalist, painter, writer and sceptic. He is known for his appearances in television specials, stage productions and British television series such as Trick of the Mind and Trick or Treat...
- Matthias BuchingerMatthias BuchingerMatthias Buchinger , sometimes called Matthew Buckinger in English, was a German artist, magician and illustrator, born without hands or legs.-Biography:...
- Kuda BuxKuda BuxKuda Bux was an Indian mystic and magician. One of his most famous tricks was one in which he would cover his eyes with soft dough balls, blindfold himself, swath his entire head in strips of cloth, and yet still be able to see. He was also a fire walker...
(Khuda Bakhsh) - Mark Cairns
- John CalvertJohn Calvert (magician)Madren Elbern "John" Calvert is an American magician who has performed on stage for eight decades both in the United States and worldwide. He is also a film actor who appeared in numerous movies...
(Elbern Madren Calvert) - Charles CameronCharles Cameron (magician)Charles Wesley Cameron was a professional magician who specialized in a style known as bizarre magic. He was born in Edinburgh, Scotland, as the eldest of 2 brothers....
- CanuplinCanuplinCanuto Francia , better known as Canuplin, was a Filipino stage performer and magician who gained fame for his impersonation of Charlie Chaplin in Filipino movies and the local bodabil circuit.-Biography:...
- Cardini (Richard D. Pitchford)
- John CarneyJohn Carney (magician)John Carney is a professional sleight of hand artist, author and comic actor. He has won Hollywood’s Magic Castle award for Magician of the Year seven times. In 1988 and 1991, he was an award winner at the world FISM magic championships...
- Charles Joseph CarterCharles Joseph CarterCharles Joseph Carter was an American stage magician, also known as Carter the Great. A native of San Francisco, California, Carter began his career as a journalist and lawyer. As time passed, he grew an interest in magic...
- John Cassidy
- Milbourne ChristopherMilbourne ChristopherMilbourne Christopher was an American illusionist.President of the Society of American Magicians, an honorary vice-president to the Magic Circle, and one of the founding members of the Committee for Skeptical Inquiry, Christopher authored several books, including a biography of Harry Houdini, and...
- Ali CookAli CookAli Cook is an English magician, comedian, actor and film producer originating from Yorkshire.Cook is known best for writing and starring in seven British television magic shows for Channel 4, Channel 5, and Sky1, produced by Objective Productions.Cook is a respected headliner on the British stand...
- Tim EllisTim EllisTim Ellis is an Australian performer, author and lecturer in the world of magic and illusion.-Biography:Ellis began performing magic at the age of 9 after his grandfather gave him a magic set as a gift. At the age of 14 he was the youngest magician ever admitted to The Magic Circle of Victoria and...
- Tommy CooperTommy CooperThomas Frederick "Tommy" Cooper was a very popular British prop comedian and magician from Caerphilly, Wales.Cooper was a member of The Magic Circle, and respected by traditional magicians...
- Paul CurryPaul CurryPaul Curry was the vice-president of the Blue Cross Insurance Company of New York, and a famous amateur magician who became well-known in the magic community forinventing highly-original card magic....
- Steve DacriSteve DacriStephen "Steve" Robert Dacri was an accomplished sleight-of-hand magician who worked for nearly 30 years at his craft earning him the moniker "The Fastest Hands in the World." He was born in Worcester, Massachusetts and died on February 11, 2011 from colon cancer, leaving a wife, Jan, and a son,...
- Paul DanielsPaul DanielsPaul Daniels, born Newton Edward Daniels on 6 April 1938, is a British magician and television performer. He achieved international fame through his television series The Paul Daniels Magic Show, which ran on the BBC from 1979 to 1994.-Early life:...
(Newton Edward Daniels) - Daryl (Daryl Easton, Daryl Martinez)
- Lewis DavenportLewis DavenportLewis Davenport was a fictional character in UK soap opera Family Affairs, played by Sam Stockman from 2002 until 2004.-Lewis' arrival in Charnham:...
(George Ryan) - Jason DeanJason Dean (magician)Jason Dean is an American magician. Even at a young age, he was described by Max Maven as someone "with the power to raise even the most jaded eyebrows." In Kansas City, he has won the title of "Closeup Magician of the Year" for four years running, from 2002-2005.-Biography:Dean is from Kansas...
- DediDediDedi is the name of a fictitious ancient Egyptian magician appearing in the fourth chapter of a story told in the legendary Westcar Papyrus. He is said to have worked wonders during the reign of king Khufu .-Literary person:Dedi appears only in the fourth story of the Westcar Papyrus - there is no...
- David DevantDavid DevantDavid Devant was an English magician, shadowgraphist and film exhibitor. He was born David Wighton in Holloway, London...
(David Wellington or David Wighton) - Persi DiaconisPersi DiaconisPersi Warren Diaconis is an American mathematician and former professional magician. He is the Mary V. Sunseri Professor of Statistics and Mathematics at Stanford University....
- Dorothy DietrichDorothy DietrichDorothy Dietrich is an American stage magician and escapologist, and the first and only woman to have performed the bullet catch in mouth. She was also the first woman to perform a straitjacket escape while suspended hundreds of feet in the air from a burning rope Dorothy Dietrich is an American...
- Dean DillDean DillDean Dill is a magician and magic innovator living and working in Glendale, California. He was Johnny Carson's magic teacher during the late 1980s and appeared on The Tonight Show in November 1990. His performance focuses mostly on closeup effects, and he has a particular passion for and...
- Derek DingleDerek DingleDerek Dingle was an English close-up magician.- Life :Like many magicians before him, Dingle became interested in magic after receiving a box of magic tricks when he was about eight years old. Upon joining the Royal Air Force, he met another magician, James Gregory, of Kenilworth, England, and...
- Thomas Nelson DownsThomas Nelson DownsThomas Nelson Downs, also T. Nelson Downs, was one of the most famous manipulative magicians renowned for his coin tricks. Downs was also known as "The King of Koins".-Biography:...
- Simon DrakeSimon DrakeSimon Drake is the stage name of Simon Alexander; a British magician based in London. He is best known for the innovative and shocking television series Secret Cabaret made for Britain's Channel 4.-Early life:...
- Geoffrey DurhamGeoffrey DurhamGeoffrey Durham is a British comedy magician and actor who was known for many years as 'The Great Soprendo'.-Early life:...
- Alex ElmsleyAlex ElmsleyAlex Elmsley was a British Magician and Computer programmer. He was notable for his invention of the Ghost Count or Elmsley Count, creating mathematical card tricks, and for publishing the mathematics of playing card shuffling.He began practicing magic in 1946, as a teenager...
- S. W. ErdnaseS. W. ErdnaseS. W. Erdnase is a pseudonym used by the author of The Expert at the Card Table, a book detailing sleight of hand, cheating and legerdemain using playing cards. Still considered essential reading for any card magician, the book, known also as either the Bible or, commonly, just Erdnase, has been...
- Fakir of AvaFakir of AvaIsaiah Harris Hughes , better known as the Fakir of Ava, was a 19th century stage magician, the teacher of Harry Kellar....
(Isaiah Harris Hughes) - Michael FinneyMichael FinneyMichael Finney is a professional magician. He was born in 1954 in Woodland, California. He moved to Phoenix, Arizona in 1978. He has appeared on numerous television specials and performs regularly throughout the U.S...
- James FreedmanJames Freedman (magician)James Freedman is a British pickpocket entertainer and magician. He is most well known for his skill as a pickpocket and his ability to secretly pick the pockets of volunteers. For this reason, he is also known as 'The Man of Steal'....
- Greg FrewinGreg FrewinGreg Frewin is an illusionist and "World Champion of Magic". His awards include First Place at the International Brotherhood of Magicians ; The Gold Medal of Excellence, also from the IBM; First Place at the Society of American Magicians' annual magic convention competition; and first place at...
- Martin GardnerMartin GardnerMartin Gardner was an American mathematics and science writer specializing in recreational mathematics, but with interests encompassing micromagic, stage magic, literature , philosophy, scientific skepticism, and religion...
- Paul GertnerPaul GertnerPaul Gertner is an American close-up magician from Pittsburgh. He is best known in the magic world for his "Steel and Silver" book and set of DVDs.-About Paul Gertner:Paul Gertner's interest in magic began as a child, loaning library books on the subject...
- Walter B. GibsonWalter B. GibsonWalter Brown Gibson was an American author and professional magician, best known for his work on the pulp fiction character The Shadow...
- Andi GladwinAndi GladwinAndi Gladwin is a professional British close-up magician, lecturer, publisher and performer. He has appeared on television numerous times, has lectured for magicians throughout the UK, US and Europe and written / published several notable books on the subject of magic...
- Lennart GreenLennart GreenLennart Green is a world champion close-up/card magician, a title which he won in 1991 at the FISM convention in Lausanne, Switzerland...
- Horace GoldinHorace GoldinHorace Goldin was a stage magician who was noted for his lightning fast presentation style and who achieved international fame with his versions of the Sawing a woman in half illusion. -Early life:...
- Will GoldstonWill GoldstonWill Goldston, , was a popular English stage magician in the first half of the 20th century.He was born in the city of Liverpool and became interested in the subject at the age of eleven. As well as being a performer he was involved in the merchandising of "magic tricks" and was employed by the...
- Paul Gordon
- Will GrayWill GrayWill Gray is an award winning English magician and entertainer born in the Midlands in 1976.He is known as being one of the UK's top close-up corporate magicians and has received great reviews in The Linking Ring p. 69, and The Magic Circular p. 371, for his Lecture 'Magic with a Capital...
- Brother John HammanJohn HammanBrother John Charles Hamman S.M. was a Catholic Marianist Brother and professional close-up magician. The tricks he invented are still an integral part of many close-up magician's repertoire....
- Franz HararyFranz HararyFranz Harary is an American magician and inventor who has appeared on television shows such as the first episode of NBC's The World's Greatest Magic, where Harary vanished the Space Shuttle....
- Paul HarrisPaul Harris (magician)Paul Tomas Harris is an inventor, magician, and writer. Described by the magic magazine Genii as "the most innovative magic mind of our day," Harris is listed in Magic magazine as one of "the 100 [magicians] who shaped the art [of magic] in America".He has invented many original tricks...
- Whit HaydnWhit HaydnWhit "Pop" Haydn is an American magician, the winner of six "Magician of the Year" performing awards from the Magic Castle, the Hollywood clubhouse of the Academy of Magical Arts...
- Robert HellerRobert HellerRobert Heller, also Joseph Heller, was an English magician, mentalist, and musician. The year of his birth is the subject of some speculation; some sources list it as 1829 while others claim 1830....
(William Henry Palmer) - Johann Nepomuk HofzinserJohann Nepomuk HofzinserJohann Nepomuk Hofzinser was a minor employee at the financial department of the Austrian-Hungarian Monarchy. He was never a doctor of philosophy; there is no such title in his working descriptions. He used the name Dr. Hofzinser as a stage name after retiring in 1865...
- Burling HullBurling HullBurling Hull was an inventive magician, self-styled "the Edison of magic," specializing in mentalism and sleight of hand effects. During the greater part of his life he lived in DeLand, Florida...
(Burlingame Gilbert Hull) - Scott InterranteScott InterranteScott Interrante is an American magician who specializes in escape-artist feats and grand illusions.He is a third-generation magician. At 17, Scott answered an audition posting for the movie Ragtime and got the job to re-create Houdini's stunt of escaping from a strait-jacket while dangling...
- Kevin JamesKevin James (magician)Kevin James is an award-winning French-born American magician, known for creating several unique magical effects, such as the "Floating Rose" which is performed by David Copperfield....
- Rob JamesRob James (magician)Rob James is an English magicianwho frequently appears on television programs in England and the United States, and has performed in hundreds of international venues, from the British House of Commons to the prestigious Magic Castle in Los Angeles, to a series of performances in...
- Joshua JayJoshua JayJoshua Jay is an award-winning magician, author, and lecturer who has performed his show in over 59 countries. In 1998 he was crowned World Champion of Close-up Magic at the World Magic Seminar, and he has subsequently appeared on every major television network, including Good Morning America and...
- Ricky JayRicky JayRichard Jay Potash , better known by the stage name Ricky Jay, is an American stage magician, actor, and writer. He is a sleight-of-hand expert and is notable for his card tricks, card throwing, memory feats, and stage patter.-Life and career:...
(Ricky Potash) - Larry JenningsLarry JenningsLarry Jennings, , was a magician. He is known for his card techniques and has eight books published by him or written about him. He is also known for being close friends with fellow magician, Dai Vernon.-Biography:...
- The Amazing Jonathan (John Edward Szeles)
- Barry Jones
- Charles Jordan
- Fred KapsFred KapsFred Kaps , was a Dutch magician, famous for being the only magician to become FISM Grand Prix world champion three times. He was the creator of numerous original effects including his version of the color-changing silks. Another popular effect he often performed was the Long Pour Salt trick...
(Abraham Pieter Adrianus Bongers) - Gustavus KatterfeltoGustavus KatterfeltoGustavus Katterfelto was a Prussian conjurer, scientific lecturer, and quack.Christian William Anthony Katterfelto arrived at Hull in September 1776 and traveled around Britain until his death in 1799. He performed in London from 1780-84...
- Harry KellarHarry KellarHarry Kellar was an American magician who presented large stage shows during the late 19th and early 20th centuries....
(Heinrich Keller) - Paul KievePaul KievePaul Kieve is an English professional illusionist and whose consulting work for both stage and screen has contributed to changing how magical special effects in productions are approached...
- Mac KingMac KingMac King is a comedy magician who has performed on television specials, often as a co-host. He has his own family-friendly show, "The Mac King Comedy Magic Show," at the Harrah's Las Vegas in the Clint Holmes Theater....
- Igor KioIgor KioIgor Kio was a Russian illusionist with the Russian Circus Association. A member of the International Brotherhood of Magicians, he won numerous awards including People's Artist of the Russian Federation and an Oscar from Belgium.Igor was born into a family of circus performers, to another noted...
(Igor Emilievich Renard Kio) - Hans KlokHans KlokJohannes Franciscus Catharinus "Hans" Klok is a Dutch illusionist and actor.-Biography:Hans Klok was born in Purmerend, the Netherlands....
- André KoleAndré KoleAndré Kole is the stage name of Robert Gurtler Jr., an American magician and inventor of magical effects. He is also a committed Christian and is a public speaker for the evangelical group Campus Crusade for Christ International....
- Al KoranAl KoranAl Koran was a British mentalist, author and inventor. He invented the Ring Flite as well as a special deck of cards known as the Koran deck. Al Koran was the stage name of Edward Doe, who was a former hairdresser that turned professional magician/mentalist. Al appeared many times on The Ed...
(Edward Doe) - Joe LaberoJoe LaberoJoe Labero is a Swedish magician. Joe Labero is a stage name derived from his birthname: Lars Bengt Roland Johansson.- Illusionist career :...
- Duane LaflinDuane LaflinDuane Laflin is a noted magician, teacher and innovator. He initially marketed and sold his props, effects and accessories within his company, "Laflin Magic" but eventually closed his mail-order business to focus strictly on performing and lecturing. Ownership and rights to his props were...
- René LavandRené LavandHéctor René Lavandera, usually known as René Lavand , is a magician from Argentina specialising in close-up performance...
- Owen LeanRoadmageRoadmage is a street magic act created by magician and entertainer Owen Lean.Since 2002, Roadmage has been a fixture on Dublin's Grafton Street, London's Covent Garden, Granville Island in Vancouver and at club and festival venues...
(Roadmage) - Misty LeeMisty LeeMisty Lee is an American professional magician. She has also worked as an improv comedian and a voice actress for several animated cartoons.Before becoming a magician Lee trained in dentistry...
- Debbie LeiferDebbie LeiferDebbie Leifer was named 2006 Greater Atlanta Magician Of The Year by the International Brotherhood of Magicians and the Society Of American Magicians Atlanta chapters. Debbie is the first female corporate magician to receive that honor in the 35 year history of the prestigious award.She is one of...
- Harry LorayneHarry LorayneHarry Lorayne is an American magician and a memory-training specialist and writer who was once called "The Yoda of Memory Training" by Time magazine. He is well known for his mnemonic demonstrations and has appeared on numerous television shown including The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson...
- Simon LovellSimon LovellThis article does not meet basic standards of objectivity and reads, from the very first graf, like a hagiography at best, self-promotion at worst. Consider that a supposed prime reference is a review of one his books by the L.A...
- Stuart Macleod
- Gérard MajaxGérard MajaxGérard Faier, known as Gérard Majax is one of the most famous French illusionist.He has appeared in many television programs, magic demonstrations, and movies....
(Gérard Fater) - Max MaliniMax MaliniMax Malini was a Jewish illusionist who at his peak performed for several US Presidents, had command performances at Buckingham Palace, and received gifts from monarchs across Europe and Asia. Magicians are said to revere him for his skill and bold accomplishments.Malini's performance style was...
(Max Katz Breit) - Leon MandrakeLeon MandrakeLeon Giglio , better known by his stage name Leon Mandrake, was an Italian-American magician, mentalist, illusionist, escapologist, ventriloquist and stunt performer known worldwide as Mandrake the Magician....
- Matt MarcyMatt MarcyMatt Marcy is an American comedian-magician known for his original, comedy illusions. In 1997 Matt was named by the Academy of Magical Arts as its top ranking young magician when he was just 20 years of age. He was also a Master of Ceremonies at Wizardz Dinner Theater at Universal Studios...
- Ed MarloEd MarloEd Marlo was a magician who specialized in card magic. He referred to himself and others of his specialty as "cardicians"....
- Jay Marshall (James Ward Marshall)
- Masklyn ye Mage (Tony Andruzzi)
- Billy McCombBilly McCombBilly McComb was a magician and comedian. He was one of the United Kingdom's leading magicians in the 1950s and 1960s, before taking up residence in Los Angeles, California in the 1970s.-Early life:...
- Doug McKenzie (magician)
- Georges MélièsGeorges MélièsGeorges Méliès , full name Marie-Georges-Jean Méliès, was a French filmmaker famous for leading many technical and narrative developments in the earliest cinema. He was very innovative in the use of special effects...
- Lisa MennaLisa Menna-References:...
- Drummond Money-CouttsDrummond Money-CouttsDrummond William Thomas Money-Coutts , also nicknamed "DMC", is an English magician and specialist card sharp. Money-Coutts is the heir apparent to the Latymer Barony.-Biography:...
- Justin Miller
- Stephen MulhernStephen MulhernStephen Daniel Mulhern is a British TV presenter, entertainer, and former magician. He began presenting in the studio on CITV in May 1998 and became a leading presenter until he left in August 2002. He has presented a number of shows, including SMTV Live, Holly & Stephen's Saturday Showdown and...
- Oscar MunozOscar MunozOscar Munoz is an American magician, 1999 winner of the "Gold Cups" award from the International Brotherhood of Magicians organization. He is also a charter member and past head of "Ring 269" in Texas.-Awards:* 1999, IBM "Gold Cups" winner...
- David Nixon
- Lance NorrisLance NorrisLance Norris is an American actor/writer/director/stand-up comic/critic/mentalist.-Life and career: Norris was born in Des Moines, Iowa and attended Whitman College where he was a wrestler and rugby player...
- Shoot OgawaShoot OgawaShoot Ogawa is a magician from Tokyo, Japan who has been interested in magic from the age of 10. Ogawa has been featured on television in Japan and is a corporate entertainer....
- Okito (Tobias Bamberg)
- Darwin OrtizDarwin OrtizDarwin Ortiz is a magician, who is an authority on gambling and card manipulation.Ortiz was born and raised in New York City where he had a keen interest in card tricks since childhood. In 1974, he dropped out of NYU Law School and pursued card magic full-time...
- Johnny Ace PalmerJohnny Ace PalmerJohnny Ace Palmer is an award-winning American close-up magician. He is famous within the worldwide magical community for his prodigious sleight-of-hand abilities.-Early life:...
- PavelPavelPavel is a masculine given name. It is a Slavic cognate of the name Paul .It may refer to:*Paul I of Russia , Emperor of Russia *Pavel Bure, Russian ice hockey player...
(Pavel Pomezny) - Scott PenroseScott PenroseScott Penrose is an English magician and magic consultant and is the son of magician John Penrose.Scott is the Vice President of The Magic Circle and a Gold Star member of the Inner Magic Circle. He was awarded the title The Magic Circle Stage Magician of the Year in 2000.He also works as a magic...
- Jacob PhiladelphiaJacob PhiladelphiaJacob Philadelphia was a Jewish magician, physicist, mechanic, juggler, astrologer, alchemist, and Kabbalist.- Biography :He is believed to have been born on August 14, 1735 and given the name Jacob Meyer....
(Jacob Meyer) - Franz Polgar
- Channing PollockChanning Pollock (magician)Channing Pollock was an American magician and film actor.-Magician:As one of the most sophisticated and charismatic practitioners of his craft; strikingly handsome with an enigmatic stage presence, he was best known for an act in which he would elegantly produce doves out of thin air and he was...
- Fay PrestoFay PrestoFay Presto is a British trans woman who is known as a magician and a member of The Inner Magic Circle. In 2001, Fay Presto played herself in ITV's Emmerdale. In 1998 she was voted ‘Party Entertainer of the Year’ by Tatler Magazine...
- RoadmageRoadmageRoadmage is a street magic act created by magician and entertainer Owen Lean.Since 2002, Roadmage has been a fixture on Dublin's Grafton Street, London's Covent Garden, Granville Island in Vancouver and at club and festival venues...
(Owen Lean) - Étienne-Gaspard RobertÉtienne-Gaspard RobertÉtienne-Gaspard Robert , often known by the stage name of "Robertson", was a prominent Belgian stage magician and influential developer of phantasmagoria. He was described by Charles Dickens as "an honourable and well-educated showman"...
- RomanyRomany, the Diva of MagicRomany, the Diva of Magic is a professional magician.She was featured on the cover of The Linking Ring magazine in August 2007.She was mentored by professional magician and teacher, Jeff McBride,...
(the Diva of Magic) - David RothDavid RothDavid Roth is an American magician.Roth is widely regarded as one of the world's greatest living coin magicians. Roth is known both for tremendous technical mastery and for playful and surrealistic formal performance pieces...
- Brian RoleBrian RoleBrian Rolè is an active international Maltese magician and illusionist. He was born on Malta's sister island Gozo in 1972 and became a full time professional magician in 2000. Currently Brian is one of the most popular magicians in Malta due to his regular grand scale illusion shows and various...
- Jerry SadowitzJerry SadowitzJerry Sadowitz is an American-born Scottish stand-up comic and card magician, known for his frequently controversial "sick humour". An accomplished practitioner of sleight of hand, he has written several books on magic and invented many conjuring innovations. He is widely acclaimed as one of the...
- Long Tack SamLong Tack SamLong Tack Sam, was a world renowned Chinese-born American magician, acrobat, and vaudeville performer.-Biography:Long Tack Sam, also known as Tack Sam Long and Sam Tack Long, was the stage name of performance artist Lung Te Shan. He was born in Wuqiao County, an area of Shandong Province in...
- Jay SankeyJay SankeyJay Sankey is a Canadian close-up magician and creator of magic effects. He has been an active stage performer since the mid-1980s. David Copperfield performed Sankey's trick "Airtight." Sankey also develops tricks for Criss Angel....
- Ian SavilleIan SavilleIan Saville is an English magician whose act incorporates ventriloquism and comedy. His performance is distinctive primarily for the fact that it is geared towards a comic form of socialist propaganda...
- John ScarneJohn ScarneJohn Scarne was an American magician and book author who was particularly adept at playing card manipulation. He became known as an expert on cards and other games, and authored a number of popular books on cards, gambling, and related topics.-Early life:...
(Orlando Carmelo Scarnecchia) - Howie SchwarzmanHowie SchwarzmanHoward Schwarzman is an American magician, card manipulator, sleight of hand expert, and trick inventor. Considered a "living legend" in the Eastern United States magician community, he is best-known as a columnist within the magician trade press, and an importer of very rare tricks from outside...
- P. T. SelbitP. T. SelbitP. T. Selbit was an English magician, inventor and writer who is credited with being the first person to perform the illusion of sawing a woman in half...
(Percy Thomas Tibbles) - Alan ShaxonAlan ShaxonAlan Shaxon is a professional magician and a former president of The Magic Circle. He specialises in cabaret performances and is billed as one of England's foremost magicians....
(Alan Arthur Howson) - Tony SlydiniTony SlydiniTony Slydini , also known simply as 'Slydini', was a world renowned magician. Best known as a master of close-up artistry, he served as inspiration to a generation of magicians, including Doug Henning....
(Quintino Marucci) - Thomas SolomonThomas SolomonThomas Solomon is an American escape artist and magician.Thomas Solomon began his career fascinated with mechanical devices . . . especially locks...
- Chung Ling SooChung Ling SooChung Ling Soo was the stage name of the American magician William Ellsworth Robinson who is mostly remembered today for his tragic death after a bullet catch trick went wrong.- Biography :...
(William Ellsworth Robinson) - Robert SteinerRobert SteinerRobert 'Rob' Steiner is a retired footballer who played as a striker in his homeland and England. He also played for his Sweden national side.-Career:...
- Jim SteinmeyerJim SteinmeyerJim Steinmeyer is an internationally respected designer of magical illusions and theatrical special effects. His best known illusions include Origami, Interlude, and Walking Through a Mirror. He is also an author, consultant and producer....
- Tom StoneTom Stone (magician)Tom Stone is the stage name of Thomas Bengtsson, a Swedish magician, editor and author.- Biography :Stone was born on October 28, 1967, and presently lives in Stockholm, Sweden....
- Sylvester the JesterSylvester the JesterDaniel Sylvester Battagline, also known as Sylvester The Jester , is an American magician, best known for playing a cartoon character which comes to life...
- Cyril TakayamaCyril TakayamaCyril Takayama is an American-Japanese illusionist of Japanese and French descent. He is perhaps best known for his magic performances around Japan.-Early life:...
- Juan TamarizJuan TamarizJuan Tamariz-Martel Negrón is a Spanish magician.He is an experienced cardician, a magician specializing in magic with playing cards, and well respected by his peers as an authority in the field of misdirection...
(Tamariz-Martel Negrón) - Harlan TarbellHarlan TarbellHarlan Eugene Tarbell was an American stage magician and illustrator of the early 20th century. He was the author of the well-known Tarbell Course in Magic....
- Neil TobinNeil TobinNeil Tobin is a performer of magical and psychic entertainment.Since his performance material often involves themes of spirit contact—in addition to demonstrations of telepathy, precognition, magic, and even divination—he often performs as "Neil Tobin, Necromancer."-Live Performance:Since Friday...
- Richard TurnerRichard Turner (magician)Richard Turner is an American playing card technician. Although an accomplished magician in his own right, Turner does not perform "magic tricks" in the true sense of the term - he has dedicated his life to mastering and demonstrating the moves used by cardsharps old and new to cheat the uninitiated...
- Val WalkerVal WalkerValentine Augustus Walker was an English magician, escape artist and illusion designer. He was born in Moseley, Birmingham to Joseph Walker. a landscape gardener and his wife Emma, worked as an electrical apparatus maker, later serving in the Royal Navy and was billed as the "Wizard of the Navy"...
- Roy WaltonRoy WaltonRoy Walton is a card magic expert from England who currently lives and works in Glasgow, Scotland. First interested in magic at the age of eight, Roy Walton is a world-recognized card magician creating hundreds of card effects, including his most famous effect, Card warp. He has mentored numerous...
- Orson WellesOrson WellesGeorge Orson Welles , best known as Orson Welles, was an American film director, actor, theatre director, screenwriter, and producer, who worked extensively in film, theatre, television and radio...
- Frances WillardFrances Willard (magician)Frances Louise Willard is an American magician.The daughter of magician Harry Willard , who performed as "Willard the Wizard", she began her career at age six as an assistant to her father. After her divorce from Texas newspaper editor Glenn Tucker, with whom she had three children , she...
- David WilliamsonDavid WilliamsonDavid Keith Williamson AO is one of Australia's best-known playwrights. He has also written screenplays and teleplays.-Biography:...
- Gregory Wilson
- Tommy Wonder (Jacobus Maria Bemelman)
- Herb ZarrowHerb ZarrowHerb Zarrow was an American magician influential in the profession for his inventions of unique sleight of hand and card tricks. His skills were held in the highest regard in professional magicians' circles....
- Paul ZenonPaul ZenonPaul Zenon is an English magician and comedian, known for television shows across many genres; in particular his 'Street Magic' specials featuring him performing stunts and tricks in pubs and on the streets....
- TellerTeller (magician)Teller is an American magician, illusionist, comedian, writer, and the frequently silent half of the comedy magic duo Penn & Teller, along with Penn Jillette. He legally changed his name from "Raymond Joseph Teller" to just "Teller"...
Micromagic tricks
- Needle-through-armNeedle-through-armNeedle-through-arm is a magic effect that was popularized by comedy actor/magician Harry Anderson. The trick can either be performed as part of a stage magic or a parlor magic routine...
- The Best Coin FoldThe Best Coin FoldThe Best Coin Fold is the title of a magic trick which appeared in Jean Hugard's book, Close Up Magic, published in 1938. A coin fold is merely an effect that involves the appearance of a magician folding a coin up within a piece of paper seemingly trapping the coin therein. However, the magician...
- Cups and ballsCups and ballsThe cups and balls is a classic performance of magic with innumerable adaptations. The effect known as acetabula et calculi was performed by Roman conjurers as far back as two thousand years ago...
- Ambitious cardAmbitious cardThe Ambitious Card, or Elevator Card, is a magic effect in which a playing card seems to return to the top of the deck after being placed elsewhere in the middle of the deck. This is a classic effect in card magic and serves as a study subject for students of magic...
- Card warpCard warpCard Warp is a card illusion that was created by magician Jeff Busby and popularized by Roy Walton. Card Warp has many variations in presentation and effect....
- Floating match on cardFloating match on cardThe Floating Match on Card is a classic close-up magic effect.-Effect:A match is placed on the back of a playing card. The magician causes the match to appear to float about one centimeter off the playing card...
- French dropFrench dropThe French drop is a well-known vanish involving sleight of hand. The magician takes a coin or small object between the fingers and the thumb with fingers facing the audience and thumb behind. The palm is face up. We'll assume the object is in the right hand though it could be either...
- PalmingPalmingPalming is a technique for holding or concealing an object in the palm of the hand. It is used frequently by magicians to conceal the presence of a card, coin, or other object. When done skillfully, the hand containing the palmed object appears to be completely empty.-Methods:Methods for palming...
- Retention of vision vanishRetention of vision vanishIn the retention of vision vanish, the magician places a coin or small object between the fingers and the thumb of the right hand. The left hand is palm up with the palm slightly tilted towards the audience. The right approaches and displays the object on the left palm for a second or so, held on...
- Hummer cardHummer cardThe Hummer card is a levitation magic trick in which, unlike many other levitation tricks, a regular playing card floats, hovers, spins and flies around the body of the magician in a seemingly impossible manner. The trick works for any form of card such as a credit card or business card...
- Scotch and SodaScotch and SodaScotch and Soda is a magic effect involving a copper coin and a silver coin which appear to transpose in the spectator's hands. The effect relies on simple gimmick and the tricks performed with it are self-working and require almost no skill...
- Detachable thumbDetachable thumbThe Detachable Thumb is a very simple close-up illusion.-Effect:The performer appears to remove the end of his own thumb; moving it back and forth along his hand or lifting it up.-Method:...
- Thumb tipThumb tipA thumb tip is a magician's prop used for vanishing, producing, or switching small objects. A classic effect is to have a silk handkerchief or other small object pressed into the top of the left fist. After pushing it well in with the right thumb, the left fist is opened to show the silk has...
- GlorpyGlorpyGlorpy is a magic trick. A silk pocket handkerchief is laid down on a table and folded. Then, it moves as if there is some sort of object inside the folds. It can appear to respond to or interact with the magician or the spectators....
- Healed and sealedHealed and sealedHealed and Sealed is a magic trick that was invented by the Swedish magician Anders Moden in 1997. The effect was popularised by Australian magician Tim Ellis when performed during his 2002 global lecture tour with Sue-Anne Webster. The television rights were bought by David Blaine in 2002 and...
- Zarrow shuffleZarrow shuffleZarrow shuffle is a sleight of hand technique that gives the appearance of being a normal riffle shuffle, but in fact leaves the cards in exactly the same order. This is an example of a false shuffle. It was invented by magician Herb Zarrow circa 1940....
- Card manipulationCard manipulationCard magic is the branch of conjuring that deals with creating magical effects using a deck of playing cards. Card magic is commonplace in magical performances, especially in close up magic or parlor magic and street magic. Some of the most recognized names in this field include John Scarne, Juan...