Unexpected Card Book By Ed Marlo

At the height of his career, Ed Marlo grew frustrated with how slowly his material was being published. On the advice of David Solomon, he began producing his own manuscripts; typed, printed in tiny quantities, and quietly circulated among serious card magicians. These “private manuscripts” became some of the most sought-after and influential works in modern card magic. The very first and most important of these was The Unexpected Card Book. It offers a dense, wide-ranging collection of over 80 effects and sleights, spanning multiple plots and skill levels. These are practical, direct ideas that still feel modern more than half a century later. Often referred to as “Volume Zero” of the Marlo Magazines, this book represents a pivotal moment in Marlo’s output. It bridges the gap between his underground manuscripts and his later, more widely distributed work. So when we set out to produce this edition, we treated it with the care it deserves. This is not a facsimile or a quick scan. Every word has been meticulously retyped. Every illustration has been remastered and cleaned up. Every page has been thoughtfully redesigned to meet modern standards, while preserving the spirit of the original. And then we went further. With the help of our editor, Mike Vance, we were able to work from Marlo’s own personal copy of the manuscript—complete with his handwritten notes and corrections. These have been fully integrated into this edition, making it the most complete and refined version of The Unexpected Card Book ever produced. The material itself is organized into eleven tightly constructed chapters, covering everything from overhand shuffle work and prepared effects to faro systems, Clock routines, controls, updated classics, and a wide-ranging potpourri of ideas. You’ll find Marlo’s handling of the Balducci Cut Deeper Force (arguably the clearest and most effective version ever put into print) alongside a Wild Card routine that ranks among his finest creations. Other highlights include pieces like “Simplex Blindfold Deals”, “Success Story”, “Miracle Faro Reverse”, “Royal Monte”, “The Darkest Hour”, along with a substantial collection of sleights and techniques such as Marlo’s Simple Push Switch and the Marlo Center Deal. His center deal work here is highly notable: accessible, deceptive, and immediately usable. And that’s only the beginning. Nearly every page contains something worth exploring, refining, or putting straight into performance. Get it today, exclusively at Vanishing Inc. For the collectors and die-hard Marlo fans, we’ve produced 100 numbered Deluxe Editions of The Unexpected Card Book. It is bound in the same custom leatherette as the Deluxe Editions of Marlo Magazines, making sure your “Volume 0” perfectly matches Volumes 1-6. Contents of Unexpected Card Book Foreword Chapter I — Collection of Collectors Chapter II — Overhand Shuffle Applications Simplex Blindfold Deals Combination Overhand Shuffle Stacks Streamlined Lessinout Stack Mario’s Broken Up Milk Build Stack Chapter III — Prepared Card Effects Success Story
Solving a Problem Posing and Solving a Problem Double Surprise Simple Premonition Splitting a Thought One Eyed Jacks Open Other Eye Signo-Transpo Wild Card Routine Repeat Ace Transpo Think Universal Chapter IV — Mathematical and Faro Effects The 9999 Miracle The Schmaltzy Showman’s Prediction Mathematical Marlo Sober Slop Shuffle Deal The Deep Face-Up Switch The Invisible Toss Miracle Faro Reverse Masterful Match Up Masterful Mix Up Automatic Placement Double Control, Plus One Chapter V — Problems Solved Lose or Win Proposition From Scratch More on Coincidence Pointed Up Wager Royal Monte Chapter VI — Clock Effects The Pre-Determined Hour Time For Laymen Prediction Surprise and Clock Combination The Darkest Hour Another Clock Effect Chapter VII — System Controls System Controls More On The KO Control Miracle Location Red and Black Thoughts Camouflage Control In Case of a Miss Ace Appearance Chapter VIII — Updated Classics Surprise-Surprise-Surprise The Repeater Let’s Recapitulate or Criss Cross Another Triple Transpo Repeat Card Through Bar or Table Under the Top Call it the — Is this the Elevator Going Up or Down? Elevator Aces Needed a Title Chapter IX — Potpourri of Effects A Quickie Exhibitionism Stranger in a Harem Cover-Up Block Slip Cut Aces No Future Plus Olram’s Coincidence Coefficient of Friction Another Spectator Cuts the Aces Chapter X — Four for Four Transpos A Beautiful Illusion Impromptu Chamele Aces Notes on Chamele Aces Color Transposition Without a Gaff The Gaff Makes It Chapter XI — Bonus Inserts Marlo’s Simple Push Switch On the Spread Switch A Three Packet Estimation Special to the Expert Marlo’s Center Block Control The Marlo Center Deal An Added Observation The Quick Cull Miracle