Pack of playing cards used in stage conjuring tricks
Magic Trick
20th century (made)
20th century (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
These cards were made for the popular card trick known as 'Rising cards' or 'Devano rising cards'. The trick was invented around 1936 by Dr. L. Vosburgh Lyons but popularised in 1948 by Mitch Devano, a prominent member of the Magic Circle, after whom the Society's close-up magic award is named. A sculpture of his hand holding the trick is part of the collection of the Magic Circle.
Members of the audience are asked to choose one or more cards from the pack. These are replaced but magically reveal themselves by rising up from the pack in turn. Many methods of creating this trick have been devised. In Devano's version the cards were placed in a drinking glass. The spectator could hold the glass and request a particular card to rise up, and it would obey the command.
This pack is a superior version of those popularly produced today since it features a small pin to engage the rising card rather than a piece of light adhesive.
Members of the audience are asked to choose one or more cards from the pack. These are replaced but magically reveal themselves by rising up from the pack in turn. Many methods of creating this trick have been devised. In Devano's version the cards were placed in a drinking glass. The spectator could hold the glass and request a particular card to rise up, and it would obey the command.
This pack is a superior version of those popularly produced today since it features a small pin to engage the rising card rather than a piece of light adhesive.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Title | Pack of playing cards used in stage conjuring tricks (generic title) |
| Materials and techniques | Printed card, with attached thread and metal weight |
| Brief description | Pack of playing cards, used in stage conjuring tricks |
| Physical description | Pack of playing cards, modified with threads and a weight, some cards with centre removed, used in stage conjuring tricks. With card box, printed with the words 'Alf Cooke Limited (Universal Playing Card Co.) Leeds and London'. |
| Dimensions |
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| Summary | These cards were made for the popular card trick known as 'Rising cards' or 'Devano rising cards'. The trick was invented around 1936 by Dr. L. Vosburgh Lyons but popularised in 1948 by Mitch Devano, a prominent member of the Magic Circle, after whom the Society's close-up magic award is named. A sculpture of his hand holding the trick is part of the collection of the Magic Circle. Members of the audience are asked to choose one or more cards from the pack. These are replaced but magically reveal themselves by rising up from the pack in turn. Many methods of creating this trick have been devised. In Devano's version the cards were placed in a drinking glass. The spectator could hold the glass and request a particular card to rise up, and it would obey the command. This pack is a superior version of those popularly produced today since it features a small pin to engage the rising card rather than a piece of light adhesive. |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | S.164-1987 |
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| Record created | July 1, 2009 |
| Record URL |
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