Ed Marlo created so much magic that at the peak of his career, he struggled to have it all published. So, on the advice of David Solomon, he printed and produced small amounts of his own manuscripts, which quietly circulated among serious card magicians. Decades later, these "private manuscripts" have become some of the most sought-after and influential works in modern card magic.
The first, and most notable of these is
The Unexpected Card Book. It presents a dense, wide-ranging collection of 80+ tricks and sleights across multiple plots and skill levels. These aren't just something to toy with during practice, but many of these are direct, practical ideas that feel modern more than half a century later.
Inside you'll find eleven chapters covering a range of topics, ranging from overhand shuffle work, prepared effects, controls, and updated classics, to more esoteric ideas like Clock routines, faro systems, and more.
Highlights include Marlo's handling of the Balducci Cut Deeper Force-arguably the clearest and most effective version in print-and a Wild Card routine that ranks among his finest creations. You'll also find gems like his "
Simplex Blindfold Deals," "
Success Story," "
Miracle Faro Reverse," "
Royal Monte," and "
The Darkest Hour," alongside a collection of moves like the Simple Push Switch and the Marlo Center Deal. His center deal work isn't just incredibly deceptive, but is accessible and immediately usable.
This book marks a pivotal moment in Marlo's history and bridges the gap between his underground manuscripts and his more widely published material. Often referred to as "Volume Zero" of the Marlo Magazines,
The Unexpected Card Book is an essential purchase for card magicians and magic historians alike.
Vanishing Inc. took incredible care when republishing Marlo's work. Every word has been retyped, every illustration redrawn, and every page redesigned to modern standards while preserving the original spirit. But that isn't where they stopped. With the help of Mike Vance, Vanishing Inc. has incorporated Marlo's notes from his personal manuscript directly into the book. This isn't just the most complete version of
The Unexpected Card Book; it's a piece of magic history. Get your copy today!
Contents of Unexpected Card BookForewordChapter I - Collection of CollectorsChapter 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??
