Close-up Card Magic by Harry Lorayne 1962 1st ed. 2nd printing

Description

Condition: Good

Close-Up Card Magic (1962), published by Louis Tannen and illustrated by Edward Mishell, is the seminal debut card magic text by Harry Lorayne. Spanning 272 pages, it fundamentally reshaped 20th-century card literature by shifting the focus toward direct, highly practical, commercial close-up magic delivered in Lorayne’s signature conversational, "living-room teaching" prose style.  

Core Philosophy & Structure

Before this book, much of card literature was heavily technical or dryly academic. Lorayne prioritized maximum audience impact with efficient, direct handling.

The book is structured into clean technique overviews followed by fully developed routines, blending Lorayne’s original creations with contributions from top contemporary minds like Dai Vernon, Frank Garcia, Alex Elmsley, and Paul Curry.  

Key Sleights & Foundations Introduced / Refined

 Lorayne’s Ambitious Card Card Routine & Handling: Demonstrates how to build momentum using direct misdirection rather than overly complex sleights.

 The Spread Control & Turnover Change: Practical utility moves for controlling or switching cards in mid-spread.

 Jog, Hindu, and Faro Shuffle Applications: Utilized not for gambling demonstrations, but as seamless tools for visual magic.

Standout Routines

 Out of This Universe: Lorayne’s famous variation on Paul Curry’s Out of This World, eliminating cumbersome steps to create a faster, more dramatic red/black separation.

 Lazy Man's Card Trick: A legendary hands-off location effect (utilizing a key card/location principle) where the spectator does almost all the work.

 Apex Aces & Vernon’s Aces: High-visibility packet Ace productions and assemblies designed for close-up and parlor settings.  

 The Spirit Writes & Stop!: Direct, commercial mentalism-style card locations tailored for lay audiences.

First Edition, Second Printing Identification

Louis Tannen printed multiple runs in 1962 due to rapid demand. To verify a 1st Edition, 2nd Printing:

1. Title Page / Copyright: States Published by Louis Tannen with the 1962 copyright, explicitly indicating "Second Printing" on the copyright page or front endpapers.

2. Binding: Original hardbound edition in black or dark cloth with gold-stamped spine lettering, originally issued with Edward Mishell's dust jacket.

3. Page Count: Exact 272-page block.