Come a Little Closer by John Denis - eBook DOWNLOAD

Get ready to dive into a treasure trove of magic history and innovation with Come a Little Closer by John Denis. This eBook isn’t just a collection of tricks; it’s a chronicle of a decades-long camaraderie forged in the fires of passion for the craft. Imagine a time when eight young London magicians—think of them as the original Magic Avengers—spent their Saturdays scouring magic shops, haunting variety theaters, and sipping coffee in street-corner cafes, all while exchanging ideas and tricks that would shape the future of close-up magic.

This motley crew of magic aficionados didn’t just play around with “pocket tricks”; they were the masterminds behind a style that would become synonymous with contemporary classics. Some of them skyrocketed to fame, while others took a breather from the limelight only to return in their later years, proving that true passion never dies.

It’s almost hard to picture legends like Jack Avis, Alex Elmsley, and Roy Walton sitting around tables, debating the nuances of close-up magic over a couple of cups of coffee that had long gone cold. But that youthful energy sparked a creative fire that resulted in some of the most enduring techniques in our craft. Who hasn’t used the Elmsley Count? If you’re a card magician worth your salt, Walton’s “The Collectors” and “Card Warp” are probably staples in your act.

This book isn’t just a nostalgic look back; it’s packed with effects that have stood the test of time since they first appeared in a modest publication back in '93. But wait—there’s more! The contributors have thrown in a slew of fresh routines developed over the past forty years, many of which are seeing the light of day for the first time. You’ll find gems like John Derris’s “Staggering” and Ted Danson’s “Diary Trick” still in active rotation in their creators’ repertoires.

If you’re serious about close-up magic, this book is a goldmine of material that balances skill and the ever-important art of presentation—the heartbeat of great magic. It’s a tribute to the deep bonds formed through shared passion, a fellowship that’s endured since the '50s. As you turn the pages, you’ll absorb the insights and creativity of a group of magicians who stumbled upon their own brand of serendipity. So grab your coffee, settle in, and prepare for a delightful journey through the magic that shaped our world.

Table of Contents

Foreword

Introduction

Session One . . . Jack Avis
Cards of Pegasus
The Siva Fold
The Siva Folded Card to Wallet
True Grit

Session Two . . . Bobby Bernard
Jet Transportation
BB Drops Them Again
H-E-A-V-Y

Session Three . . . Ted Danson
The Seance Card Trick
Give Me a Ring
It's a Date

Session Four . . . John Derris
Monte Cristo Ring
One in Three
Hockleys' Coin Vanish
Staggering
The Big Squeeze

Session Five . . . Alex Elmsley
Point of Departure
Colour Filter
Card Counting Rhyme
No-Calc
Oyster Shells

Session Six . . . Arthur Holland
Cut and Restored Cigarette

Session Seven . . . Hugh Scott
Biography
Fern Court Glide Bluff

Session Eight . . . Tommy Vanderschmidt
Repeat Card in Hat

Session Nine . . . Roy Walton
Knifed
All Hands on Deck
The Alternate Shift
The Invisible Plan

Session Ten
What's Wrong With Magic

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