For anyone who takes card magic seriously, Ed Marlo is the gold standard of creativity and innovation. This legendary chap churned out over 7,000 effects and techniques throughout his career, completely changing the card magic landscape. If you've ever performed a card trick, chances are you've stumbled across something that bears Marlo's distinctive touch (or possibly a bit of his brilliance, if we’re being honest).
Marlo's Magazines is our most ambitious publishing escapade yet. This stunning, towering six-volume collection stretches over 2,250 pages. And let's be clear: these aren't your average magazines. They’re hefty hardcover tomes showcasing the finest work from one of card magic's most prolific masterminds.
During the 1970s and 1980s, Marlo got rather miffed with traditional magic publishers. He watched as editors sat on his brilliant material for years, allowing others to sneak in and steal his thunder. In an age where getting credit for your magic was essential, Marlo decided enough was enough.
His solution? Bold, to say the least: self-publish six monstrous "magazines" filled with his top-notch creations. Each book was hand-numbered by Marlo himself, with only 300 copies of each volume ever printed. This makes these books as rare as hen's teeth, and frankly, the Holy Grail of card magic literature.
The scope of what you'll find in Marlo's Magazines is simply staggering. These volumes contain deep dives into techniques that have become cornerstones of modern card magic. You’ll uncover thorough analyses of Card-To-Pocket handlings, the Punch Deal, Marlo's Convincing Control, and an endless array of effects, from Ace Assemblies to Oil and Water variations.
Each magazine packs in at least 200 techniques and effects. This is where legendary sleights like the Snap Change, Olram's Jinx Switch, and the Unit Upjog Control first saw the light of day. The range is so extensive that every time you crack one of these volumes open, you’re bound to find something new: a technique you overlooked, a subtle handling tip, or an approach that suddenly makes sense (it's like magic for your brain!).
Original first editions are now going for $350 or more on the collectors’ market. This scarcity isn't some marketing gimmick; these books have genuinely been hoarded by those lucky enough to possess them.
This created a bit of a conundrum in the magic community. The very texts that should be studied and learned from became too precious to handle regularly, tucked away in collections instead of being used as the educational resources Marlo intended.
Vanishing Inc. has taken it upon themselves to solve this little dilemma with their comprehensive reprint project. Working with Lee Freed, who had the rights to the magazines, they've produced what they confidently call the definitive edition.
Every book has been meticulously edited, with corrections sourced from Marlo's own copies of the originals. The thousands of illustrations have been digitally remastered, and every page has been redesigned to highlight Marlo's brilliance while making the material more digestible than ever before.
Technical Specifications and Content
The physical specifications reflect the serious nature of the content.
Each book measures 8.5" × 11", giving you plenty of room for detailed illustrations and clear explanations.
The page counts tell the story of Marlo's prolific output: - Volume 1: 309 pages - Volume 2: 317 pages - Volume 3: 341 pages - Volume 4: 381 pages - Volume 5: 487 pages - Volume 6: 363 pages
