Theodore DeLand

Theodore DeLand (1873- January 25, 1931) created the phenomenon of packet tricks between 1906 and 1915, during which time he marketed almost 100 tricks using gimmicked cards and decks, many of his own unique creation.

DeLand was a Superintendent of the U.S. Mint in Philadelphia and died in an insane asylum in Norristown, Pennsylvania.

DeLand's tricks involved the following principles, some of which he was the first to introduce:

• Double-faced Cards
• Double-backed Cards
• Specially Marked Cards
• Printed Fans

In 1918, S. S. Adams purchased the manufacturing rights of most of DeLand's creations.

Some Marketed effects

• Phantom Cards - 1907
• X-Ray Deck - 1907
• Knock Out - 1908
• Pickitout - 1908
• Fadeaway Card - 1908
• Papel Blanco - 1908
• Nox-em-all - 1908
• Wonder Change - 1909
• Sphinx Card Trick - 1909
• Two Card Monte - c. 1910
• Million Dollar Mystery - 1910
• Fly-a-way - 1911
• Dollar Deck (aka Deland's Automatic Playing Cards) - 1913 - a combination of the Marked Deck, Stacked Deck, and Stripped Deck
• The Devil's Own Trick
• The Vanishing Card
• The Magic Lead Pencil
• The Great Nail Puzzle