The Signed Card

A Card Magic routine from The Secrets of Brother John Hamman, originated by Bro. Hamman. Its first publication is in Richard's Almanac Vol. 2, no. 14, oct. 1984, page 125.

synopsis

A mystery card is set aside, and much is made of the fact that it is never touched again.

The four Aces are placed openly on the table.

A card is selected, signed, and placed among the Aces.

The signed card then vanishes.

The card which was placed aside at the beginning is now shown to be the signed card.

The routine is noted, as is much of Brother Hamman's card magic, for its technical simplicity. It's easy to do. The psychology of the card handling and patter is what makes it uniquely deceptive. Most magicians who create variations of this routine generally fail to understand this, and add sleights of increasing difficulty in an effort to compensate for their failure to understand the underlying psychology.

notable variations

• Satyrical Card Signed by Ed Marlo (two versions) in Lecture Notes That's It (1990)
• Justin Miller has created several variations, both gaffed and ungaffed.