Theodore DeLand

Theodore DeLand
Born	Theodore Louis DeLand, Jr. 1873
Died	January 25, 1931 Norristown, Pennsylvania

Theodore DeLand (1873-1931) 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 clerk at the U.S. Mint in Philadelphia and died in an insane asylum in Norristown, Pennsylvania.

DeLand's tricks involved some of the following principles:

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

In 1911, the Mysto Magic Company purchased the manufacturing rights to DeLand's creations.

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

A few of his marketed effects are:

• 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

Richard Kaufman has been writing a book on the life and creations of Theodore DeLand for the last dozen years. Scheduled for publication in 2011, DeLand: Mystery and Madness will explain all of DeLand's card tricks and other creations, as well as revealing a wealth of new biographical material.

References

• Article Genii 1980 July