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Herb Zarrow

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Herb Zarrow (November 4, 1925 - May 11, 2008) was an American magician, born in Paterson, New Jersey. He was influential in the profession for his inventions of unique sleight of hand and card tricks. His skills are held in the highest regard in professional magicians' circles.

Herb credited Dai Vernon for changing his outlook on magic which was described in the Vernon Chronicles.

Herb is most noted for his Zarrow Shuffle which he originally called "Full Deck False Shuffle" around 1940 and eventually published it in 1957 in Phoenix magazine. This sleight has been called one of the best card discoveries of the 20th century. Persi Diaconis in his introduction to Dai Vernon's Revelations wrote: "Zarrow's shuffle may very well be the single most important practical card move invented since Erdnase." The Shuffle and it's history were the cover story of the Genii 2008 February issue.

Herb Zarrow on the Zarrow Shuffle

He also created: Herb Zarrow's Switch Change (in Tarbell Seven), Herb Zarrow's Trapeze, Herb Zarrow Retention Pass, Zarrow Block Addition, Starfish Copper/Silver (in CoinMagic by Richard Kaufman), Matched Revolvers, Universal Count Grip (which appeared in the September 1995 issue of M-U-M) and Zarrow's Revolving Aces. It is believed that Mr. Zarrow was also the first to create a Double and Multiple Buckle.

Mr. Zarrow contributed many routines and sleights to publications including the Tarbell Course, Modern Coin Magic and The Linking Ring

Zarrow appeared on the April, 2001 cover of The Linking Ring after being honored at the 2001 annual Fechter's Finger Flicking Frolic convention for a lifetime of contributions and achievements.

Published routines

  • Swindle Mate - Epilogue - July 1974.
  • Universal Count Grip - M-U-M September 1995
  • MATCHED REVOLVERS - Linking Ring July 1977
  • Starfish Copper/Silver - CoinMagic by Richard Kaufman
  • Swivel Round-About - Apocalypse June 1980

Honors and Awards


References