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Difference between revisions of "Ace Assembly"

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== History and variations==
 
== History and variations==
 
It was first described (but not created) by [[Jean-Nicolas Ponsin]] in [[Nouvelle Magie Blanche Dévoilée]] (1853). {{Youtube Thumb|Zm3EWeaEgvM|300|'''Copperfield performing his Grandpa's Aces'''}}
 
It was first described (but not created) by [[Jean-Nicolas Ponsin]] in [[Nouvelle Magie Blanche Dévoilée]] (1853). {{Youtube Thumb|Zm3EWeaEgvM|300|'''Copperfield performing his Grandpa's Aces'''}}
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In the same period, between 1857 and 1875, [[Hofzinser]] created what would become known as [[MacDonald's Aces]] for the final of an effect called ''The Power of Faith'' gimmicked cards. The precise date is not known, but it was eventually published in [[J.N. Hofzinser Kartenkunste]] '''(1910)''' written by [[Ottokar Fischer]] and translated in English as [[Hofzinser's Card Conjuring]]) by [[S.H. Sharpe]] in 1931.
 
In the same period, between 1857 and 1875, [[Hofzinser]] created what would become known as [[MacDonald's Aces]] for the final of an effect called ''The Power of Faith'' gimmicked cards. The precise date is not known, but it was eventually published in [[J.N. Hofzinser Kartenkunste]] '''(1910)''' written by [[Ottokar Fischer]] and translated in English as [[Hofzinser's Card Conjuring]]) by [[S.H. Sharpe]] in 1931.
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One of the first to have the Aces move one at time (rather then disappear all at once) was [[Stanley Collins]]' ''Another Four Ace Trick'' in The [[Magazine of Magic]], Vo. 1, N° 1, oct. 1914, page 40. Reprint in [[J.G. Thompson, Jr.]]'s book [[My Best]] (1945) as ''The Alpha Four Ace Trick'', page 131.
 
One of the first to have the Aces move one at time (rather then disappear all at once) was [[Stanley Collins]]' ''Another Four Ace Trick'' in The [[Magazine of Magic]], Vo. 1, N° 1, oct. 1914, page 40. Reprint in [[J.G. Thompson, Jr.]]'s book [[My Best]] (1945) as ''The Alpha Four Ace Trick'', page 131.
  
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Another variation dubbed "O'Henry Four Aces" by [[Frank Garcia]]'s in [[Super Subtle Card Miracles]] (1973) which added a surprise ending was first featured in the [[Trevor Lewis]]' prize-winning act for the [[Magic Circle]] in 1969*, The IBM in 1971, FISM in 1976 and published as ''Topsy Turvy and Slow Motion Plus'' in The [[New Pentagram]], Vol. 3, N° 11, march 1972, page 90. In USA, [[Roger Smith]] published the same idea as ''Slow Motion Ace Switch-A-Roo'' in [[Revolutionary Card Compositions]] (1971).
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Another variation dubbed "O'Henry Four Aces" by [[Frank Garcia]]'s in [[Super Subtle Card Miracles]] (1973) which added a surprise ending was first featured in the [[Trevor Lewis]]' prize-winning act for the [[Magic Circle]] in 1969 (See [[Roger's Thesaurus]] (1994), page 214, written by [[Roger Crosthwaite]] and [[Justin Higham]]), The IBM in 1971, FISM in 1976 and published as ''Topsy Turvy and Slow Motion Plus'' in The [[New Pentagram]], Vol. 3, N° 11, march 1972, page 90. In USA, [[Roger Smith]] published the same idea as ''Slow Motion Ace Switch-A-Roo'' in [[Revolutionary Card Compositions]] (1971). Another surprise ending is the "Backfire Assembly" in which the Aces then travel back to their original packets.
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* See [[Roger's Thesaurus]] (1994), page 214, written by [[Roger Crosthwaite]] and [[Justin Higham]]
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Another surprise ending is the "Backfire Assembly" in which the Aces travel back to their original packets.
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Progressive (or Succession) Aces is a variation of the plot by [[Ken Krenzel]] in which the first ace joins the second, then those two join the third and finally all arrive in the last packet in sequence.
 
Progressive (or Succession) Aces is a variation of the plot by [[Ken Krenzel]] in which the first ace joins the second, then those two join the third and finally all arrive in the last packet in sequence.

Revision as of 13:30, 18 February 2009

Ace Assembly or Four Aces Trick is a classic plot in card magic in which the four aces, placed down on the table, magically assemble onto a selected "leader" ace.

History and variations

It was first described (but not created) by Jean-Nicolas Ponsin in Nouvelle Magie Blanche Dévoilée (1853).

Copperfield performing his Grandpa's Aces

In the same period, between 1857 and 1875, Hofzinser created what would become known as MacDonald's Aces for the final of an effect called The Power of Faith gimmicked cards. The precise date is not known, but it was eventually published in J.N. Hofzinser Kartenkunste (1910) written by Ottokar Fischer and translated in English as Hofzinser's Card Conjuring) by S.H. Sharpe in 1931.

One of the first to have the Aces move one at time (rather then disappear all at once) was Stanley Collins' Another Four Ace Trick in The Magazine of Magic, Vo. 1, N° 1, oct. 1914, page 40. Reprint in J.G. Thompson, Jr.'s book My Best (1945) as The Alpha Four Ace Trick, page 131.

Another variation dubbed "O'Henry Four Aces" by Frank Garcia's in Super Subtle Card Miracles (1973) which added a surprise ending was first featured in the Trevor Lewis' prize-winning act for the Magic Circle in 1969 (See Roger's Thesaurus (1994), page 214, written by Roger Crosthwaite and Justin Higham), The IBM in 1971, FISM in 1976 and published as Topsy Turvy and Slow Motion Plus in The New Pentagram, Vol. 3, N° 11, march 1972, page 90. In USA, Roger Smith published the same idea as Slow Motion Ace Switch-A-Roo in Revolutionary Card Compositions (1971). Another surprise ending is the "Backfire Assembly" in which the Aces then travel back to their original packets.

Progressive (or Succession) Aces is a variation of the plot by Ken Krenzel in which the first ace joins the second, then those two join the third and finally all arrive in the last packet in sequence.

Lin Searles created the variation where the Aces had a different color back then the rest of the cards in Ultimate Aces (1958).

Peter Kane's Jazz Aces popularized a streamlined Ace Assembly where only 4 indifferent cards were used.

Taking it to the extreme, Bill Miesel, Ed Marlo and Larry Jennings developed routines in which no cover cards are used at all, now known as Open Travellers.

The most popular marketed gimmmicked Ace Assembly was MacDonald’s Aces.

Versions in print using normal cards

Ricky Jay performing Exclusive Coterie

Versions in print with gaffed cards

Variations of the plot

References

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