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Difference between revisions of "Ace Assembly"

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[[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 "leader" ace.  
 
[[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 "leader" ace.  
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{{Youtube Thumb|Zm3EWeaEgvM|300|'''Copperfield performing his Grandpa's Aces'''}}
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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'''}}
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It was first described (but not created) by [[Jean-Nicolas Ponsin]] in [[Nouvelle Magie Blanche Devoilee]] (1853).  
  
 
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.
  
Quote : ''On the 27th December '''1884''', before the members of the Savage Club, London, [[Eugene Verbeck]] (1844-1905) presented this trick : Showing the four aces he dealt them (apprently) face downwards on the four corners of the table, then placed professedly three indifferent cars on each. He then had two chosen, then one of remainder, usual equivoque, adn caused all four aces to be found together in last head. He then said he would repeat the experiment with the cards '''face upward'''. Accordingly he asked someone to pick out the four queens and to see that there were no others in the pack. He then dealt out apparently the four Queens face upward and then added to each three low cards, placing then fanwise and face upwards...etc., etc...''
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Quote : ''On the 27th December '''1884''', before the members of the Savage Club, London, [[Eugene Verbeck]] (1844-1905) presented this trick : Showing the four aces he dealt them (apprently) face downwards on the four corners of the table, then placed professedly three indifferent cards on each. He then had two chosen, then one of remainder, usual equivoque, and caused all four aces to be found together in last head. He then said he would repeat the experiment with the cards '''face upward'''. Accordingly he asked someone to pick out the four queens and to see that there were no others in the pack. He then dealt out apparently the four Queens face upward and then added to each three low cards, placing then fanwise and face upwards...etc., etc...''
  
Excerpt from [[Prof. Hoffmann]]'s notebooks, reproduced in The [[Linking Ring]], vol. 28, 3, mars 1948, page 44 by [[Stanley Collins]].  
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Excerpt from [[Prof. Hoffmann]]'s notebooks, reproduced in The [[Linking Ring]], vol. 28, No. 3, mars 1948, page 44 by [[Stanley Collins]].  
  
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, 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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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]], Vol. 1, No. 1, oct. 1914, page 40. Reprint in [[J.G. Thompson, Jr.]]'s book [[My Best]] (1945) as ''The Alpha Four Ace Trick'', page 131.  They do, however, all appear at one time.
  
 
Another variation dubbed [[O'Henry Four Aces]] by [[Frank Garcia]]'s in [[Super Subtle Card Miracles]] (1973) added a surprise ending by having the aces joined the final ace in its packet. It was first featured in the [[Trevor Lewis]]' prize-winning act for the [[Magic Circle]] in 1969.
 
Another variation dubbed [[O'Henry Four Aces]] by [[Frank Garcia]]'s in [[Super Subtle Card Miracles]] (1973) added a surprise ending by having the aces joined the final ace in its packet. It was first featured in the [[Trevor Lewis]]' prize-winning act for the [[Magic Circle]] in 1969.
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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]].
 
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]].
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One of the most popular marketed Ace Assembly was [[MacDonald's Aces]].
  
== Versions in print using normal cards ==
 
 
{{Youtube Thumb|JNUepjt6QmI|300|'''Ricky Jay performing Exclusive Coterie'''}}
 
{{Youtube Thumb|JNUepjt6QmI|300|'''Ricky Jay performing Exclusive Coterie'''}}
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 +
== Versions in print using normal cards ==
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* ''The Exclusive Coterie'' from the card trick section of [[Expert at the Card Table]] (1902)
 
* ''The Exclusive Coterie'' from the card trick section of [[Expert at the Card Table]] (1902)
* '''Slow-Motion Aces''' by [[Dai Vernon]] (aces move one by one) from The [[Sphinx]], Vol. 40, 1, march 1941.
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* '''Slow-Motion Aces''' by [[Dai Vernon]] (aces move one by one) (published in The [[Sphinx]], Vol. 40, No. 1, march 1941 as "Mobilizing the Aces"").
 
* [[Edward Marlo]]'s ''Bluff Ace Assembly'' from Ireland's Year Book 1955.
 
* [[Edward Marlo]]'s ''Bluff Ace Assembly'' from Ireland's Year Book 1955.
 
* '''Ultimate Aces''' by [[Lin Searles]] (Aces are different colors) (1958)
 
* '''Ultimate Aces''' by [[Lin Searles]] (Aces are different colors) (1958)
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== Versions in print with gaffed cards ==
 
== Versions in print with gaffed cards ==
  
* [[MacDonald’s Aces]] by [[Frank Garcia]]. Published as a separate manuscript in the [[New Stars of Magic]] Series, Volume 1, #2 (1973)
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* '''Final Ace Routine''' by [[Brother John Hamman]]. Marketed in 1956 by [[Gene DeVoe]]. Later published in ''Top Secrets of Magic Volume 3'' by [[J.G. Thompson, Jr.]] (1968, pp. 280-283). More recently published as "Final Aces," in [[The Secrets of Brother John Hamman]] by [[Richard Kaufman]] (1989, pp. 229-234).
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** '''''[[Brother Hamman's Final(ly) Aces]]''''': [[Ron Bauer]], ''[[Ron Bauer Private Studies Series]], No. 21'' (2006).
 +
* [[MacDonald’s Aces]] by [[Frank Garcia]]. Published as a separate manuscript in the [[New Stars of Magic]] Series, Volume 1, #2 (1973).
 
* '''A Dream of Aces''' by [[Gary Ouellet]]. Originally released by the [[Camirand Academy of Magic]] as a booklet with companion video and cards. Essentially a handling and presentation for [[MacDonald's Aces]] (1993).
 
* '''A Dream of Aces''' by [[Gary Ouellet]]. Originally released by the [[Camirand Academy of Magic]] as a booklet with companion video and cards. Essentially a handling and presentation for [[MacDonald's Aces]] (1993).
 
* '''Ankner's Aces''' by [[Buddy Ankner]], a progressive ace assembly marketed by [[Perfect Magic]] in the early 1980s.
 
* '''Ankner's Aces''' by [[Buddy Ankner]], a progressive ace assembly marketed by [[Perfect Magic]] in the early 1980s.
* '''MacJennings Aces''' by [[Larry Jennings]] in [[Genii 1999 January]], gimmicks not used to for vanish, but for appearance resulting in an instant reverse-assembly ending (also independently developed by [[Guy Hollingsworth]]).
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* '''MacJennings Aces''' by [[Larry Jennings]] in [[Genii 1999 January]], gimmicks not used to for vanish, but for appearance resulting in an instant reverse-assembly ending (also independently developed by [[Guy Hollingworth]]).
  
 
== Variations of the plot ==
 
== Variations of the plot ==
 
 
* '''SecaRouf''' (FourAces in reverse) by [[Phil Goldstein]] in which the aces start out together and end up in the other packets.
 
* '''SecaRouf''' (FourAces in reverse) by [[Phil Goldstein]] in which the aces start out together and end up in the other packets.
* [[Jazz Aces]] by [[Peter Kane]]
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* [[Jazz Aces]] by [[Peter Kane]] in which the aces and only four other cards are used.
* [[Collins' Aces]] by [[Stanley Collins]]
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* [[Collins' Aces]] by [[Stanley Collins]], a cross between an Ace Assembly and a Poker Deal.
  
 
== References ==
 
== References ==

Latest revision as of 18:47, 21 March 2017

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 "leader" ace.

Copperfield performing his Grandpa's Aces


History and variations

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

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.

Quote : On the 27th December 1884, before the members of the Savage Club, London, Eugene Verbeck (1844-1905) presented this trick : Showing the four aces he dealt them (apprently) face downwards on the four corners of the table, then placed professedly three indifferent cards on each. He then had two chosen, then one of remainder, usual equivoque, and caused all four aces to be found together in last head. He then said he would repeat the experiment with the cards face upward. Accordingly he asked someone to pick out the four queens and to see that there were no others in the pack. He then dealt out apparently the four Queens face upward and then added to each three low cards, placing then fanwise and face upwards...etc., etc...

Excerpt from Prof. Hoffmann's notebooks, reproduced in The Linking Ring, vol. 28, No. 3, mars 1948, page 44 by Stanley Collins.

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, Vol. 1, No. 1, oct. 1914, page 40. Reprint in J.G. Thompson, Jr.'s book My Best (1945) as The Alpha Four Ace Trick, page 131. They do, however, all appear at one time.

Another variation dubbed O'Henry Four Aces by Frank Garcia's in Super Subtle Card Miracles (1973) added a surprise ending by having the aces joined the final ace in its packet. It was first featured in the Trevor Lewis' prize-winning act for the Magic Circle in 1969.

Another surprise ending is the "Backfire Assembly" or "Reverse 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). This is some times also call a Technicolor Assembly.

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.

One of the most popular marketed Ace Assembly was MacDonald's Aces.

Ricky Jay performing Exclusive Coterie

Versions in print using normal cards

Versions in print with gaffed cards

Variations of the plot

References