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Collector’s by Percy Diaconus and James Swain

Created by: Percy Diaconus, James Swain

The 'Collector’s' is a captivating sandwich card routine where a spectator's selected card magically appears between two face-up Black Aces. This close-up magic trick involves a series of sophisticated card manipulations including the Flexible Switch, Pharaoh Shuffle, Dribble Shuffle, and Double Lift. The routine is inspired by Percy Diaconus’ 'Collector’s' routine from '21st Century Card Magic' by James Swain, offering a visually striking and conceptually elegant performance. The trick requires precise positioning of the Aces and the selected card, along with effective misdirection and engaging patter to enhance the illusion.

Key features

  • Inspired by Percy Diaconus’ 'Collector’s' routine

  • Utilizes key card techniques: Flexible Switch, Pharaoh Shuffle, Dribble Shuffle, and Double Lift

  • Requires precise positioning and misdirection

  • Encourages personal experimentation and variation

  • Suitable for magicians of varying skill levels

Pros

  • Visually striking and conceptually elegant

  • Clear explanations make it accessible to various skill levels

  • Encourages personal touches and experimentation

  • Multiple approaches provided for setup

Cons

  • Requires mastery of several card techniques

  • Precise positioning is crucial, which may be challenging for beginners

Effect

The trick Collector’s is a sandwich-style card routine where a spectator’s selected card appears between two face-up Black Aces. The magician first shows the Aces separated in the deck, then makes one Ace jump to the top. After a shuffle, the second Ace appears beside it, and the spectator’s card visually rises between them. The illusion is clean and visually striking, making it a strong piece of card magic.

Full Details

The routine is inspired by Percy Diaconis’ "Collector’s" from 21st Century Card Magic by James Swain. It uses key techniques:

  • Flexible Switch (Ed Marlo): A deceptive way to switch a card while displaying it in a fan.
  • Pharaoh Shuffle: Ensures the selected card lands between the Aces.
  • Dribble Shuffle: Creates the illusion of the card sliding into place.
  • Double Lift: Used to show the Ace of Spades as a "magic card."

The magician controls the spectator’s card, positions it correctly, and uses misdirection to enhance the effect. The final reveal involves a dribble shuffle that makes the card appear between the Aces in a visually surprising way.

Who Should Consider the Trick

This routine is ideal for:

  • Magicians familiar with intermediate card techniques like double lifts and shuffles.
  • Performers who enjoy sandwich plots and want a streamlined version with just two Aces.
  • Those who like adaptable routines, as the creator encourages personal touches.

Difficulty

The trick requires proficiency in several sleights:

  • Moderate difficulty: The Flexible Switch and Pharaoh Shuffle need practice to perform smoothly.
  • Timing and misdirection are crucial for hiding the mechanics.
  • The dribble shuffle must look natural to sell the illusion.

Beginners may struggle, but intermediate magicians will find it manageable with practice.

What Magicians Say

SeanDevine, who teaches the routine, calls it "brilliant" and praises its visual impact. He highlights the importance of:

  • Positioning: "Precise positioning of the Aces and the selected card is crucial."
  • Misdirection: Using patter to sell the Ace of Spades as a "magic card."
  • Experimentation: "Sometimes the best things are born out of happy accidents."

He also notes that the dribble shuffle should be kept "sloppy" to enhance the magical appearance. The routine is flexible, with multiple ways to achieve the setup, making it adaptable for different performers.

Overall, Collector’s is a strong, deceptive sandwich routine that rewards practice and personalization.

What people are saying about Collector’s

SeanDevine says...

I was playing around with a collector's routine out of 21st century card magic by James Swain um called Percy collectors by Percy diaconus and I was playing around with maybe way to do with just a single sandwich between two face up cards instead of the four races and something happened and I was like holy that's amazing and so sometimes the best things are born or created out of happy accidents.

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