Shipwreck Playing Cards by Ellusionist and Tom Elderfield

Effect

The Shipwreck Playing Cards are part of the "How to Read Minds" magic kit designed for young magicians. The deck is smaller in size, making it easier for children to handle. It is also fully marked, allowing performers to secretly identify any card chosen by a spectator. The cards can be used for various effects, including card revelations, color predictions, and key card tricks.

Full Details

The Shipwreck deck is a modified version of Ellusionist’s Lighthouse deck, featuring a unique marking system. The smaller size is ideal for young performers, eliminating the struggle of handling standard-sized cards. The deck is included in a kit with over 20 magic tricks, along with props like an emoji elimination pad, a disguised switching pencil case, a UV pen, and an impression pad.

The kit comes with an online tutorial hosted by Tom Elderfield and a young magician named Danne. The 1.5-hour video covers all included tricks, with a navigation menu for easy access to specific lessons. The Shipwreck deck is used in multiple effects, teaching young magicians how to read markings, perform forces, and execute simple yet powerful card magic.

Who Should Consider the Trick

This deck and kit are best suited for young magicians (ages 7 and up) who are serious about learning magic. It is also a great option for parents or mentors looking for a high-quality magic set that avoids cheap, low-quality props. The Shipwreck deck is particularly useful for beginners who want to learn marked deck techniques in an accessible way.

Information on How Difficult It Is to Perform

The tricks taught with the Shipwreck deck are designed to be beginner-friendly. The marking system is straightforward, and the included tutorial breaks down each step clearly. While some practice is required to master the subtleties of reading the markings smoothly, the effects themselves are not overly complex. The kit emphasizes ease of learning, making it ideal for young or new performers.

What Magicians Say

Magic Orthodoxy’s David praises the Shipwreck deck and the entire kit, calling it "the best he’s seen for aspiring young magicians." He highlights the deck’s smaller size as a major advantage for children, saying, "No longer will kids be complaining about the cards being too big when they shuffle or cut." He also appreciates the thorough tutorial, noting that it teaches multiple effects with the marked deck, including forces and color predictions.

David strongly recommends the kit, stating, "This is the kit I would have wanted when I was a kid." He believes it offers real, high-quality magic rather than filler tricks, making it a worthwhile investment for young performers. His only suggestion for improvement is additional performance coaching, but he considers the Shipwreck deck and the rest of the kit an excellent foundation for learning magic.