Can anyone add to this Emerson & West marketed packet card tricks list? 17 so far. Any high recommedations from this group? Thank you.

ADD+IX
Color Monte
Eight Ball
Flipped Out
Gems
Gypsy Curse
Gourmet Mouse
Hamman Eggs
Rat Traps
Reflections
Round Trip
Sequence
Soup To Nuts
Sympathetic Cards
Tra-Fix
The (W)hole Thing
Wild Wild West

Trans print was presented by Emerson & West but is Bill Taylor's
Six Mix - Emerson & West

Auto Suggestion

All this help is downright fantastic! I super appreciate it on my quest of E & W. Also, I have received some more info via PM. To me, often times old school is new school. To an audience that hasn't witnessed the effect before, it is without doubt, new school. I greatly respect the 'Golden Age' of packet card tricks. We are the culmination of what came before in the truest sense. Richards post reminded me of the importance of listing the creators name. Their just recognition is long overdue in many cases. The new total up to this time is 21. An update is in order. Thank you all, once again.

ADD+IX - Larry West
Auto Suggestion - ?
Color Monte - Jim Temple
Dicey - Bob Ostin
Eight Ball - Larry West
Flipped Out - Ed Hollins
Gems - Walt Maddison
Gourmet Mouse - Larry West
Gypsy Curse - Peter Kane
Hamman Eggs - Bro.John Hamman (witty pun trick name considering the inventor)
Rat Traps - Bob White
Reflections - Peter Kane
Round Trip - Peter Kane
Sequence - Larry West
Shaggy Dog Tale - ? (supposedly well kept underground secret for years)
Soup to Nuts - Jim Callan
Sympathetic Cards - Magic Ronnay
Tra-Fix - Larry West
Trans-Print - Bill Taylor
The W(h)ole Thing - Larry West
Wild Wild West - Larry West (there's that pun thing again)

An "All Star" line-up of inventors imo. Any trick details, stories, memories, new trick names of the old, corrections, et.al., are all welcomed here.

Jazz Band - (Based on Peter Kane's "Jazz Aces")

I like Sympathetic cards. Lots of changes and a good storyline. Also The Four Card trick with 8 cards, which doesn't seem to be on the list above-perhaps I have the name wrong. This has a great surprise ending where cards that were 1=-4 twice in the beginning become 1-8. All can be examined!

C

Arthur Emerson is still alive. He might have a complete list.

Stanyon, Christo & Chris...all great info. All new to me. Chris...any idea on how I can find a way to contact Mr. Emerson? Richard, I guess I blundered by just listing Trans-Print when in reality both tricks were released by E & W. Now corrected.

When I began this quest, I somehow thought that there were approximately 25 or so items. After further investigation, messages & e-mails, it now appears to number around 50. I was also unaware of how collectible E & W has become. There is a very dedicated group of fans of E & W that is very similar to the Tenyo type of collecting. Many regard these items with fond memories. Hopefully, this list helps in aiding everyone that has any interest level. Once again, a big Thank You all! The new update brings the current total to 33.

Add + IX - Larry West
Auto Suggestion - Bob Ostin
Camouflage - ?
Coin-Cidental - ?
Color Blind - ?
Color Monte - Jim Temple
Cut-Throat Casino - ?
Dicey - Bob Ostin
The Di-Sect-Ed Damsel - Peter Kane
Eight Ball - Larry West
Flipped Out - Ed Hollins
The Four Card Trick - ? (trick name confirmed)
Gems - Walt Maddison
Gourmet Mouse - Larry West
Gypsy Curse - Peter kane
Hamman Eggs - Bro.John Hamman
Jazz Band - Peter Kane
Know Fuling - ?
Mimics - Peter Kane
Penetra-Bill - Gene Anthony
Rat Traps - Bob White
Reflections - Peter Kane
Round Trip - Peter Kane
Shaggy Dog Tale - ?
Sequence - Larry West
Signature - Trevor Lewis
Six Mix - Bill Taylor
Soup To Nuts - Jim Callan
Sympathetic Cards - Magic Ronnay
Tra-Fix - Larry West
Trans-Print - Bill Taylor
The Whole Thing - Larry West
Wild Wild West - Larry West

Gems is really nice. The cards have beautifully printed precious stones on them, raised and embossed: a giant red ruby, blue sapphire earrings, a green emerald broach (or brooch), and white pearl necklace. A really cute story about the lady‘s precious gems getting robbed from the vault, and how the detective solves the mystery and finds them again.

Thank you todsky. Never knew the effect, just the name. Sounds like they went all-out with this one.

One new addition. Total now 34.

A Night Out With The Girls - ?

A Night Out With The Girls was certainly NOT an Emerson and West release.

Some of the plots listed have been visited in later years by others. People may prefer John Bannon's "The Royal Scam" say, to Ronnay's "Sympathetic Cards" handling. Daryl has a different handling with jumbo cards for "The Whole Thing" (and Tony Griffith once had a variant that concluded with a picture of Spot the dog.) Bob Ostin had another commercial variant on "Auto Suggestion" called "Inebriation" that he briefly marketed but is fully described in the book on his magic "Bob Ostin A Lifetime of Magical Invention" by Stephen Tucker. Bob's "Dicey" effect is also detailed in the same book.

Some of my favorites were "Gypsy Curse" which itself has inspired a number of handlings in print since it appeared, "Gourmet Mouse" (just cute), "Soup To Nuts" and "Trans-Print" . The ending of the latter inspired my own release "Not Another Three Card Trick". Whilst "Color Monte" was without doubt the best seller there are better handlings for the same 'type' of routine, R. Paul Wilson's "Gypsy's Monte" for instance from his "Knock 'Em Dead" notes. Perhaps the latest version on the market is one from Meir Yedid:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KcE2w31MmhA
Meir told me "Color Monte" should NOT have been credited to Jim Temple as it had earlier appeared in print by someone else and in his latest release puts the historical record straight.

Inert, if you're really into packet effects and their history you might love books like "Small But Deadly" which can be found here:
http://www.magicbookshop.com/product_inf......_id=9618
or the sequel "Still Small Still Deadly" which will soon be out of print but the odd copy can still be found here:
http://www.mymagic.com/hallas.htm

Paul.

Thank you for taking the time Paul. I really appreciate it. All pertinent info. The exact type of knowledge I was seeking. Great links also.

It is always fascinating to me to follow an effects evolution over the years, as you perfectly illustrate with your examples of 'Sympathetic Cards', 'Gypsy Curse', et.al.

From my investigations, as you pointed out, Color Monte should have been credited to Ed Marlo from his 'Quick 3-Way' from 1958. This was followed by Bill Elliot's '3 Card Monkey Business' from 1959. Jim Temple's contribution appears to be the final kicker card.

I've also just learned that Fun Inc. has acquired all rights to the Emerson & West line. They have already re-released &/or modernized Color Monte, Dicey, Eight Ball, Gourmet Mouse, Gypsy Curse, Hamman Eggs, Know Fuling, Shaggy Dog Tale, Sympathetic Cards & Tra-Fix. Add + IX & The Whole Thing will follow shortly. I found 'A Night Out With The Girls' by looking at Fun Inc's. site. All E & W products have a SKU code which starts with ew. ANOWTG has this code. I am assuming that it is an old E & W based trick with a modern new theme or twist & maybe even a new name. There is a chance that the SKU code was a typo of course.

Both 'Small But Deadly' & 'Still Small But Deadly' are on my keen to buy list. From what I'm hearing, they are considered the standard reference books on the subject. All held in high regard.

Is it possible for you to add any more info on trick or inventor names? I'm still in the neighbourhood of 17 or so shy of the grand total. Even a recommended top 10 would be great. Anything would help. Thank you.

I'm pretty sure "Know Fuling" was a Larry West creation. Basically a bar trick.

Walt Maddison was a friend. I never saw "Gems' performed with the specially printed cards, though Walt himself used to perform it with four aces.

I have a whole chapter devoted to "Jazz Aces" in "Still Small, Still Deadly" (I have only 7 copies of that book left).

Your list of Emerson and West effects is actually greater than the number I mention in my book.
I never came across "Rat Trap" for instance but was told later told it was a good one.

Bear in mind not every Emerson and West release was a packet trick, and some packet effects may not play as well today as they did then. It's the same with some of the Nick Trost items.

Maybe Night Out With The Girls was lumped with Emerson and West stuff simply because its a packet effect. I'm pretty sure it originated a little later, maybe with Tony Curtis, but there were a few similar things around, "Night Out in Paris" etc. with photos of nude or bikini clad girls. Compare these to say "Know Fuling" which simply has a cartoon caricature of a busty woman and you'll conclude they don't really fit with the Emerson and West range. But that's just an educated guess, I also don't recall Art demonstrating or selling it.

A quick search turned up this:
http://magicfakers.blogspot.com/2007/12/......rls.html

Fun inc. bought out Hampton Ridge who had the Emerson and West stuff but on this clip the Hampton Ridge name appears. Tony Curtis is credited. No Emerson and WEst references on the advertising picture. The effect was also sold by Tony Curtis in the U.K. long before Hampton Ridge had it.

Paul.
P.s Here the connection between Night Out in Paris and night Out With The Girls is mentioned:
http://www.stephentuckermagic.talktalk.n......cks!.htm

Thank you once again Paul.

It's a crying shame that there is no definitive list of Emerson & West effects posted anywhere. I find it an injustice to both the men involved & magic in general. The 'Golden Age,' deserves accolades imo.

You were spot on with mentioning that not all E & W effects were packet tricks. I have stumbled upon some in my research such as 'Cut Off.' I am now left wondering if 33 or so is actually the upper limit of their packet effects?

Totally concur with your reasoning in regards to 'A Night Out With The Girls.' It just seems too risque' & runs contrary to E & W's basic business style in general.

If I could just bother you one more time (Yes, I know I'm pushing it), is there any chance you could review 'Di-Sect-Ed Damsel,' on here? It just seems to be a great & clean working trick to me.

UPDATES:

The Four Card Trick - Alex Elmsley (unconfirmed). There is another version attributed to another inventor, but I like to believe this is Alex Elmsley's version, as I have read that Alex Elmsley actually inspired the whole E & W line.

Know Fuling (sometimes written Know Fu-Ling, as the main character's name is Fu-Ling - Larry West.

A Night Out With The Girls - Tony Curtis. Removed from list.

Inert,

Elmsley's "The Four Card Trick" is the granddaddy of all packet tricks; I love it and have several variations. I don't think it was ever marketed by E & W, maybe Davenports (as a manuscript)? Mr Hallas will probably know!

Marty

Gentlemen, what an awesome thread!

There can be a lot nattering and downright rude and uncivil interaction on the Café, but threads like this help to make it all worthwhile.

Only the grandaddy of all packet tricks that use the Elmsley count, lol. And still very effective today. It wasn't available from E & W, but through Davenports as Marty suggested. It can be found detailed it the Elmsley books, where it credits the 1959 manuscript. That pre-dates E & W.

Inert said; "The 'Golden Age,' deserves accolades imo."
That's why it's discussed in "Small But Deadly" :0

Regarding; "Is there any chance you could review 'Di-Sect-Ed Damsel,' on here? It just seems to be a great & clean working trick to me. "

I never had that one, so cannot. Maybe someone else can. You have to remember, not all the E & W packet effects were available at any one time, or remained available. And probably not all were 'winners'which is why some are remembered better than others.

You'd really enjoy my packet trick books, Inert, pity you don't have them

Another non packet effect E & W release was "The Pocket Secretary" which was a combined card to wallet and billet index.

Paul.

E&W had a twising effect out also, I do not remember the name of it but the Ace, Two, Three, and Four of clubs was shown and the cards would twist and the card faces changed colour, one was red, one green, and one yellow.

Thank you Marty & Paul for stepping up to the plate yet again. Very informative on Alex Elmsley too. It is this kind of fellowship effort that will produce what I hope will be the best listing available of the E & W line. I do not know if it will ever be definitive, but at least it will be in the ball park range. Is there no catalogues?

DelMagic...I really appreciate your kind words & thoughts. Paradoxically, I am just returning to posting myself, after a long absence due to the scenario that you aptly stated. Many of the wittiest & knowledgable of posters (imo) have withdrawn for the very reasons you gave. They found it all very discouraging & disheartening to say the least. I am currently on a quest to get them back online. We all must remember Steve Brooks' original purpose & intent of the Café'; Fellowship & a sharing of knowledge. I may be naive, but I still believe in this fraternity. I salute you DelMagic for having the courage to bring forth a tricky issue that is lingering in the back of many minds.

Lol Paul! You've won me over Mate. Can I order both direct from you? You've also given me the idea of listing non-packet tricks also. If the goal is the number 50 or so, it is the only effective way to maintain a cohesive list.

Wravyn...at first I thought the effect you recalled may be 'Sequence', but have since decided against this as there are no color changes I believe. Any chance it could be 'Flipped Out' or 'Four Card Trick'?

UPDATES: Many

Bicentennial Card Trick - Nick Trost (need to confirm that E & W put it out)

Invisible Wand - Larry West with Al Cohen (need to confirm that E & W put this one out also)

Coin-Cidental - Arthur Emerson (good to see him listed. He was more the non-packet inventor guy & also the writer of most, if not all patter)

Shaggy Dog Tale - Larry West

Here's How - Walt Maddison (trick name unconfirmed)

Cut-Throat Casino - Ed Hollins

Four Card Trick - Larry West (Yuppers, confirmed)

Six Mix - Larry West (confirmed. Changed from Bill Taylor)

NON-PACKET TRICKS:

Color Pack - ?

Keepsake - Arthur Emerson

'S Witch Craft - Arthur Emerson

Tell-Tale Timepiece - Arthur Emerson

Pocket Secret-Ary - Arthur Emerson

Flik Flik Painting Book - ?

Cut-Off - ?

New Totals: 36 Packet + 7 non-packet = 43. We're getting close to the ultimate goal of 50.

Question of the day...any truth to the rumour that 'Pride & Joy' was an E & W release?

Finally, as always, feel free to adjust, subtract, add, question or in anyway share. No trivia here is too small. Again, thank you all for your patience with this project.

Paul Hallas said:



Color Monte is almost identical to Bill Elliott's 3 Card Monkey Business. Coincidentally, I just blogged about this here:

http://www.magiconmymind.com/2012/06/20/color-monte-copycat/

There are differences in handling, and the kicker card used is a blank faced card (although a card with green ink on it is also mentioned as an alternative). More importantly, the patter for Color Monte is very similar to the patter that accompanies Bill's trick.

Marty