Ed Marlo created so much magic that at the peak of his career, he struggled to have it all published. So, on the advice of David Solomon, he printed and produced small amounts of his own manuscripts, which quietly circulated among serious card magicians. Decades later, these "private manuscripts" have become some of the most sought-after and influential works in modern card magic.
The first, and most notable of these is The Unexpected Card Book. It presents a dense, wide-ranging collection of 80+ tricks and sleights across multiple plots and skill levels. These aren't just something to toy with during practice, but many of these are direct, practical ideas that feel modern more than half a century later.
Inside you'll find eleven chapters covering a range of topics, ranging from overhand shuffle work, prepared effects, controls, and updated classics, to more esoteric ideas like Clock routines, faro systems, and more.
Highlights include Marlo's handling of the Balducci Cut Deeper Force-arguably the clearest and most effective version in print-and a Wild Card routine that ranks among his finest creations. You'll also find gems like his "Simplex Blindfold Deals," "Success Story," "Miracle Faro Reverse," "Royal Monte," and "The Darkest Hour," alongside a collection of moves like the Simple Push Switch and the Marlo Center Deal. His center deal work isn't just incredibly deceptive, but is accessible and immediately usable.
This book marks a pivotal moment in Marlo's history and bridges the gap between his underground manuscripts and his more widely published material. Often referred to as "Volume Zero" of the Marlo Magazines, The Unexpected Card Book is an essential purchase for card magicians and magic historians alike.
Vanishing Inc. took incredible care when republishing Marlo's work. Every word has been retyped, every illustration redrawn, and every page redesigned to modern standards while preserving the original spirit. But that isn't where they stopped. With the help of Mike Vance, Vanishing Inc. has incorporated Marlo's notes from his personal manuscript directly into the book. This isn't just the most complete version of The Unexpected Card Book; it's a piece of magic history. Get your copy today!
The OG perfect score was great and did its job for me for years , Perfect Score 2.0 outshines its original . Great tutorial going in depth on the mercury fold and even card splitting . 5 Stars !
The usual speedy delivery by Alex. Lovely props, and clever routine, although I haven’t used it in the trenches yet. Knocked one star off as the red poker chip had a minor chip (damage) in it. This is a product issue though and absolutely no reflection on Monster Magic.
Needs a bit of practice to get angles / timing down , but put that in and you’ve got a visual masterpiece in your hands . Instant reset , tutorial is fantastic 100% a worker
