Frank Thompson's The Cold Deck,

First Edition copy from 1976 published by Ray Goulet's Magic Art Book Company.

Basic Effect: The performer starts out by producing 4 ACES which are revealed from four different parts of the deck in a startling array. The aces are openly put onto the deck, then with a convincing shuffle and cut the performer deals 5 hands of poker and He/She ends up with the 4 ACES in his/her hand! At this point the performer and the spectator shuffle the cards which are then cut and immediately dealt in another 5 handed poker deal in which the performer receives poker's best hand, A ROYAL FLUSH. In the concluding effect of this routine the deck is cut into four piles where face up and face down cards are openly shuffled into one another and with one simplified move the deck is ribbon spread and the cards are shown to be FACING ONE WAY! This effect is a stunner!

• Easy to perform 
• A strong effect using an ORDINARY DECK OF CARDS! 
• Four effects in one!

The routine is basically a multiphase gambling demonstration using an ordinary deck of cards. You begin by producing the four aces from different parts of the deck. The aces are lost back in the deck with a shuffle and cut but when you deal five hands of poker your hand contains the four aces. Both you and the spectator now shuffle the cards but when five more hands of poker are dealt… Amazingly the hand of poker you are now holding is a Royal Flush. As a kicker ending the deck is cut into four packets and they are shuffled face up and face down. When the deck is ribbon spread all of the cards are now facing the same way.

The writing style is a bit difficult but worth the trouble. A 24-page booklet with 10 illustrations by Guy VanDuser. Introductions by Herb Zarrow and Ed Voorhees. Originally published by Ray Goulet's Magic Art Book Co. in 1976.

Frank Thompson was widely regarded as a master at creating close-up techniques and routines even though he resisted publishing much of it. This booklet was a rare exception. As the original publisher explained, "Frank Thompson's Cold Deck routine was performed at a private lecture in the Boston area. Those present were so impressed they pleaded for detailed instructions on the methods involved… Frank Thompson agreed with me to publish this in manuscript form."  - Ray Goulet 

Details: Frank Thompson's The Cold Deck

16 pages plus fold out at rear, soft covers, saddle-stitched, size: 6" by 9".

Published by Ray Goulet's Magic Art Book Company.

Illustrated by Guy VanDuser