A joyful exploration of one-handed cuts from one of the most influential figures in the modern card flourish movement.
Everything in A Cut Above was either created or documented by Msgr. Vincent Foy, a fervent disciple of card flourishing that inspired a new generation of finger-flingers with his contributions to major publications like The Linking Ring and Bertram on Sleight of Hand.
Msgr. Foy was a lifelong student of magic that was first hooked by a riveting performance from Harry Blackstone in 1925. He spent the rest of his remarkable 102 years on earth dedicated to pursuing every avenue of his largest passion.
In the 1940s, Msgr. Foy contributes articles and tricks to magic periodicals under the pen name of Dr. George E. Casaubon. In addition to writing booklets such as Deceptions with a Short Card and Salt Sorcery under that pseudonym, Msgr. Foy was instrumental in bringing the magic of Ross Bertram, one of the original “Stars of Magic”, to a wider audience with The Magic and Methods of Ross Bertram and Bertram on Sleight of Hand.
A few years before his passing, Msgr. Foy deciphered his decades-old notes at the urging of his friends David Ben and Nick Sacco. He uncovered more than 100 one-handed cuts—most of which were of his own invention—the best of which were photographed by Ron van Someren. Renowned designer Michael Albright then married the text and images into an artful display that enables any card magician or card flourish enthusiast to master the material with greater ease.
A Cut Above comes complete with an insightful introduction that examines the history of card cuts and flourishes, as well as their place in the modern repertoire. There’s also an annotated bibliography of other books and videos that the reader may want to explore.
Hardcover (w. Color Dust Jacket) | 8.75in x 11.75in | 240 Pages | 500+ Photos