The Paper Engine (20th Anniversary Edition)

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Book by Aaron Fisher (From $49.95)

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After more than two decades, the iconic book that inspired a generation is finally available again!

”The material in this book is top notch, and I guarantee it will enhance the repertoire of any serious student of card magic immensely.” Johnny Thompson

When Aaron Fisher released The Paper Engine in 2002, it was an instant classic. Hailed by some of the greatest magicians to ever live, its innovative approach and profound insights have made it one of the most sought-after books of the 21st century—even decades after it went out of print. Some magicians have paid $100s just to get a copy on the secondary market.

Now, thanks to The Paper Engine - 20th Anniversary Edition, you can once again enjoy the exceptional material that defined Aaron’s career. This more than 160-page book contains over 30 techniques and routines, including a brand-new chapter that highlights two decades worth of innovations on one of Aaron’s most iconic creations, the Gravity Half Pass.

As owners of the original will attest to, the real secret sauce of The Paper Engine comes from the philosophy on magic and performance that is sprinkled throughout the explanations. Aaron’s thoughts on tension, focus, and design are guaranteed to elevate your card magic as a whole.

In the “Techniques” section, you’ll learn versatile moves like the One-Handed Popover, Ilusion Control, and the Nowhere Pass. Of course, arguably none of them are as iconic and beloved as the “Gravity Half Pass”. As the late great legend Johnny Thompson says in his introduction: "there is no substitute for the magical impact of a well-executed pass." The Gravity Half Pass is not only perfectly designed, but Aaron has mastered the art of proving that any magician can learn it.

The Paper Engine - 20th Anniversary Edition makes conquering the Gravity Half Pass easier than ever. It not only contains the original explanation but also an updated chapter featuring everything he’s learned over the last 20 years. This includes refinements to the core technique and also in the way he teaches it. The Gravity Half Pass has never been more approachable. The new chapter also includes an essay on dealing position that is the most detailed, in-depth look at this fundamental grip than ever before.

Whether you’ve been in magic your whole life, or are just starting out, you’re going to discover an entire toolbox of techniques that you can use to create direct, powerful, and incredibly deceptive magic for any audience.

Of course, no great magic book would be complete without a variety of amazing routines. While the “Techniques” section contains applications for some of the moves, there is also a dedicated “Magic” section filled with Aaron’s favorite effects. This includes everything from direct and magical spins on classics like “The Collectors” to his devastating slow-motion Sandwich routine known as “Search and Destroy”. There are even visual stunners like “Helter Skelter” where an outjogged card changes colors twice before concluding with a full deck color change. This material is suitable for all skill levels and everything is taught in expert detail alongside 100s of photos.

In addition to a new cover and revised layout, this special anniversary edition also comes with a variety of bonus videos, materials, and resources called The Practice Engine. In this special dedicated program, Aaron will share share overlooked discoveries and breakthroughs that took him decades to uncover. He’ll give you a practice experience that’s joyful, focused, and genuinely transformational. It also includes trial access to Aaron’s Conjuring Community video library at no extra cost.

Deluxe Version Available - Extremely Limited Quantities

Book collectors will not want to miss their chance to own the deluxe version of Paper Engine - 20th Anniversary Edition. Each deluxe edition has a signed and numbered bookplate and comes in a breathtaking slipcase that will command attention on your bookshelf. Quantities are extremely limited.

Offering the perfect assortment of invisible techniques, astonishing effects and transformational ideas, this world-class collection of Aaron Fisher’s best material is worthy of a spot in any magician’s library. Get your copy of The Paper Engine - 20th Anniversary Edition today from Vanishing Inc.

Contents of The Paper Engine - 20th Anniversary Edition by Aaron Fisher

• Introduction - Johnny Thompson
• Introduction—Rolando Santos
• Preface to 20th Anniversary
• Preface

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TECHNIQUES

• The Gravity Half Pass
• A Simple Sandwich
• A Half Pass Variation
• Revolver
• The One-Handed Popover
• Hello Goodbye
• Pinch Me, I Think I’m Falling
• The Nowhere Pass
• Additional Handlings
• Bluff Replacement Subtlety
• The Advanced Nowhere Pass
• The Illusion Control
• The Outjog Herrmann Pass
• The Academic Outjog Herrmann Pass
• The Undercover Switch
• Don’t Fear the Reaper
• The Forced Undercover Switch
• Simpatico
• Four by Four
• The Under Control Switch
• A Useful Switch
• Decking the Top
• A Diminishing Lift
• The All Together Now Shift

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MAGIC

• The Omen
• Golden Nugget
• Advanced Handling for Golden Nugget
• 2001, an Ace Odyssey
• Three Kings
• Revolution No. 9
• Helter Skelter
• Search and Destroy
• A Star is Born
• The Tax Man
• The Standing Challenge
• The Long and Winding Trick
• Here, There, and Everywhere

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NEW MATERIAL

• Introductory Note on New Material
• Natural Dealing Position
• Revisiting the Gravity Half Pass

Hardback | 161 Pages | Photographs

Note: The Practice Engine bonus feature is run by Aaron directly on his own dedicated website that can be accessed via the link provided in the book. While no additional payment is required to use it, you will be required to enter your name and email address.

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Michael

One of the biggest mistakes I ever made was selling my previous copy of The Paper Engine. This is, for me, one of the greatest books in modern card magic. The Gravity Half Pass alone is worth the price, let alone all of the other smartly designed techniques and effects that will get card workers thinking differently and deeply about the way they approach sleight of hand. Aaron Fisher is one of our most thoughtful living card magicians and this book, though published decades ago, continues to hold up exceptionally well.

 

Gerhard

Been reading this on the plane and what a delight. The book nicely priced and produced. The photos are plentiful and the descriptions are super detailed. I really enjoyed some of the psychological aspects. A lot of the tricks require a solid halfpass so it's pretty challenging. Enjoying the book.

Community questions about The Paper Engine (20th Anniversary Edition)

Have a question about this product? It's possible others do too. Ask here and other Vanishing Inc. Magic customers will be able to respond with assistance! Alternatively, email us and we can help too.

• Jeffrey asks: When will the backers of Aaron’s project (and have already paid) receive their copies?

  • 1. Jim answers: I'll recommend that you contact Aaron, as I suspect that he has plans in place.
  • 2. Aaron answers: Contact support@conjuror.community and confirm your mailing address if you haven't already done so! We can't wait to get you your copy! - Many thanks! Aaron Fisher

  Post an answer to this question

• Andy asks: Is the standard edition a hardback ? Thanks Andy

  • 1. Vanishing Inc. Magic responds: Yes both editions are hardback

• Robert asks: What skill level would you put this at? I'm intermediate, would this suit me?

  • 1. Vanishing Inc. Magic responds: The routines in this book will require some practice, I would say this is achievable for an intermediate magician

• Morris asks: Would there be a E-Book version available?

  • 1. Vanishing Inc. Magic responds: Not this time.

• Peter asks: The advertised additional video material is not in my downloads section. How do I find it?

  • 1. Vanishing Inc. Magic responds: This is located inside the book, it is something Aaron is offering directly

• Peter asks: Hmmm. I appear to have missed the caveat that Aaron supplies the bonus features. Would I be right in thinking this information has only recently been added? If so, then the advertising was not strictly accurate, (my contract was with Vanishing Inc., not the author). I'm sure - I hope! - it will not be a problem.

  • 1. Vanishing Inc. Magic responds: Note: The Practice Engine bonus feature is run by Aaron directly on his own dedicated website that can be accessed via the link provided in the book. While no additional payment is required to use it, you will be required to enter your name and email address.

• Peter asks: Ok, this could be a problem. Having logged on to Aaron’s site for the bonus material, I naturally looked for a video on The Gravity Half Pass. It’s there, but it will cost me an extra $20 to access it! This somewhat tarnishes the idea of ‘bonus’ material! Ok, so if not the star of the book, there must be some material relating to the book, right? I couldn’t find any. In fact I went to the trouble of searching for every trick or technique, as listed on the first page of the book’s contents page, and found nothing. That’s 20 plus items and I came up with a big fat zero. Regrettably it would appear that the bonus material is simply a guise to get one to visit Aaron’s site and spend more money. I’m sure there is free magic to be found there, but there’s free magic on a thousand sites and I purchased a book which promised additional online material and it wasn’t too much of a stretch to assume it would relate to the book!! Here’s my question: have I got this wrong? Is there a dedicated area that I’m missing?

  • 1. Vanishing Inc. Magic responds: Hi Peter, Thanks so much for your message—and for taking the time to really explore the bonus material. I truly appreciate your honesty, and I’d love to offer a bit of clarification. The bonus that came with The Paper Engine wasn’t meant to be a traditional “book supplement” with matching trick-by-trick videos. Instead, we wanted to offer something more substantial: 90 days of access to CC MAX, our full training environment, including live sessions, guided practice, curated tutorials, and community insight drops—normally a paid membership. It’s not a teaser or a paywall. There’s no upsell, no billing, no catch. As for The Gravity Half Pass—the good news is that everything you’d want to learn about it is already in the new edition of the book. The bonus training wasn’t designed to walk through each sleight in the book individually, but rather to give you real-world insight into how those techniques evolve into routines, how they’re practiced and performed in context, and how they apply to broader work with natural misdirection, structure, and audience management. That said, I absolutely understand how you might have expected something different, and I’m sorry for any confusion that created. If there’s something specific you’re hoping to explore—whether it’s the Half Pass or a particular routine—drop me a note and I’ll happily point you to anything inside CC MAX that fits, or share some additional perspective if it’s not already there. Thanks again for supporting the 20th Anniversary Edition. This project means a great deal to me, and I’m truly grateful you’re part of it. Warmly, Aaron

• Christian asks: You wrote that in the contents of the book, there is a paragraph "Revisiting the gravity half pass". Are there some written new information about the gravity half pass in this paragraph, or it is just a link to Aaron's website (the bonus part) ?

  • 1. Vanishing Inc. Magic responds: There is an entire new chapter on the Gravity Half Pass in the book.