Crafted from discussions and in-depth research with some of the greatest magicians in the world, Missing Almost Every Thing by Alex Hansford is a one-of-a-kind compendium of powerful variations for some of card magic’s most iconic plots.
“Alex is a modern great. The material here ain’t easy, but good Lord, He’s spectacular.” Derren Brown
As was the case with his massively successful Often Rarely That Simple, Alex’s third book is another detailed expiration of amazing and fooling sleight of hand card magic. There are no card gaffs or duplicates used in this book. All you need to accomplish these miracles is an ordinary deck of cards.
Missing Almost Every Thing was inspired by Alex’s desire to uncover the best plots in card magic, and also the most deceptive and entertaining ways to astound audiences with them.
This concept was explored to its farthest reaches during a long-running series of book club meetings in London that Alex would attend with his close friends George Hage, Andrew Frost, Ross Tayler and, on occasion, Marc Kerstein. The group collectively read and discussed famous and rare card magic books dating back to the late 19th Century, deciphering the best handlings and facets for their favorite plots in all of card magic. Combined with input from Guy Hollingworth, Justin Higham, Bradley Hodgins, and Denis Beher, Missing Nearly Every Thing was born.
In the years since his second book was released, Alex has shifted his thought process to a more performance-based approach. Influenced by additional conversations with David Blaine, Yann Frisch, and Arthur Chavaudret, Alex is fascinated with finding opportunities to highlight the actual effect of a trick while further darkening the shadow covering the moves and dirty work.
While Often Rarely That Simple revolved heavily around the sleights and controls used within its effects, the material in Missing Almost Every Thing places a larger emphasis on the routines as a whole. You’ll not only learn 9 full routines but also alternate handlings for various situations. For the most part, the material in Missing Almost Every Thing is also slightly easier and more approachable for intermediate magicians than its predecessor.
Nearly 200 elaborate photos have been taken and perfectly laid out across the 224 pages of this breathtaking linen hardback photo book. As Alex took the photos himself, you can rest assured that every vital nuance is perfectly captured.
Contents of Missing Almost Every Thing by Alex Hansford
Whilst Out Of Sight
Alex has modified Paul Harris’s seminal “Reset” effect to create an incredible in-the-hands variation that culminates in four cards vanishing from your participant’s hands.
Spectator Cuts Their Thoughts
The classic “Spectator Cuts to the Aces”, but with a devastating twist that allows them to cut to a thought-of four-of-a-kind. This shockingly clean effect allows your participant to make completely free cuts. No crimps. No breaks. No cross-cut forces.
& In Every Way Imaginable
Three different audience members read someone else in the audience’s mind to discover a thought-of card. The group then finds the three mates for this card before a stunning finale in which the participant finds their card in their pocket.
Sudden Traveling Light
A novel signed card approach to Jean Hugard’s Travelers plot. This amazing routine requires just a single palm and is carefully structured so that you can show your hands to be legitimately empty throughout the routine.
Eight Year General Card
In the nearly a decade that has passed since the publication of “Hessian”, Alex has been developing and refining a more natural handling. Along the way, he also create a jaw-dropping kicker ending in which a freely-named, signed card from a blue deck transforms into the only red-backed card in the deck. The craziest part is that there is no gimmick, glue, or forced used. So you can give the odd-backed signed card, or even the whole deck, to an audience member as a magical souvenir.
Thought-Of Card To Pocket
This impromptu miracle is destined to be one of your new favorites. Their thought-of card (no forces) vanishes from the deck and appears in your pocket. Then, under their scrutinizing watch, you repeat this with the card vanishing from under the box and reappearing in your pocket. As an extra kicker, the three mates are shown to have also appeared in separate pockets.
Remorseless Miracle Triumph
Building on nearly 20 years of exploring the Triumph plot, Alex has created a total magician-fooler that is also completely impromptu. Every detail has been carefully worked out to ensure this becomes your new go-to Triumph handling.
Aspect of Eternity / Gathering Dust
A Voodoo-style card routine that will have their eyes popping out of their heads. A card is chosen in one deck, and turned face up. Out of the corner of your eye, a second deck seems to glow with a ephemeral golden hue. This second deck is opened and is shown to have a card turned over in the middle. It’s an exact match of their selected card. The two cards then vanish and reappear in their opposite packs, with the golden glowing card having transposed with the run-of-the-mill chosen card. No Invisible Deck or Brainwave Deck required.
Chairman of the Bored
An outstandingly clever method for “Shuffle-Bored” that would make Simon Aronson proud. The fact you can let the audience perform full shuffles throughout the routine makes this gem impossible to backtrack. This is a true powerhouse.
Missing Almost Every Thing by Alex Hansford is available now at Vanishing Inc. in limited quantities. Get your copy before it sells out!
