Here’s some lighter fare. Many of you might recognize the name Jack Carpenter, or even know his work well. He’s been called “one of card magic’s best kept secrets”. He’s also been called deceased by the shady “famous-db.net”. (He isn’t.)
Just a PSA, he has a youtube channel and it’s lots of fun. He basically uploads home-style cam videos of his recent and less recent card magic ideas. The snappy videos are often under a minute long, no more than a few minutes long, and have a “Grandpa showing you magic” vibe to it.
His presentations are almost antithetical to amateur or social magic, but his personality and raspy voice make it enjoyable. Oh god, I hope this isn’t some form of ASMR.
Some notable favorites:
Take Leave
A delightful false promise of an Ace locator trick.
Jack says: “This routine Harry Lorayne first published for me in Apocalypse, in 1985. An old trick, but still a good one I think. This was the first routine I ever had published (I think) and it was a big thrill meeting Harry.”
Escalator Aces
You can get the general idea from the title, probably, but in this version… well, watch and see!
Jack says: “From my 2006 notes ‘Pasteboard Palette’.”
A New York Minute (Short-change Routine)
This is a fun money trick with a fun story to go with it.
The Vanishing
A lovely vanishing trick with some counts, some Jacks and, well, some other cards.
JC’s Impossible Control
This is a more recent video, featuring a control that seems truly impossible on a first watch, or even a second. Or as Jack says, “Too damn easy!”
Happy watching! Hope you enjoy.