At the height of his career, Ed Marlo grew frustrated with how slowly his material was being published. On the advice of David Solomon, he began producing his own manuscripts; typed, printed in tiny quantities, and quietly circulated among serious card magicians. These “private manuscripts” became some of the most sought-after and influential works in modern card magic.
The very first and most important of these was The Unexpected Card Book. It offers a dense, wide-ranging collection of over 80 effects and sleights, spanning multiple plots and skill levels. These are practical, direct ideas that still feel modern more than half a century later.
Often referred to as “Volume Zero” of the Marlo Magazines, this book represents a pivotal moment in Marlo’s output. It bridges the gap between his underground manuscripts and his later, more widely distributed work. So when Vanishing Inc set out to produce this edition, they treated it with the care it deserves. This is not a facsimile or a quick scan. Every word has been meticulously retyped. Every illustration has been remastered and cleaned up. Every page has been thoughtfully redesigned to meet modern standards, while preserving the spirit of the original.
With the help of the editor, Mike Vance, they were able to work from Marlo’s own personal copy of the manuscript—complete with his handwritten notes and corrections. These have been fully integrated into this edition, making it the most complete and refined version of The Unexpected Card Book ever produced.
The material itself is organized into eleven tightly constructed chapters, covering everything from overhand shuffle work and prepared effects to faro systems, Clock routines, controls, updated classics, and a wide-ranging potpourri of ideas. You’ll find Marlo’s handling of the Balducci Cut Deeper Force (arguably the clearest and most effective version ever put into print) alongside a Wild Card routine that ranks among his finest creations.
Other highlights include pieces like “Simplex Blindfold Deals”, “Success Story”, “Miracle Faro Reverse”, “Royal Monte”, “The Darkest Hour”, along with a substantial collection of sleights and techniques such as Marlo’s Simple Push Switch and the Marlo Center Deal. His center deal work here is highly notable: accessible, deceptive, and immediately usable. And that’s only the beginning. Nearly every page contains something worth exploring, refining, or putting straight into performance.
