John Pierre Vallarino - John Lovick
$65.00
https://www.vanishingincmagic.com/magic-books/vallarino-book/

The Hype:

FISM winner Jean-Pierre Vallarino has spent decades creating some of the most poetic, visual, and entertaining close-up magic the world has ever seen. Yet his genius has been sometimes overlooked because his greatest works have never been available in one place. That all changes today with Vallarino, a luxurious, beautiful, oversized, 300+ page hardcover book featuring some of the most incredible close-up magic we’ve ever seen.

This is one of the strongest collections of practical, powerful close-up material ever offered in one book. Especially when you consider that, for the first time, Jean-Pierre is sharing the greatest secrets from his award-winning FISM act—including the opening coin routine and spectacular Ace productions that helped secure his well-deserved award in Micro Magic.

In total, you’ll get more than 60 audience-tested routines that Jean-Pierre has performed around the world for decades. This includes entire chapters dedicated to classic plots from Ace Assemblies to Sandwich Routines, Collectors, and more. You’ll love his “Triple Travel” routine, a similar style effect to Chad Long’s “Back and Forth”, and “Visual Lift,” the perfect finale to any Ambitious Card routine. And his four-coin production from his FISM act needs to be seen to be believed.

Those who enjoy learning original moves will be glad to know that 25 innovative sleights are also included in Vallarino. You’ll get an exclusive look at the proper way to handle his Rumba Count, as well as an in-depth exploration of Vallarino’s iconic tabled shuffle work, his unique and practical palming techniques and so much more.

Vallarino is our most lavishly-photographed book to date, featuring more than two thousand photographs expertly taken by Sophie Duval. Combined with superb descriptions from one of our favorite writers, the extremely talented John Lovick, it is a true delight to read.

Exclusive Bonus

As a special bonus only available to those who purchase through Vanishing Inc., you’ll also receive access exclusive performance videos of Vallarino himself performing everything from the book. They’ll be added directly to your Vanishing Inc. account.

There’s not another book we can think of that contains so much visual, amazing coin and card magic. Vallarino will keep you busy for years. We’re so honored for the chance to help cement the legacy of this legendary magician.

My Take:

I was fairly unfamiliar with Vallarino until a few months ago and was sent a copy of his brilliant routine "Unhanded" for review. This is one of the most ingenious tricks that I have seen. I performed it for a friend and he could not wait to lay down $35.00 and order his own. Problem was that it was so good, it was sold out everywhere. (Yes, he did eventually get one).

At my first ever magic convention (on Cape Cod years ago), I met Boris Wild and learned his Kiss Count, his version of the Flushtration Count. Recently I showed a friend one of my routines using it and he told me to switch to Vallarino's Rumba count which he liked better. He was right. I am using it exclusively now. The visual is perfect and fools 'em every time. (Sorry Boris).

So when I heard that an entire book of his work was due out, I couldn't wait to get my hand son it. It is in the excellent standard of publications from Vanishing. Visually a treat. High class production that will make a handsome addition to your book shelf.

My only problem ( and it is not really a problem but a plus) is that there is just so much material here, it will take a long while to go through. And, this is the most important thing in this review. Make sure you buy this directly from Vanishing. If you do, you have access to 84 videos that show how each move and routine looks. Not tutorials, just performances. If you buy it from any other source, you will not get the videos and you are on your own.

The book is set up into 12 sections and since there is way too much to cover everything, I going to give a brief review of each section to let you know what is in each and just how brilliant each is.

First up is Sleights, the Vallarino Way. Obviously you are taught his most famous creation, the Rumba count, which I guarantee you will fall in love with. You are taught his Elmsley count variations, steals, controls, sleights, palms, add ons, steals, strip outs, multiple shift, spread pass, color changes, his force and another count. Make sure you watch his perfomrance videos for each to see how good it looks. I was going to just jump over his Ping Pong until I watched the video and saw just how deceptive it is.

Next is Ace Assemblies. When I was first learning, my mentor showed me Macdonald's Aces which totally blew my mind. I have been in love with the plot ever since. My current favorite is Alex Elmsley's "Flight to Witch Mountain" which I love due to no gaffs being used. In the six routines here, some are gaffless and some use gaffs that you are taught how to make. Each one is a beautiful piece of work. I especially enjoyed his Ultimate Macdonald’s Aces. He uses three different vanishes, all absolutely deceptive.

Sandwich Tricks. Like most of you I have always done a simple Sandwich trick using a Biddle grip. Vallerino does, too, except he loads the card before it is chosen then reveals the sandwiched card to be the selection. Sandwich Retention is a great routine. Two sets of two cards are used. The selection is placed in one of the pairs and moves to the other. This was a feature in his 1991 FISM act,

Packet Transpositions - Here are several routines where the cards in one packet change places with the cards in another. One does require a gaffed card but you are shown exactly how to make it. (You will recognize the card as his remake of a Deland gaffed card). Jump Transpo is nice eye candy (even if I did see Flushtration used once).

Spectator Cuts to the Aces - A favorite plot of many of you and it always kills your audience. He lays out two methods here that are both lightning fast and deceptive as can be.

Coincidences - They claim that there is no such thing as a coincidence but these two routines make a good argument against that premise. The Coincidence plot draws heavily from Paul Curry’s Open Prediction and, as all of his routines are, it’s a thing of beauty.

Ace Productions - This section opens with some real gold. A routine that was featured in Vallerino’s FISM act. He shows you just how deadly a slip cut can be. In Wrist Production, a chosen card is shuffled into the deck. When the deck is spread the chosen card is face up and the two cards on each side are the aces. The animated flying card in Flying Production will have you practicing for hours.

Triumph Variations - Triumph has been around in many forms for a lot of years. I have seen easy versions, tough versions, gaffed and non-gaffed versions. Myintroduction to the plot goes back to Dai Vernon in the Stars of Magic. Great routine then and still great today. Vallerino offers three of his versions. I particularly liked the Color Shuffle. In this routine, the cards are not only corrected from a face up, face down order but the aces are shown to have one color back and the rest of the deck another color.

Mystery Card Routines - Based on the Bro John Hamman routine, “The Signed Card” from an issue of Kaufman’s “Richard’s Almanac.” Basically a card is chosen and signed, then changes places with another cards. Two versions here but my choice would be “Dream Wonder” which actually is a packet trick with a killer ending.

Collectors Routines - When you think about it, a Collectors routine is really a sandwich trick on steroids. You are given two beautiful routines here, It would be hard to pick the better choice here. You cannot go wrong with either one.

Miscellaneous Card Tricks - I think this is my favorite section in the book. Since it is miscellaneous, these tricks don’t all fit into one area and there are some real gems here. He teaches a great Wild Card routine using the standard cards.(Loads of photos on this routine.) He teaches his version of Re-Set which sent me running for my tattered copy of Paul Harris’ Super Magic. Strong is very easy but packs a big punch.  English Poker shows you that you can safely use the Rumba Count multiple times in the same routine. It looks that good.  Card or Money is super visual. A selected card changes into a dollar bill then back to the card. It has always amazed me what a huge reaction you can get with an Ambitious Card routine. You will most likely pick up a new phase or two here. Visual Lift visits the rising card plot. And don’t miss his Everywhere and Nowhere.

Vallerino has not forgotten you coin guys (which also gives you another reason to buy this book). You get six of his routines here. I love his Mirage trick. He puts a single card on the table and flips it over four time, each time revealing another coin. Beautiful effect. And his Blow Coin Assembly has to be seen.

As I read through this book, I noted which of the routines I would be going back to. It is difficult to do as every item is worth your time. Not a bad one in the bunch. And he makes his magic look so elegant. A friend of mine saw him lecture a few years ago and said that as soon as he entered the room, it was obvious that his clothes were not off the rack. Everything had been hand tailored. This is one classy magician.

This book is densely packed with some incredible magic, some easy, some not, but they all have strong visual appeal. If I was to be dropped on an island and told that I could only take one magic book with me, no doubt in my mind. This would be it.

Vanishing is known for publishing beautiful books and this is one of their best. John Lovick does a fantastic job of writing and explaining. Kudos, Handsome Jack.  And let’s not forget the almost 2000 beautiful photographs by the extraordinary Sophie Duvall.

If you only buy one more magic book this year, this could be your best choice and I cannot recommend it highly enough.

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