I keep hearing that the Color Monte is the "best selling packet trick ever". When was it originated and first marketed? I have a Louis Tannen catalog from 1973 and it doesn't show it. It does show Wild Card and some other packet tricks that are still being marketed.

I think the first version I got was right around 1976. Richard Paddon (also a Café member) compiled an incredible catalog of packet tricks and may be able to help you out with this.

Refer to Ibidem, Vol.1, 1959, page 303 for Bill Elliott's 3 CARD MONKRY BUSINESS, which is the "precursor" to Color Monte. I think (only think at this moment) that Color Monte appeared earlier than 1973.

Richard

That should be, MONKEY.

Richard

Just found it.

Color Monte - 1968, according MAGIC, Feb 1997, page 22

Richard

I knew that you would be the "go to" guy. Hey Richard... I would love to purchase an updated copy of "Packet Magic," if it included dates of creation.

Best regards,
Evan (aka Magiguy)

Hi Evan.

Thank you for the confidence.

The next updated version will be a pdf file. At this stage I may include dates where possible, but we'll see

I'll be offerring a special deal for those who purchased the limited printed version.

Best cheers,

Richard

Richard's book is a must have for fans of packet tricks.
I refer to it constantly....it's always got the goods!

I strongly agree with silverking. Richards book is the ULTIMATE for packet trickoholics. I constntly refer to it as it is the most complete information on packet tricks I have ever seen..
Rennie

Richard,
for those of who are ignorant of such things can you tell us a bit about your work, such as were it might be obtained, what it covers and the cost?

cheers
bill

Hi Bill.

The original book was self published, year 2000, plastic comb bound, plastic cover & limited to 50 copies. Called "Packet Magic: A Compilation of Packet Tricks Available from Dealers & Book References".

It is a resouce that lists over 500 packet & packet style tricks found in over 100 books & magazines and over 160 commercial packet tricks. The book references gave book, author & page number. The packet tricks were cross referenced to list in alphabetical order, book title & trick name. It included as a bonus, the instructions for 2 packet tricks.

It is now out of print. I am currently engaged in updating the book. I have already added over 400 extra packet trick references, which now includes CD-rom, DVD/video and e-books, and still adding.

I had contemplated including release dates for the tricks, but this became a nightmare! The pedigree of many packet tricks became most murky.

I will release the new edition as an e-book in pdf form during this year and will announce its availability on The Café. If anyone is interested in being notified when it is ready, please send me a pm. The price will be quite modest.

I hope this helps & will be of use to you.

Best cheers,
Richard

I bought my first Color Monte in the late 1970's after seeing it demo'ed by Jim Temple at a magic shop in Virginia. I purchased it and his lecture notes. The trick carried his name (i.e. "Jim Temple's Color Monte")... always loved this little effect. I was wondering if any one knows... was Jim Temple the creator of Color Monte?

Interesting...I like how the tried and tested great effects for the most part
are the inexpensive ones.... ..

That sort of depends on how you view the act of creation. The use of silly looking cards with foil diamonds on them and the $14.00 card are (to the best of my knowledge) his contribution. The idea of using the "Quick Three Way" move in a monte routine and (I believe) the handling used in Color Monte is actually a trick by Bill Elliot called Three Card Monkey Business.

The "move" is Edward Marlo's Quick Three Way display.

So if you consider using different cards to do someone elses card trick "creation" then yes. Color Monte is Jim Temple's presentation of someone else's trick. If you do it with the kiddie cards, you are doing Temple's routine. If, as so many do, you use regular cards and some other sort of kicker card, then you are doing Bill Elliot's trick and should call it by the correct name.

There are way too many folks in magic getting credit for tricks just because folks have seen them do the trick(s). David Blaine's "Two Card Monte" comes to mind (not that it's Blaine's fault he's been credited with the trick.

I'll take that as a “no” .

I whole heartily agree. Taking someone else’s effect (especially if taken move for move) and pasting a new “theme” on it does not make one the “creator” of a new effect. Thanks for the information about the origin of the effect.

Still a great trick. I'm on my 5th set since 1975.
Have fun with it.

Does anyone have an idea of how to perform the Color Monte with a borrowed deck?

Use the monkey business method and use a Joker as the kicker.

or have a blank or special card in your pocket and palm it in and out I guess...most people around here carry bikes if they carry anything lol I've never seen a person near me have tally ho cards or anything, MABYE a bee deck once in a while so I would just use 2 reg cards and a joker so its TOTALLY IMPROMPTU



DC

Yes, buy the trick and follow the instructions. Which cards to substitute will be obvious.

John

Love Color Monte. It's one of my most performed card effects and never fails to kill. I love the looks on their faces when the final card is flipped over. Fantastic!