Here is an incomplete list of classics of magic.
What is missing?
ambitious card
100 $ bill switch
11 card trick
3 fly
animated matchbox
any card at any number
bill in lemon
book test
cap and pence
card in wallet
card on ceilling
card warp
cards across
chinese sticks
Chink-a-chink
chop cup
cigarette through coin
coin in bottle
coins across
coins through the table
color changing knives
color-changing handkerchief
copper silver brass
copper silver transposition
cups and balls
cut and restored rope
dancing cane
die box
easy money
egg bag
excelsior balls
floating dollar bill
four ace trick
glorpy
hindu thread
invisible deck
linking pins
linking rings
matrix
miser's dream
needle through balloon
out of this world
paddle trick
professor's nightmare
razor blade trick
rice bowls
ring and rope
ring flight
ring on stick
rising cards
spellbound
sponge balls
spoon bending
sympathetic silks
three card monte
torn and restored cigarette
torn and restored cigarette paper
torn and restored newspaper
tossed deck
twisting arm illusion
vanishing cigarette
zombie ball

Pretty good list, although I'd write mine maybe differently. For example, 3 Fly is basically just another version of Coins Across. Paddle Trick is a bit ambiguous. I might add Nested Boxes, Benson Bowl, Flower Growth, 20th Century Silks, Blendo, Dancing Hank, Multiplying Billiard Balls, and I'm sure with time, I could come up with plenty of others. Your list also omits larger illusions, but that may be by design.

(Sucker) Silk to Egg.

Circle Square
Milk Pitcher
Devil's Hanky
Silks with anything or by themselves, magic knots

The list so far is only short by about 1,000 or so (rough estimate).

- Sucker Silk
- Chase the Ace
- Topit
- 3 Shell Game
- Cards to Pocket
- Drink in Newspaper
- Shell Coin
- Paper Coin Fold
- Bill Tube
- Rough & Smooth Deck
- Appearing/Vanishing/Dancing Cane
- Spirit Slates
- Pull (any type)
- THUMB TIP!

Just a few more to add to your list BUT I have to agree, since when did 3Fly become a classic?

You have several good additions here, but some of the items on your list would be classified as classic gimmicks, but not classic effects. An effect has a plot, and a plot tells a story. Cut and restored rope, coins across, color changing handkerchief, rising cards... all describe the plot of the effect.

Based on the OP list, I assume it refers to effects (even if included by trade name). Professor's Nightmare is a trade name, but still has a plot.

Yep - agreed Michael BUT they are Classic Gimmicks - hence their inclusion.

If I took the TT alone, I could add literally 50+ effects - and that's just according to Milbourne Christopher!

Okay, to use 2 effects with the TT that I would deem classics:

- Burnt & Restored Handkerchief (or table napkin/serviette)
- Passing the Salt

BLIMEY! Just seen that I've missed off TWO of my favourite close up tricks!

- Okito Box
- Jardine Ellis Ring

Also 2 more to add:

- Finger Chopper
- Wonder Box (very popular in the 40's & 50's in the UK)

I think Dick Christian summed it up when he said the list is short by about 1000 or so.

Still, it's fun reminding ourselves what is out there and available. Hmmm... the same 12 magicians doing 1000 different tricks, or 1000 different magicians all doing the same 12 tricks?

Michael,

To consider your point:

- 12 magicians 'doing' 1,000 tricks - purchased via the 'What's New' section of magical websites on the internet

Or

- 1,000 magicians 'performing' just 12 tricks - but each one honed to absolute perfection

I know which one would further the art of magic.

(By the way, that's not a dig at your website - you carry some really impressive and diverse items. It's aimed more towards those magical 'dealers' that seem to believe it's critical to add 50 new tricks and DVD's to their stock on a monthly basis)!

Ok, all we are doing is looking at different context, not points of view.

To clarify...

12 magicians who understand that they have 1000 classic of magic from which to build their act vs 1000 magicians all doing the same 12 tricks.

What are the top ten reasons for fussing over lists?

Ain't none....waste of time.

Normally, I don't like the list makers on these forums either. Most are like a gaggle of junior high schoolers ("So like, what's your SECOND favorite color?")

This list was different, as it was an attempt (albeit somewhat futile perhaps) to capsulize the classics of magic. I saw the value as a reminder as to what is available, and perhaps head-off the lemming-like attitudes usually noticable with the selection of magic tricks for one's show.

I rarely add to these lists but in this case, maybe it's just good old fashioned nostalgia!

Most lists on the forum are generated via the younger set - and I don't even know three quarters of what they are even going on about!

Hi Michael,
Like you I dream of 1000 magicians doing 12 DIFFERENT tricks honed to perfection vs 1000 magicians having nearly all the same repertoire and copying each other.
Now why such a list?
To open my mind and remind myself that there is more then sponge balls and the ambitious card in our magical patrimony.
About the fact that my list is "short by about 1,000 or so", well I hope I am wrong but I sincerly doubt that there are even 1000 REAL CLASSICS.
By the way, I think it is time to define what I think is a classic EFFECT:
"A classic effect is a trick that has existed for many years and at one time or an other was featured in the repertoire of many magicians.Generaly it is possible to describe such classic effects by one sentence"
Oh and one last thing,it is true that my list omits large illusions but I told you my list is incomplete...