I remember with interest that on at least two occasions in Expert Card Technique, Hugard and Braue refer to a couple of Jack Merlin items (the Double Deal and Lost Aces), as having been suppressed from his booklet ‘…and a Pack of Cards.’

Merlin’s is an old book, and I am interested in picking it up, but did he make an effort to keep his best material out?

Also, could anybody point the way to other published Luis Zingone items?

Best Wishes.

Don't know about published Zingone (how is that pronounced by the way?) items outside of ECT, but there exists a film of him performing for some soldiers on a train. I know it exists, but haven't been able to track it down. Any help?

Van

Zingone is pronounced Zin-go-nee with the accent on the middle syllable.

I have a tape of what I think is a vinyl recording of Zingone. Anyone have any more info on what exactly this is?

Jamie.

Even if he did, the material and thinking in there are so far ahead of most of the material published in the first half of the 20th century, it's just not funny. This is a GREAT, overlooked book.

Probably overlooked because Vernon mostly raved about Leipzig, Malini and a few others and never mentioned Merlin.

Andrew Wimhurst

A friend of mine loaned me a set of three 78 vinyl records plus instructions in a book titled "Zingone's Recorded Card Tricks. Volume 1" It was published in 1939 by the "Liberty Music Shop". The Copyright is held by the Magic Record Co. of New York.

Unfortunately two of the records have chips out of their edges. I haven't tried to play them yet. There is a photograph of Mr. Zingone on the inside of the front cover.

Van

Thanks, everyone! Merlin's, and 'A Pack of Cards' is next on my shopping list.