I agree that CardCraft is a fantastic book. Another Café member and I have an ongoing PM conversation about Hartman's work. My only issue as stated previously is that I really don't feel it warrants an after market price that is equalling Greater Magic (Kaufman Edition). This is no offense to Mr. Hartman at all. I have CardCraft and I love the book and all of his others. Greater Magic is considered a foundational book. Richard Kaufman called it a one volume course in magic. CardCraft on the other hand, while a great book, is not a book I would imagine that scholars would label a foundational book. I have read that there are no plans to reprint either book - I am fortunate to have both - but, given the reviews that Hartman's latest book Card Dodgery is getting, it might be a good thing if Vanishing, Inc. acquired the rights to CardCraft from Richard Kaufman and reprinted it. But, perhaps the cost of reprinting would be prohibitive and perhaps there is not enough interest. That said Card Mechanic, I DO think that Hartman's work is among the best kept secrets in card magic. So many people have this strange belief that everything Hartman created were just derivatives of classic effects. On one hand I am glad the fallacy exists because those of us who love his work have some very exclusive material. On the other hand, I really wish more people would take a chance with Haertman. His previous book, Card Dupery garnered a few votes in either the 2007 or 2008 Book of the Year Award here - but it and every other book in that year was blown away voting wise by Joel Givens' Sessions. If Greater Magic is selling for 350 USD, then I think that 175 USD is a fair price for CardCraft - personal opinion of course. The aftermarket for magic books is really strange. I have given up on buying a few of these that I have wanted because I simply cannot justify 400 - 500 USD for the Berglas book. Andy Nyman's Bulletproof was published at near 100 USD and now the price is going up quickly yet someone is selling a mint AoA 3 volume set here for 50-55 USD! Someone else is selling the first Apocalypse for 55.00 USD INCLUDING shipping! That's 30.00 USD LESS than the original publication price for 1/4 of one of THE most important magic periodicals ever to see print.

But again, just opinion and YMMV

Namaste,
Vlad

Nyman's Bulletproof was actually published at $250, with a pre-publication price of $200.

http://www.geniimagazine.com/forums/ubbt......r=190436

Must admit, I like CardCraft too - don't intend on letting my copy go - probably wouldn't see one again. Jamie Ferguson - very weird comment; I can only guess you've never actually read it?

Needed to resurrect this thread somewhat. I was just fortunate to get a copy of Card Craft on eBay (literally, just won it today) and I cannot wait to get it in the mail. Vlad, I mirror your comments regarding price and got lucky.

With that said, does anyone have any recommendations for effects/routines out of the book. I plan to take the plunge and read it cover to cover, but thought I would throw that question out there to all of you to here comments.

Thanks!
Bill

Congrats and enjoy it.

Hey Bill, congrats on the book, is this your first Hartman book?

Gladful that my thread 6 years old is still living today.

The book is thick but it's a short read for each effect. So it's more fun to read from cover to cover. This way you will find more interesting stuffs.

Alex Hui
Hong Kong

Thanks guys. This is not my first Hartman book, but it was the only one I needed to complete my book collection of his work (not including the pamphlets he released). However, I have not read the other books yet. I know, I know. I started collecting them back when I started grad school so my magic reading has backed up a bit. Plus, I'm somewhat OCD when it comes to reading stuff in order; this kinda worked out here. I'm familiar with his work from Apocalypse and some other sources though. I really can't wait to dive into this.

-Bill

SO you're the one You outbid me at the last second. I had my top at $145 Congrats

HAHA. Sorry, Bandaloop. I was the one and trust me I understand your feelings. It's happened to me before. I was curious if it would've been anyone on the Café lol. For what it's worth. There were some other copies posted last I checked.

Over ten years on, Card Craft is back in print again. Having read many views/reviews here on the forums, I decided to buy it and got it here in the uk from Vanishing Inc priced at £76.25.

So nice to see this wonderful book back in print. Thanks Richard!

I hope Card Dodgery will be back in print too.

All books produced by Vanishing Inc are now available as eBooks. I just ordered Card Dodgery.

Card Dodgery is a beautiful book. If you can, try and attain the real book.

"All books produced by Vanishing Inc are now available as eBooks"
What a shame.

What a misanthrope.

Those of you out there who are thinking about purchasing the Card Craft reprint should be aware that it is missing a page. The publisher outsourced the reprint to China and did not keep a close enough eye on the project. Nor did he say anything about it after the error was caught. You will have to ask him for the PDF of the missing page. I don't want to spend a $100 for a magic book missing a page of its contents, so I'm glad I purchased an original copy years ago.

Yes, yes you are.
Perhaps you'd like to leave your mom's basement and come attack me in person you ...
Misanthrope. Ah heck, I hate big words, but I'm too much of a gentleman to choose a smaller, more accurate synonym to respond to your characteristic vicious, unprovoked, personal attack.

I thought his comment was quite odd myself.