Does anyon know who originated the "card in matchbox" effect?

Blurr

It's hard to say who originated it. There are so many versions.

It really isn't much different than Fred Kap's "Card In Can", on which many such routines are based. Hopefully, someone can provide more historical info. I'd be interested in knowing the sources.

Probably the first magician to buy a box of matches!

George Kaplan had a good one in "The Fine Art of Magic" (1948), the climax of his "Kaplan's Clock Trick", but I am certainly not suggesting he was the first, just pointing out it goes waaaay back.

Paul
http://www.PH-Marketing-magic.co.uk

I can't tell you the originator of card to matchbox, but it is in "Greater Magic," titled "Card in the Matchbox." (see p.231 of Hilliard's Card Magic)

With matchbooks, it was popularized by Matt Schulien.

I forgot to add, that Carl Andrews currently has a neat version, based on Michael Close's "Frog Prince". It is probably on his video and will be in the book of his that Anthony Brahms is doing.

Paul.