Description
Founded in 1929, Magic Inc. (originally Ireland Magic Co.) was one of the most prolific publishers of magician booklets in the 20th century. From their headquarters in Chicago, they served working magicians, hobbyists, and the curious with slim, affordable booklets that mixed practical how-tos with flair and personality. The ’50s through the ’70s saw an explosion in titles — focused on cards, coins, close-up magic, gags, and gimmicks. These weren’t glossy coffee table books; they were working manuals with charm, line art, and the occasional wink to offbeat humor. Affordable, reproducible, and wildly collectible, Magic Inc. publications preserve a very specific moment in mid-century American showmanship: part vaudeville, part lounge act, and all sleight of hand.
Off-Color Card Tricks by Milton Kort isn’t as risqué as the title suggests — but it is full of sly wit and tight, performable routines. Originally published by Magic Inc. for the princely sum of $3.00, the booklet collects a dozen or so clever card effects that lean into color changes, red-black gags, and subtle punchlines. Kort, a respected magician and IBM Hall of Famer, had a knack for routines that looked casual but were technically sharp — the kind of material that plays well in close-up or bar settings. The illustrations are vintage line art, and the tricks balance clarity with room for personality. A great example of how mid-century magicians kept their audiences laughing and guessing, Off-Color Card Tricks is a charming survivor of a lost kind of stagecraft.
Smart tricks, bad puns, and a little color — Kort’s booklet belongs in any working magician’s bag.
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