The Definitive Sankey - Volume 1
The first of three volumes, each released simultaneously, this large tome contains so much Sankey... err, I mean magic! Or, both? The Definitive Sankey - Volume 1 by Jay Sankey is a treasure trove of magic and creativity, showcasing the brilliance and innovation of one of the most prolific minds in modern magic. This first volume of the three-part series highlights Sankey’s distinctive approach to sleight of hand, misdirection, and presentation, making it a must-read for both beginner and seasoned magicians.
Jay Sankey has long been celebrated for his ability to craft effects that are both practical and profoundly engaging. In this volume, readers will find a diverse collection of routines spanning various styles, including card magic, coin magic, mentalism, and even impromptu tricks with everyday objects. Each routine is accompanied by Sankey’s detailed explanations, offering insights into the psychology and subtleties behind the performances.
The book balances technical detail with accessibility, ensuring that magicians of all skill levels can benefit. Beginners will appreciate the clear instructions and foundational techniques, while experienced practitioners will find plenty of material to expand their repertoire. Additionally, Sankey’s trademark humor and conversational tone make the learning process as entertaining as it is educational.
Whether you're looking to refine your sleight-of-hand skills, master clever methods, or inject your performances with more personality, The Definitive Sankey - Volume 1 provides invaluable tools and inspiration. This is not just a collection of tricks; it’s an invitation to explore magic from the perspective of a true creative force. A perfect addition to any magician’s library, it sets the stage for the remarkable content that continues in Volume 2 and Volume 3.
You'll find the full Table of Contents from the book below, including the difficulty rating. While the rating itself is arbitrary (e.g., some may be easier or harder for you), it's a fairly decent way to gauge how much practice will be needed for any individual trick.
The regular orange star rating (). For any trick that is listed as Impromptu in the book, you'll see a blue star () instead!
Acknowledgements
The Top Ten
How to Read This Book
Contents
Introduction by Joshua Jay and Andi Gladwin
Sankey Essentials
- Double Turnover
- Mercury Card Fold
- Tilt
- Erdnase Color Change
- Vernon Stripout Addition
- Hofzinser Spread Cull
- Hofzinser Spread Force
- Flushtration Count
- Crossing the Gaze Switch
- Twirl Change
- Optical Monte Switch
- Riffle Force
- Double Undercut
- Slip Cut
- Necktie Second Deal
- BoTop Change
- Attitude Pocket Switch
- Cross Cut Force
- EYE Count
- Slop Shuffle
- HaLo Cut
- Tenkai Optical Revolve
- Marlo/Schulien Box Load
- Topper
- Kaps Subtlety
- Himber Vanish
- Striking Vanish
- Gallo Pitch
- Pop-Up Move
- Friction Pass
- Bobo Switch
- Two-Way Toss
Cards & Props Part 1
- Airtight
- Airtighter
- Through & Through
- Nailed
- Paper Cloud
- Bladerunner
- Drop Zone
- Special Delivery
- Chain Gang
- Clearly Impossible Transposition
- Madelaine's Mystery
Sankey on Creativity
Torn & Restored Card
- The Cardboard Contortionists
- Transfixed
- Missing Evidence
- T-Bone
- Autopsy
- Papercut
- Belly of the Beast
- De-Crease with Ben Harris
- Piece De Resistance
- Green Thumb
- Porous
- Price of Admission
Jay Sankey: In His Words
Close-up Mentalism Part 1
- Prediction Impossible
- Memory Lapse
- Onion
- A Very Good Year
- Undeclared Income
- Perfect Timing
- Colorblind
- The Pagemaster with David Acer
- Printed Matters
Finger Rings
- Ring-a-Ding
- Ring Around the Collar
- Mercuring
- Hellbent
- To the Point
- Inside Job
- Stretching It
- Tying the Knot
- Under the Influence
Body Magic
- Shadowlands
- Eye Popper
- Twinkle Toes
Paperclipped
- The Full View Switch
- Paperclipped
- The Appearing Prediction
- Four Disguises
- Paperclipped Premonition
- Dollars and Cents
- Mona Lisa
- Full Lotus
- Switchless
- Sympathetic PC with Mike Skutt
- Closing Time
- Serial Killer
- Non-Existent
Essay: Concerning Magic as an Art Form
Wipe Clean Principle
- Wipe Clean Principle
- Wipe Flash
- Wipe Clean Principle with Cards
- Fact or Friction
- The Phoenix Effect
Ambitious Card Part 1
- A Not So Humble Beginning with Richard Sanders
- Splat Production
- Rubber Room Rise
- Face-up Finale
- Compact Closer
- Leather Bound
Rubber Bands
- Sure-Shot Vanish
- Simple Division
- Dark Powers
- Heat of the Moment
Essay: Are Laymen Qualified Judges?
Bill Switch Part 1
- The Bill Change with Vladimir Vladimirov and Mike Kozlowski
- Real Magic
- $0 Bill Switch
- Traveling Expenses
- Genuine Counterfeit
- Strange and Stranger
- Public Assembly
- Double Feature
- Strong Medicine
Close-up Magic Part 1
- Descendent
- Bingo
- The Cups Runneth Over
- Hot Tomato
- Bouncing Baby
- Air of Mystery
- Seeing Red
- Glass in Steel
- Extended Credit
- Pulling the Wool
- Choice Change
- Jagged
Coin Sleights
- Flying Shuttle Pass
- Downs Palm Finesse
- Bangkok Vanish
- Pointing Transfer with Richard Sanders
- Sankey/Himber Count
- Wave Load
- Motion Change
- Messiah Vanish
- Merlin Vanish
- Newton Drop
- Drop Switch
- Hypnovanish
Flash Paper
- In a Flash
- Signed, Singed & Delivered
- Tracking Device
- Heist
- Revelation of a Card
- Unmixed
- Transitions
- Firefly
- Meltdown
- Blaze of Glory
- The Almost-Human Cannonball
- Down in Flames
- Flash Mob
Business Cards
- Stop Sign
- Picture Perfect
- Scrawly
- Constellation
- Perfect Read
- Power Lunch
- Time Sensitive
- Creepy Crawlers
- X-Ray Vision
- Reception
- Change in Direction
- The Window Trick
Impromptu Card Magic Part 1
- Back in Time
- Solitary Confinement
- Proximity
- Group Hypnosis
- Solo
- Amateur vs. Professional
- Three Times Lucky
- Bodyguards
- A Fold in Time
- The Switch Places Aces with Richard Sanders
- Only in Self Defense
- Maximum Capacity
- 180
Magic For Children
- Yo-Yo Mon
- Circumference
- Hot Wax
- Chocolate Bar Prediction
- Wrap it Up
- Ear to Eternity
- Instant Origami
Coin Productions
- Slick Splits
- Cartesian Coins
- Silver Lining
- Thin Air Production
- Invisible Piano Production
- Bread & Butter Production
Almost-Impromptu Card Magic Part 1
- On Impulse
- Twice as Nice
- Head Spin with Jason Maloney
- From Behind
- Deviant Behavior
- Splitsville
- Good Vibrations
- Selective Memory
- Nomad
Beyond Secrets Part 1
- Essay: Preface
- Essay: A Dance of Glances
- Essay: Is Magic an Art?
- Essay: Begin by Connecting
- Essay: The Myth of Speed
- Essay: Incomprehensibility
- Essay: Magic as Blood Sport
- Essay: Orchestrating Focus
- Essay: What is your Market?
- Essay: Popular Misperceptions
- Essay: The Anatomy of an Effect
- Essay: Intimate Scripts
- Essay: What is the Method?
- Essay: If I Were a Real Magician
- Essay: A Little Experiment
- Essay: Key Images
- Essay: Learning a Sleight
- Essay: An Actor Playing the Part
- Essay: Wonder Without Secrecy
- Essay: Creating Magic
- Essay: Wonder and Emotion
- Essay: How Did You Do That?
- Essay: Any Effect is Possible
- Essay: Cynicism, Confusion and Ego
- Essay: For My Next Trick
- Essay: Audience Feedback
- Essay: The Opposite of Magic
- Essay: Simplicity
- Essay: The Emotional Camera
- Essay: The Imperfect Theory
- Essay: The Approach
- Essay: Inspiring Humility
- Essay: The Wonder of Wit
- Essay: Classic Audience Members
Index
Where to buy?
Last I checked, you should be able to pick up The Definitive Sankey - Volume 1 at Vanishing Inc.. The last price tag I saw for this book was set at $199.95.