Conjuring Decks

A selection of special conjuring packs from the collection of William Lismore. I picked up a number of packs from the same place (antiques center) that seemed to belong to the same person.

Above: a forcing deck of ‘Alf Cooke’ playing cards by Universal Playing Card Co Ltd (Alf Cooke), c.1950.

Above: another forcing deck by Universal Playing Card Co Ltd (Alf Cooke) c.1960, but in a plain tuck box with a joker stuck on the outside.

Above: a deck of Alf Cooke ESP cards.

Above: a deck of Fox Lake cards that change from a ‘normal’ deck to all jokers, c.1960. See also: Fox Lake 'Svengali' deck, c.1960►

Above: special conjuring pack by John Waddington Ltd, c.1950. The pack consists of duplicates taped to each other at the back so that they can open up and stand by themselves. All the cards duplicates taped to them in the same way, possibly for a magic stage act. all images courtesy William Lismore.