Charles Thorton Jordan (1888–1944) was a highly prolific and influential American inventor of magic tricks, particularly renowned for his contributions to card magic and mentalism. He was not primarily a performer but a creative force, devising hundreds of original effects and principles.
Significance and Contributions
Jordan’s primary impact on the world of magic stems from his innovative thinking and the sheer volume of his output. His methods often relied on subtlety, mathematical principles, and clever construction rather than difficult sleight of hand, making many of his effects accessible yet baffling. He published his creations in booklets and magazines, influencing generations of magicians.
Key contributions include:
- The invention of a vast number of original card tricks and mental effects.
- Authorship of influential magic publications, such as “Thirty Card Mysteries” (1919) and “Ten New Prepared Card Tricks” (1920), later compiled into “Charles T. Jordan’s Best Card Tricks.”
- Development and popularization of subtle mathematical principles applied to card magic.
- Pioneering work in effects that would later evolve into modern packet tricks, often using only a small number of cards.
Notable Areas of Invention
Jordan’s ingenuity spanned various aspects of close-up magic. His work is characterized by clever construction and often involved pre-arrangement or subtle psychological elements.
His inventive focus included:
- Card Revelations: He devised numerous methods for revealing selected or thought-of cards under seemingly impossible conditions, often with novel climaxes.
- Spelling Tricks: Jordan was a master of effects where cards are found by spelling names, words, or numbers, a category he significantly developed.
- Mental Magic with Cards: Many of his creations blurred the lines between card magic and mentalism, featuring predictions and apparent mind-reading feats using cards as a medium.
- Effects with Ordinary and Prepared Cards: While many of his effects could be done with a borrowed, shuffled deck, he also explored the possibilities of subtly prepared cards for unique outcomes.
Legacy
Charles T. Jordan’s legacy is secured through his published material, which continues to be studied and adapted by magicians worldwide. His emphasis on cleverness of method over digital dexterity made his work a lasting resource.
His enduring impact is evident in:
- The continued performance of his original effects or variations thereof by contemporary magicians.
- His influence on subsequent magic inventors who have built upon his foundational principles.
- The high regard in which he is held within the magic community for his exceptional creativity and prolific contributions to the art.
