by kardtrik » Mar 2nd, '05, 23:01
I've always loved the premise of the torn and restorn effect, but neve came across one that was deceptive enough--until my good friend, John Shyrock (fellow Yank), showed me a version with a signed card.
We were at the Magic Castle in California, in one of the little corners where magicians sometimes (always) convene to one-up each other. John finished this session with his torn and restored.
It was not, however, "his" torn and restored, but a Frank Garcia handling of Yves Doumergue's "Ripped and Restored". It is amazing. Simply amazing.
You asked for a good version that uses no gimmick, but the trick itself defies the ability to be done without a gimmick.
I will say, however, that this gimmick is extremely clever. I learned Yves' original handling and tried to incorporate some of Frank Garcia's moves--so I have ended up with a b***** child of the effect, but it never fails to make jaws drop.
I have been doing close up magic for close to 20 years, and this is singly the most magical piece of magic I have ever had the enjoyment of performing. You start clean, and with slight misdirection (very slight), you end clean.
The signature can be seen the whole time (with a piece missing). the last pice of the card to be restored is the other half of their signature.
Copperfield did a torn and restored baseball card on television some years ago that was incredibly clean. This is that clean. It's the closest thing to pure magic that I have ever performed or seen. Gasps are common.
Have I hyped it up enough? Mr Doumergue should give me a commission.
On a side note, Guy Hollingworth had a pretty good one, but I never saw it. being familiar with some of his beautiful card work, I am positive that is worth looking in to as well. I can safely say however, that his version is most likely more technically demanding, as is his style.
That is not to say that Yves' version is easy--it's not. But it is not knuckle busting, and once the apropriate amount of time and thought has been put in to it, you will have a true miracle on your hands.
Nuff said.