HIDDEN GEMS – Discover the Magic You’re Missing!

This brand new ebook serves as your guide to incredible magic tricks you already possess!

For years, my newsletters featured a ‘Hidden Gem’ — a remarkable, often overlooked trick that you can find in various sources, such as books, magazines, eBooks, blogs, or occasionally a commercial release. DVD or video downloads were never included.

These tricks epitomize the idea of being ‘hidden in print’. Each entry includes the trick’s name, its source, my personal insights, and reasons why you should explore it. I describe the effect and occasionally the presentation, but I never reveal the method.

Most tricks are found in books you likely own (or should!), while some are in accessible magazines. A few entries may require a deeper search on platforms like SHM, MagicWeek, or eBay. Enjoy the hunt!

This new eBook compiles 100 Hidden Gems — including around 30 from my previous newsletters and over 65 brand new discoveries I’ve gathered over the years. It features a variety of card, coin, and close-up magic, alongside plenty of mentalism, stand-up, and cabaret material.

If you’re searching for unique tricks that others aren’t performing, this collection is packed with gems.

Here are a few examples of what you’ll find:

Hidden Gem #17: ‘Shock Treatment’ by Jackie McClements, Shock Treatment (p19). This astonishing vanishing deck trick is a total fooler. I first witnessed it performed by Jerry Sadowitz at International Magic in London, and it left me utterly shocked. It’s guaranteed to astound both laymen and magicians who are unaware of it, and it has remained a staple in my repertoire ever since.

Hidden Gem #43: ‘Four Fisted’ by Gary Kurtz, Unexplainable Acts (p35). This was a key part of my close-up and walkaround performances for over a decade, yet I’ve never seen another magician perform it. It’s a stunning, original coin effect featuring visual and tactile changes, and, as expected from Kurtz, an engaging presentation. Coins transform from copper to silver and then to gold, right in your hands AND the spectator’s! For the gold coins, I recommend using Danish 2 Kroner coins; they polish up beautifully.

Hidden Gem #70: ‘Greetings’ by Chris Westfall, MAGIC magazine, July 2010 (p67). Occasionally, I come across an effect and think, “I wish I had created this!” That was my exact thought about Chris’ trick. It was unfortunately overlooked because it appeared in a magazine, but trust me, it’s possibly the best thing Josh Jay has ever published in his column. This modern card trick revitalizes the ‘nest-of-boxes’ concept, fooling laymen and allowing you to hand out your business card. If a big name had released this as a download, we’d all be raving about it.

Hidden Gem #87: ‘Eleven Bill Routine’ by Trevor Lewis, Routines Matter (Lewis/Willmarth, p66). While several performers have their versions of this routine, Trevor’s stands out for its immaculate handling, superior spectator management, and clever lines. It’s one of the best packs-small-plays-big routines ever published and is essential for any cabaret act.

What Others Are Saying About Hidden Gems:

“I confess that I would prefer to NOT recommend this ebook, purely for selfish reasons. It’s a treasure chest that will unlock your library and send you racing to fill in any gaps. And I just had to buy a book I didn’t have. This ebook is going to cost me a fortune!” – R Paul Wilson

“Whether you are looking for unique new pieces for your pro working repertoire or killers for your next magic session, Mark has done the hard work for you! There’s gold in these pages from some of the greatest minds in Magic. I’m equally thrilled and annoyed that this collection has been put together; it’s a must-buy.” – James Went

“Let’s face it; we all know that some of the best stuff is hiding in plain sight. We have all missed a beauty that was staring us right in the face. Well…imagine a book that does the incredible job of giving the savvy magician a second look at that killer material. Mark’s “Hidden Gems” does exactly that! A collection of high-impact magic, cherry-picked to only give you the best of the best. Polish up these “Hidden Gems”. They are a true treasure. And so is Mark’s book.” – Jonathan Friedman

“Mark has curated a spectacular collection! I am like a kid in a candy store with so many effects and routines I haven’t even heard of before. The knowledge and insight that has gone into Hidden Gems is incredible.” – Bro Gilbert

“In magic, part of our daily ritual is to look for the hidden gems, the real treasures, the real magic. Mark Elsdon is one of the best-read “treasure” hunters I know of. When he points out a vein of treasure, I explore. In this book, Mark doesn’t teach tricks he’s created. Instead, he points out sources and effects that you should explore. He’s got great taste in material, meaning you can skip a lot of fodder and simply find some uncovered miracles. If you love finding great magic, this book will be a treasure map you will delight in.” – Tim Trono

“Loved this eBook! Hidden Gems is such a great idea for a publication and will start many hours of treasure hunting – and Mark has gone to the trouble of ensuring that you will be uncovering gold. Highest recommendation.” – Liam Montier

“Choosing new material is a tough process as you have to wade through lots of garbage to find even a single piece that’s worthy of your time and effort. But not anymore – Mark has done all the hard (and expensive!) work for us so we can only focus on the fantastic, overlooked effects that nobody else is doing! Hidden Gems has my highest recommendation!” – Iain Moran

“Mark Elsdon is my regular source for hidden gems … he scours magic literature and finds ideas that inspire me to look harder and closer.” – Andi Gladwin

“I have mixed feelings, however – I suspect he has made things a bit too easy. The reader is guided painlessly towards material that many performers have painstakingly researched to add to their repertoires. It’s all there on a plate for you! This is a terrific repository of great magic. “Hidden Gems” is offered at a great price for what could turn out to be a lifetime’s worth of killer material! A MUST BUY!” – Dave Jones

“This is a brilliant idea from Mark Elsdon. The saying goes, “if you want to keep it secret, put it in a book.” Mark highlights some of the best routines he’s found from his extensive reading, pointing to the sources of some overlooked classics. Great unknown material here. The first one I looked at (that I had access to already) got me excited and brainstorming away. High-quality choices from a magic connoisseur.” – Chris Wood