52 Lovers Through The Looking Glass




A Neo-Classic Back in Print
Have you heard of the highly sought-after two-volume Fifty-Two Lovers by Pepe Carroll? These hard-to-find books go for big money (over $400 apiece on the second-hand market) for good reason. Pepe Carroll was an ingenious creator and a legendary performer in Spain. Even today, his magical creations and style echo throughout the industry. Now, nearly thirty years after their initial publication, a beautiful, definitive edition collects both books AND adds all his other published and unpublished material.
The result is Fifty-Two Lovers: Through the Looking Glass. This stunning production boasts a brand-new layout and illustrations, and is the proper tribute to Carroll the magic world desires. Juan Tamariz raves about his dear friend Pepe in print and in person, and this is your chance to find out why. This is a book worthy of careful study. Inside you'll find Pepe's seminal Wild Card routine (much copied but never improved), as well as his all-suit production, which is something we consider to be a masterpiece of card magic. The print-run is extremely limited, so act now before the book is sold out again.
Customer reviews for 52 Lovers Through The Looking Glass
In the 1980s, Pepe Carroll gained international recognition through his perfoamces with the Escorial Magic Grip and later, his collaboration with Juan Tamara on the influential magic show “Por Arte de Magia.” Carroll’s unique blend of humor, storytelling, and sleight-of-and set a new standard in magical entertainment.
Tragically, Pepe Carroll’s life was cut short. However, his legacy lives on through his contribution to magic, his impact on the Spanish magical community, and the lasting influence he had on the art form itself. Carroll’s biography is a testament to a magician whose artistry and innovation continue to inspire generations of magicians worldwide.
A highlight that stood out for me was Pepe’s all-suit production - a true gem in the realm of card magic. Meticulously detailed and expertly explained, it unfolds as a masterpiece that transcends the boundaries of traditional card manipulation. The book serves as a treasure trove for aficionados seeking to delve into nuances of Carroll’s acclaimed techniques, offering a comprehensive guide to elevate one’s own magical repertoire.
First, let's address the negative aspects. You might think this book is version of Chris Philpott's "100th Monkey" due to its challenging readability. The book has a nice aesthetic and layout, but the font color—a faint greenish grey—makes it extremely difficult to read, even in good lighting. The large format and font size don't help, and parts like footnotes and callouts are particularly hard to decipher. I'm not exaggerating; this should be a key consideration when deciding whether to purchase it. If you do buy this book (and I'll explain why you should), investing in a headlamp might be a good idea.
I already own the original "52 Lovers" Volumes 1 and 2, but I got this version because I'm a fan. The additions include about 50 pages from Carroll's "MMS Circular" and previously unpublished routines. Highlights include a fantastic color-changing handkerchief, his FISM card act, and Luis Alberto Iglesias' writeup of Carroll's impressive dice stacking routine (based on video and memory). All three of these routines were standouts.
Notable routines include Carroll Classics like his 9-card monte, Suit Appearance, Card in Notebook (which cleverly incorporates the comb binding), Card in Glass, and Follow the Leader. These are fully developed tricks that remain powerful and impressive. The section on color changes features some innovative techniques, including changing a card in cellophane.
The content of the book is excellent, rating a 5. Unfortunately, the production values are a 1.
Community questions about 52 Lovers Through The Looking Glass
Have a question about this product? It's possible others do too. Ask here and other Vanishing Inc. Magic customers will be able to respond with assistance! Alternatively, email us and we can help too.
Steven asks: Based on the note under the title, I assume the date has been pushed back to 10/1?
- 1. Vanishing Inc. Magic responds:The newest update (as of 6/17/19) is that stock will be available on 6/28/2019. Keep in mind that this is an estimate, and it may change.
James asks: Any idea when you will get this back in stock? It didn't last long so and I missed the boat. Hoping I don't have shop the secondary market for a copy.
- 1. Vanishing Inc. Magic responds:As of 5/16/19, we expect more stock in 12 to 14 days.
dean asks: Just to be sure, this is an English copy edition? Thanks
- 1. Vanishing Inc. Magic responds:Si.
- 2. Wong responds:I got the book today and it is such a beautiful book. o sorry. This is of course an english book.
Steven asks: Hardbound?
- 1. Vanishing Inc. Magic responds:It's a beautiful, oversized hardbound book.
Robert asks: Is it a revised text of the original volumes 1 & 2 (aside from the new chapters)? Or is it original text and layout?
- 1. Vanishing Inc. Magic responds:It's based on the original text, but heavily edited with a completely new layout.
sapan asks: Is this reprint of vol 1-2 or different content May i know little bit of details of page and content if possible.. because i got vol 1 of previous 52lover
- 1. Vanishing Inc. Magic responds:It contains the effects from both volumes of 52 Lovers, plus new material. There are 288 large-size pages.
6 questions


