Charles Jordan

Charles Jordan is highly regarded in the magic community for his innovative, complex close-up card tricks. Operating largely outside the professional stage circuit in the early 20th century, he invented highly intricate sleight-of-hand techniques. His published works remain foundational texts for modern card magicians.

Yes, Charles Jordan is widely credited with inventing the "Invisible Palm" plot in card magic. This illusion involves the magician appearing to invisibly remove cards from a deck and place them into their pocket. It is considered one of the most famous and highly studied effects in close-up magic.

Unlike famous contemporaries who performed grand stage illusions, Jordan focused exclusively on close-up card tricks. He never toured the vaudeville circuits, preferring to share his creations through private manuscripts and pamphlets. This reclusive approach allowed him to develop some of the most devious card methods of his era.

Most of Jordan's original tricks were compiled into a definitive collection called "Charles Jordan's Card Tricks." Modern editions of this book, along with his published pamphlets, are available through specialized magic shops and publishers like Dover Publications. Many of his principles are still taught in advanced sleight-of-hand courses.