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Paul Curry

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description Paul Curry Overview

Paul Curry (1917–1986) was an American magician and inventor, best known for creating the card trick "Out of This World" in 1942. The trick is widely celebrated in the magic community as one of the greatest self-working card illusions ever devised, requiring no sleight of hand. Throughout his career, Curry contributed numerous influential effects to the field of close-up magic. His legacy continues to inspire magicians due to the elegance of his methods.

help Paul Curry FAQ

What happens in Paul Curry's Out of This World card trick?

A spectator deals face-down cards into piles according to whether they intuitively believe each card is red or black. At the reveal, the cards are shown to have been separated with an apparently impossible degree of accuracy.

Did Paul Curry invent Out of This World in 1942?

Yes. Curry created and published the original routine in 1942, when he was in his mid-twenties, and later released refinements to its handling.

Is Out of This World really self-working?

It is often described as self-working because the effect does not depend on difficult sleight of hand. Successful performance still requires correct setup, clear dealing instructions, audience management, and control of the reveal.

Was Paul Curry a full-time professional magician?

No. Curry was an amateur magician who worked professionally in insurance and became a vice president at Blue Cross in New York. His reputation in magic rests chiefly on inventive card effects, especially Out of This World.

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