There are sleights and effects that have been used by magicians for so long that no records exist of their origins. Many of these sleights and effects are given the honorific classic as recognition for their effectiveness as manual technique or for creating the illusion of magic.
Some sleights, such as the Classic Pass and Classic Palm, are specifically identified as manipulations worthy of being mastered by the magicians. Other techniques are considered classic in their intent, for instance the second deal or double lift, but the manner in which they are best executed remain a matter of opinion among performers.
Classic effects and the props needed to accomplish them vary of course with the era or century. Some, such as the Cups And Balls, are traced back to early civilizations. Others may have established themselves more recently, for instance the Chop Cup or Card To Wallet. Some classics will eventually fade from magic consciousness because the objects involved are no longer familiar to the audience, although magicians will sometimes persist in using objects and references long after they have passed out of common usage.
It is worth investigating manipulations, effects and props touted as classic - not just in this era but in previous eras. In some instances the reason for a trick's success and popularity may be dependent on the moment in time it flourished; in other cases magicians or their audiences may have tired of it as they sometimes do.
All of this is important because classic usually means dependable and performable, qualities less frequent than the magician in search of material might expect.
It should also be noted that some classics have antecedents that aren't quite classic. For instance Michael Zens version of Cards Across where three selected cards pass by magic from a sealed envelope held by one spectator to another sealed envelope held by a second spectator was proceeded by numerous effects, some with cards others with coins, that didn't quite achieve the impact of Zens' effect. Another example is the Egg Bag which began as an entirely different trick and and prop then it is today.
Understanding why a specific method and handling raises an effect to classic status is an important issue in determining the value of a trick, its mechanics and its potential to appear magical.
The why of what magicians do and have done is as important as the how. The happy combination of a nearly perfect how and why will usually result in a classic accreditation; however interpreting a classic for use may require more work than simply accepting it as classic because it is touted as such.
Yours Magically
Solomon
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