Invented in 1986, and marketed as Cosmosis by Ben Harris, this effect has become a one of the most pirated close-up creations in magic's recent history. It truly has become a “classic.”

Even today, almost 30 years years after its debut, unscrupulous individuals and manufacturers in many countries market it without any due respect for its heritage or compensation. From street stalls in India and across Asia, to the high streets of London and Paris, you’ll find this effect ripped-off and offered to the casual purchaser. Simple ideas are often the best, and both the very simplicity of this concept and the apparent ease of construction (though most still get it wrong in their rush to produce a cheap product) have seduced the parasites.

The original was marketed (1986) in a limited release of 500 units at each with concise and detailed instructions that layed bare performance subtleties which were devious in their conception.

Ask any experienced performer and he will tell you that it is the “details” that make or break a good performance. Various "cancellation" techniques were taught that subliminally led the spectators down the garden path. With the original you prove that flexing the card has no impact on the match. This all important procedure meant that no attention was drawn to the slightly bent card during the floating stage. Juxtapose that against the “Place a match on the card and bend it” instructions supplied by the thieves. No subtlety, no detail. Just a quick grab for your cash with my idea!

On a happier note, Tenyo in Japan have released a version (with full permission) that uses a little broomstick. Gloriously produced, this appears as an entry in their “World’s Greatest Magic” series. The broomstick makes this a great Harry Potter tie-in. Steve Shufton also has a lovely version.

More recently, Disney even used the concept!

This edition has been specially prepared as an “Authorized Download”. If you have never made a Cosmosis Card in the past, you should read the information on page 7, hand-in-hand with ”Jim Kleefeld's 12 Tips” (page 16). Combined, this information should have you up and running in no time. Information included:

Introduction
Cosmosis: The Effect
The Basic Principle
Making a Cosmosis Card
The Basic Handling
Inroducing The Card Into Play Pre-Flexing The Card
Basic Rise 1
Tipping The Match Off The Card
One Handed Rise
In The Spectator’s Hands
Fingertip Power
Seance Presentation
Ticket Time
Other Objects
Basic Rise 2
The Big Curl
With Two Cards
Geoff Pearce Ring Move
12 Tips: Jim Kleefeld

24 PAGES, FULLY ILLUSTRATED
File Type: PDF