I don’t often share things here in this newsletter from my role as CFO of Vanishing Inc., but I want to briefly address the events of last week. In case you’ve been living under a rock, the Vanishing Inc. warehouse in Rancho Cordova, California, caught fire late Thursday night on June 6, 2024. I received the call on Friday morning:
It was a day like any other, filled with routine assessments and strategic planning, when the news came through—our primary warehouse had burned down. After breathing a sight of relief that no one was hurt, as CFO, my immediate thoughts were on the financial implications, the insurance processes, and the logistical nightmares that would follow. But as the reality of the situation unfolded, it became clear that this was not just a financial crisis; it was a deeply emotional one, particularly for our community of book-loving magicians.
After all, our warehouse wasn't just a storage facility; it was the heart of our collection, home to a vast array of treasured (and at times - rare) magic books. These volumes weren't just paper and ink; they were repositories of history, knowledge, and the very essence of our craft. From decades-old tomes penned by the great masters to contemporary works by modern innovators, our warehouse was a sanctuary for the magical word.
When the flames subsided, what remained was a scene of profound loss. The charred remnants of books lay scattered, their secrets now whispers in the ashes. The loss of these books was more than a financial hit; it was a cultural and historical tragedy for the magic community. These texts were mentors, guides, and sources of endless inspiration for magicians across the world. In some cases, they were the last remaining physical stock of books that will not be republished.
Although a complete financial loss, the value of these books can’t be measured merely in dollars. They were investments in the knowledge and artistry of magic. They held the wisdom of ages, techniques that had been refined over centuries, and the passion of countless magicians who have dedicated their lives to the craft.
In the end, tragic loss like the destruction of our warehouse are important signposts to remind us of what’s truly important: people. Our books, as important as they are, are not the end of ideas. They aren’t magic by themselves. No, it’s the magicians who study them, who practice what they teach, who share those creations with an audience (big or small!), and who expand on the ideas they offer that make the magic community truly special.
The support from our magic family has been overwhelming. Messages of solidarity, offers of assistance, and stories of personal connections to the fiery loss have poured in. This outpouring of support underscored the deep bonds within our community and the shared reverence for the secrets we hold until they find their “forever home.”
On a personal level, this experience has been a profound journey. As CFO, I’m typically neck deep in a spreadsheet, cost analysis, strategic conversation, or KPI review. But this crisis reminded me of the deeper purpose behind our work. It’s not just about managing finances or even running a magic shop; it’s about stewarding a legacy. Each book lost was a chapter in the ongoing story of magic, a story that we are committed to continuing despite the setbacks.
To the magicians, collectors, and book lovers who have felt this loss with us, know that we are dedicated to rebuilding and preserving the rich tapestry of magical knowledge. The flames may have taken our warehouse, but they cannot extinguish the spirit of magic that resides in each of us. Together, we will turn the page and continue to write the story of magic for generations to come.
The silver lining
Hopefully by now you’ve seen my discussion around the latest magic book slated for release: Afterglow, by John Graham. I think it’s a great book, but I recognize that I’m probably biased (see above for my relationship with this product 😃)
Afterglow features seven expertly curated card tricks, including reimagined classics like Eddie Fechter's “I've Got a Surprise for You,” Harry Lorayne's “Numero Uno,” and John Bannon's “Play It Straight Triumph.” Each trick is designed to build on the previous, creating a compelling 22-minute act. The book's modular design allows you to stop after any trick, making it adaptable to different performance lengths and settings.
The real value of Afterglow lies in its practical demonstration of assembling tricks into a cohesive act. John Graham illustrates how each trick can flow into the next, building dramatic tension and audience engagement. While the book doesn't explicitly teach act construction, it offers a powerful example of how to achieve it.
In terms of the lessons you can learn from a book like this, it’s caused me to think more about routine structure and how one thing leads to another. I can’t say that I ever performed more than three effects together in a single card magic set, so to see seven tricks seamlessly brought together in a modular format? Chef’s kiss! 🤌
I always want to bring you the latest data, and I believe that this one will see release in the next week! So, if you’ve been wondering when it will be available, you heard it here first that there will be a limited number of copies available soon (given the loss from the warehouse fire). If you missed this one at Magifest, now is your opportunity!
Who doesn’t love saving on magic books?!
As you all no doubt know by now, Don’s Magic & Books is a longtime sponsor and close friend of Erudite Magic. While he isn’t sponsoring this newsletter, I still want you to know about the savings he’s offering this week: Don is offering 10% off most of the magic books on his website if you use the code “SUMMER” at checkout.
Of course, he still offers free shipping if you meet minimum thresholds and live in the USA, so you can afford to get some of those books you’ve had your eye on for a while.
For example, if you’ve been scoping out the excellent Full Bloom set by Gaeton Bloom, you can save quite a bit of money on it now! And, it makes for excellent summer reading. If you do end up getting it, here is the old-school review I did with Don that tips a few interesting tricks from a massive (and gorgeous!) set:
How does this work?
If you’re new to the newsletter, I try to provide a good bit of value for free. My aim is to provide paywall content every other newsletter. If you’ve read this far - thank you! 🙏
In the section below, I’m going to share a trick I devised for a memdeck book I’m writing. I’ve written up two of the tricks I see being in the future book - the first is in the initial announcement, and the other is here. If you’re a paying subscriber, you have access to view back issues with paid content, so be sure you get your money’s worth by checking them out!
If you’re not yet a paid subscriber, you are able to take out a trial to see if you like the paywall content, like hidden gems, mini reviews, tricks like the one below, and even voiceovers to have the newsletter read to you as I wrote it. Whether you choose to consume the free content, or step up to a paid subscription, I thank you for supporting Erudite Magic through your time and attention.
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