Who was Cardini?

Cardini was the stage name of Richard Valentine Pitchford, a Welsh-born sleight-of-hand performer who became a star of the stage in the United States and Britain. In top hat, tails and white gloves, he played a slightly tipsy gentleman baffled by the cards, billiard balls and cigarettes that kept appearing in his hands.

Where was Cardini born?

He was born Richard Valentine Pitchford in Wales; most of our sources say in Mumbles, near Swansea. They differ on the exact date: Wikipedia and the magic historian Edwin A. Dawes (citing Brad Ball) give 24 November 1895, while Dawes also notes that John Booth gave 1 March 1896.

As a young man he worked as a demonstrator in the magic department of Gamage’s, the London department store, according to both Magicana and Dawes.

How did the First World War shape his act?

During the First World War he served in the British Army, and several accounts say he passed time in the trenches practising card manipulation. Because it was cold, he practised wearing gloves, as his grandson told Hudson Valley One and Dawes also recounts. That habit became part of his act: Cardini later performed his card manipulations in white gloves. He was injured during the war and spent time in hospital.

Where did the name Cardini come from?

He first worked in Australia under the name Val Raymond. Magicana and Dawes both say he dropped it because a criminal had the same name. He then took the name Cardini in Australia. Sources give different explanations for how he chose it; Wikipedia and Magicana both connect it with the name Houdini.

How did Cardini reach America?

He brought his act to the United States in 1926, according to both John Fisher’s biography (as reviewed by Jamy Ian Swiss) and Dawes. In Chicago he met Swan Walker; they married in 1927, and she became his lifelong assistant. In the act she appeared dressed as a hotel page boy, or bellhop.

What was Cardini’s act like?

• The look. Top hat, tails, cape and white gloves. He was billed as “The Suave Deceiver.”
• The character. A well-dressed gentleman, “just a bit … tipsy,” as Magicana puts it, who seemed surprised by what kept happening to him. Dawes stresses that his portrayal “was never that of a drunk.”
• The magic. Fans of cards, billiard balls and lit cigarettes, produced and vanished with pure sleight of hand.

Where did Cardini perform?

His career took him to the Palace in New York, Radio City Music Hall and the London Palladium. Most of our sources date his royal command performance at the Palladium to 1933, though two give 1938. He also performed for Presidents Franklin D. Roosevelt and Harry Truman.

How is Cardini remembered?

In 1970 he received a Master Magician award, three years before his death in 1973. John Fisher’s biography, Cardini: The Suave Deceiver, tells his story in detail. If you enjoy magic history, try our posts on Dai Vernon, Dante the magician and Howard Thurston.

What helps you take it further?

Cardini’s act featured fans of cards. To start on that road:

• Expert Card Technique by Jean Hugard and Fred Braue. Its description lists fans among the more advanced techniques it covers. A 448-page softbound, illustrated book.
• Royal Road to Card Magic (eBook) by Jean Hugard and Frederick Braue. Its contents include flourishes and miscellaneous card flourishes. A 307-page PDF.

Then try our guides on how to fan a deck of cards and how to do a pressure fan, and pick up a deck from our playing cards collection.

Frequently asked questions