Who was Tony Slydini?

Tony Slydini (born Quintino Marucci in Foggia, Italy; died 1991) was a close-up magician famous for his timing and misdirection. He grew up in Argentina, came to New York in 1930, and later ran his own studio there. His paper balls, knotted silks and cigarette routines are still studied today.

Who was Tony Slydini?

Slydini was an Italian-born close-up magician. Wikipedia and Genii’s Magicpedia both give his birth name as Quintino Marucci and his birthplace as Foggia, Italy. The sources disagree on the year: Wikipedia and Magicana say 1900, while Magicpedia and Lybrary say 1901. He died on January 15, 1991, in Orange, New Jersey.

How did he start in magic?

His father was an amateur magician, according to Wikipedia, Magicpedia and Lybrary. While still young, he moved from Italy to Argentina, where Magicana says he “began his performing career.” Wikipedia and Magicpedia say he worked in vaudeville in South America until the Depression made work scarce. His first stage name was “Tony Foolem,” before he became “Slydini.”

What did he do in the United States?

In 1930 he moved to New York City, where Wikipedia and Magicpedia say he got a job at Hubert’s Museum on 42nd Street, followed by carnivals and sideshows. Both sources say a visit to Boston turned into about seven years of performing there before he returned to New York. He later ran a studio in New York, which Magicpedia calls the Slydini Studio of Magic.

What was his style?

Slydini was a close-up magician. Wikipedia credits his “precise and expert use of timing and misdirection,” and Magicana’s Jamy Ian Swiss calls his misdirection “revolutionary.” His shows were usually impromptu: Wikipedia and Magicpedia both say he “allowed his audience and the situation to dictate his show.”

Both Wikipedia and Lybrary record that Dai Vernon named Slydini as someone who could fool him, though they quote him in different words.

Which routines is he known for?

• Paper balls. Lybrary lists “Paper Balls in the Hat” from a 1950s film of Slydini, and Wikipedia cites a Scientific American article on his paper balls-to-hat trick.
• Silks. Lybrary lists “Knotted Silks,” and the As I Recall DVD set shows him performing “Knotted Silks” and “Production of Silks.”
• Cigarettes and coins. Lybrary lists a “Cigarette Miracle” and “Two Cigarettes from One,” and Magicana describes a silver dollar that “winked in and out of existence at his fingertips.”

Did he appear on television?

Yes. Wikipedia and Magicana both note that the talk-show host Dick Cavett featured Slydini on his PBS television show.

Which books cover his magic?

Wikipedia and Magicpedia list the same core books:

• The Magic of Slydini by Lewis Ganson (1960)
• Slydini Encores by Leon Nathanson (1966)
• The Best of Slydini… and More by Karl Fulves (1976)
• The Magical World of Slydini by Karl Fulves (1979)

He also received a Masters Fellowship from the Academy of Magical Arts in 1974, according to both Wikipedia and Magicpedia.

For more great close-up and manipulation performers, read Who was Cardini? and Who was Channing Pollock?

What helps you take it further?

• As I Recall, a two-disc tribute in which Slydini’s students recall the master and perform his effects. Disc one has Slydini performing “Coins Through the Table,” “Cigarette Miracle” and “Two Cigarettes From One,” with Jim Cellini performing and explaining “The Slydini Movement.” Disc two has Slydini performing “Paper Balls Over the Head,” “Knotted Silks” and “Paper Balls to the Hat (Box),” with Cellini explanations. About 3 hours 45 minutes in total.

Silks played a big part in his act. Browse our magic silks collection.

Frequently asked questions