First Edition "Encyclopedia of Playing Card Flourishes"

 

    Jerry Cestkowski began performing his unique style of fancy card manipulation more than 25 years ago.  Back then, flourishes were a relative novelty with the most visible practitioner of the time being Ricky Jay. Even as a teenager, Jerry was consumed with the idea of all-flourish routines that would be just as entertaining as the best close-up magic.  Within a few years, he had managed to develop enough material to replace all the conventional magic in his repertoire. Since then, Jerry has performed for thousands of people at restaurants, private parties and events. 

 

    As it became apparent that laymen enjoyed extreme flourishes as much as or more than magic tricks, the possibility of sharing the value of flourishes arose.  In spite of the average magician's inability at the time to effectively incorporate flourishes into an act, and also because of it, the "Encyclopedia" was born.  Five years in the making, the first edition was released in July, 2002, and sold out in December, 2003.  Those who were lucky enough to acquire the first edition possess a highly desirable piece of the history of this rarified art.  Beautifully bound, copiously illustrated and lucidly written, the book was instantly dubbed the "Bible" of card flourishes.  Copies have already resold for multiples of the original purchase price.  First editions are easily identifiable by the 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 on the versa page, and by the gold sticker onthe inside back cover.