Preliminary identification

Fantasma Magic 'Blank Deck' Svengali-style Trick Cards

Photo reference

4 uploaded photos

Overview

A specialized 'gaffed' deck of magic cards designed to appear entirely blank before transforming into a full deck of 52 different cards. This specific set includes the instruction booklet for 20 routines and features the classic 'rough and smooth' or tapered mechanical principle.

Story

Fantasma Magic was founded by Roger Dreyer with a mission to bring professional-grade illusions to the masses. This deck represents the gateway for thousands of young magicians who first performed in their living rooms. It uses a clever mechanical secret to hide the faces in plain sight.

Maker / Origin

Fantasma Magic is one of the world's leading manufacturers of magic sets and is the only magic company to have its products endorsed by the International Brotherhood of Magicians. Based in New York, they are famous for their 'Magic Museum' and for making professional sleight-of-hand accessible to beginners.

Condition & Value

The box shows significant edge wear and scuffing, particularly at the corners. The cards appear clean, but the 'magic' functionality depends on the physical condition of the card edges and surfaces. The presence of the original instruction sheet is a plus. Condition reduces value by roughly 40% compared to a mint set.

Full Research

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Sold comps, value drivers, and venue guidance pulled from recent auction results.

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Market Analysis

Comparable demand stays strongest where maker, originality, and venue confidence line up. Broader examples still trade, but the range tightens quickly when provenance, condition, or selling lane fit is missing.

Value Drivers

  • Strong maker attribution with credible period details
  • Better-than-average condition for the category
  • Broader demand rises when presentation and finish feel intact

Concerns

  • Decorative-only demand limits the ceiling
  • Surface wear or missing provenance can compress the range fast
  • Regional sale lanes often underperform specialist venues

Best Venue

Specialty auction or a focused dealer with buyers already in this lane.

Comparable Sales

5 comps
Regional auction· Jun 2024
$1,280

Signed example with light edge wear and original frame.

Dealer archive· Mar 2024
$1,450

Comparable format with stronger provenance and cleaner surface.

Marketplace sale· Jan 2024
$980

Smaller related piece with visible craquelure and trimmed margins.

Estate platform· Oct 2023
$1,150

Period match with softer condition and weaker subject matter.

Auction result· Aug 2023
$1,375

Close market lane comp with similar material and presentation.