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Ed Balducci
Ed Balducci (1906-1988), born Edmund Mariano Balducci, was a New York City magician (and civil engineer by day) often named as the creator of the "Balducci levitation", which was popularized by magician David Blaine.
Ed is credited with the Cut Deeper Force and a version of Card to Wallet he published in 1958, which later became popular when Ken Brooke marketed it.
He published the first known description of levitation illusion which now bears his name, in the July 1974 Pallbearer's Review, (Volume 9, Number 9, pp 755) under the name "Impromptu Levitation." Balducci ended his description by saying, "Originator unknown". He explains that he was shown the method by Erwin Levine, who was one of the Harmonicats. Mr. Levine had no idea who the originator was. The illusion has since been known as the Balducci Levitation.
Ed was a mentor to many magicians including Ken Krenzel.
References
- Obit Genii 1987 December