The Karmilovich Collection by Ted Karmilovich

A folk tale in magic, rumored to exist, but unable to be accessed until now. Ted Karmilovich kept extensive private notebooks and unpublished works that even the world’s greatest mentalists had never seen. Now, for the first time, his groundbreaking methods, effects, and work finally see the light of day.

Over three hundred fifty pages and nearly two hundred effects, essays, and private notes, this book is massive. This work spans more than five decades of Ted’s influential involvement in the world of mentalism. From close-up to stage, propless to mechanical, this is a lifetime of work. The Karmilovich Collection is divided into three sections.

The first part is his complete published works. This comprises 70 complete routines, including his Target series. He also details the step-by-step process leading up to his most significant creation: The Mother Of All Book Tests.

From its beginning in the 1980s to its formal release in 1995, this classic completely changed the methodology and presentation of a book test.

An added bonus for those who already own MOABT: four new effects, and a bookmark with keywords for all the versions.

Note: The MOABT is a currently marketed item, so its complete working is not included in the text.

The second part opens his private notebooks for the first time. This is 80 unpublished effects, theories, experiments, and concepts pulled straight from his archives. This section will change Mentalism forever and will be closely studied.

The third part captures the man behind the legend. It features interviews, conversations, and tributes from his friends and students, offering a complete picture of this quiet genius.

The complete works of one of the most influential underground mentalists in history is now available, and only at Penguin Magic.

“Ted Karmilovich has long been one of my favourite mentalists in the world. Ever since skimming through my volumes of Magick to seek out his contributions, I’ve been in love with his beautiful, powerful thinking. In our age of artless electronics, the current crop of us stand on the shoulders of this quiet giant, who has finally released the volume we’ve spent decades waiting for. This is grown-up mentalism as it should be.” – Derren Brown

“Ted Karmilovich created mentalist with powerful intention. His amazing ideas range from real world prop-less concepts to highly detailed awe-inspiring routines. The mentalist world has waited a long time for this book, and I say with certainty that very page was worth the wait! Ted Karmilovich’s The Karmilovich Collection will take your mentalist to the next level and beyond.” – Joe Curcillo, Speaker, Author, Strategist/Former PEA President

“Ted was, to me, one of the greatest mentalists of the century and perhaps the greatest of all. His work is outstanding he was a pure genius. Using Ted’s work is all you will need to make a reputation. If there was 10 stars not 5 Ted would be the first ever to get 10. Highly Recommended 10” – Neal Scryer

“Ted Karmilovich was a brilliant thinker and creator of mentalism. Virtually every routine he devised is direct, easy to follow, and has strong dramatic impact. Very few come close to matching the depth of his methods. Ted’s work is timeless and superlative.” – Ross Johnson

“Saying that Ted Karmilovich was a legend in Mentalism is like saying that the center tear is a useful technique: It’s true but doesn’t fully encompass his creative power. His effects appear in virtually every Mentalist’s repertoire over and over, sometimes when they don’t even know it. And they appear for a reason. They’re powerful, direct, and fry audiences.

There are other prolific inventors, but almost none I can think of who can match Ted for both volume and quality of creative output. Whenever I am looking for inspiration, my first step is to pull out my bound volumes of Bascom Jones’s Magick. I turn to the index and look up a routine, ANY routine, by Ted Karmilovich. There I know I’ll find the spark of genius that turns a mentalism effect into a gut-punch of impact for my audiences. That these routines and many more will be available in one volume for students of the art the best thing to happen to Mentalism in a long time.” – Christopher Carter

“Ted is my kind of thinker. His ideas, more than just about anyone else’s in the mystery arts, constantly evoke in me the reaction – “damn, I wish I had thought of that!”

Not only are his creations consistently brilliant, but they are remarkably practical as well. I’m sure his book will be quickly recognized as a masterly and unique contribution to the Art of Mentalism.” – Bruce Bernstein

“They say we all stand on the shoulders of giants in the world of mentalism….and Ted Karmilovich is one of those legends! He punched his ticket the day he created MOAB, but that is only the tip of the iceberg. His brilliant thinking has greatly influenced my own work and repertoire & I know any release with his name on it is going to be top notch.” – Oz Pearlman, Mentalist and Mind Reader

“I admire Ted’s multifaceted approaches, precise thinking, and devious twists in every piece he studiously constructed – first to please himself and ultimately to delight others. There is no doubt that there are multiple presentations within that are calling your name, waiting for you to once again bring them to life for your audiences.” – Lee Earle

“I knew Ted for many years, got everything he has published, and have had the privilege seeing him working live. I can tell you, although I believe everyone knows it anyway, that he was one of the smartest thinkers out there and truly one of the best performers I have ever seen. As much of a pro as you can get. And now all his mateial, previously published plus many things he has never published before, are between two book covers of this huge book. All his material is incredibly strong, smart, direct, extremely hard hitting and so workable at the same time. For me, this is the most anticipated book for many years. Get this book, it will change your thinking, your approach, and your performance of mentalism.” – Jan Forster

“For decades, there have been rumors that Ted Karmilovich had written a big book containing all of his works and secrets, but, it was so good, Mark Salem had purchased all the copies and hid them away in his garage … or so the legend went. Every year or so, the rumor would resurface, only to vanish just as quickly. The rumor resided somewhere between a joke and a mirage. A joke, because it never seemed to come to fruition. A mirage, because a big book by Ted would indeed be just that, a mirage, something to be thirsted for in a sandy desert of mostly rehashed nothing-newness and theft.

One of the highlights of my creative life was to write Mother’s Home Companion for Ted’s fabulous Mother of All Book Tests! MHC has since been honed, improved, and rewritten over the years. But over 25 years later, MOAB and MHC are still performed together all over the world. I’m proud of that association because of Ted!

There can be no question that Ted Karmilovich is one of our greatest thinkers and prolific creators. I can’t wait to come in out of the sun, pinch myself, and be thrilled to hold this man’s life work in front of me. Though I already know much of it, I will still drink deep at the well of Ted’s oasis. It’ll be a pleasure!
I am so glad the “rumor” is finally coming true! And that’s no “joke.” – Richard Busch

“I feel lucky to have been around within a timescale where I could learn from, and interact with Ted Karmilovich. He was one of the finest thinkers in mentalism, a true master of his art and a wonderful human being. This book is one to be cherished and one for your permanent collection.” – Looch

“I was first exposed to Ted’s genius in the legendary pages of Magick, where I read mentalism the likes of which I had not seen before. The subtlety of his methods, the overwhelming ratio of effect to method, it was all the stuff of genius. Then in the early 90’s I actually got to meet Ted and enjoy his genius in person. It was a revelation. To see him perform was to watch impenetrable mystery, performed effortlessly and with tremendous charm.

Over the years I came to admire Ted’s work more and more. Each time I came across something from him, whether it was new to me or a revisit, I found even more at which to marvel. While I am deeply saddened that Ted is no longer with us, I am beyond thrilled to see a fitting tribute to his genius finally making its appearance. As I write these words I have yet to see the actual book, but I can already state with absolute certainty that it has been worth the wait. I cannot wait to be carried away by Ted’s genius even more.” – Mark Strivings

“Anyone in mentalism knows Ted and his works, they all unanimously agree that his genius knew no boundaries. His methods and insight were brilliant. The amazing thing about Ted is the simplicity of his beautiful creations. I knew Ted for many years and I can always count upon his way to think outside the box to come up with new brilliant presentations and effects and methods. His methods are so easy to perform that it is the true magic behind his thinking.

When Gerry McCambridge asked me to be his consultant for his TV series The Mentalist for NBC, I told Gerry not to put all his eggs in one basket and just use me, if I got sick he would have no one, I had one person in mind, one person I was willing to share my paycheck with, and that was Ted Karmilovich. Funny enough, Ted was the one to get ill one day. However, I made it through that series of tapings knowing full well I had someone as reliable as me if not more show when it came to getting the job done. Ted was a marvel at being able to take the smallest thing and make it play big. He has an eye for perfection, the right word, the right inflection, or the right body language in the right moment to make a small effect a major miracle.

I do not know a single mentalist out there who has not used at least one of Ted’s imaginative mind-bending creations. Ted is the real thing, the Dai Vernon of mentalism. Ted is most mentalists AR15 assault riifle when they want to hit hard and direct. Ted K is the underground genius that makes so many of the mentalist community shine.” – Banachek

“There are only a handful of mentalists who can be called modern masters. Ted K’s creative genius puts him in that pantheon.” – Raj Madhok

“Ted Karmilovich may be one of the best kept secrets in Mentalism, but every working mentalist not only knows him, but likely has at least one of his creations in their repertoire. I currently have three of his effects in my shows and I can’t say that about any other magic creator. His effects and routines are diabolical, commercial and powerful. I can’t imagine anyone who reads this book will not find material that they will add to their own shows.” – Marc DeSouza

“Ted Karmilovich was a giant in Mentalism. Besides being a great performer, he was an incredible innovator. Over the years it became obvious he was a genius in his thinking and a permanent part of our art. We lost a great man, but his legacy is captured in this book. If you never saw Ted perform, you missed out, but you can imagine what a stunning artist and trend setter he was from these pages. I am pleased to know that what was “Ted” is captured here and his brilliance will live on.” – Richard Osterlind

“Every month Ted and the rest of the Legendary Thirteen would gather. Ted always had new and creative mentalism routines to share and brainstorm. So when I signed with NBC to create “The Mentalist” TV show, Ted was the first call I made to come on as one of my creative consultants. He help me create routines for the show as well as helped me on the set while taping the show every day. He was a creative genius. I was honored to call him a friend.” – Gerry McCambridge

“It is often said that we stand on the shoulders of giants. Ted Karmilovich was one of those giants. A true master of the art.” – Mark Chandaue

“Ted Karmilovich created pieces that combined effective methods, deep insights into audience psychology, and meaningful outcomes. The routines he shared could be performed as written but were much more valuable as prompts for one’s own thinking. I look forward to studying this collection of his life’s work, with my only regret that I can’t thank him in person for his kindness and generosity.” – Curtis Frye

“Ted was a friend, a fantastic entertainer, and one of the brilliant thinkers in mentalism. His effect became dominant in my shows as well as many others. He had the vision to come up with incredible ideas that are not only practical and easy to perform, but also a hit in every show. This book is a celebration of Ted’s work and the best of the best of is timeless creations. If you do not get this book you are probably out of your mind!” – Guy Bavli

“Ted’s mentalism was sublime. He was a one-man creative tsunami whose place among the greats was secured at an early age. I’m not sure how that much talent was concentrated in one mind, but we are forever fortunate that Ted derived great joy from both creating and performing. We are equally lucky that he was kind and generous, offering up classic after classic, sharing freely and contributing so much to the repertoires of so many.” – Bill Cushman

“Ted truly cemented himself as one of the greats within our beloved art and his memory will live on forever within the work of countless performers across the globe!” – Michael Murray

“Ted was without doubt one of the greatest Mentalists of all time. What makes his work so fascinating is his attention to detail. If you’re looking to be inspired by reading hard-hitting Mentalism look no further. Simply incredible, I give anything with Ted’s name on my highest recommendation.” – Peter Turner

“It’s hard to find a less-likely household name than Karmilovich. (And the fact is, to the public he was always Ted Saint James). But to well-posted members in the world of mentalism, he is a legend. And while I wish he could have seen the reception of his long-awaited magnum opus, I know his legend will live on through generations of performers as a result of this masterwork.” – Neil Tobin

“I am so blessed to be ‘one of the lucky ones.’ I have been deeply inspired by the work of Ted K since I was young, and later, I was blessed to become his friend. His style was always so straightforward and disarming. His presentations were always elegant and well thought-out. I used to always drive up through Edison, NJ, on my way to New York or New England from Washington, DC, and we would always schedule some time to meet up at the Edison Diner, or the local Barnes & Noble coffee shop. Ted loved mentalism and we would sit for hours jamming on whatever we were working on at the time (it was usually multiple effects). I just thought about what I would recommend as my favorite of Ted’s work, but there is just too much good stuff– I’m actually a little sad that it now gets a chance to surface from the underground, only because it’s all just so devilishly clever. All I can say is if you are reading this book, you can consider yourself one of the lucky ones.” – Alain Nu

“I remember the first time I met Ted – it was at a meeting of the legendary 13 in their usual haunt in Penn Station. Tony Razzano introduced us, and for the next hour I just sat speechless as Ted fooled me time after time with his classics: Target Number, Sensations, Red & Black Test, 3 Pellet Test…and many more. In 60 minutes, I went from thinking I knew almost everything, to realising that I knew almost nothing. I’m so incredibly happy that his big book will finally see the light of day and once you dive in, you’ll see exactly why that hour stayed with me for all these years.” – Mark Elsdon
“Wow…The most anticipated book in the history of Mentalism will soon be released!

Ted Karmilovich was a remarkable, kind and generous man. He had a brilliant mind and was, in my opinion, one of greatest creator of practical, performing mentalism of all time.

Bold statement you say? All of today’s top working Mentalists are using at least, one of Ted’s creations as a part of their working repertoire.

As a member of New York’s Legendary 13, Ted has generously shared much of the book’s contents over the years. I have had the privilege of “test driving” Ted’s brilliant material I can attest to its effectiveness.

Personally, and Professionally I, along with the art of Mentalism owe a huge debt to Ted K.” – Jon Stetson

“Everything I have seen by Ted Karmilovich is fantastic. I’m looking forward to this tome of his amazing thinking, daring creations, and powerful performance pieces.” – Paul Vigil

“I’ve always admired creative thinkers in mentalism. They ideally are well read in our field and are bold in practical experimentation. Ted was both. He could envision a more impressive application of a concept and after mentally shaping and modifying the new effect, he’d boldly take it out to perform in public. As with most successful creators, not every invention got airborne. Some crashed and needed adjustment. Others were abandoned. But some ideas flew higher than anyone ever imagined. Anyone but Ted.
My first awareness of Ted K. was in the pages of Bascom Jones’ fantastic newsletter, Magick. Ted contributed dozens of what I still believe are underappreciated, yet brilliant effects. Around 1990 Bascom directed me to a group of young mentalists – we were all young back then – whom he admired and thought I’d get on with. Ted was one of them. Over the next thirty years we’d attend each other’s lectures and shows whenever possible. I used, and still use, some of Ted’s effects in my own shows. They often blend well because they are, what I call direct mentalism, i.e., effects that have a clearly understandable plot.

About ten years back, Ted and I were at an East Coast mentalism gathering where we were scheduled to lecture, and perform on the gala show. There were many talented performers on the bill and a few who were perhaps miscast. After the show that included a particular trickster abusing the audience because they wouldn’t participate in his convoluted presentation, Ted humbly asked me for notes on his own performance.

In an unused meeting room I candidly told him, “Ted, you were great. The audience loves you.” Then I revealed a long-held secret. He didn’t know it, but many years prior, I snuck into a comedy club to watch his act. He was then a bit green and trying out new material so I remained incognito. Despite his mild nervousness, everything Ted performed was pretty good. Then something happened of which he was unaware, but taught me a valuable lesson. Ted closed with a blindfold routine. Under the black cloth a transformation took place. Where many mentalists get nervous when they can’t see the audience, Ted’s confidence grew. Other performers find it more difficult to get across to spectators without the use of their eyes, Ted pulled everyone over to his side while nearly expressionless. I saw them actually rooting for his success. He ceased being a mentalist and became just Ted. I said, “I think you’re a natural, Ted, and because you’re simply yourself, they love you. There’s nothing to change.”

I’ve never forgotten the lesson I learned watching Ted’s blindfold routine so many years ago. A lesson that had nothing to do with one of his tricks, presentations or methods. The lesson Ilearned that night is to simply be yourself. If you work hard and you’re very lucky, the audience may love you as much as they loved Ted Karmilovich.” – Docc Hilford