Herb Zarrow

Herbert Gershen Zarrow[1] (November 4, 1925 – May 11, 2008) was an American magician influential in the profession for his inventions of unique sleight of hand and card tricks. The inventor of the Zarrow shuffle, his skills were held in the highest regard in professional magicians' circles.[2]

Herb Zarrow
Born(1925-11-04)November 4, 1925
Paterson, New Jersey, U.S.
DiedMay 11, 2008(2008-05-11) (aged 82)
Occupation(s)CPA, magician
Known forCard tricks, sleight of hand, Zarrow shuffle

Biography

His obituary noted that he had been married for 57 years to Phyllis Roemer Zarrow, and they had two children.[3] A certified public accountant (CPA), he was the founding partner of an accounting firm.[3] He was also a member of B'nai B'rith, and resided in Fair Lawn, New Jersey, at the time of his death.[3]

Zarrow appears in a DVD series about his card magic, and in magic literature, including David Ben's book Zarrow: A Lifetime of Magic.[4][5][6][7]

Zarrow appeared on the cover of April 2001 issue of The Linking Ring after being honored at the 2001 annual Fechter's Finger flicking Frolic convention of close up magicians for a lifetime of contributions and achievements. The Linking Ring article contains some biographical information.[2] An auction of Zarrow's collection, including his extensive library and associated ephemera, was conducted by Potter & Potter Auctions on October 23, 2010.

Illusions

Zarrow is credited with inventing:[8]

  • Matched Revolvers
  • Starfish Copper/Silver
  • Zarrow Block Addition
  • Zarrow Retention Pass
  • Zarrow Shuffle
  • Zarrow Universal Count Grip
  • Zarrow's Switch Change
  • Zarrow's Trapeze

Honors and awards

Over the years, he received many honors:[2]

References
  1. "Draft Registration Card". Selective Service System. November 1943. Retrieved May 22, 2023 – via fold3.com.
  2. Yedid, Meir (2002). "Herb Zarrow: Shuffling Through A Magical Life". Magic Times. Retrieved 2008-01-09. reprinted, ... from the April, 2001 issue of The Linking Ring
  3. "Zarrow". The Record. Hackensack, New Jersey. May 13, 2008. p. L-6. Retrieved May 22, 2023 – via newspapers.com.
  4. "Zarrow Shuffle". YouTube. Retrieved 2008-01-07. Herb Zarrow demonstrates his shuffle.
  5. Zarrow, Herb. "Herb Zarrow on the Zarrow Shuffle (DVD)". Meir Yedid Magic. Archived from the original on 2010-02-11. Retrieved 2010-01-22.
  6. Britland, David; Gazzo (2004) [2004]. Phantoms of the Card Table: Confessions of a Card Sharp (1st ed.). New York: Four Walls Eight Windows. pp. 108–109. ISBN 978-1-56858-299-3. OCLC 54976795.
  7. Johnson, Karl (2005). The Magician and the Cardsharp. pp. 322.Johnson interviewed Zarrow in 2000 and 2005.
  8. "Brief Biographies of Magic Inventors - W-X-Y-Z". magicnook.com.
  9. Yedid, Meir (1998-08-02). "Herb Zarrow: Louie Award". MagicTimes. 9 (247): 1. Retrieved 2008-01-09. Herb Zarrow will be receiving the 1998 "Louie Award."
  10. "M-U-M Magazine". Society of American Magicians. Archived from the original on 2008-01-09. Retrieved 2008-01-09.
  11. "Cover page". The Linking Ring. The International Brotherhood of Magicians. 81 (4): 1. April 2001.
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