The Unknown Life of Karl Fulves

[Christopher1979]

While browsing through Facebook recently, I stumbled upon a post discussing the prominent figures we sadly lost in the magic community last year. Karl Fulves was one of them, and it seems that the portrait shared in the post is the only available image of him online. Despite his inclination towards privacy, exploring more about his life would be quite insightful. His remarkable productivity as a writer is worth noting. He authored a diverse range of works, some for the beginner published through Dover Publishing, as well as many self-published manuscripts on advanced card techniques like the Faro and the Riffle Shuffle. Not to mention his writings in publications such as Epilogue, The Chronicles, and Pallbearers.

I'm curious if any forum members had the chance to know Karl personally or witness any performances of his. Any insights or anecdotes would be appreciated!

[AJM]

Good luck with that.

[Christopher1979]

Good luck with that.

Several individuals on the forum have mentioned brief encounters with Karl in the past. It's intriguing how little is known about him considering the substantial amount of literature he has published.

[David Ben]

Issue No. 200 of Magicol - No. 199 will roll out shortly - will feature, among other things, the definitive biography of Karl Fulves. It is an amazing story.

[Christopher1979]

Issue No. 200 of Magicol - No. 199 will roll out shortly - will feature, among other things, the definitive biography of Karl Fulves. It is an amazing story.

Hello David,

How interesting! I cannot wait to read it. I would like to know who supplied the information, as I am sure Karl never spoke much about his life. I am personally aware of many people over the last 10 years that have sent letters to Karl at his PO BOX address but never received a response.

[David Ben]

Well, I can assure you that there were lots of people over the years who wrote to Karl, and who received replies. I was one of them. At this time I can also say that we are working with his family to make sure it is a fitting tribute to his life and work. That’s all for now.

[Christopher1979]

Well, I can assure you that there were lots of people over the years who wrote to Karl, and who received replies. I was one of them. At this time I can also say that we are working with his family to make sure it is a fitting tribute to his life and work. That’s all for now.

Well, it seems that all my questions and general interest in him will be revealed shortly. Thank you for the reply, David. I appreciate it!

[David Ben]

You’re welcome. It is really moving forward in a lovely way, and there will be lots of surprises. At least they have certainly been so for me. It has been a real privilege for me to be involved with this project.

[Joe Lyons]

I'm sure Christopher1979 is far from alone in his curiousity. I have no doubt that Issue No. 200 of Magicol will sell a lot. It would be nice if someone could find footage from his appearances on the Merv Griffin, Mike Douglas, and Dick Cavett shows.

[Christopher1979]

Could we anticipate a biography in book form or the reprinting of some of his material?

[Christopher1979]

I'm sure Christopher1979 is far from alone in his curiousity. I have no doubt that Issue No. 200 of Magicol will sell a lot. It would be nice if someone could find footage from his appearances on the Merv Griffin, Mike Douglas, and Dick Cavett shows.

Interesting, Joe. I wasn't aware that he was on any of those shows!

[Christopher1979]

You’re welcome. It is really moving forward in a lovely way, and there will be lots of surprises. At least they have certainly been so for me. It has been a real privilege for me to be involved with this project.

Sounds like a dream project to be involved in; it certainly would be for me!

[Joe Lyons]

I'm sure Christopher1979 is far from alone in his curiousity. I have no doubt that Issue No. 200 of Magicol will sell a lot. It would be nice if someone could find footage from his appearances on the Merv Griffin, Mike Douglas, and Dick Cavett shows.

Interesting, Joe. I wasn't aware that he was on any of those shows!

Nor did I until I read this post by his son.

it seems that the portrait shared in the post is the only available image of him online.

Here's another.

[Christopher1979]

Thank you, Joe. Very interesting!

[Richard Kaufman]

There is footage online of Fulves performing on a talk show.

[katterfelt0]

Per IMDb, Mr. Fulves was on S17 E7 of The Mike Douglas Show, which originally aired in 1977.

[kkelly]

many years ago Matt Field sent me a video of a presentation on Fulves that he gave at the magic circle. i've searched online as well as my own files and cannot locate it. perhaps a member of the magic circle could see if there is an archive?

[Christopher1979]

There is footage online of Fulves performing on a talk show.

I'll take a look. Thank you, Richard.

[Christopher1979]

many years ago Matt Field sent me a video of a presentation on Fulves that he gave at the magic circle. i've searched online as well as my own files and cannot locate it. perhaps a member of the magic circle could see if there is an archive?

Interesting that Fulves went to the Magic Circle; he didn't strike me as the type. It would be nice to see the footage!

[kkelly]

apologies! the presentation was given by Matt, not Fulves.

[Christopher1979]

Ooh I see!

[Q. Kumber]

many years ago Matt Field sent me a video of a presentation on Fulves that he gave at the magic circle. i've searched online as well as my own files and cannot locate it. perhaps a member of the magic circle could see if there is an archive?

The premise of Matt's talk was that Karl Fulves was magic's most prolific writer. He sent me the video file of the presentation too and I've just found it again on my computer. Please don't ask me to pass it on, as it's not mine to do so.

[Richard Kaufman]

I have the video as well. I might post it.

[Leo Garet]

Trivia: 1979: we were all so much younger than; we’re older than that now.

I received a letter from Karl Fulves enquiring about bit of fol-de-rol I’d contributed to Dave Britland’s brand new magazine, “Talon”. He asked if he could use it, adapt it and publish it. All very polite and proper.

I had no objections and said so. We corresponded off and on for a couple of months and he said he let me know when whatever it was he had concocted went into print, but I never heard anymore about it. And that was that.

I have no idea what it might have been and although I kept a look out, I never saw it. Considering Mister Fulves’s output it could well be lurking somewhere. I suspect not.

I can’t find the letters; they’re in the Box-That-Cannot-Be-Found. However, I do recall that they were typed on scraps of paper. Big enough to go through a typewriter roll, but scraps nonetheless. Different colours, too. Whatever was handy, it looked to me.

[Christopher1979]

I have the video as well. I might post it.

Sure would be nice to see.

[Christopher1979]

Trivia: 1979: we were all so much younger than; we’re older than that now.

I received a letter from Karl Fulves enquiring about bit of fol-de-rol I’d contributed to Dave Britland’s brand new magazine, “Talon”. He asked if he could use it, adapt it and publish it. All very polite and proper.

I had no objections and said so. We corresponded off and on for a couple of months and he said he let me know when whatever it was he had concocted went into print, but I never heard anymore about it. And that was that.

I have no idea what it might have been and although I kept a look out, I never saw it. Considering Mister Fulves’s output it could well be lurking somewhere. I suspect not.

I can’t find the letters; they’re in the Box-That-Cannot-Be-Found. However, I do recall that they were typed on scraps of paper. Big enough to go through a typewriter roll, but scraps nonetheless. Different colours, too. Whatever was handy, it looked to me.

"Talon" looked to be an interesting publication. From what I can see it only ran for 7 issues.

[katterfelt0]

Trivia: 1979: we were all so much younger than; we’re older than that now.

Nice reverse on the My Back Pages lyric.

[Leo Garet]

Trivia: 1979: we were all so much younger than; we’re older than that now.

Nice reverse on the My Back Pages lyric.

Well spotted. No prizes though.

[Leo Garet]

“Talon” did indeed run to seven issues. Dave Britland did make an attempt to revive it, but there weren’t many issues, if any.

The first two issues were a sort-of a hybrid size: smaller than A4 and larger than the US A4 “equivalent”. Issue [3] was the first of the booklet style/size issues. Later reprints adopted the the booklet size for issues [1&2].

I used to have the full set, but now I’m down to issues [2&3]. Booklet size.

[Christopher1979]

“Talon” did indeed run to seven issues. Dave Britland did make an attempt to revive it, but there weren’t many issues, if any.

The first two issues were a sort-of a hybrid size: smaller than A4 and larger than the US A4 “equivalent”. Issue [3] was the first of the booklet style/size issues. Later reprints adopted the the booklet size for issues [1&2].

I used to have the full set, but now I’m down to issues [2&3]. Booklet size.

I will have to keep my eyes open for a complete file.

[EdwinCorrie]

The Talon is excellent. The full set was being sold as a bound edition by Micky Hades. Not sure if it's still available, but here's what it looks like:

https://quickerthantheeye.com/p/cards/T ... File-15292

The New Talon only ran 3 issues but also had some really nice material.

Denis Behr to the rescue:
https://www.conjuringarchive.com/list/book/1953
and
https://www.conjuringarchive.com/list/book/1957

[Christopher1979]

The Talon is excellent. The full set was being sold as a bound edition by Micky Hades. Not sure if it's still available, but here's what it looks like:

https://quickerthantheeye.com/p/cards/T ... File-15292

The New Talon only ran 3 issues but also had some really nice material.

Denis Behr to the rescue:
https://www.conjuringarchive.com/list/book/1953
and
https://www.conjuringarchive.com/list/book/1957

Yes, Behr's Archives is a life saver, Thank you for the links!

[Richard Kaufman]

I believe you can buy an ebook of the Talon from www.lybrary.com

[Christopher1979]

I believe you can buy an ebook of the Talon from http://www.lybrary.com

Chris comes to the rescue again. Thanks for the heads up, Richard.

[benfulves]

I have the video as well. I might post it.

I would support your publishing it, Richard.

[Jim Martin]

Thank you, Ben - would love to see it.

[Bill Mullins]

Ben's endorsement is a good thing, but when Matt died, his rights to the video would go to his estate. So wouldn't his widow's permission be necessary at this point (or other living family member?)

[Joe Mckay]

I saw this lecture once.

Matt said he was in correspondence with Fulves over a number of years (or decades?). He went on to report that he once sent a letter where he asked questions in an attempt to learn more about Karl Fulves' life.

Fulves responded by saying that he would prefer to end their correspondence than share details about his life.

[Marco Pusterla]

Re. Matt Field's lecture at The Magic Circle.

Matt Field presented his lecture on "The Most Prolific Author in Magic" at The Magic History Gathering @ The Magic Circle, the annual event organized by Edwin Dawes and Peter Lane for many years. The talks are recorded for The Magic Circle Archives, and are visible by appointment at The Magic Circle in London. Out of courtesy, The Magic Circle makes a copy available to the speaker for their own records, but not for commercial distribution (although this could be negotiated with The Circle) or for public diffusion. The copyright of the recording belongs to The Magic Circle, even if the speaker has made copies for friends (who, in turn, may have been speakers at the same event in the same or different years).

Any public share of these videos would contravene the copyright of The Magic Circle, so I would advise caution before sharing them privately or publicly. However, if there is a historical reason for a video to be made publicly available, The Magic Circle could consider it on an individual basis.

I had to examine the matter of video recording in quite some detail when, with Ian Keable, I took on the organization of The Magic Circle History Day in 2022, and the above is how the matter stands at the moment. The next edition of TMCHD will be on Saturday, June 8th, 2024 at The Magic Circle's Headquarters in London and if people were interested in watching the recording around that date, please get in touch with Ian or myself.

[Richard Kaufman]

I'm sorry to disagree, but unless the speaker has been compensated by The Magic Circle and the speech has been done as a work for hire, the copyright will always reside with the speaker.