The Man Who Was Erdnase is the spellbinding story of a fabulous character and his technique, an incredible book like nothing else you have read! Who was this shadowy figure that wrote the best book on cards ever published? What type of man was he? Who was “Erdnase”?

This electrifying full-length book is the definitive story of the work, life, and methods of the mysterious cardsharp who called himself “Erdnase” …Milton Franklin Andrews.

You’ll follow Andrews’ career from birth to grave. You’ll learn about the start of his career doing magic, his conversion to a card cheat, and his travels around the world hustling in card games. You’ll read about his partners in cheating, his family, and his girlfriends. You’ll learn about the murders of which he was accused, the police chase across two continents, and follow Erdnase and his lover on the escape into San Francisco that made the headlines of the day. 

And, you’ll read statements from his family and friends, proving that Milton Franklin Andrews was the man who was Erdnase. What about his famous book, The Expert at the Card Table? For the first time you’ll read the full story of how he wrote and published his famous book, where he got the material, who helped him, and why. You’ll find out about his early manuscripts and efforts as an author before the book was published. You’ll read about the magicians who actually met and had sessions with Erdnase. And you’ll be given previously unpublished details on his three favorite magical card routines! You’ll read about the methods, presentations, and props he used when performing close-up card magic.

The Man Who Was Erdnase contains the first analysis ever published of all the material in The Expert at the Card Table-more than 50,000 words of historical and technical references keyed to the original book! This section will give you the true and correct sources. Included is an extensive technical section explicitly teaching the correct method and use of the Erdnase Grip. You’ll read new methods and ideas for the Erdnase Bottom Deal and discover the truth about the Mechanic’s Grip. 

The book also includes more than 750 technical and historical notes on the text! There’s extensive information on the odd and rare editions of his fabulous book; the text of Andrews’ own letters to different newspapers; and a comprehensive list of sources of information on Erdnase and his work, including several references not previously known to magicians. 

First edition. First printing. Published by Jeff Busby Magic, Inc. in 1991. Written by Bart Whaley, Martin Gardner, and Jeff Busby. 448-pages, 5.5” x 8.5” x 1.25”, hardcover. These copies are in mint condition and come from the Jeff Busby estate.

“I read it without stop!!! I enjoyed it very, very, very much!!! It’s very interesting and the technical chapters are great!!! What a job!… This kind of work advances magic more and more.” … Juan Tamariz

NOTE: Although this is a fantastic and interesting book about Milton Franklin Andrews and the information about the book and its contents is invaluable, it has since been speculated that Andrews may not have been Erdnase.