Herb Zarrow

Herb Zarrow (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. His skills were held in the highest regard in professional magicians' circles.

Born in Paterson, New Jersey, Herb Zarrow became interested in magic through magic sets and magic books. Invented the Zarrow Shuffle (c. 1940), and for many magicians, that's all they know about this creative magician. He also invented: Herb Zarrow's Switch Change, Herb Zarrow's Trapeze, Herb Zarrow Retention Pass, Zarrow Block Addition, Starfish Copper/Silver, Matched Revolvers, Universal Count Grip. [cite web
url = http://www.magicnook.com/forum/bioWXYZ.htm
title = Zarrow, Herb
accessdate = 2008-01-08
year = 2007
publisher = Magic Nook ]

Zarrow's available biographical information is limited at best; a literature search does not reveal a lengthy biography of the man. However, he does appear in a DVD series about his card magic and in the magic literature.cite web
url = http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ly7xf0FccvI
title = Zarrow Shuffle
accessdate = 2008-01-07
publisher = You Tube
quote = Herb Zarrow demonstrates his shuffle. ] cite web
url = http://www.penguinmagic.com/product.php?ID=320
title = Herb Zarrow on the Zarrow Shuffle (DVD)
accessdate = 2008-01-07
last = Zarrow
first = Herb
publisher = Penguin Magic ] cite book
last = Britland
first = David
coauthors = Gazzo
title = Phantoms of the Card Table: Confessions of a Card Sharp
origyear = 2004
accessdate = 2008-01-07
edition = 1st Ed.
publisher = Four Walls Eight Windows
location = New York
isbn = 978-1568582993
pages = pp. 108-109 ] cite book
last = Johnson
first = Karl
title = The Magician and the Cardsharp
origyear = 2005
pages = p. 322 Johnson interviewed Zarrow in 2000 and 2005.]

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 "The Linking Ring" article contains some biographical information.cite web
url = http://www.magictimes.com/archives/2001/2001-04-25-spotlight.htm
title = Herb Zarrow: Shuffling Through A Magical Life
accessdate = 2008-01-09
last = Yedid
first = Meir
year = 2002
publisher = Magic Times
quote = reprinted, ... from the April, 2001 issue of "The Linking Ring" ]

Honors and Awards

"Over the years he has received many honors:"
* Member Of The Inner Magic Circle,
* 1998 Louie Awardcite journal
quotes =
title = Herb Zarrow: Louie Award
last = Yedid
first = Meir
date = 1998-08-02
journal = MagicTimes
volume = 9
issue = 247
pages = 1
publisher = MagicTimes
url = http://www.magictimes.com/archives/1998/1998-08_31-06.htm
accessdate = 2008-01-09
quote = Herb Zarrow will be receiving the 1998 "Louie Award." ]
* Honorary Life Member of the Society of American Magicians
* Cover of "M-U-M"cite web
url = http://www.magicsam.com/MUMonline.asp
title = M-U-M Magazine
accessdate = 2008-01-09
author =
last =
first =
authorlink =
coauthors =
date =
year =
month =
format =
work =
publisher = Society of American Magicians ]
* Academy of Magical Arts: Creative Fellowship Award
* The Magic Castle: Honorary Life Member
* 2001 Guest Of Honor at Fechter's Finger flicking Frolic
* Cover of "The Linking Ring" [cite journal
title = Cover page
journal = The Linking Ring
volume = 81
issue = 4
pages = 1
publisher = The International Brotherhood of Magicians
date= April 2001 ]

References