Pop-Up Magic by Eric Leblon

Pop-Up Magic is the very first book by Eric Leblon, a French magician renowned for his stage charisma, infectious energy, and uncompromising artistic standards. Written in collaboration with Yvan Laplaud, this work distills over twenty years of experience, fieldwork, reflection, and passion for the art of magic.

Standing at the crossroads of practical handbook, theoretical essay, and personal narrative, Pop-Up Magic offers a remarkable sense of coherence despite its broad range of content: card magic, stage pieces, work with live animals, visual transformations, spectator psychology, character development, and performance philosophy.

More than a simple collection of tricks, this book is a genuine love letter to magic. It delivers ready-to-perform routines as well as thought-provoking material on rehearsal, stage presence, and the creative process.

The magic in Pop-Up Magic is visual, commercial, and powerful:

• Impossible locations: signed cards appearing in the shoe, in or under the card box, with deceptively simple loading techniques.
• Instant transformations: a card change under the watch, an ultra-clean Ace change – fluid, direct, and gimmick-free.
• Animal productions: dove productions and poetic metamorphoses (egg ? dove).
• Multi-phase routines: escalating effects with dramatic structure (e.g., Box Phénomène).
• Magic for close-up, parlor, or stage: all tested in real-world conditions (restaurants, cabarets, TV, etc.).

These effects strike audiences through their apparent simplicity, their efficiency, and the emotion they generate. They rely on psychology, rhythm, and timing, far more than on gimmicks or mechanical props.Pop-Up Magic is a rare book – practical, inspiring, and deeply human. Eric Leblon shares his world with generosity and honesty, offering hard-hitting effects, sharp reflections, and a vision of magic that goes far beyond technique.

A must-read. This is not just a magic book. It’s an artistic springboard.

Table of Contents

Foreword by Jean-Jacques Sanvert
A heartfelt tribute to Eric Leblon, praising the power, intelligence, and emotional impact of his magic.

Autobiographical Chapter
An intimate dive into Eric’s journey: his beginnings performing on the streets of Antibes, his TV appearances, key encounters, setbacks, and his rise to becoming a respected professional.

Theoretical Essay – “Choosing Your Effects”
A foundational text on selecting material based on personality, impact, clarity, and commercial value.

Practical Routines

Card to Shoe – A signed card appears folded inside the magician’s shoe. Simple, direct, and devastating.
Watch Load / Watch Change – A visible card under the magician’s watch transforms into the chosen card – no difficult sleights.
Tempest Under an Ace – A dynamic, hard-hitting four-Ace routine blending technique, visuals, and surprise – built around the signature “watch change.”
Dove in the Sleeve – A dove production from a borrowed jacket, using nothing more than a Topit and precise body mechanics.
Egg to Dove – A poetic transformation of an egg into a dove inside a spectator’s sleeve.
Card to / under the Case – Two powerful loading techniques to send a signed card into or under the case – with many applications.
Box Phenomenon – A theatrical, comedic routine where the signed card repeatedly appears under or inside the card case… until it finally replaces the entire deck. A mini-show in itself.

Rehearsal & Practice Chapter
An inspiring exploration of daily practice: procrastination, mirror work, mime, tempo, mindset… a sincere call for personal rigor.

Highlights

• Original, hard-hitting material refined over 20+ years of stage work.
• Strong theoretical insights on effect selection, character, coherence, and audience reception.
• Clear, progressive teaching with detailed descriptions, photos, and performance advice.
• Adaptable routines for close-up, parlor, and stage conditions.
• A deeply human voice: Eric shares doubts, failures, breakthroughs, and his contagious passion.
• A rare blend of practice, theory, and inspiration: a true toolbox for the performing magician.

“And if you ask me: ‘And the book?’-the book is like him. It simply is what he is: brilliant and generous, filled with real professional material that has been tested, refined, and perfected with spectators for months-sometimes years. Once again, Éric gives everything: beautiful original routines with details, subtleties, and working methods. Now it’s your turn to discover, enjoy, practice, and infuse these routines with your own heart and imagination to turn them into your show. Bravo, Éric.“
– Bernard Bilis

“I highly, highly recommend Éric Leblon’s book. Éric is technically astonishing and a true perfectionist. If you’ve seen him work, you already know. If not, buy this book-you’ll thank me later!“
– Etienne Pradier

“Burn this guy! Despite all the interest I have in my fellow magicians, it is extremely rare for me to actually look forward to the release of a magic book. But Éric’s is the exception-I admit I can’t wait to dive into all the subtleties that make his magic so pure… and that have been fooling me for years!“
– David Stone