TV Tornado Magic Cards

The TV Tornado Magic Cards were produced by Edgar Rice Burroughs Inc in the United Kingdom in 1967. The Magic Cards were a magic trick puzzle/game which were provided as a free giveaway item with edition number 2 of the comic/magazine publication TV Tornado.

TV Tornado is a publication printed by Edgar Rice Burroughs Inc in the United Kingdom from January 1967 until September 1968. The 88 edition series not only published comic strip stories, but also featured advertisements, celebrity themed articles, puzzles, short stories, jokes and more all targeted at a younger audience. The Phantom was featured in the series on both front covers and comic strip stories within.

TV Tornado edition number 2 featured a special set of free giveaway items titled ‘Magic Cards’. They consist of a card with perforated edges, designed to be separated to make 4 individual cards measuring 3” x 3”. Each card is numbered from 1 thru to 4 with pre-cut rectangular windows, designed to be a fun interactive magic trick puzzle/game. We see a variety of comic book characters illustrated on the Magic Cards, including the Phantom, Batman, Robin, The Joker, Tarzan and Superman.

The double sided black and white Magic Cards can be seen below.

We read print on the back of card number 3, ‘Presented free with T.V. Tornado full instructions on how to use “Magic Cards” can be seen on page 2 of T.V. Tornado issue dated 21st January’. TV Tornado edition number 2 can be seen below which picture the Magic Cards on the front cover, plus instructions which are located on page 2.

The versatile magic trick puzzle/game can accommodate anywhere from 2 to 20 players. Simplified instructions as seen on page number 2 read:

1.      Ask a friend to think of a number between 1 and 15.

2.      Stack the four cards with card number 4 on top.

3.      Show your friend card 4 and ask if their number is on it.

4.      If they say “yes,” turn the card so “yes” is on top.

5.      If they say “no,” turn it so “no” is on top.

6.      Place the card under the other three cards.

7.      Repeat steps 3 and 4 for the other three cards.

8.      Turn the entire stack over, and your friend’s chosen number will be visible in the card window!

Thank you Christopher Smith for assisting with images and information.