# Herb Zarrow

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**Herbert Gershen Zarrow**[1] (November 4, 1925 – May 11, 2008) was an American [magician](/source/Magic_(illusion)) influential in the profession for his inventions of unique [sleight of hand](/source/Sleight_of_hand) and [card tricks](/source/Card_tricks). The inventor of the [Zarrow shuffle](/source/Zarrow_shuffle), his skills were held in the highest regard in professional magicians' circles.[2]

## Biography

His obituary noted that he had been married for 57 years to Phyllis Roemer Zarrow, and they had two children.[3] A [certified public accountant](/source/Certified_public_accountant) (CPA), he was the founding partner of an accounting firm.[3] He was also a member of [B'nai B'rith](/source/B'nai_B'rith), and resided in [Fair Lawn, New Jersey](/source/Fair_Lawn,_New_Jersey), at the time of his death.[3]

Zarrow appears in a DVD series about his card magic, and in magic literature, including David Ben's book *Zarrow: A Lifetime of Magic*.[4][5][6][7]

Zarrow appeared on the cover of April 2001 issue of *[The Linking Ring](/source/The_Linking_Ring)* after being honored at the 2001 annual [Fechter's Finger flicking Frolic](/source/Magic_conventions#Invitational) convention of close up magicians for a lifetime of contributions and achievements. *The Linking Ring* article contains some biographical information.[2] An auction of Zarrow's collection, including his extensive library and associated ephemera, was conducted by Potter & Potter Auctions on October 23, 2010.

## Illusions

Zarrow is credited with inventing:[8]

- Matched Revolvers
- Starfish Copper/Silver
- Zarrow Block Addition
- Zarrow Retention Pass
- [Zarrow Shuffle](/source/Zarrow_shuffle)
- Zarrow Universal Count Grip
- Zarrow's Switch Change
- Zarrow's Trapeze

## Honors and awards

Over the years, he received many honors:[2]

- Member Of the [Inner Magic Circle](/source/The_Magic_Circle_(organisation))
- 1998 Louie Award[9]
- Honorary Life Member of the [Society of American Magicians](/source/Society_of_American_Magicians)
- Cover of *M-U-M* [10]
- Creative Fellowship Award from the [Academy of Magical Arts](/source/Academy_of_Magical_Arts)
- Honorary Life Member to [The Magic Castle](/source/The_Magic_Castle)
- 2001 Guest Of Honor at [Fechter's Finger flicking Frolic](/source/Magic_conventions#Invitational)[2]
- Cover of *[The Linking Ring](/source/The_Linking_Ring)* [11]

## References

1. ["Draft Registration Card"](https://www.fold3.com/image/675367499). [Selective Service System](/source/Selective_Service_System). November 1943. Retrieved May 22, 2023. – via fold3.com.

1. Yedid, Meir (2002). ["Herb Zarrow: Shuffling Through A Magical Life"](http://www.magictimes.com/archives/2001/2001-04-25-spotlight.htm). Magic Times. Retrieved 2008-01-09. reprinted, ... from the April, 2001 issue of *The Linking Ring*

1. ["Zarrow"](https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-record-zarrow/125164289/). *[The Record](/source/The_Record_(North_Jersey))*. May 13, 2008. p. L-6. Retrieved May 22, 2023. – via newspapers.com.

1. ["Zarrow Shuffle"](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ly7xf0FccvI). YouTube. Retrieved 2008-01-07. Herb Zarrow demonstrates his shuffle.

1. Zarrow, Herb. ["Herb Zarrow on the Zarrow Shuffle (DVD)"](https://web.archive.org/web/20100211230707/http://www.mymagic.com/herbzarrow/). Meir Yedid Magic. Archived from [the original](http://www.mymagic.com/herbzarrow/) on 2010-02-11. Retrieved 2010-01-22.

1. Britland, David & Gazzo (2004 [2004]). *Phantoms of the Card Table: Confessions of a Card Sharp*. 1st ed. New York: Four Walls Eight Windows. pp. 108–109. ISBN 978-1-56858-299-3. [OCLC 54976795](https://www.worldcat.org/oclc/54976795)

1. Johnson, Karl (2005). [*The Magician and the Cardsharp*](https://archive.org/details/magiciancardshar00karl). pp. [322](https://archive.org/details/magiciancardshar00karl/page/322)Johnson interviewed Zarrow in 2000 and 2005.

1. ["Brief Biographies of Magic Inventors - W-X-Y-Z"](https://web.archive.org/web/20060620223855/http://magicnook.com/forum/bioWXYZ.htm). *magicnook.com*. Archived from [the original](http://magicnook.com/forum/bioWXYZ.htm) on June 20, 2006.

1. Yedid, Meir (1998-08-02). ["Herb Zarrow: Louie Award"](http://www.magictimes.com/archives/1998/1998-08_31-06.htm). *MagicTimes*. **9** (247): 1. Retrieved 2008-01-09. Herb Zarrow will be receiving the 1998 "Louie Award."

1. ["M-U-M Magazine"](https://web.archive.org/web/20080109083457/http://www.magicsam.com/MUMonline.asp). Society of American Magicians. Archived from [the original](http://www.magicsam.com/MUMonline.asp) on 2008-01-09. Retrieved 2008-01-09.

1. "Cover page". *The Linking Ring*. **81** (4): 1. The International Brotherhood of Magicians. April 2001.

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Herb Zarrow](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Herb_Zarrow) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Herb_Zarrow?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.