Magician known for his close-up tricks

Barry Price, 64, an international award-winning master sleight-of-hand artist who was a prominent performer for many years at the Magic Castle in Hollywood, died Aug. 24 at West Anaheim Medical Center from complications of a stroke.

Known for his close-up work with cards and coins, Price lectured and performed worldwide.

He wrote three books on magic, “Escamotage” (I and II) and “Palming for the Terrified.” He also came up with a number of magic effects that he sold to other magicians, including one that created a picture of the Mona Lisa with a deck of cards.

Price was born Jan. 5, 1944, in Chicago and received a bachelor’s degree in English composition from Arizona State University. At 14, he got his first professional job, earning $15 to entertain at a private party.

Price, who studied with the noted card magician Ed Marlo in Chicago, spent years refining his art.

“People can sense your skill,” Price told The Times in 1997. “When I pass my hand over that deck . . . and the top card changes color, people . . . . know there’s something extraordinary going on.”