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Last updated 19/2/2024

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Introduction

Ismael Adolfo Cerceda was born in Buenos Aires on 13th of April, 1923 and died on 25th July, 1979. He was a professional knife-thrower and magician who worked under a number of different names including Don Alvan and Carlos Corda.

He was married twice, first to Martha Rossi, in around 1956, who was his partner in his knife-throwing act, then, in 1968, to France Larrosa, who also became his professional stage partner.

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Sources

There is a chapter about his life in 'Fascinante Papiroflexia' by Vicente Palacios, which was published by Miguel A Salvatella in Barcelona in 1984. An English translation is available here.

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Chronology

1961

In 'The Art of Origami' by Samuel Randlett, which was published by E P Dutton in New York in 1961, Cerceda is credited with having originated the Double Blintz Preliminary Fold (from a 2x1 rectangle).

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Volume 2 Issue 2 of 'The Origamian' for Autumn 1961 contains diagrams for an Eagle by Adolfo Cerceda.

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1962

Volume 2 Issue 3 of 'The Origamian' for Spring / Summer 1962 contained a brief profile of Adolfo Cerceda, mainly concentrating on his knife throwing act. The same issue contained a letter from Fred Rohm lauding Adolpho's peacock over Yoshizawa's:

And contained diagrams for Cerceda's 'Moor on Horseback', which is dated to 1957.

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1963

Cerceda's 'Sofa' appears in 'Party Lines' by Robert Harbin, which was published by the Olbourne Book Co in London in 1963.

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'The Best of Origami' by Samuel Randlett, which was published by E P Dutton in New York in 1963 and by Faber and Faber Ltd in London in 1964, contained the following biographical details:

And diagrams for a number of Cerceda's original designs:

Sofa

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Macaw

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Hen

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Flamingo

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Pheasant

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White Heron

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Crane

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Parakeet

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Rhinocerous

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1964

'Secrets of Origami', by Robert Harbin, which was published by Oldbourne Book Company in London in 1964, contained diagrams for a number of Cerceda's designs:

Everyman Mask (said to be after Akira Yoshizawa)

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Adolpho's Angel

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The Moor on Horseback

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Lion ( a compound design)

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Adolfo's Pig (a compound design)

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Adolfo's Peacock

From a 2x1 rectangle

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1967

Vol 7: Issue 3 of 'The Origamian' for Autumn 1967 contained diagrams for a Fox by Cerceda, which was developed from a base by Neal Elias.

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1968

Vol 8: Issues 1 and 2 of 'The Origamian' for Spring and Summer 1968 contained a profile of Ligia Montoya, 'Ligia Montoya: Woman and Artist', written by Gershon Legman, which contained mention of Adolfo Cerceda.

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1969

Controversy arose over three designs that Robert Harbin had included in 'Secrets of Origami, the Everyman Mask, Adolpho's Pig and Adolfo's Peacock. 'The Origamian' of Summer 1969 contained a letter from Robert Harbin which explained that Yoshizawa had complained about the inclusion of these designs in the book.

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Vol 9: Issue 3 of 'The Origamian' for Autumn 1969 contained a letter from Adolpho Cerceda responding to Robert Harbin's letter in Volume 9, issue 2.

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Vol 9: Issue 4 of 'The Origamian' for Winter 1969 contains a letter from Samuel Randlett commenting on Adolpho Cerceda's letter in Vol 9, issue 3.

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