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Last updated 25/4/2025

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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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Photo of Adolfo Cerceda and his Macaw reproduced from 'The Folding Money Book' - see entry for 1963

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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 name was used as the author of 'The Folding Money Book', published in 1963, for which he selected the designs and drew the diagrams.

Only two of Cerceda's own designs appeared in the work, a Frame with Doors and a Peacock, both folded from dollar bills.

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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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