In a card sorting machine, cards having coded tooth trains at the lower edges and magnetic pieces at the front edges are placed on a group of select bars. By selectively raising the select bars, the magnetic piece of the selected cards are attracted to a selecting magnet for having the cards moved at first for one pitch in the horizontal direction and then in an oblique upward direction. A card holding magnet is further provided which holds the selected cards at the oblique upward position upon transfer from the selecting magnet.