Year: 2004

Just Love Mini-Magic!

OK, I was excited when I received this little beauty from Mel today. I had been waiting for it since October but it was well worth the wait. I already own his "regular sized" Instant Transposition and it is probably one of Mel’s best items. Well, in July I received my "last" parcel, barring new releases, from Alan Warner. I still had that "hunger" for more mini-magic. I had received the new book on Mel Babcock "The Magic House of Babcock" and two things struck my attention: 1)he had previously released a "mini-sized" version of this desirable and clever piece, and 2)one of the exotic woods Mel has used in the past was Teak.

It didn’t take much thought to realize the potential magic here and I asked Mel for a custom made teak mini-sized version of his Instant Transposition; he agreed. It’s gorgeous and the pictures don’t give justice to the beautiful workmanship and the grain/color of this wood. I have placed a quarter in the images so you have an idea of the size of the apparatus. This little gem is definitely going on display among my Warner collection. Thanks so much, Mel..hmm, let me think now, what other items does he make in a mini-sized version.

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Stull Prediction with the Modern Touch

Rich Bloch of Collectors’ Workshop introduced an award winning effect back in 1979 called "Stull Watch Outdone" using a modern digital travel alarm clock. As CW was perhaps an idea to be borned, this item was released through Tannen’s. With CW coming into the picture in the mid 1980’s, this best seller was modified and improved. It was renamed Stull System III in their first full catalog(1987).

The effect is the usual Stull prediction. An innocent looking digital travel alarm clock(Radio Shack) is introduced and shown the two buttons to change the hour and the minutes. Next, a prediction is introduced and set aside in full view. A handsome hard leather case is shown and the clock inserted into it. There is an opening for the buttons and a flap to view the screen. Again the controls are shown to change the time. The flap is made to cover the screen and the spectator starts playing with the buttons to randomly set an unknown time. As you would expect the clock is removed from the case and the time matches your prediction. Once the clock is inserted in the case, the performer never needs to handle the clock again.

Great effect and one of the most practical effects released from Collectors’ Workshop. One problem..this was discontinued many years ago( I bought this item in the late 1980’s). Unless George Robinson decides to reintroduce this little gem, it’s now highly collectible, a beautiful item from the early CW years.

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Another winner from Richard Gerlitz

Remember the item Hydro Die? Well, Richard took the concept to a higher level with an appropriate and fascinating theme..the alchemist’s ultimate goal of changing lead to gold. You now have a reason to put the water inside the glass chamber..Richard introduces a "secret" potion poured from a nice Oriental flask that colors the water a reddish tinge, only to become crystal clear again after the metal transmutation has occurred. What a remarkable concept and what an entertaining piece of magic. The magic occurs smoothly and practically automatic.

Unfortunatley, this was a very limited editon item and is now all sold-out. You may find one on ebay one day, but be prepared to spend a bundle as Richard’s older stuff is starting to become expensive and desirable collectibles.

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Gold is so lovely!

Jim Riser spins the beautiful Micro Chop Cup from copper and it has become an incredible hit(2004 may be the last year it’s available). Dennis Loomis, his partner in this venture, provides the routine where all the magic occurs on the palm of your hand. Dennis is releasing a very limited edition heavy gold plated cup sold with a nice presentation case to house the balls and accessories. A signed certificate accompanies the case. Special gold crocheted balls were made for this piece and will not be available as a separate item. Trust me the pictures do not give justice to the set, especially the gold balls.

You also get printed material for several routines,including the use of the Micro Chop Cup as a coin cup. For the coin routine, you also get gold plated Sacagawea dollar coins, one gaffed by Jim Riser himself. Overall, a beautiful boxed set strictly limited to 10-20 only.

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No plastic on this one

Most of Eddy Taytelbaum’s line of handcrafted mini-magic is made in plastic, but the quality is unsurpassed, the work of a true craftsman. This is all wood construction and beautifully painted in semi-glossy black with a gold trimming..very elegant, first class prop. This one is very thin, has a open space in the middle, and the card to be changed slides in and out of the open box frame. Yes, a "flap" is used as in the more common card boxes, but deceptively hidden on this Taytelbaum piece. This is the second Taytelbaum item I have acquired and I am now starting to understand the reason behind the demand for his magic. This, as all Taytelbaum pieces I acquire, is stored with my Warner collection in a special place separate from my main magic collection as a honor to these two greats.

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Another great publication

I first became aware of this journal because it was often referenced with Ed Marlo’s material. As a dedicated Marlophile, I obviously didn’t hesitated when this series was released in this convenient hard cover format. I decided on the Deluxe Editions, thinking they could prove more collectible, but also because the slip covers and leather binding made these books lovely to look at. The first volume was published by Richard Kaufman with the subsequent volumes released by Hermetic Press. Great contents and interesting historical notes on the magical scene of the time abound. IBIDEM was originally published in the 50′, 60’s , and early 70’s, I believe.

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