Year: 2018

Released in 2018, this is the first Limited Edition release from the amazing Kent Bergmann’s 3D Magic Works and what a beauty it is. Kent has barely been in business for two years, and already there is no other magic manufacturer that gets close to the Digital Printed marvels that he produces. Aimed squarely at the Magic Collector there are only 30 numbered sets of First Class and each set includes genuine USPS Limited Edition “Art of Magic” postage stamps to add to the exclusivity.

First Class is the most expensive effect Kent has produced to date, but when you look at the individual pieces it represents amazing value for what you receive. Many people believe with Digital Printing you just press a button and out pops the finished article. This could not be further from the truth and Kent details some of the process here. Digital Printing certainly makes it easier to reproduce the same pieces accurately and consistently, but it takes real attention to detail to produce such wonderful effects as these.

With First Class the spectator picks any of five beautiful “Art of Magic” stamps and places the chosen one into the Outgoing Mailbox. After emptying the five Incoming Mailboxes of their white envelopes, they are clearly empty and closed up. Then the stamp disappears from the Outgoing box and appears in the correct Incoming box, and just in case the spectators were wondering what appears in the other boxes they all now have uniquely colored envelopes themselves.

This first Limited Edition sold out within a couple of days, and based on the quality and value of this set keep an eye open on Kent’s site because I’m sure the next miracle will be snapped up even quicker next time!

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In 1936 legendary British Inventor, Craftsman, and Dealer, Jack Hughes, invented what became known as the Television or TV Card Frame (or sometimes Television Glass Frame) where a chosen card appears trapped between two plates of glass set in a houlette. I don’t think there is much doubt as to what version of this classic effect beats them all? Yes it is Bulletproof from the original owners of Collectors’ Workshop, Rich Bloch and Nick Ruggiero, c. 1992.

“I Heard He Did A Great Card Trick”
“I Couldn’t Tell – – I Was in the Eighth Row”
It’s amazing. Otherwise reasonable performers persist in doing card tricks on stage – with standard size cards! True, the first three or four rows are stunned into submission. The rest of the audience has to take it on faith. CW decided to respond, and in so doing, we created what we think will be regarded as the most exciting stage, platform or parlor effect of the decade.

Performer opens a jumbo deck of cards. Spectator freely selects a card and signs his name across the face. The card is immediately torn into pieces and deposited in a small, cloth bag. Performer then displays two pieces of clear lucite. Explaining that he is about to recreate the famous Chung Ling Soo Bullet Catch, the performer bands the two plates together with elastics. These, he announces, are the Bullet Shields. The two transparent plates are placed upright in a thin, unprepared, wood frame, and the frame is mounted on a thin, unprepared transparent lucite tray. All pieces may be examined (for those of you into silly stage waits). The tray is now placed on an unprepared table or, if you
wish, held by the spectator. Displaying a pistol, the performer explains that most bullets are designed to destroy. “This bullet, however, has been specially designed to restore. Let me show you what I mean.” Handing the gun* to a spectator, the performer holds the small bag in front of the plastic shield, advising the spectator to fire when ready. The spectator does so and, with a “Bang”, the following things happen:

The small bag drops open, and a bullet drops out onto the tray. Instantly, the signed jumbo card appears between the two lucite “shields”. The shields may then be removed and handed to the spectator who opens them, retrieves the card and verifies the signature.

It’s an inexplicable effect, well conceived and brilliantly executed by the craftspeople at Collector’s Workshop. And, you can see it all over the theater.

This is the one to beat!

This is by far the most convincing and effective of all the TV Card Frame effects. Uses jumbo cards, a beautiful wooden frame, that has no possible room to conceal a whole jumbo card, combined with an entertaining routine.

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In 1936 legendary British Inventor, Craftsman, and Dealer, Jack Hughes, invented what became known as the Television or TV Card Frame (or sometimes Television Glass Frame) where a chosen card appears trapped between two plates of glass set in a houlette.

This version from Owen’s was first released c. 1958 and it is one of the best examples of the Classic Card Frame designed by Jack Hughes. A vanished card or picture appears visibly and instantaneously between two glass plates mounted in a handsome, naturally finished wood frame of Owen’s original design. They also have a version for Jumbo cards. It looks beautiful, shoots the card up high and works perfectly every time.

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The finest magnetic, Pocket Secretary switching device ever created! This wonderful device was created c. 2000 by New Jersey Inventor and Craftsman Ray Piatt and routined by Mentalist of the Year (1981) and prolific inventor Larry Becker.

Imagine being able to predict the sum total of three, 3-digit numbers merely thought of by three members of the audience. How about having five spectators think of 3-digit numbers. Then have three more spectators freely choose three of those numbers and then freely rearrange their 3-digit number … and STILL be able to accurately predict IN ADVANCE what the final sum total will be. Imagine being able to duplicate an object that a volunteer is drawing while you stand back-to-back. Or be able to reveal one word out of 30,000 randomly selected by a spectator from an 800 page dictionary.

You can easily accomplish all of the above and more … using the revolutionary and ingenious Bogey. There has never been a pocket secretary that works like the Bogey.  A magnetic switching device that can be repeatedly opened and closed and handled freely by the audience, until you want to invisibly (or visibly) change whatever the spectators have written to whatever you want the result to be.

The Bogey is beautifully crafted of the finest leather, delicately padded to provide a luxurious, expensive feel. And just as important, it’s only 5/16” thin and sized not only to fit in your inside jacket pocket, but even in your shirt pocket. You wouldn’t expect anything less from Ray Piatt and Larry Becker. The Bogey comes complete with a 40 minute instructional video by Larry Becker (NTSC VHS format only), and a marking pen that enables you to wipe the writing surface clean with a damp Kleenex.

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From the original owners of Collectors’ Workshop, Rich Bloch and Nick Ruggiero, comes this stunning piece of apparatus. The first version which was not remote controlled came out c. 1989 and this remote controlled version c. 1994.

A piece of custom-crafted wizardry that raises the miracle of this coin penetration to new heights. Four half dollars penetrate an overturned pilsner glass (visibly) to land inside a mouth-up shot glass. We think the glasses should rest on a beautiful English tea service tray. And, in the interest of artistic symmetry, the coins ought to be removed from another glass, not a stand. We think you ought not to go anywhere near the tray and glasses. That’s why we built Silver Odyssey. This masterpiece of precision engineering was designed and developed at Collectors’ Workshop to meet the most demanding standards of close-up,club and even stage performing. Your pride in performing the effect will be matched only by your joy in owning this remarkable piece of craftsmanship. The entire effect is self-working — no sleights, no assistants. Because everything is controlled from a transmitter the size of a matchbook, you are free to ‘choose the moment‘.

One of the problems with this incredible effect is that the mechanism is so beautiful, intricate and clever, and is created from a blend of beautifully finished hardwoods, gleaming brass and copper components, that you are almost compelled to show people how it works.

They truly don’t make them like this anymore!

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Harry Devano from Scotland was a semi-pro close-up, mental and platform magician and he created his first Devano Rising cards deck in 1948.  The method has stood the test of time and one of the best versions you can purchase today is from George Richbark.  They were also made when George and Dave Dorsett were teamed together as Douglas-Wayne Illusioneering.  The block is only 15 cards thick and this is better than most other types of gimmicked deck I have seen, and allows the deck to be handled very freely.  It also uses pins instead of tape, which has always been my preferred contact system.

In Claude Klingsor’s amazing “The Big Book of Rising Cards” I was really pleased to see that Mr. Klingsor has this to say about the The Devano deck in the final Conclusion Page (201)

I think the best method for close-up is the Devano method (like Keith Bennett’s version) if you use a different way to make each card rise. The first card comes out of the pack which is held by the magician. The second one comes out of the pack; the second card being placed in its case. For the third one, the pack is placed into a glass. Al Goshman performed a very nice routine of that kind and Alfredo Marchese created a beautiful finale by adding the cards fountain to his routine.

And I whole wholeheartedly agree!

The video clip of Don Alan is amazing – talk about a beautiful routine. That is a true master at work! The Devano routine starts at 2:53 for those who can’t wait!

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Harry Devano from Scotland was a semi-pro close-up, mental and platform magician and he created his first Devano Rising cards deck in 1948. The method has stood the test of time and one of the best versions you can purchase today is from George Richbark. They were also made when George and Dave Dorsett were teamed together as Douglas-Wayne Illusioneering. The block is only 15 cards thick and this is better than most other types of gimmicked deck I have seen, and allows the deck to be handled very freely. It also uses pins instead of tape, which has always been my preferred contact system.

In this booklet, Ron Bauer does a step by step break down of Don Alan’s routine which is featured on the video above.  Don Alan is amazing – talk about a master at work and a beautiful routine.  The Devano routine starts at 2:53 for those who can’t wait!  But you would never guess the deck was gimmicked and Don is so casual and smooth with it.  What a perfect routine.

Ron Bauer also includes some interesting history about who made the Devano deck for Don Alan and why he was unhappy with the Tannen’s version at the time.  The man who made Don’s deck was Chicago Comedy Magician and MC Howard Bamman, and it had the perfect characteristics that Don was looking for (which sound similar to the decks George Richbark is still making today).

If you ever want to perform the Devano Card Rise, get one of Richbark’s decks, read the booklet and watch the video.  You won’t get close to Don Alan’s masterclass performance but it will inspire you to do better.

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On page 202 of Modern Magic (1876) Professor Hoffman described The Miraculous Casket. In 1991 Douglas-Wayne Illusioneering, founded by George Richbark and Dave Dorsett, created this beautiful reproduction staying true to Professor Hoffman’s description. And what a beauty it is.

Show a velvet lined, hardwood box with slots for four coins. After borrowing coins from your audience and locking them inside the box, the coins vanish one at a time WHILE THE SPECTATOR HOLDS THE CASKET! A beautiful, unusual item that you can be proud to perform.

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Swedish Magic Dealer Harries (who were founded in 1910) created this effect c. 1938 but took a break from production in the 1960’s/70’s, so when Supreme Magic Company created their own effect c. 1970 called Tiddly Hi-Tie they claimed that Harries stole it from them. The Harries version is significantly better than the Supreme version.

Harries of Sweden are one of the last good manufacturers of parlor and stage magic, and this item is one of their best. Nicely made and colorful.

An empty collar is shown in an otherwise empty box and the lid is placed on top and left in full view. Five bow-ties are shown in a larger display case and the lid is placed on top also. A card is apparently freely chosen and that chosen color bow-tie disappears from the display case and appears pinned to the collar in the previously shown empty box.

For repeat performances there is a different color tie that can be used. It comes with all cards and ties, and everything that is needed to perform this right out of the box. It really is a lovely outfit and very easy to perform this miracle right in front of their eyes.

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This effect was created by the Swedish Amateur Mentalist and Stage Magician Goran Klyve in 1988. Goran started working for Harries in 1985 and has created a number of effects for Harries.

This mental miracle is one of the most straight forward mental routines in the field of magic. The effect is simple and direct. You show four beautiful, heavy brass medallions with the following ESP symbols: STAR, CROSS, SQUARE and WAVY LINES. The medallions are numbered from 1-4 on the back. You also receive a wooden spinwheel with the numbers 1-4 as well. You ask a spectator to spin the wheel 3-4 times in order to prove it is not prepared in any way.

The fourth time – or whenever he wishes – he shall settle for the number shown. Spectator looks at the selected coin and is told to take a piece of transparent mental crystal that has been in full view all the time and hold it in his hand while concentrating on the symbol. After a few seconds the chosen ESP-sign appears on the glass surface!

A true miracle. The medallions and the spinwheel are unprepared and can be examined any time, as can the mental crystal. There is absolutely no force involved. Harries Super De Luxe Mental Vision is a straight forward mental experiment the audience will long remember. The heavy brass medallions are of highest quality. You can use them for other ESP-effects.

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