Month: April 2019

To those familiar, this is generally considered my flagship item …

… and so begins the website listing of Michael Baker’s stunning contribution to truly breathtaking and clever magic.  In terms of sheer beauty and ingenuity this remarkable effect rivals anything that Milson-Worth, Richard Gerlitz, Mel Babcock and others have produced. 

It works beautifully with two unique cooperating devices:

1. to Vanish the block using a self-working vanish* devised by Michael Baker and Bob Tysl that instantly causes the block to vanish without any apparent moves or clues.
2. to make the block Reappear threaded on the rod using Sewell’s Block on rod (c. 1940 by Len J. Sewell).

The whole outfit is perfectly proportioned and best of all it is not too large with the block a healthy 3″ square, the vanish pedestal is ~12″ high and the reappearance cabinet ~11″ wide, so it will fit neatly in your collection with room to spare.

The finish on these pieces is also amazing with bright rich colors that are deep and enduring.  There is no doubt if I was trying to maintain a physical collection instead of my ongoing project I would keep this item safely right here with me.

Few props I have purchased over the last 20 years of collecting magic have caused a lump in my throat and I’m pleased to say that The Baker, Tysl, Sewell Vanishing & Reappearing Block by Michael Baker is most certainly a new one to add to the list.

Absolutely Stunning.

Click here for more information.

Over the years I have seen many versions of Ribbon Fantastique and it continues to amaze me how simple it is to accomplish something so clean and surprising. The phrase “it’s a fooler” does not even get close to how wonderful this effect is.Invented by the genius Ed Massey, it remains to this day one of his most effective creations.

This is a wonderful version from Kent over at 3D Magic Works. It comes in two colors: Blue Marble Box and Gray Marble Box and both are shown together in the photos. This is a perfect size for walk around and comes with a unique routine expertly demonstrated by the wonderful Madison Hagler. Madison really performs this effect so well I was even wondering if the method was different 🙂 A really great version of this classic.

Click here for more information.

This is a wonderfully clever penetration invented by Louis Histed and David Scott and sold by Davenports of London.

A solid, clear perspex cube is handed out for examination and is placed into a thin, black plastic frame. A ribbon is now threaded through the holes locking the cube inside. Everything appears above board, yet still the block escapes from the ribbon under the most impossible conditions. Why impossible? You can actually SEE the ribbon running through the cube. Yet it escapes on your command simply by pulling the cube straight up visibly through the solid ribbon!

For close—up or drawing room, The Crystal Cube is ideal and easy to do.

Click here for more information.

Kent Bergmann has now released part two of the eagerly awaited sequel in the Dragon Trilogy saga. If you recall it all began with Trapped last year and now we have Trained which is an adorable story (if that is possible when talking about dragons). What I particularly like about the first two parts of the Dragon Trilogy is that Kent has taken two standard ideas, that have already been well served by the magic community, and breathed fresh life into them. It reminds me of what Robert Parrish did with his wonderful book Great Tricks Revisited. 

Kent has shone the light on the following two classic effects:

• The Mystery of The Pyramids (Trapped)
• Elevator Dice (Trained)

and really created something new and exciting in their own rights, but by linking the effects together  in a trilogy (and a third soon to come) he has also created a new dimension for these effects which literally did not exist before in any of the previous forms of these effects.  That is one smart move for sure.

This effect begins with a reminder of where we left the Red Dragon last time:

The Red Dragon has been “Trapped” and now faces the grueling task of being “Trained” by the Wizard and the two training dragons; “Green” and “Blue”. 

Training is not going so well 🙁  The three Dragons Red, Blue, and Green are placed in the covered stand.  First Blue, next Green and then Red.  The cover is removed to reveal Red is out of order.  This is repeated with different outcomes.  Each time the Wizard gets more and more angry and eventually he removes all three Dragons from the training area and places them back in their quarters (drawer).  When the drawer is opened in the morning, the Red dragon is seen to have disappeared only to be found working alone on his training back in the Training area.  The wizard is satisfied and feels that the Red dragon has overcome his disruptive ways and is ready be trained for good.

Or is he?  Find out in the thrilling conclusion in Part Three of the Dragon Trilogy to be released soon. 

Kent is also using the wonderful Madison Hagler to shoot the videos for both the effect and the explanation.  Madison has a very friendly and clear performance style and having the video at hand really helps out.

If you buy no other 3D Magic Works items you should buy these items in the Dragon Trilogy you will not be disappointed and they will not be available forever, so get them now while you still can.   

Highly Recommended for Performers, Story Tellers, and Collectors.

Click here for more information.

Ian Maltby has created the perfect device when you are looking for push button mentalism that looks authentic, works consistently and doesn’t cost a fortune. It comes with a great routine and I love the miscall idea, that makes it seem all the more real. 

The wooden box looks like a display case in a musty old museum and with the right performance you’re sure to cause to some hairs to rise.  Even the gold coin that is used to make the choices plays the part and is heavy and solid in a protective case.  The device is very responsive with a range of well over 30 feet.  It is all neatly packaged in a protective case so you protect your investment and look good while doing it.

These have been created in a limited edition of just 10 units so now might be the time to stampede over to Paul McCaig’s website where you can purchase it – you’ll find other cool treasures there too! Paul McCaig is the creator of the wonderful Mind’s Eye Box here.

Basic Routine: The performer introduces an ESP board and a coin depicting the all seeing eye. The spectator is asked to cast their eyes over the ESP symbols on the board. The performer then explains he will be blindfolded and be several feet away from the spectator with his back turned, the spectator Is asked to place the coin on any symbol of their choice,(this is a totally free choice).

Let’s say for example the spectator selects the square. The performer asks if a symbol has been selected, when the spectator replies yes the performer then explains that they can change their mind if they wish. Lets say the spectator then selects the circle, the performer asks if they have made their final choice, when the spectator replies yes, the performer asks them to remove the coin from the ESP board. The performer removes the blindfold and walks back to the spectator, he picks up a note pad and asks the spectator to think about their chosen symbol, the performer is trying hard to read the mind of the spectator.

With absolutely no questions asked, the performer asks the spectator to name the symbol they chose out loud for the first time. The performer turns over the note pad and sure enough there is a drawing of the circle. The performer seems a little confused and asks the spectator if they thought of a different symbol before the circle, the spectator replies yes.

The performer then turns a page on the note pad and says was this the first symbol you thought of, on his note pad is a drawing of the square. The spectator is shocked that not only did the performer correctly name their chosen symbol but also named the first symbol they thought of while the performer had his back turned and was genuinely blindfolded.

Click here for more information.