Month: February 2020

For more details on Willi Wessel’s unique Alan Warner collection click here.

The method for this prediction is quite straight forward and not as clever as one of my favorite prediction effects from Alan called Checkmate, but the props themselves are bright, colorful and interesting and more than make up for any lacking in the method. It will probably fool most lay-people but I don’t think many magicians would be fooled, whereas with Checkmate it is a quite a lot harder to figure out. That being said due to the unique look of the props Horus-Scope does lend itself to more interesting patter stories and routines.

On the instructions Alan suggests using a switching envelope or Himber Wallet and that is what I would use.  In fact I would probably use Miller’s Miracle Wallet to really fool the pants off of them.

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For more details on Willi Wessel’s unique Alan Warner collection click here.

This effect starts off as a beautifully made variation of the principle developed by Paul Curry called the Curry Paradox c. 1953, similar to the effect created by Winston Freer’s amazing Magic Tile Puzzle.  But if you know anything about Alan’s magic and mind, he is rarely content with doing something that has been done before, and so he turns the whole effect on it’s head and totally transforms the color of the puzzle right under their noses. 

Not simply a geometric paradox but real magic performed right before their eyes!

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For more details on Willi Wessel’s unique Alan Warner collection click here.

This is the first version of Do-Mini-O that Alan produced (the later version is here) and it is a simple and clean effect, but even here Alan shines with his attention to detail.  There are three beautifully gimmicked dominoes and they have a locking mechanism for each change (so for white and the color change). Many manufacturers, if they added a lock at all, would provide one just for the final state.  With two locks it means you can hand them to a spectator before and after the change should you desire, and you don’t have to worry if the wrong color will show when you first show them or retrieve them from you bag – they will always be set as you prepared them.

Also there is a very simple, but useful mnemonic built right into the numbers of the dominoes that means you will never forget which way to place the dominoes into the cover.  You might think that these ideas are not that big a deal, but they make all the difference when you want to perform them, because you just don’t have to think about how the trick works, just how to make it entertaining.

Alan’s magic is filled with such elegantly simple ideas which is why his Mini-Magic has been so popular for almost fifty years.

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For more details on Willi Wessel’s unique Alan Warner collection click here.

This is one of Alan’s oldest effects from his painted Mini-Magic period before he moved exclusively to Teak apparatus. At first glance it would appear to be a Die-Box type effect with a Chinese Coin and in fact that is how the routine begins but it progresses into something more.

After the performer has shown the Chinese Coin apparently vanished – and it really does look like it has vanished even if they stare intently into the charming miniature wooden box, the performer apparently messes up because they hear the coin rolling around in the box again. Well luckily this is planned and when the coin is finally shown it is a totally different coin that is produced.

This new coin can be pretty much any coin that fits int the box. I chose a UK 2P in my photos as it contrasts nicely with the silver Chinese coin supplied. With some simple thought you could produce a coin that leads nicely into your next effect, taking all heat off of the box.

This is very finely made with some amazing tolerances given the size of the box. Easy to do with simple reset too. If you spend a little time with your other coin effects I’m sure you will be able to blend this into an even bigger routine.

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For more details on Willi Wessel’s unique Alan Warner collection click here.

It is amazing how small yet entertaining this effect is. There are no moves and the spectator is convinced they have a free choice with each phase of the routine. And yet they always choose the crazy Karate Kard that reeks havoc on the rest of the cards 🙂

There are no tricky or hidden moves and if you follow the clear directions Alan lays out for you the effect pretty much works itself. This effect is precisely and beautifully made and something quite different.

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For more details on Willi Wessel’s unique Alan Warner collection click here.

This effect is stronger than you might think. At first glance Checkmate looks like you are predicting a one out of three outcome, but in fact you not only predict which color chess piece they will choose, but also which plaque they will place it on.

The chess piece and plaque chosen can be different each time, although the effect cannot be repeated immediately to the same audience. It does use multiple outs but they are constructed very cleaning and logically into the wooden tablets and not are contrived as is quite often the case with multiple out effects. Each outcome is as solid as the others so it really doesn’t matter which color they choose or which plaque they place it on, the effect is equally as strong.

This is a very clean effect and method, that resets instantly and is very easy to learn. It has an elegant simplicity that Alan excels at and you will enjoy.

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For more details on Willi Wessel’s unique Alan Warner collection click here.

This happens to be one of my favorite Alan Warner pieces. It makes use of an old principle to great effect and really produces an outstanding miracle. What I also like about this effect is the impressive and colorful display that is created as each charm is spread around the center box, ready for the final revelation. Alan writes meticulous instructions and if you read them closely you will often pick-up subtle nuances in the performance that you would otherwise miss.

There are no switches of the charms or tricky sleights, and the charms and box can be examined if required, it really does look clean. In one case there is a small move that is required, but it is too weak to be considered a sleight and performed under cover of the spectator’s larger action can be carried out with minimal heat on the performer.

A really wonderful miracle from one of Magic’s Master Craftsmen.

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