Year: 2020

Wow! Winston Freer was a Genius! What an incredible miracle this effect is! Very different in method from anything similar that I have seen. This is based on a principle developed by Paul Curry called the Curry Paradaox c. 1953. However Freer adds an ingenious allowance for the area lost by redistribution which allows you to show the area to be EXACTLY THE SAME, before and after the removal of three tiles.

This is a really great version of the Tile Deal or Magic Tile Puzzle by Winston Freer built by Martin Duffy of the UK. It is very nicely made and finished.  It is very similar in size and dimensions to the John Rogers version, but this is all wood instead of Corian tiles.  It could even be an early version of John Rogers version.

To be honest although the definitive collector’s version is probably the John Rogers version, if you want to perform this effect, then this all wooden version is easier to perform.  It is about 10oz lighter and the tiles are easier to get out by hand instead of having to tip them out.  If you are a casual performer it won’t matter, but if you were doing this a lot I think the Corian would be harder to use.  Also I think the Corian might in fact be more brittle because in the instructions is says perform on a soft mat to avoid chipping the tiles.)

(Notice: the three final photos show a comparison with the John Rogers version, but of course you only get this wooden one.)

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Flexible Glass or Bending Glass (as it was known in the UK) was invented by British Magician Oswald Rae.  Max Andrews released it in the UK through his Vampire Magic company and gave USA manufacturing rights to Stuart Robson* who released it as Vampire Flexible Glass.  As Rae presented it he used a piece of glass covered with a newspaper or a brown paper bag. In the January 1946 issue (Vol. III, #8) of Hugard’s Magic Monthly, Milbourne Christopher’s Column suggested using a mirror which has been pretty much the standard ever since.

This is the original version with glass created and sold under license by Stuart Robson and includes:

• Model Glass Window
• Red Dagger (Wooden)
• Colored ribbons and bodkins (I did have to replace the ribbons and bodkins)
• Instructions and clear handling presentation

What I like about this version is how deceptive the size of the frame and the glass is.  The tolerances are very tight and in fact by rounding the corners of the glass they even squeeze out a little more space. The version used by Doug Henning here, made perfectly by Wellington Enterprises, may still be the best version of this effect, but for an item that is about 75 years old this is surprisingly good and very deceptive.

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This incredibly miracle was invented by German Mentalist Ted Lesley and it is the first one I have ever seen. Ted’s inspiration for this effect was Stanton Carlisle who published an effect with a locking briefcase in Peter Warlock’s Pentagram magazine (according to the instructions, though I was unable to find the actual effect in either the original Pentagram or the New Pentagram).   From this germ of an idea Ted Lesley came up with his first 100% non-force method using an electronically gimmicked briefcase.  After a few more years of usage Ted finally arrived at this beautiful improved version that uses no electronics and works quietly and perfectly every time.

When you read the effect the finale will sound similar to Al Koran’s Gold Medallion however, the big difference with the Delsey Miracle is because there are two magical moments there is no heat on the final reveal which seals the complete miracle.  In fact this final version of Ted Lesley’s miracle uses a combination of methods and subtleties that make it seem truly miraculous.  If you were ever to perform this, as Ted did many times, there is no doubt you would leave the audience stunned.

What is particularly amazing with this version that uses zero electronics or remote controls is that the spectator can examine the case until they are blue in the face and when they try to open the case it is locked solid.  They try another number and still nothing and when they finally succeed it opens in their hands and you have not touched the case or gone near it during this time.  The method works perfectly every time and is as quiet as a mouse.  There is absolutely no force and any 3 digit number can be used and it is different for every performance. You will love it. 🙂

You could also use this in conjunction with any effect where a number is used to get to the contents of the case.  And the case is large and durable enough to store your whole act too, it is a real beauty.

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The New Production Box (Ukiyo box) from Mikame Craft looks similar to a standard drawer box but both the drawer and the box can be shown thoroughly empty between productions.  You can see all the way through the box as it is really just a hollow wooden tube. The first version was released c. 1971 and this version c. 2001. 

Depending on the size of the load you can produce from 2-4 productions.  To make this the most effective it is important to find the right size spring flowers and I went through ten different sets until I found the ones that looked and worked the best.  This is one of the best drawer box type productions I have seen.

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This is a very fine looking Desktop Finger Chopper that works very smoothly and uses a heavy and substantial blade. It looks and feels real and is easy to do. If you watch the video you’ll see how I chop the carrot but not my finger and this adds a little more realism to the effect ?

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The Square Circle, also known as The Chinese Pagoda, was invented by British Magician Louis S. Histed in 1930 and like many great ideas was pirated by dealers around the world. This is a beautiful and unique version of the classic Square Circle from Wack-O Innovative Magic. It is a Victorian/SteamPunk inspired work of art created and painted by Hollywood Makeup Effects artist, and owner of Wack-O-Magic, Michael Mosher.

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Mary Tomich formed the Thaumysta Magic Co. in 1992 and catered for bizarrists and kindred spirits.  The Elfin Chest is almost a big hit – the props looks very interesting and the effect and method are all workable.  But the props are so small they are difficult to use.  The sun revelation etched into the crystal ball is ok, but not as clear as I would like.  If I was to perform this I think I would get some larger cards and maybe get a better image of the sun on the ball. 

A worthy and interesting attempt with an intriguing patter, but just misses the mark.

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The original version of this effect was invented by the genius Robert Harbin c. 1946 as Dippy Magnet. The Dutch Micro Magic master, Eddy Taytelbaum, created a stunning version which earned him third place at the 1961 FISM Close-Up/Card Competition.  Another beautiful version was built by Carl Williams in the Okito-Williams style.

This version by Georges Proust though not as pretty as Carl’s is still very well made and is a lot cheaper and more practical to actually perform.  There are five routines included and some interesting ideas that I’m sure you will find one to use and perform.

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What a nice looking and clever approach to Winston Freer’s Tile Puzzle.  This is different from other versions I have seen (even Tenyo’s).  It really surprised me when I saw the method and the small size makes it perfect for walk around.

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