Month: March 2021

Magic Wagon had a phenomenal 2020 and created some amazing items.  This is Magic Wagon’s version of U.F. Grant’s Bamboo Chest and Glass.

Updated 3/18/2021: Forget about everything else I wrote below, Simon Corneille has just released his fantastic video and it really takes this effect to a whole new level. EXCELLENT Simon 🙂

Original Comments: 12/31/2020: Until I saw Rob’s video (brotherbor on youtube) I was going to write this one off as a bit of a dud, but Rob really brings it home with the extra vanish – that was a stroke of genius!

I still think that by removing the liquid piece and making the vase smaller Magic Wagon have made this less amazing than the original.  But as Rob clearly shows, with a little big of imagination you can still perform this and make it seem quite amazing and entertaining 🙂

It is beautifully made, and if you perform it the way Rob does with the bonus “vanish” I think it can be a fooler or the way Simon does it it is guaranteed to be a fooler.  But if you don’t, I think this is more of a puzzle and not an outright fooler as the original version clearly was (assuming of course it was performed well!).

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I’ve been a big fan of the Devano Rising Cards for years and until I saw Rob Bromley’s rising cards I was quite happy with my George Richbark produced Devanos.  However Rob Bromley’s Rising Cards is as good if not better in some ways than even the classic Devano.  The block is tiny – even slightly smaller than the Richbark but it is sealed.  This can be a good or a bad thing, but because the block is so thin it is mostly good.  The only real downside I have with the Rob Bromley rising cards is that they use a sticky instead of the metal pins used by the Devano.  I just prefer the pins, although the sticky appears to work just as well most of the time (just need to check it from time to time).

Anyway you can’t go wrong with this Rising Cards and it is the one I currently use too (I have some spares).

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Even though I normally don’t like gimmicked versions of Paul Curry’s “Out of This World” this deck is technically not gimmicked (it is simply a deck with a half red backs and half black backs) I do like Stephen Tucker’s thinking.  This is probably more to fool magicians than something you would replace Out of This World to lay people because the premise is kind of strange – why are you dealing the cards face-up?

But it still has some merit and unlike many other versions I decided to keep this one for now as it feels like there is some potential here 🙂

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The Cork Penetration was invented by Eddy Taytelbaum and there have been many versions over the years including these ones  (though I’m missing the wonderful version released by the talented Frenchman François Danis).  As is often the case Eddy’s version is still the gold standard but this is a very nice set from the talented Michael Baker. 

Most versions have a hole in the card but it is not always the case and Michael’s uses a complete card.  I also added a card with a hole just in case you wanted to perform it the more standard way.

This looks great in your collection and works perfectly too.

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Michael Baker is always working on something new or refining his existing line.   He now has produced this wonderful item in three sizes: Regular, Giant, and now this one, Mini.  A version was also created exclusively for Stevens Magic here.  

Vampire Block Escape is related to the popular Vampire Block but it does not use a chain or cord.  It uses a slightly different mechanism but looks great, works smoothly and is convincing to the spectator.

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This effect was invented by Harlan Tarbell and built by Ireland Magic c. 1941.  It was first described in book form in Vol. 4 of The Tarbell Course c. 1945.  This adorable version follows Harlan’s description closely and is made perfectly by Michael Baker.  The Ireland Magic version was made in metal and Michal Baker’s is made from wood (the last two images show the Ireland version). 

It is a wonderful effect that is not seen very often.  Once neat thing about the design is you can store the cards and other items for you show inside the house for transportation if you so desire, making this effect practical and magical 🙂

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The third item in Thomas’ Egyptian Series is a clean prediction with colorful looking props.  There are no funny moves and the spectator can turn over the card and open the prediction themselves.  Reset is quick and this is always ready to go.  The only downside is that it can not be repeated to the same audience but with Thomas producing so many neat items these days that won’t be a problem 🙂

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The fourth item in Thomas’ Egyptian Series is a very perplexing penetration with exotic looking props.  When I watched the video and received the item I could not figure out how this bad boy worked until I watched Thomas’ explanation video. The penetration is very clean and has a quick reset too – this will fool most people not in the know.  Even if you think you know how it works you are unlikely to be fully able to explain how it is actually accomplished.

This is one of the cleanest and surprising penetrations I have seen in a while.  A very nice job Thomas 🙂

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If you like the street con type of effects you’ll love this effect.  This is the first release that Meir released c. 2019 and includes the wooden base and the DVD.  It is easy to perform and you’ll have lots of fun with this bad boy!

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Slate of mind was created by U.F.Grant c. 1949, and it was later improved by Aldini. Grant was influenced by Dr. Jaks’ Supersonic Card Prediction.

This is Richard Osterlind’s high end version, it is not as pretty as Carl Williams’ paddle version but it is still one of the best looking and smoothest versions produced.

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