Month: October 2022

This beautiful piece was made out of wood and hand-painted by German craftsman Dietmar Willert c. 1987. Dietmar made a series of Egyptian themed pieces and all are beautiful and highly collectible. The Windblown sands was made in a limited edition of 87 units with each set numbered on the base – this is # 34 of 87. Joe Stevens marketed these c. 1989 and included an English patter story by Bill Palmer.

As pretty and clever as this routine is, it feels much more like a collector’s effect as it stands and I think it needs something more to bring it home. And I think I have the perfect effect: Tony Lackner’s Hand of Cleopatra. 

This is a collectible and cute piece of magic but it probably won’t fool anyone who has lived in last fifty years. Bill Palmer’s story is good, but something is missing for this to really entertain. However, by doing this first and then moving into the custom Hand of Cleopatra you can demonstrate two levels of control – first the sand and then the movement of the hand itself, which can leave to a satisfying complete routine.

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This is a unique little box from Optical Oddities Mfg. Co. released c. 1987.  I believe Optical Oddities was Dave Pavlov’s company in Las Vegas that was formed c. 1981.

This box is different from anything else I have seen.  The effect on the audience is similar to what can be be achieved by a Lippincott Box but there are no moving or sliding sides.  The two issues I have with this are: it can only accommodate a coin about the size of half dollar nothing thicker or larger and it is difficult to do the move silently.

I personally believe this is more of a trick for magicians and still think Joe Porper’s original Strong Box is the best type of Lippincott Box available.

But an interesting unique method all the same 🙂

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One of the cleanest Per Clausen effects available which is easy to do with multiple phases.

The two playing cards were my addition, but I really like them and it makes the effect easier and more amazing in my opinion.  I include a set to use if you want to 🙂

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This wonderful effect was invented by Edwin Hooper and released by Jack Hughes c. 1953. This version was released by Supreme Magic under license from Jack Hughes c. 1968.

It is a really well made prop when Supreme used to make good quality wooden props and this still looks amazing all these years later. The house, frame, and stand are wood with thick and varnished High-Gloss Jumbo cards.

The routine is perfect for younger children – when I used to do children’s magic this would have been precisely the sort of  effect I would perform:

• It has a simple recognizable plot.
• There is lots of interaction with the children.
• The props are large, bright and colorful.
• There is a clear ending for the children to clap.

What a wonderful effect for the young ones 🙂

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The Elusive Rabbits or Hippity-Hop Rabbits was invented by The Great Norman (Norman Hazeldene) c. 1947. Norman sold the rights to Harry Stanley when Harry was in partnership with Jack Hughes and Arthur Dowler and they released the first version in early 1947. The effect was a big success.

Davenport’s released their first version c. 1958 when they were located at New Oxford Street.  This version is probably the same design as their first version but the instructions say Charing Cross Underground which is where they moved to c. 1962.

This is a good sized version with a simple clear design and bright colors.  I found the release for the climax a little stiffer than I would like but after adding some lube it became much easier, though this would not be my first choice for this prop.  However, they do work fine and are in great condition for their age and would look perfect in your collection.

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Magic dealers and creators often like to use the word Ultimate and Definitive when describing their shiny new version of a classic effect. Sadly, quite frequently these versions still leave a lot to be desired.  But with Clift Mitchell’s Ultimate What’s Next that is not the case – Clift has addressed every issue I could think of and then some and really produced the Ultimate version of Tenyo’s popular effect What’s Next from 1965.

Clift created his first version in 2016 and made a run of 10 in 2017.  In 2022 he made some changes to the design and as of October 2022 he has created 22 units in total (though the numbers go up to #23 as he skipped #11 when he started the second build at #12).

What I particularly like about Clift’s version is how the dots align pretty much automatically without having to watch them at all.  I just did it while I was writing this description with my eyes closed and I nailed each change perfectly – try doing that with Tenyo’s or the others.

The Ultimate What’s Next is hand made by Clift and he spends about 20 hours on each unit.  The board is made from wood and has a special aluminum flashing surface which is smooth and hard wearing. Embedded in the board and spots are 14 neodymium magnets and no expense has been spared on the production.

I like this version so much that I’m going to be placing it behind the bar in The Porcupine for use as a sobriety test for those local trouble makers.

Great job Clift and I hope to feature more of your exclusive treasures on my site in the future 🙂

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This wonderful item was first released by John Snyder c. 1936 and it was a big success.  This is set 471 and John sold more than 500 sets of these and at almost $100 a pop in today’s money that is not bad for a mentalism effect.

The Improved version was an add on to the original effect with a custom made stand and was released c. 1938.  These stands are much harder to find and this one is in like new condition.  The effect is the same method but with a stand to lay out the envelopes so you can do everything hands free – the performer never needs to touch the keys or the envelopes once they have been handed to the spectators.

The stand is really nice but is otherwise ungimmicked and could be used for other things too.  The stand allows you to find the key without even touching the envelopes or stand.   What is interesting in the ads that appeared announcing the “Improvement”, they don’t have a picture of it in the ad and don’t say what it is.  But they do say “Item supplied for Improvement can be used in other effects.” – well yes it is a card stand. 

There were no instructions included in The Improvement box – just the stand itself, but I’m not sure if there ever were any instructions.  Both boxes are original and were opened for the first time when they were shipped to me. Anyway, you can see in my video how I use the stand.  You don’t have to touch the stand or the envelopes but you do need to wave your hands in front to get a psychic reading.  I found this effect easier to do with the stand for sure.  Of course you don’t need the stand and can just perform the original method if you prefer.

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