Review by George Guerra for Millennium Mini-Magic Collection by Alan Warner

Review by George Guerra for Millennium Mini-Magic Collection by Alan Warner
Review by George Guerra for Millennium Mini-Magic Collection by Alan Warner
5 out of 5

One Very Special Box…Thanks, Alan

Alan celebrated the new millennium and the year 2000 by issuing this limited edition boxed collection. It consists of 8 effects housed in a gorgeously done mahogany veneered hinged box. This item was limited to only 12 sets and each accompanied by a signed certificate. The effects vary from simple classics to very nice originals that can stand up to Alan’s more formidable pieces. I particularly like Geometric, Kubika, and Candle Candle. This beautiful collection would be the envy of any magic set collector. Forget Mysto and other "collectible" magic sets, this is more reminiscent of those antique wooden magic sets of the past, all handcrafted with meticulous attention to esthetics and function. You really need to see this set firsthand to really appreciate the workmanship, as images are clearly inadequate.

Alan has always proved himself a master craftsman and inventor, but he is also a most generous man. I will particularly cherish the Millennium Box I received because what started as an honest mistake led to a remarkable gesture from Alan. 2 weeks ago, an inquiry regarding 2 effects in this collection led us to believe that No. 12, the last box in the series, was still available. I ended up paying for what was eventually unraveled to be a sold-out series. However, Alan, in the kindness of his heart, promptly offered me his own box, No. 1, from his personal collection of his magic. I was quite taken by such a gesture and I can’t thank Alan enough. This unique piece will definitely hold a special place in my Warner collection.

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Review by George Guerra for Matched by Alan Warner

Review by George Guerra for Matched by Alan Warner
Review by George Guerra for Matched by Alan Warner
5 out of 5

Another impressive Warner piece!

Very clever prediction and it comes in twos! I could not believe the method and construction involved to accomplish the effect. I just kept examining the key component to the effect and I couldn’t believe what I was seeing. This is vague but further details would mean revealing the secret. Trust me, this is one excellent piece of magic. Thanks again, Alan.

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Review by Gary Michaels for Plop Up by Rings 'N Things Magic Co.

Review by Gary Michaels for Plop Up by Rings 'N Things Magic Co.
Review by Gary Michaels for Plop Up by Rings 'N Things Magic Co.
3 out of 5

Not Actually an RnT Product but Nice

This effect was actually released by John Snyder, who joined Rings ‘n Things toward the end of their reign as kings of aluminum, brass and copper products.

It was released by RnT in their latter years (1977-80 or so — the company disbanded in ’80), under the auspices of Snyder — who eventually caused the downfall of Rings ‘n Things.

This was the only plastic item RnT ever sold.

A good effect using a Stripper deck.

A card is selected, placed back in the deck, which is shuffled by the victim, and placed into a plexiglass houlette with a perspex rod running through it.

The rod is flicked out and the deck falls the rest of the way into the houlette.

One card remains above the deck.

Of course it’s the chosen card.

Nicely made and an interesting use of a Stripper deck.

~g

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Review by Andy Martin for The Stein and Day Handbook of Magic by Marvin Kaye

Review by Andy Martin for The Stein and  Day Handbook of Magic by Marvin Kaye
Review by Andy Martin for The Stein and Day Handbook of Magic by Marvin Kaye
5 out of 5

The Perfect Book for the Beginner

The Complete Magician by Marvin Kaye (or the Stein & Day Handbook of Magic as it was known in the USA) is a wonderful book for the serious beginner who wants to perform magic as a hobby or as a profession.

What I liked most about this book when I first read it 27 years ago was that it didn’t just focus on tricks and sleights. It did provide some great routines in each of the main areas of magic, including a wonderful section on Children’s magic which I was performing most of at the time, but it also had chapters on patter, style, perparing for the big Stage show, routining and all the other things that make up a real performance. These other aspects of magic are often overlooked by the beginner.

The book also ends many chapters with a brief description of commercially available effects and gives sources of dealers and magical publications. As a budding young magician these of course inspired me to want to save up my paper round money to buy more magic!

I found this book a wonderful entry into performing magic for real audiences and for many many years used ideas and magic directly from it. Soon I will read it again and feel sure it will still provide me with some useful tips and ideas that I have forgotten.

(Notice: Although the printed word is basically the same in both versions of this book, the Complete Magician is a far superior quality book, with a bigger format, better quality paper and numerous black and white photographs. So if you can, get the Complete Magician instead of the Stein and Day Handbook of Magic.)

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Review by Andy Martin for The Complete Magician by Marvin Kaye

Review by Andy Martin for The Complete Magician by Marvin Kaye
Review by Andy Martin for The Complete Magician by Marvin Kaye
5 out of 5

The Perfect Book for the Beginner

The Complete Magician by Marvin Kaye (or the Stein & Day Handbook of Magic as it is known in the USA) is a wonderful book for the serious beginner who wants to perform magic as a hobby or as a profession.

What I liked most about this book when I first read it 27 years ago was that it didn’t just focus on tricks and sleights. It did provide some great routines in each of the main areas of magic, including a wonderful section on Children’s magic which I was performing most of at the time, but it also had chapters on patter, style, perparing for the big Stage show, routining and all the other things that make up a real performance. These other aspects of magic are often overlooked by the beginner.

The book also ends many chapters with a brief description of commercially available effects and gives sources of dealers and magical publications. As a budding young magician these of course inspired me to want to save up my paper round money to buy more magic!

I found this book a wonderful entry into performing magic for real audiences and for many many years used ideas and magic directly from it. Soon I will read it again and feel sure it will still provide me with some useful tips and ideas that I have forgotten.

(Notice: Although the printed word is basically the same in both versions of this book, the Complete Magician is a far superior quality book, with a bigger format, better quality paper and numerous black and white photographs. So if you can, get the Complete Magician instead of the Stein and Day Handbook of Magic.)

Click here for more information.

Review by Andy Martin for Cash Paddle by Jay Leslie

Review by Andy Martin for Cash Paddle by Jay Leslie
Review by Andy Martin for Cash Paddle by Jay Leslie
4 out of 5

Almost The Best Cash Paddle Around

Jay Leslie makes some fine wood and brass effects. This cash paddle is no exception. Great feel to it and the mirror is nice and shiny – not those cheap old things you see elsewhere.

I think you need to keep an eye on young Jay since his stuff has a very nice feel of high quality to it!

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Review by Andy Martin for Money Paddle by Joe Porper

Review by Andy Martin for Money Paddle by Joe Porper
Review by Andy Martin for Money Paddle by Joe Porper
5 out of 5

The Best Money Paddle!

This is easily the best Money Paddle I have owned. Better than the Jay Leslie one, which I thought was real nice too.

Its made of black aluminum and the mirror is shiny and real looking, and its very well machined, with notches for the rubber bands and a good weight to it. Joe Porper makes some real nice pieces!

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Review by Andy Martin for Magician's Magic by Paul Curry

Review by Andy Martin for Magician's Magic by Paul Curry
Review by Andy Martin for Magician's Magic by Paul Curry
5 out of 5

More than just Out of This World!

I read this book initially over 25 years ago, and remembered to this day the story that Mr. Curry relates about the time Winston Churchill was late for a War Cabinet meeting because he was busy watching a magician perform "Out of This World". But this book has so much more than Curry’s most famous card trick, which is does indeed explain.

I guess it was aimed at the layman or beginner in magic, but as a performer and collector of magic for over 30 years I still found it a very interesting and rewarding read. He has chapters on many aspects of our art relating all the way back to the Cups and Balls. He covers stage illusions, close-up, escapes, seances, mentalism, and more.

One of the things I really like about this book is that Mr Curry will detail some historical effect or principle and then describe a more up to date and easy to do version of the effect or principle that can be perfomed. Most of the magic in the book is possible to perform without complex sleight of hand or specialised props.

It is a mix of history, showmanship and magical effects, by one of the true greats in the art of magic. I for one believe this should be on every beginners and advanced magic list!

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Review by Andy Martin for Quicker Than The Eye by John Mulholland

Review by Andy Martin for Quicker Than The Eye by John Mulholland
Review by Andy Martin for Quicker Than The Eye by John Mulholland
4 out of 5

Eye witness tales about Magicians all around the world

Written in 1932 this book by John Mulholland takes you on a virtual tour of many distant lands as he tells tales of magicians from almost every culture and part of the world.

It is quite amazing to think how much Mr. Mulholland travelled with magic so long ago. It has some great stories and anecdotes that are very entertaining reading. It is not a book of tricks, but rather of cultures and people and the types of magic they have performed.

I’m sure 75 years on much of this is no longer quite the same, but it is still a thrill to read about the old days when you can help thinking there was a bit more "art" to our magic. One quote by Jack Gwynne is worth repeating:
"Mr. Gwynne, I have seen your act and I think it is perfect."
"Thank-you," Gwynne replied, "I’m glad you liked it. I feel that it has many flaws, but after all it should run smoothly, for it takes but twelve minutes to do and I have worked twelve years on that act. Allowing a year’s rehearsal for every minute’s performance it would be astounding if it were not smooth".

Can you imagine a modern magician spending so much time on one act? Maybe this is one of the reasons, that there are so many bad performances out there …

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