Author: reviews

Omar Ferret’s cup is the same as many others I have seen but it is unclear when these were introduced, certainly the 1980’s but could have been much earlier. Possibly derived from the Chop Cup, with the important distinction that for most of these Coin Cups when they are loaded you can still look inside the cup. This is a big difference and useful when creating routines. The other key detail about this type of cup (just like the Chop Cup) is they can be thoroughly examined because it is only when they are combined with a suitably gimmicked coin that they become effective. There is no adding or stealing of other cups and most effects can be done without any real sleight of hand. Of course the beauty of a utility item like this is when you blend it with just a small amount of sleight of hand you can look like a real master.

Omar’s is a really solid and thick aluminum cup and coin gimmick from Cuban Magician Omar Ferret. This one comes with no routine, but it is much better quality than the Johnny Wong Cup. It can be used for penetrations, transformations, vanishes, and appearances.

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This item was originally created by Rich Bloch and released in limited quantities by Rich himself c. 2009. It is now being made perfectly by George Robinson.  This is the later version built by George and they are currently unavailable.

Apart from being a very clever idea and a beautifully made prop what I really like about this effect is that  Rich has blended all the moves into a very smooth sequence. If you follow the directions it will allow you to perform a miracle without any real heat on you.  The action is done at the least expected moments and you are left looking clean  and magical.

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Dominique Duvivier created this effect c. 1997 and it was also known as Les Jokers Translucides. It was released by Jeff Busby shortly after as Translucent Jokers and Jeff wrote very detailed instructions for it.  It is not a difficult routine to master but it will take some time and practice to do it well. 

In 2020 Airship Magic released this version in a Limited Edition of 24 sets.  It remains faithful to the original with a nice quality Himber wallet included.  The only issue I had with the wallet was that things were a little snug, but I’m guessing that would improve quite quickly over time if you perform (or practice) the effect.

A very different and visual routine that slips into your pocket and is ready to go to amaze and amuse them all.  Airship include the Jeff Busby instructions – a full 13 page spread.

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Since 2016, Mad Jake Jr. and his brother Frederick have been growing their company Airship Magic into a successful magic manufacturing and distribution company.  Jake focuses mainly on the metal and coin work and Frederick on the wood work and turning.  They also collaborate with smaller, and often unknown, craftsmen to bring a unique line of magic that you rarely find elsewhere in the industry.  Their commitment to quality and innovation is high and I’ve been very happy with the products I have purchased from them directly and through Stevens Magic. Just browsing through their website you will find all sorts of cool items that you won’t find elsewhere.

This item is my favorite version of Magiro’s beautiful classic Hydro Die and unlike many of the others that have been released over the years this version stays true to the small form factor that is so key to the success of this illusion.    Although some builders, notably Magic Wagon and also Jake Jr. himself have created some very popular versions, to my mind they are too ornate and large which detracts from the actual simplicity and beauty of the illusion.

This one built by Frederick is perfect and works smoother than even the original.  It uses a nice blood wood base and lid to keep collectors happy, but otherwise closely follows Magiro’s original.  It works perfectly.

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Since 2016, Mad Jake Jr. and his brother Frederick have been growing their company Airship Magic into a successful magic manufacturing and distribution company.  Jake focuses mainly on the metal and coin work and Frederick on the wood work and turning.  They also collaborate with smaller, and often unknown, craftsmen to bring a unique line of magic that you rarely find elsewhere in the industry.  Their commitment to quality and innovation is high and I’ve been very happy with the products I have purchased from them directly and through Stevens Magic. Just browsing through their website you will find all sorts of cool items that you won’t find elsewhere.

Mike Gallo published his Ball & Vase routine in the November 1983 issue of  Richard Kaufman’s Almanac.  The routine does not use any shells and was performed using the trusty Adams Ball and Vase sets.  Mad Jake Sr. turned a beautiful Rosewood Ball & Vase for Mike Gallo c. 2006.  This design by Mad Jake Sr.’s son, Frederick, follows his fathers design and is made in Exotic African Mahogany. And what a beauty it is.  Comes with no routine just the vase and two red balls and one black ball.

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Since 2016, Mad Jake Jr. and his brother Frederick have been growing their company Airship Magic into a successful magic manufacturing and distribution company.  Jake focuses mainly on the metal and coin work and Frederick on the wood work and turning.  They also collaborate with smaller, and often unknown, craftsmen to bring a unique line of magic that you rarely find elsewhere in the industry.  Their commitment to quality and innovation is high and I’ve been very happy with the products I have purchased from them directly and through Stevens Magic. Just browsing through their website you will find all sorts of cool items that you won’t find elsewhere.

This is the first classic effect that Airship Magic released and to date they have sold almost 6000 units world wide. It is a remake of an effect released by Abbott’s c. 1947 called Sixth Sense and built for Abbott’s by A&B Magic (Alexander Great).  This version by Airship Magic is better quality than the Abbott’s version and completely made here in the USA 🙂

This is really quite amazing how it works – it is like real magic.  John M. Talbot has a wonderful routine called Press The Flesh that really takes the basic effect to the next level.  This is one of those beauties you’ll keep around for years.  (I have three sets lying around here somewhere!)

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This is Eddy’s beautifully smooth version of Ian Adair’s Paddle Waggle. It is my all time favorite paddle effect and is easily the smoothest version I have tried. The action is even smoother than than Willi Wessel’s beautiful version.  As is so often with Eddy Taytelbaum’s items, when he builds his version, everyone else is left to play catch-up 🙂

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