Review by Ian Smith for The Dave Campbell Legacy by Peter Duffie
5 out of 5
EAsy to follow
The effects in this book are easy to follow and are easily fitted into anyones routines. They are hard hitting and will fool all laypeople and magicians alike. There are not to many moves that have to be practiced and any magician will be able to perofrm all the effects with minimal practice (although as always a beginner will need to practice practice practice. But this would be the same for any trick with any beginner)
I enjoyed this book and use some of the routines all the time
Review by Daryl Maddox for The Complete Illustrated Book of Close-up Magic by Walter B. Gibson
5 out of 5
One of the greatest close-up magic texts ever!
As one of the premiere authors on magic and magicians, Walter Gibson performed an invaluable service for the magic community by compiling this tome dedicated to sleight of hand and entertainment. This is a "must-have" book for those seriously invovled in the art and it will lead you expertly through the most useful techniques of close-up manipulation of cards, coins, balls, thimbles, etc. He has even included a section on Mental Magic as a form of close-up.
Gibson’s skill at leading one through clearly defined moves is augmented by critically angled photographs of the author’s hands in action. Included with all this are the tips and secrets to overcoming some of the serious difficulties entertainers often experiene when performing crucial sleights.
Though out of print for some time now, copies can still be found in a variety of book dealer websites. I have had a copy for 28 years and still use it to learn and review from. This will keep you busy for a long time.
Along with Bobo’s masterpiece on coins, Ganson’s manipulation series, and Garcia’s extensive writings, Gibson’s work will always rank among the most important teaching tools in Magic.
Review by Andy Martin for Pegasus Page by Arthur Emerson
5 out of 5
Amazing Magic!
You might have seen this on the last set of DVD’s from Richard Osterlind – the impact on the audience is amazing! The effect is as follows: three different books are shown and one is freely chosen (no force). The magicain flips through the book and asks the spectator to stop where they want. The page that is stopped at is looked at by the spectator and the page number is noted. The spectator keeps hold of the book. The magician shows two pieces of laminated cardboard and writes the name of the book on one side and the page number on the other and sandwiches the two pieces of card together. Then a magical gesture follows. The spectator is asked to look for their page in the book and they turn to the page and find that the page has been ripped out! It has been in their hands all along! The two pieces of card are separated and there between them is the ripped out page and it matches perfectly!
This is a truly stunning effect. The props are a bit on the cheap side, but they do not detract from the magic at all. This is an effect you will surely perform!
Review by Andy Martin for Treasure of Mine (Streamlined) by Magic Wagon
5 out of 5
More Beautiful Magic Than You Can Handle!
Here we have another incredible piece of furniture quality magic from those amazing guys over at Magic Wagon. The props are flawless and whilst the method is not new, everything is dressed up so well that the secret is impossible to spot.
What is particularly nice about this outfit is that you can use it to divine many types of object because anything that fits in the neat little ring boxes can be used. You can divine which one contains the $100 (or whatever) without even touching the bags or the boxes. You can even be out of the room when the boxes are placed in the bags and moved around.
Review by Rick Morein for The Hathaway Rising Card Houlette by Martin Lewis
5 out of 5
It’s a WINNER!
Let me start by saying two things:
1. I have been performing Magic for 50 years. 2. I collect Rising Cards.
I have Anverdi’s, Ken Brooke’s Nemo Rising Cards, El Ducos, Abbott’s Newest Nu-Power, Mikame’s, and many, many other rising card decks.
Why?
Simply put, the rising cards are classics of magic and audiences love this effect…its very magical, mystical and entertaining!
When I saw the ads for Martin Lewis’ version of the Hathaway Rising Cards….well…..if you’ve ever seen Marting Lewis perform……its a no-brainer…Martin does killer commercial magic!
This is a QUALITY prop for working performers thats easy to use and packs a maximum wallop. As it says in the ads…….it plays BIG on stage…and has everything going for it that you could ask for…..the involvement of an audience volunteer, and a commercial, entertaining and mystical presentation.
Plus, the included DVD instructions give you tips and pointers that are right on the money!
Do yourself a favor……..just buy it while they are still being made…..you won’t regret it.
Review by Tom Pearson for Chao Phraya Chest by Magic Wagon
5 out of 5
Outstanding and Exquisite
This chest is absolutely perfectly finished and precision made like a fine jewelry box. It is so beautiful that one would never suspect it is uniquely designed to accomplish a magic trick. The effect involves the appearance of a marked half dollar previously vanished and now found buried in coffee beans and visible only with a ribbon sticking out of the beans when the chest is opened. The coin is held in a clip inside the beans. I love finely finished boxes, and this chest is as beautifully finished and perfectly crafted as any you will ever find.
This is a prize to my collection and will be to yours if you choose to get it. Highly recommended.
Review by Tom Pearson for Ice From Water by Andrew Gerard
5 out of 5
Excellent and Cool
You will love this effect. Everything about it is true to the description. A glass of water is shown and looks normal in every way. The magician stirs the water in the glass with his finger and then reaches in the glass and pulls out an ice cube. Then another, and then a handful of ice cubes. Then another handful. This is something I would expect to see on a TV Magic Special. It is really fun to do and requires a set up in advance…but it is well worth it. It will enhance your reputation as a magician. The trick is easy to do…like most effects, just focus on the presentation. No one will figure it out.
Review by George Guerra for 5Hs Magic Boxed Set by Colin Rose
5 out of 5
What a treat from Colin Rose!
Love wooden magic apparatus as many may know and this gorgeous boxed set of fourteen magical pieces is the perfect Christmas present I gave to myself. This will be the third English boxed set of magic in my collection…the first two being the Millennium Collection and the Egyptian Collection, both by Alan Warner…impressive magic coming from our British friends. This set has that Victorian or turn of the century look to it, which I always find admirable to look at, if anyone has seen those antique sets on auction.
Many exotic woods are present in this set. I recognize Amarillo, African Blackwood, Purple Heart, Cocobolo, Padauk, and not sure of the others. The box itself has a beautiful grain…looks like Sapele to me, because of the characteristic sheen to the grain. The brass Five of Hearts disc in the lower left corner is a lovely touch.
The effects range from classical to modern with many sold individually on the Five of Hearts Magic site. You definitely get a bargain getting the whole collection as a whole. The instructions come neatly packed in their signature red corduroy bag. As usual, the craftsmanship is SUPERB throughout. This is definitely one of those items that photographs just don’t give it justice.
Overall, I am one very happy guy and anyone who collects magic should seriously consider this for their collection.
Review by Andy Martin for Chao Phraya Chest by Magic Wagon
5 out of 5
Talk About Breathtaking Magic!
Wow! Just when you think you know all about those amazing guys over at Magic Wagon, they come out with something even more beautiful and even more amazing than before!
This has to be their most breathtaking box so far, and the effect and method is also one of their strongest. It is a perfect illusion which is easy to do but leaves no clue as to the method.
The basic effect is as follows: you show a beautiful box and place it down in front of the spectators. You now borrow a coin and have it signed. The coin vanishes using your favourite method, and then you open up the box … inside is filled with coffee beans. Out of the beans is hanging a single red ribbon – the spectator can pull this and their coin is found attached to a clip at the botton – buried deep in the beans. The beans can now be tipped out and inside the box is as clean as a whistle.
This is an amazing effect that works consistently every time, without any tricky moves.
Breathtaking Beauty, Amazing Effect and Easy To Do! What more could you ask for? Nothing. This is a real winner for sure.
Most Highly Recommended for anyone who loves beautiful magic.
Review by Andy Martin for Rainbow Deck – USPC Cards by Ace King
4 out of 5
What a Great "Natural" Rainbow Deck
Most rainbow decks are made up of a collection of random cards from real decks. Sometimes the colors are wrong, they don’t shuffle smoothly, they don’t fan smoothly, or they are not all precisely cut to the same size.
This deck has been created with cards from The United States Playing Card Company (mostly Bicycle), and the size of the cards are all the same – no long or short cards. So you can shuffle them fine. The faces also look like they come from the same deck. If The USPC made there own custom Rainbow deck it would be better, but not by much. I actually prefer this deck to Randy Wakeman’s Rainbow II deck because it looks more like a real deck.
The only issue I found with this deck was that there were 5 cards without borders – not a big deal for most effects, but if you needed a trick with 100% borders this deck would need to have a few cards removed or switched out.
If you’re looking for a rainbow deck, then this would be the one to purchase!
By continuing to use the site, you agree to the use of cookies. more information
The cookie settings on this website are set to "allow cookies" to give you the best browsing experience possible. If you continue to use this website without changing your cookie settings or you click "Accept" below then you are consenting to this.
