Review by Andy Martin for Trilogy by Brian Caswell
5 out of 5
Genius.
I buy a lot of magic and these days I really look for effects that totally astound the audience. I am not so interested in nice props that just look great – I want magic that totally blows away the audience.
Trilogy, by Brian Caswell, fits the bill for me. As you receive it you are required to write numbers on the backs of the cards. Some reviewers might think this a problem, but heck if I have to spend 30 minutes to have a clean and totally mind blowing effect that is a total no brainer.
This will be the closer for my 2006 close-up act – I think it is that strong. Easy, beautiful and mind blowing.
Review by Tom Pearson for Problema Deluxe by Viking Mfg.
5 out of 5
Quality Micro Magic
The quality on this is just superb. George’s miniature rosewood box is beautiful and flawless. The gimmick is indetectable, and George has added the versatility of being able to repeat the effect. A great piece of micro magic from Collector’s Workshop. This makes me wish I had other boxes of George’s that I could use to carry and display my magic. In this case, the box houses the effect. This is a great closeup effect.
Review by Tom Pearson for Modern Math by Richard Gerlitz
5 out of 5
Truly Exquisite
This is my most treasured piece of magic in my collection. Richard Gerlitz has truly outdone himself and created not only a beautifully designed piece but one that is ingenious in its methodology and effect. It is truly exquisite in its appearance and construction, and I really do not know how he could have made it better. His use of materials is nothing short of perfection. His last item, Sea-Ling’s True Love, is also exquisite in every way, and I seem to be saying that about every piece I have been able to purchase from Richard. You should not pass this up if you have a chance to acquire it. This is what collecting magic is all about.
Review by Andy Martin for B.U.I. – Bottled Up Inside by Trickery
5 out of 5
Great Impromptu Magic and Great DVD Production!
Howie at the Trickery has surprised me with this DVD release. The production quality is great, the idea is great, and the performances and explanations are great too! When you look at the amount of DVD’s that come out every week, it is difficult to know what to buy. If you do any sort of magic in impromptu settings, these effects are very strong and should be on top of your list.
The live shots and the explanations are very clear and both effects are covered thoroughly and entertainingly. This DVD is much higher quality than Howie’s previous releases with his long time friend Big Boy Bob Solari – The Spy Before you Buy sagas. The Spys are fun, but due to the sheer amount of material they cover, some times the boys are a bit fast and loose. Not so with this new DVD.
Howie is a turning out to be a bit of a Renaissance Man – he developed the ideas, wrote the music, did the DVD pre-production and authoring, performed the effects, and their explanations too. What is amazing is that he is just a little over 5 foot tall, so a lot of talent has been packaged into a little guy – maybe he gets his strength from his long hair like Samson? Well done Howie, I look forward to your next release!
Review by Andy Martin for Killer Elite Pro by Andy Nyman
5 out of 5
The Perfect Mentalism Package for your Shirt Pocket!
As you probably know by now I love wallets! Who doesn’t? And this little wallet is the perfect size for your otherwise unused shirt pocket!
The wallet designed to hold the murder cards and poker chip is black on the outside and has a rich red satin interior that nicely emphasizes the murder cards and poker chip. The high quality, credit card sized murder cards are made to last a lifetime.
The theme by Andy Nyman, who certainly steers towards the more theatrical when it comes to his patter suggestions, is wonderful and it dresses this multiple out idea into a very clean piece of mentalism.
Review by Andy Martin for Nuts and Bolts by Clarence Miller
5 out of 5
A Real Fooler!
I re-read my orignal review on this and think I was off the mark. This is a very clever penetration effect, that is simple to do and looks totally amazing.
The props are clean and there are no difficult or suspicious moves. I’m glad I was lucky enough to find another one for my collection.
Review by Andy Martin for Mysterious Card Boxes (2006) (Mini) by Trickery, Michael Baker
5 out of 5
The Best Version so Far!
I have always liked this Trickery Exclusive, and have owned 3 different versions now. This latest release is certainly the best so far! The quality of boxes is much better than before and the walnut looks great.
In effect you show two boxes of miniature cards: one with red backs and one with blue backs. A color is chosen and the box is closed and placed in front of the spectator. Then a card is chosen from the remaining deck The magician explains that the card is going to turn itself face up in the box that was placed in front of them. But, when the box is opened not only has the card turned face-up the rest of the deck has vanished. It is a great little effect that is basically automatic in working.
Apart from the better quality of these boxes, one new feature has been included – you no longer need to fold the cards in half.
Could the boxes be better? Yes, if J.L. Wright were back! The brass hinge on the back is a bit big and I’m not sure why. The Trickery’s current wood guy is better than most of the ones they have used for sure and they are much closer to the level of craftsmen like Alan Warner, George Robinson, and Mel Babcock. However, they are not quite there yet, but with the exception of a couple of people I know most collectors and performers will be delighted with this latest version.
Review by George Guerra for Modern Math by Richard Gerlitz
5 out of 5
Can it get any better than this?
Having been off the buying spree for Gerlitz magic on 4 consecutive releases (with regrets on two), I am ecstatic with the last two from Richard. It was impossible not to desire True Love, but when I first saw the images of Modern Math on Richard’s site, I knew I was seeing something extra special. Where does Richard get the inspiration and vision for his magic is beyond me…a magical genius are the words I hear describing him and that may be it.
Mental addition tricks have abounded in various presentations. Owen provides us with their Miracle Slate and Mel Babcock has Psychic Arithmetic. Now, along comes Richard to take this trick to a grand level and showcasing it in gorgeous museum quality props. For any avid collector of Mini-Magic, Richard will have you drooling over Modern Math. It’s, without doubt, one of the most beautiful example of Mini-Magic I ever seen to date (but Richard could surprise me with his next release).
The mechanics are carefree and smooth. He thinks of everything…True Love being a good example. Whether the spectator uses 2, 3 or all 4 inner tubes, you have the total sum already predicted before the last inner tube is even assembled onto the apparatus. You don’t even have to look at any of the numbers at all and you can be at quite a distance from the props when you write down the final predicted total.
One problem I do see is waiting now in anticipation over the next several months for Richard’s next masterpiece. It’s not going to be easy, more so to the growing number of collectors who would love to be among the lucky few to acquire these very limited released magical treasures.
I just don’t know what I can add that others have already said on this man, other than thanks for raising magic building to a level very few have attained.
Review by Doug King for Modern Math by Richard Gerlitz
5 out of 5
Marvelous Modern Math Masterpiece!
Richard has done it again! The real "modern math" is… 1 master craftsman + 1 beautiful, unique effect = another Gerlitz winner!
"Modern Math" is perfect in every way. The highest quality materials were used… this baby will last a lifetime. It was obviously crafted by a perfectionist… everything from the graphics to the instructions. The piece is just the right size… mini magic at it’s finest. The actual "math" that must be done is simple and quick. No need for lots of memory work here. Yep, Richard is a pure genius.
I’ve have quite a few Gerlitz pieces in my collection… but this one is on the top shelf, right in the center!
Review by George Guerra for Gerlitz-Stull 14K Watch by Richard Gerlitz
5 out of 5
What really started it all!
I must confess that it was the Gerlitz-Stull Prediction Watch that drew my initial attention to Richard’s magic back in 2001. Having been fascinated by clock tricks through Collectors’ Workshop, I seriously looked into Richard’s watch when I discovered both Richard as a builder of magic and this particular piece on Andy’s site.
Eventually, Richard sold me R101, the first in the series for public sale (he kept R100, the prototype, for himself). All his pocket watches are gold filled, which means it has a heavy gold layer on brass. A year later he sold the very first SOLID gold Prediction Watch, 14K2. The thought of a solid gold watch intrigued me and Richard was very helpful in searching for a beautiful, prime example to sell me. That became 14K3…he almost kept it to himself.
I don’t need to go into the Prediction Watch effect itself, as it’s been well told to great reviews by other fortunate owners, but of all my Gerlitz pieces in my collection, this watch is the "pride and joy" of my collection.
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