Review by John W. Watson for Focus by Phil Goldstein
5 out of 5
Best of the Best USABLE packet effects!
We all know Phil Golstein for Monkey in the Middle, Mo’ Monte, and Shrinkhasen, to name a few. We also know that he doubles as Max Maven, world renowned Mentalist.
If you think you’re getting a book about packet tricks that only magicians will appreciate, think again! This book is chuck full of tricks for laymen, restaurant workers, bar magicians, close-up workers, etc.
One of the best parts of the book is the explanations. Golstein explains EVERYTHING in crystal clear detail.
The only thing he left out when writing this book is the effects that would get 9.5 stars instead of 10 out of 10. Yes, they are THAT good!
Review by Andy Martin for Miller Miracle Wallet by Ray Piatt
5 out of 5
Ok, so this is now my Favorite Wallet!
So almost 20 wallets is clearly too many, but 3 or 4 is perfect. I know what they are now. In first place would be this Miller Miracle Wallet. It is very well made, easy to use and very useful. It bascially is like a himber wallet but instead of two outs it has four. And they are so cleverly and cleanly concealed you could never guess. This wallet just makes sense to me.
In Second place, would be R. Paul Wilson’s The Predator. In Third Place, Larry Becker’s Versadex Wallet – there are times where this is just easier to use than The Predator. Finally, I want a long Himber Wallet to perform Xerox Money.
That’s it. If I had to choose just one wallet, then The Miller Miracle Wallet would be it since for most effects this will work perfectly. It will also turn so so effects into miracles, and without requring any undue practice or handling.
Review by Andy Martin for Custom Thumb Tip by Arlen Studio
4 out of 5
Finally a Thumb Tip that fits!
For 20+ years I have tried to find a thumb tip that looks half way real and actually fits my thumb comfortably. Until this custom one from Keith Arlen Lack came out I was unable to find one.
This expensive Thumb Tip (probably not expensive when you factor in the work required to create it, but for a thumb tip $100 is clearly right up there!) fits perfectly and comes off easily too. That has always been my problem, I’ve managed to get the tip on, but it was always a struggle to get it off.
It also looks very good. My one is more pink that I would like, but I am working with Keith to get it closer to my color. Keith is very dedicated to his magic so I have no doubt we’ll get the color perfect too. It’s not even that big a deal, but it would be nice.
Should you buy one? If you have problems finding a thumb tip that fits then for sure order one now! However, if you have no problems with the hundreds of tips out there, then I’m not sure. There are good thumb tips available that look real close, and it is hard to justify the extra expense. But for me I have tried so many and none of them come close to fitting as well as this beauty does.
Why only 4 stars? Well just because it is the most expensive thumb tip by far that I have ever seen!
Review by George Guerra for Mystic Tubes of Sea-Ling by Richard Gerlitz
5 out of 5
Newton’s Nightmare OUTDONE!
Richard Gerlitz has the ability to study a standard effect or idea, see the potential, and take it to that next level. He embellishes it with markedly improved quality props and a patter that makes sense to the magic. He did this with an interesting effect called "Hydro Die". The method was a great concept but it just seemed awkward to have a die in a column of water. Richard re-invented this effect with the release of "Lead to Gold" and the result was entertaining and smooth flowing magic.
Well, Richard has done the same with "Newton’s Nightmare". This effect was released in a deluxe version by Wellington Enterprise, followed by a simpler cheap prop on the market. Both were made in aluminum. Paul Green also released "Field Sobriety Test" based on the same idea. Now, we have the Gerlitz touch and what I believe is the ultimate version of this effect.
First, the props are a joy. Two, not one, 6-inch solid brass tubes are used. The diameter is 5/8 inch and the wall thickness is over 1/16 inch around. These are definitely not flimsy metal tubes but hefty well-machined props. The tubes are polished and decorated with black banding at each end and a center Oriental dragon design as pictured. They are a beauty to own and use.
One always hears that presentation is the key to any magic performance. Well, Richard uses the idea of Ying and Yang, represented by each tube to validate the magic. Apart, the tubes are "normal" but bring the tubes together and in unity the magic occurs as the steel ball warps the law of gravity. I like the acrobatic interplay between the two tubes as shown on Richard’s video demonstration. The slow falling ball is "caught" in the second tube held below. The action is repeated several times, in a sort of a loop, with reversing the tubes till the performer eventually decides to catch the ball in the palm. Separate the tubes and gravity becomes normal again, the harmony of Ying and Yang broken. What a great routine! Here is another winner and probably the nicest of his "affordable" releases to date.
Review by Julian Burt for The Stones of Tutankhamun by Doug Gorman, Jim Riser
5 out of 5
Exquisite workmanship, amazing performance
I was extremely fortunate to see Doug perform The Stones of Tutankhamun a few weeks ago. I was able to examine the props up close and the craftsmanship is exquisite and heirloom/museum quality. Doug’s performance was equally as impressive and spellbinding. This is a must have item for both the professional and collector.
Review by Thomas Holbrook for Tarbell Study Guide by Harlan Tarbell, Steve Burton
5 out of 5
The Tarbell Study Guide By; Burton
With the release of Vol # 8 by d.Robbins in 1991 historian and author Steve Burton puts it all together for magician’s and students (of Magic) to study the newer revised editions (originally published by N.L. publishing in the 1940’s.) as it was released in the original 1926 Tarbell System. Now we can all go step by step the way Tarbell had ment it to be. If you have the revised tombs vols 1-8 you will need to add this very informative book to your shelfs.
I have been a collector and historian on Dr. Harlan E. Tarbell for nearly 14 years now and I am always looking to buy Tarbell items and add new info to my ongoing historic time-line project on the Maker of Magician’s Harlan Tarbell.
Review by Andy Martin for Chameleon Chest by Larry Becker
5 out of 5
A Beautiful Box and Routine!
This chest really is very beautiful and works very well. One of my favorite routines is this:
You distribute 15 different pieces of paper to them – 5 green, 5 yellow and 5 blue (or whatever colors) – and each member writes a question on their piece of paper – one on travel, one on sports, one on politics (or whatever – basically you ask them to ask a question in a topic area based on the color). They all replace them in a box and then another person chooses one piece of paper for each color and then you write the answers BEFORE they ask the questions.
There are many other effects, but I really like this one. The box looks very clean from all angles and its like a suggestion box.
It comes with a big book of instructions and routines with 21 pages from the ever fertile mind of Larry Becker. A great utility prop. Mikame Craft have a box that looks kind of similar and I was at a dealers store recently and looked at it. Although the Mikame Craft box is nice, it is nothing like this box and certainly cannot do the things you do with this one.
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