Reviews

This wonderful effect was invented by Al Baker c. 1932 using a simple but extremely effective method. P&L were the first company to manufacture a version of Mr. Baker’s effect and it remained the gold standard for decades afterwards. The method was first described in Greater Magic c. 1938 (pg. 512). and it is also discussed in Dr. Albo Vol. 3.

The method has been used in many other card effects over the years and a few of them can be seen here.

Two of the good features in this P&L version are the stand is easy to swivel around so that the audience can choose the queen without any fumbling and the backs of the gimmicks are cleverly painted to blend in to the stand.

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The method behind this great little set of miracles is based upon Al Baker’s Cherchez la Femme.  One of the effects included in the instructions makes me think it could have been inspired by the Wizzo Card Box sold by Kanter’s c. 1942 (but I have no actual evidence of this).

What I particularly like about this set is how Dusheck and Hill have included four other routines to expand from the standard switch between king and queen.  Even though the standard effect is very strong, I believe Kangaroo Cards and Vanishing card are even better with a little bit more meat to the routines.

Whichever you choose to do I’m confident your audience will be amazed 🙂

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Stephen Tucker creates some very clever and entertaining routines and when he released Himbering Ways in 2009 with Tony Curtis I remember being very impressed with the routines that came with the wallet.  The wallet itself has a couple of features not always found on other Himber wallets and Stephen has maximized the routines for these features.

Of the six routines included in the booklet, my favorite four are:

• The Card That Never Was
• Add-a-Number
• Examinable B’Wave
• Prints Of Darkness

These are all very strong and Prints of Darkness and The Card That Never Was will even fool magicians if they don’t pay attention 🙂

The problem with the original package was that it came with no extra gaffed cards and although they are not that hard to find, it would have been nice if a complete package had been created.  So  I have included all of the cards and extras required for the above four effects and instead of using good old bicycles I used the wonderful Jerry’s Nuggets Modern Feel cards produced by Conjuring Arts.  The routines are that good so I thought I would spice them up a bit.

It is not possible to perform all the effects in one sitting but you’ll now have all the cards you need to perform any of the above routines.

There is some really great magic here, in a neat ready to perform package 🙂

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Wow what an amazing tool Chris Wasshuber from Lybrary.com has created for the community.  If you ever need to show fans of cards in a book, instruction sheets, online or anywhere else Chris has created the perfect tool to use.  It has ESP cards too and a variety of back designs.  And I’m sure if you have a legitimate need Chris would most likely add more designs, he’s that sort of guy 🙂

The tool is very easy to use and costs nothing – you just have to have a free account at Lybrary.com.  And while you are there you can purchase 100’s of the amazing ebooks that Chris has created over the last 20+ years – he has over 9,000 now.  Chris also has the best ebook search engine on the planet with his Magic Knowledge Base Search – also free to account holders.

Great job Chris and thank-you for providing this amazing tool to the community 🙂

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This is an amazing find 🙂 I previously thought the first switch board type effect was Illumin-Ace by Paul Bernhardt c. 1989, but this authentic beauty was created in 1968 and it is amazing!!!

This was created by T and L Magic from Detroit Michigan c. 1968. The “T” stands for James Turk but I have been unable to find out who the “R” stands for. If you know please contact me.

What this really has going for it is clarity and authenticity – everything is out in the open and it looks old and beyond reproach. I found an authentic looking case to house it which is not old but it still looks perfect for this marvel.

I hope to get a video up soon, but this works precisely as the routine says, with no secret moves, nothing added or taken away, and apparently nothing to go wrong. I don’t know how it works, it does requite 110 volt, 60 cycle, A.C., so please do not think about this unless you live in the USA.

The instructions say the switches and the bulbs are gimmicked but there is nothing I can see. A truly rare electronic beauty that you will love.

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I’ve been a big fan of Nick Trost’s Eight Card Brainwave for years and I really like Christopher Dearman’s Seven Deadly Sins routine. 

The cards look great and people’s ears quickly perk up when you start talking about Lust, Envy, Greed, etc., and it is very easy to perform and reset.  The cards and patter draws them in and it resonates very nicely with the audience.  It is perfect for a more bizarre performance such as an evening with Outlaw Effect’s Spiritas or as part of your regular close-up routine when you want to get a little more intense.

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The Gung Ho box was invented by Ned Frailey and it was first released by Stuart Robson’s Conjurer’s Shop c. 1944. It has been released in many forms, under many names and by many dealers  ever since. It is described in Dr Albo Volume 6 (pg. 77) under Folding Production Box and also Rice’s Silk Encyclopedia Vol. 1 (pg. 194).

This is a really beautiful version from a new manufacturer Darren Heppel and his company DS Magik. Darren has been interested in magic for many years but has only recently started building his own props. Though based on this first item he has released you could never tell.  His finish out and eye for detail will give even the modern day prop master Michael Baker a run for his money 🙂

I look forward to seeing more beautiful magic from this new builder.

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Another clean and interesting release from Magic Wagon.  On the cafe there are some comments about the use of the segmented block, but to be honest, if you are concerned about the block looking strange, you probably should be concerned about the whole trick, which is also something I’ve never seen. If the block concerns you perform Blok-Kord with no gimmicks and no strange props 🙂

I love the patter Madison uses to justify the block in his innovative and amusing presentation – “The World’s Easiest Rubik’s Cube.”

If you like clever, self-working props that look good this should be right up your alley 🙂

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This is Magic Wagon’s version of John Pomeroy’s 50/50 Prediction Chest that John first discussed in his 1973 book Mentology.  It was first released by John Pomeroy’s GEM Magic c. 1983.  All rights of the GEM Magic line were purchased by George Robinson of Viking Mfg. c. 1999 and in fact George was planning on releasing a version this year, even before I told him about the Magic Wagon release.  Production has been delayed but hopefully George’s  official version will be available in 2023.  The original GEM Magic box was larger and more ornate than the Magic Wagon re-release and I’ve included a couple of photos of the original as the last two photos in the photo gallery.

Thanks to discussions about this box with George Robinson I can also describe that John Pomeroy had the idea for this effect from an old item featured in Professor Hoffmann’s Modern Magic called The Card and Bird Box.

Magic Wagon say they were inspired by Pomeroy’s original idea, but it is not clear that they have added anything new, so “inspired” is generous. However, their box works very well and what is new and not mentioned in the original GEM instructions is Madison’s idea to use the box as a billet switch box.  This is a really great idea and as Madison says – “the Best routine” for this clever box.

This is my favorite effect from Magic Wagon so far this year and this was very much aided by Madison’s wonderful presentation – Go Team Madison 🙂

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Ed Massey invented this clever and original effect. The initial version of Squeeze Away Block first appeared in Blackstone’s Annual of Magic c. 1929 in a contribution written and illustrated by Massey. Commercial versions started appearing c. 1946.

This is rare item from Willi Wessel.  Unlike Tony Lackner and Thomas Pohle who have marketed their magic worldwide, Willi was never a full time magic creator and sold most of his magic to collectors in Germany, so finding his items is much harder.  This is a real beauty from the 1980’s.

Willi purchased a stage version from Milson-Worth, but he found it was not as effective due to the performing distance. He altered the routine to fit a close-up version and fooled many magicians at conventions.  Included in the instructions are details of how to make the yellow block reappear back inside an inverted glass which looks interesting.

You’ll love this beautiful version which looks amazing and works perfectly 🙂

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