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It turns out that just because your wife can jump into a Zig Zag box 16 years ago, doesn’t mean she can do it again today without some practice.  So although my wife was almost able to demonstrate the full illusion when I was taking photos she could not quite make the full zag this time around.   Next time we try she’ll be more prepared, but in the meantime what a beautiful version of Robert Harbin’s finest hour this Zig Zag is.

Built by the perfectionist John Pomeroy in the 1970’s, it stands 69″ high and breaks down into two fiber cases.  John Pomeroy was a prolific Builder, Inventor & Performer as well as owner of GEM Magic Manufacturing.  His quality was equal to Owen magic and many other fine builders.  This beautiful custom built Zig Zag Illusion by John Pomeroy is one of the best versions of this stellar illusion I’ve seen and is a typical example of John’s fine craftsmanship. John was so inspired by Harbin’s Zig-Zag Illusion that he suggested 35 improvements for its construction all of which were endorsed by Harbin and the two corresponded up until Robert Harbin’s death in 1978.

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This is my first item from Walter Sheppard and these boxes are amazing!  Very solidly built, beautiful bright colors and something that really looks amazing on stage and in your collection!  These are second only to the Richard Gerlitz’s Butterfly Boxes and a lot cheaper, but it is close for sure!

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This box might resemble the standard Buddha Boston Box released by Chazpro, but it is much better!  Built by hand from a solid block of brass by the talented Omar Ferret, not only do they look and feel great, they have the amazing PLUS feature where the base has a false magnetic cover so that you can show the base whenever you feel like, and nothing will be seen.  I don’t know of any other Boston Box that has this feature, and what a neat idea!

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A wonderful classic piece of magic from the great German master Tony Lackner from the early 1980’s. The little guy just sits there headless and alone until the chosen card is waved over him them he jumps out and impales the card! Visually great and surprising to the audience!

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One of my all time favorite card impossibilities from the master inventor Rob Bromley, beautifully crafted by Magic Wagon under the watchful eye of Tony Curtis.

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One of my all time favorite Collectors’ Workshop effects and back on the shelves after a long absence. The new watch is slightly smaller than the original, but that makes it easier to handle. Still looks beautiful. A great item.

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This is a deluxe version of possibly Magiro’s finest hour: Hydro Die. It was created in a limited edition of 15 in Germany I was told. You place the submarine clearly in the bottom of the container, fill it with water, say the magic words and it disappears with out trace. Works really well and large enough to be seen in a parlor setting but it could be performed in a formal close-up setting (assuming you could find the water).

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This key created by an unnamed European craftsman is so good, the first one I received I sent back as I was 100% convinced it was not gimmicked.  When Mark graciously sent me my second one, and partially exposed the gimmick I realized how wrong I had been.  Truly amazing construction!  Perfectly balanced to do the classic spirit key moves, with the amazing kicker ending where the bit rotates 90 degrees and then is immovable and 100% examinable.

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This is even better than Gimpy’s fabulous Demi Cube.

I’ve owned a number of Cube-a-Libre’s over the years. The biggest problem with the basic trick is there are just too many blocks which takes a long time to perform and gets too confusing for the spectators to follow. Harries’ solution to the problem was to just have one set of 4 blocks with their Crazy Cubes. That was a great approach but the blocks were still pretty large. Gimpy himself also has a wonderful other item with just three cubes called Demi Cube which is also a beauty. But I think what Gimpy has done with his Mini Cube-A-Libra is perfect!

Firstly, they are made perfectly and the size of the tower is just 9″ high, with each cube 2″x2″ – a very manageable size. The blocks and tube are made of wood and the gimmicks are made of aluminum. The gimmick to control the blocks is cleverly concealed in the exterior decoration of the tube and on a simple glance you could easily see all sides of the tube without spotting anything. There are no holes to cover up and hide.

Secondly, there are only four cubes in each stack – this is easier to follow, still very magical, and easier to learn and perform.

Finally, the tube is created in such away that you turn the tube upside down and the gimmicks will not fall out so you can handle the tube even more freely.

Thanks Gimpy! Good to see you still in action and producing amazing magic!

Highly Recommended for Collector’s and Performers.

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I’ve had the pleasure of watching Francois grow over the last decade. He really has produced some amazing effects over the years. Although influenced by Eddy Taytelbaum, Alan Warner and more recently maybe the great Will Wessel, Francois has found his own style and lives in his lane perfectly.

This beauty is three effects in one:

• You are able to discern which mummy they chose even with your back turned
• The mummy disappears from the sarcophagus
• The mummy reappears in the box

Yes it is François’ updated twist on the Wandering Mummies so popular with craftsmen all around the world!

The quality of the box is top notch and will be enjoyed by collectors all around the world! If you are already a fan of Francois’ you won’t be dissappointed, and if you have still not seen his work, this would be a great time to get on board!

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