4 Stars

Wonderful for certain situations

I’m a big fan of the Marcelo Contento Jumbo Rising Card and having a regular sized deck that is remote controlled sounds like a great plan. This deck is close but doesn’t quite replace my Devano deck for most circumstances.

It is reliable and has a good range. However, the block required to house the mechanics to my mind takes up too much of the deck. If it was 26 cards or less this would be huge.

The Devano deck I use (from one half of the Douglas-Wayne Illusioneering team: the master craftsman George Richbark) leaves 37 cards free after the block – this is more than plenty to show the deck is normal. With ORC you have about 8 cards free from a normal deck – way too few. They get around this by actually supplying more cards and expanding the box size. Most people won’t notice this and so it is an ok compromise.

However, unlike the Devano you can make cards rise under your control and there are circumstances when this is desirable. I think we need to wait for one more revolution of this such that you get half the size of the bank.

It is a worthy attempt for sure, and for those people who really need the remote control feature, this is the best you will find today for the money. It is certainly fun to play with!

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An Amazing Looking Prop!

Wow this is a beautiful looking Hour Glass that looks amazing and is very solidly built. The method is practical, if a little saucy, and easy to do. It creates the perfect illusion of the classic bill to impossible location.

The props are very appealing too and everything looks above board. This is magic you can quickly fall in love with.

I’ll be adding this to my next Parlor show if I can find the room for it.

The trick comes with a well produced booklet and DVD too. Plus a solid carrying case and all the props you need.

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Another Unique Beauty from Magic Wagon

Good to see the Magic Wagon guys are continuing to produce small runs of amazing items. This beautiful piece is no exception. It really is hard to fault Magic Wagon items for their beauty and quality finish.

This is a simple effect where the audience puts the Obelisk into the box with any side facing up, whilst the magician is turned away. The magician then places it into the bag after showing his hands empty. Despite the apparent fairness the magician can reveal which season is face-up.

The method of detection takes a little bit of practice and is nothing amazing in itself, but it gets the job done and if you actually perform this sort of collectible magic then you will be fine. The issue I have with it is that you have to take the box back to place it in the bag, if you were really being fair they would place the box inside the bag and then hand you the bag. If I was to perform this I’d spend a little longer with the props and quickly realize that you could easily get them to place the box inside the bag and only then give you the bag, and still be able to determine the season. In many ways once the box is inside the bag the heat is off of you because it now seems impossible to get a glimpse or anything else. I think anyone who has purchased this prop and hasn’t just placed it neatly in their collection could quickly see how it is possible and easier to do this way.

Clearly these props are not normal everyday items and for many that is a deal breaker. But if you collect fine quality magic you need look no further than the Magic Wagon and their latest effects.

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