5 Stars

This is the second in a line of unique collectibles manufactured by Damir Djanis of Croatia. Damir has definitely upped the ante with this release and is really demonstrating his wood crafting talents.

The props looks wonderful and they can be minutely examined – there is nothing to find.  The method works very well and with just one read of the instructions you’ll quickly get the hang of things.  The instructions and routine, written by George Robinson Jr., include an interesting story-based routine which you might enjoy.

Notice: This does not work the same way as Magic Wagon’s Magic Gemstone and Hieroglyphic Spells  – you can clearly show the tablet fully flush in the bottom of the box and even have the spectator close the lid if you desire.

History Notice: The creative genius who began the modern Mummy craze in Micro Magic, Karl Edler,  created an effect called “The Tablet of Knowledge” (Die Täfelchen der Erkenntnis) c. 1941 but Karl’s effect was a mentalism effect with 10 numbered tiles and bears no resemblance to Damir’s penetration effect described on this page, just in case you history buffs were wondering.

As with Damir’s previous release these are made in a limited edition of 24 units so there is no doubt these will become more collectible over time.  My advice to you is go get one now 🙂

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This is a sophisticated and impressive production box that is similar to a Square Circle but has a better sequence of displays to convince the audience it is empty. Solidly made and a real treat for collectors since items from Fred Haenchen are harder to come by these days and they are in high demand due to their unique ideas and quality craftsmanship.

This production box was created in four different sizes.  The smallest version without a stand is shown here.  Then this version is the Table-Top  version with it’s own stand.  Then there was  Haenchen’s Mammoth Production Box that was free standing on its own stand, and the final size was Haenchen’s Illusion Production Box which was big enough to produce a girl. You can read more about this box in Volume 6 of Dr. Albo.

This Table-Top version is easier to use than the smaller version as the flaps are controlled by one external ring.  The load is slightly bigger too.  This is a very convincing production item and works great with David Ginn’s Color Explosion Blendo so I include one in the box as a starter production item 🙂

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This is a great example of how a well crafted routine can remove almost any sort of  sleights or tricky moves.  Wayne Dobson has created a very clean  and entertaining routine here. The basic effect was inspired by American Magician Karrell Fox’s routine “Magical Assets” in his book Clever Like A Fox. 

The card box looks similar to some other card boxes, but there are some key differences:

1. The flap falls from the bottom, not the top.  This means it can be opened cleanly with the deck of cards in the box and the box can be handled very freely.
2. It holds a full Poker deck  inside its case – many card boxes don’t – which seems strange for something called a card box.
3. The lid opens completely flat – this doesn’t seem like a big deal but the number of times I’ve had card boxes that wobble from side to side because the lid does not fully open is amazing.

The set-up is very simple and Wayne’s routines relies on subtleties rather than moves making it possible to focus almost completely on the routine itself.

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I’ve been collecting Alan Warner magic since 1980 but this is the very first time I have seen one of the original painted versions of Mini-Mental which was first released fifty years ago in 1972!

Alan created this marvel first in the mini size you see on this page and a few months later in the Maxi size. In 1990 the mini version was re-released in Teak and it has been one of Alan’s biggest hits ever since. It has also inspired other craftsman to create their own versions, such as Magic Wagon and Thomas Pohle.

Mini-Mental is a beautiful looking effect with a very clever method that will please you and amaze your audience. 

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This wonderful utility item expertly crafted by Owen Magic Supreme is based on Ed Massey’s Duplex Slate.  It was written up by Les Smith in “Linking Ring Vol 47 Issue 1”, Jan 1967, p. 81.  The Slate of Fate comes with a three way prediction routine that really gets the most out of this beautiful item.

Points to remember:

• Slates is cleanly shown on both sides
• Nothing is added or taken away from the slate
• Slate maybe handled freely by the audience
• No chemicals used
• No sleight of hand

This is the first one of these I have seen and it has quickly become my favorite slate for close-up situations.

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Variations of the Final Card effect have been around at least as early as 1945.   Abbott’s released The Last Card devised by Roydon c. 1945 and Jack Hughes produced his improvement c. 1946..  Prolific English inventor and creator Eric C. Lewis started working on his version about the same time this version came out and he really liked Norman’s version.  This is what Eric said in an I.B.M Budget Review in 1947:

An up-to-date, version of the ” Last Card,” it is topical and full of action and has real entertainment value

Eric’s own version is described starting on page 227 in Eric’s wonderful book A Continuation of Miracles. And the  most common modern release using Eric’s method was from Milson-Worth.

This version was created by Norman Stout c. 1947 and was originally sold directly by him. Norman then joined forces with Jack Silver and Bob Liddle to form The Scottish Magic Studio c. 1950 (this was before Jack Silver created his company Silray with his daughter, Ray). Star Selection is beautifully made in solid Plexiglass and a wonderful version of this effect that is easy to do and works very smoothly.  I think it is actually easier to perform than the other versions I have tried.

I also like the routine – you appear to get an extra effect out of it by having a selection from the nine before you start choosing them from the star – this is a nice touch!  And it comes with different cards so you can use it at a repeat performance.

And it breaks down for packing, which is always a nice feature for these larger props.

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This was originally invented and sold by Clint Riedel as the P.M.C Livestock Vanish. It was based on a suggestion by Walt Landis and the first ones were advertised c. 1939.  Riedel also manufactured them for U.F. Grant and it was renamed the Dagger Livestock Vanish c. 1960. It was also manufactured later still by MAK Magic. It is sometimes attributed to Grant, but Clint Riedel was the inventor with no significant changes made by Grant.

This beauty was created by Michael Baker and it looks fantastic. Even from a short distance the livestock appears to vanish with no trace to its whereabouts. You can even turn the box upside down and just hold it up by the dagger running through the box.  With the correct lighting it is also possible to tip the box showing a view from the top the the box is very clearly empty as seen in the photos.

A very convincing prop without a complex internal mechanism or anything to go wrong or wear out.

It can be used to vanish or produce livestock or a large load of silks and anything else that fits.

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Here is another item released by Prometheus Studios and sold by Stevens Magic.  He looks a little goofy but that is part of this little guy’s charm.

The mechanism works very well and the method is more reliable than you would expect because Prometheus use a combination of the pins with magnets embedded inside the pins – I’ll say no more but it means that as long as the spectator sticks the pins somewhere in or near a red cross you will receive the signal.  Also another nice feature of this item is that you don’t have to take out the first pin to register the second (or indeed the third) pin.

There are no hints of electronics used and no on/off switches on the doll.  The small receiver fits easily in any pocket to accept the transmissions via vibrations. If you look at the head under his mop of hair you can see a tiny USB hookup for charging however, you would not be giving this out to examine per se merely to place the pins in the desired location.  Unless you were really looking for something you wouldn’t find anything.

I really like this item – reliable, cute and amazing 🙂

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One of my favorite effects as a teenager!  I remember being blown away by this after I received it from Ron MacMillan’s International Unique Magic Studio. This of course is better known as Lubor Fiedler’s Dice Shocker (or sometimes: Shock Dice, Shock Die), it is a true beauty and very startling to watch.

It was sold by Supreme c. 1969 and Tannen’s c. 1970 and they were purchasing directly from Lubor Fielder in Austria. It is not the same as Lubor Wurfel or Lubor Die which is another name for Gozinta Die or Boxes.  The original versions from Lubor were much nicer. I saw a later version from Tannen’s recently and it was nothing like this quality.

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