What a great little effect Roydon’s Little Fooler is 🙂
It is easy to do and really quite perplexing.
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Review by Andy Martin for Little Fooler by Roydon
Review by Andy Martin for Brass Plug Box by Davenports
The Plug Box is one of my favorite brass devices. This one from Davenports is a smaller size to the Terry Roses one and is in fact designed differently as you will see from my video. This one is easier to use and you don’t have to steal anything away, which is a nice plus. Having the top unscrew is also a great touch as it allows you to perform a three phase routine where one coin changes to another and then finally to something else.
This box is designed for about 23.5mm sized coins but not USA half dollars or even quarters. You also have to be careful of the thickness of the items you choose, but many foreign coins work fine. I chose a German 1 DM piece (which is perfect), an English threepence piece, and some gold sprinkles as the finale.
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Review by Andy Martin for Blasted by Bob Swadling, Tannen's
Blasted was by created by Bob Swadling and sold by Harry Stanley c. 1964. And it quickly became a hit around the world! Originally it was called The Swadling Swindle but it’s name changed to Blasted when it was marketed in the USA.
What I really like about this is if you perform it described in the instructions there are zero sleights. It looks very effective and you just follow my video and you’ll wow them all. No funny moves at all – watch closely and be amazed 🙂
This version is larger than the standard one released by both Bob and Tannen’s so I am not sure who released it. I have included the Tannen’s instructions. I like this one because of the green felt on the tray avoids the slight risk of the coin jumping too high and exposing the gimmick, which doesn’t happen very often but it can happen.
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Review by Andy Martin for Coin Cups by Inzani-Henley
What a beautiful set of coin cups these are from Inzani-Henley made in Italy out of quality leather. They look amazing 🙂
Also included are two sets of four foreign coins (of different sizes), made from nickel-plated copper so that they can be attracted by the cups without special shims as is often required.
Ken Brookes included routines are detailed and although the moves are not knuckle busting they will take you some time to understand and practice the moves (so no Speed Demos from me this time …).
If you can find a copy of Doug Brewer’s The Modern Coin Cup you’ll find plenty of ideas for these cups.
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Review by Andy Martin for Crazy Signal by Tricks Co., Yasukazu Niishiro
This is a well made effect from Tricks Co. that is easy to do and very visual.
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Review by Jon Wilson for Stuck In Time by Tom Yurasits
I have seen this trick at various estate sales or what not and it always interested me. I bought mine off Ebay. I really believe in the art of magic that Tom has created a signature piece. Very good instruction video too. I think I will actually sell my piece off Ebay and buy it directly from Tom. No matter what happens, even though, the girlfriend is my test of a new trick, she couldn’t figure out how I got her ring in that time piece. Just Wonderful Tom! A signature piece of yours to me. Thank you! Made my day!
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Review by Jon Wilson for Egyptian Prediction Chest by Magic Wagon
I think this piece of magic works the way after all these years the way it was meant to. I never understood why there were so many of this type of trick created by Magic Wagon. It is a good trick originally, leave it alone. But, I think with this piece they created something the same, but different, at the same time. I obviously never cared or purchased this by the original magical creator T.A. Waters, but, I know Magic Wagon got this one right after so many versions If you love Magic Wagon’s resin pieces, you are already going to enjoy this piece of magic. I really enjoy it for the simple fact that it is right in your face prediction. The other versions I don’t know about, but, I think this is a really nice piece of magic if you never collected the other “chances” at this effect.
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Review by Andy Martin for Fantasy Rising Cards by Dr. Schwartz
This effect uses the exact same method and a very similar gimmick to Richard Himber’s Solid Gold Gimmick marketed by Richard Himber c. 1957.
Although there is no credit to Himber (which is always sad to see) Dr. Schwartz’s version does work very well and if you are one of the many who does not own the original Himber version (since there were only 100 created) this will work perfectly well in it’s place.
There is a lot to like about this method and effect. It is easy to do and looks very good from the spectator’s view. The mechanism is quiet and although you certainly cannot be surrounded the angles are great from the front. The fact that you can hand the deck to be shuffled at the beginning and handed out at the end really is a great advantage. There are also no electronics to recharge.
Although I’m still a Devano type of guy I could see this being a useful if you really want a clean, hands off close-up rising cards.
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Review by Andy Martin for The Magic Box by Arlen Studio
I first purchased this beautiful close-up performance area in 2002 and loved it. Unfortunately, I was forced to sell it a year later 🙁
Luckily in 2021 I was able to purchase it back from the same person who bought it from me. The good news is it was exactly the same complete with my original initials “ARM” neatly stamped on the rear, and it looks perfect in the Porcupine 🙂
I will not replace my standard Gig Rig table but I’m sure there will be a time when it will be just what I’m looking for.
When you see this baby, your heart melts. It is bigger than you would expect, and provides a perfect working surface for performing. It also has plenty of room inside to store cards, coins, and everything magical. Even above the mirror there is space for cards and other small items. Also the door that folds down has felt on it to layout cards.
Arlen Studios advertise themselves as Magic Handcrafted by Magicians for Magicians. Well this was clearly thought out by a magician. Very strongly recommended.
Wonderful finish, very solid. This box is not overpriced at all. I wish the photos could do justice to it.
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Review by Andy Martin for MC Demonstration Table by Mikame Craft
This is one of the best items that Mikame Craft ever made. Heavier and more substantial than many of their other wooden items and beautifully made in natural Japanese Oak. It is also more practical than the striking Criterion Demo Table from Collectors’ Workshop, and looks as good or better.
The “demonstration table” is not designed for table hopping like their MC Hopping Table though at first glance it looks similar. This is designed to sit in once place on your table for formal close-up and/or dealer demonstrations. It has storage for lots of close-up items beneath it, and coin and card sneaks on the backside. It also has a larger shiner to get glimpses of cards.
It really looks beautiful 🙂
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