Andy Martin

There have been many versions of the Spelling Bee effect dating at least as far back as 1891 and Robert Houdin. Denis Behr on his magnificent Conjuring Archive lists quite a few but there are many more references I could find when performing a search. However, I was unable to find a version that uses the same method as  Irv Cook, though there certainly could be.  The method itself is not new but the application in this way could be.  Irv created his version of Spelling Bee in the 1980’s and it was always a great method for the effect.  The problem for me was the routine was over all too quickly. When Louis Paul used his talents to create this beautiful version I knew the routine had to deliver more.

Louis has done an incredible job with his version.  Everything about it is flawless.  In the instructions he mentioned how the word TEACHER could be rewritten as CHEATER which was the inspiration for my routine below.

When you have such a beautiful and expensive prop it is a shame for it to be over too quickly.  Hopefully you will like my routine and upcoming Speed Demo.

Louis you have done a really amazing job here and I’m pleased to add this prop to my Lump In The Throat category 🙂

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What a amazing idea from the talented German Craftsman and Inventor!

This is the rare original box invented by Herbert Martin Paufler c. 1977 and subsequently published as the article  “Die Augen links – die Augen rechts” (Zauberkunst, February, 1980).  Paufler’s box is finished in natural wood and the unique idea is very clever.  The routine supplied in the original article is fairly brief, but the genius in this item is the method, not the published routine. Once you have the box you could create quite a few routines – the principle is very flexible.

This box was re-released by Eckhard Boettcher c. 1993 and manufactured by Uli Kigele as Diabolus-Kassette with more routines and a very distinctive black and red look. But the method was exactly the same.

I am just scratching the surface of what this box can do.  It is a utility box that permits two specific events. But with some thought you can do even more. The reset is quick and you can show the box cleanly.  You can make things appear, vanish or change and there are no flaps to deal with.

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This is a stripped down version of Carl Rosini’s Card Transpostion and I really like the simplicity of it.

Perfectly crafted by Colin Rose and routined by Patrick Page.  The tray does all the work for you so you can concentrate on making the whole performance clean and amazing!

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Abe Creekmore  made some good quality and interesting magic.  This item I wanted to really like, but although I can make it work it is not working the way I expect.

What I expect from this type of candle is you press a release and then the candle slowly falls down.  Something like Chaplin’s Candle by Collectors’ Workshop. However, try as I may this one does not appear to go down on its own.  You have to use a lever from beneath the tray – it can still all be done out of view, but you need to be holding the tray.

What is perplexing is that there is a spring mechanism which you’d think would drive the motion, but I think that is primarily do dampen the fall and not to activate it. But reading the instructions that is not clear at all.

Anyway, your mileage may vary and maybe I’m missing something really obvious, but as far as I can tell, when you release the catch the candle will be stationary until you pull a lever under the tray.

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What a clever idea from Jeff Prace. The basic method, used with coins, is old but what Jeff has created is something, as far as I know, completely new. It is one of those rare instances where the second you see the trick you know you have a winner on your hands.  I immediately purchased three full decks and will get more.  This is the sort of prop you will want to make sure you never run out of ever.

It is perfectly made and looks as innocent as you can make a force.  There is nothing to do but have the spectator tear the cards up and shake their hands.

The only real challenge for this prop is finding an effect that benefits from the perfect force.  I was playing with this and at the same time was taking photos of Milson Worth’s Curious Cubes and thought – that would be perfect.

You are going to absolutely love Random Card Generator – really excellent job Jeff 🙂

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Johnson Precision Magic or Johnson Products are well known for their fake coins and brass coin gimmicks. But this was one of their early non-coin effects, that was made equally well as any of their coin work.

This has been long unavailable which is a shame because it really is a wonderful effect. The props are well made and it has a clean simple method that will impress you.

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A Tricky Tray was invented by Oswald Rae and described in his book The More You Watch (c. 1938). However, although it is a switching tray it is not the same as  Ken Allen’s prop called Tricky Tray that was released 16 years later (C. 1954) and sold in two versions: the standard Tricky Tray (7″ x 12″) and the Tricky Tray Jr. (5.5″ x 7″).

Oswald Rae’s tray is significantly more complex than Ken Allen’s and for most circumstances I would use Ken’s.  You can do similar effects with both, though Ken’s is more flexible and because it is so thin and plain it really does seem free from trickery.

Ken sold both of his trays with six pages of detailed instructions that features some really good ideas over and above the popular Bank Night effect.

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Daggering was invented by Fred Lowe c. 1964.  This version was released by Repro 71 c. 1975 with no mention of Fred Lowe anywhere.  In addition, as released, Repro 71 did not even include the Dagger itself or even an oriental stick.

I added the “dagger” for completeness.  What you cannot see in the photos, of course, is the gimmick that makes it all work.  Unfortunately, I have not seen an original Fred Lowe gimmick so cannot comment on how close Repro 71’s is.  However, Repro 71 do provide a well constructed gimmick which works perfectly for the effect.  It just would have been nice to have some mention of Fred Lowe 🙁

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This little box was made in Germany and it is a bit like a poor man’s Jewels of Shah Jahan – you can perform the same effect for a fraction of the cost.  I am not sure if Bert Wheeler’s Hollywood Magic were the first company to import this item, but they were the earliest ad I could find.  It was also sold by Paul Diamond, Tannen’s and others under the name Color Clairvoyance.

Although the box is made from plastic it is good quality and works very well.  The mechanism is easy to operate and difficult to detect.

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This wonderful kids item was invented by Jimmy Fingers and released by Max Andrews under his Vampire Magic brand. It has a lot going for it with brightly colored wooden props, an interesting patter line, and some great magic where the piggies vanish even though they are apparently tied up for all to see and produced later from a sty that was clearly empty before.

This is the later improved model where both windows are on hinges and open individually which make for a more convincing show that the pigs are locked in place.

You don’t see kids magic like this anymore that is for sure: great props, a fun engaging story coupled with some strong magic 🙂

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