Andy Martin

This beautiful version of Tenyo’s The Yellow Brick Road was created by Olaf Güthling c. 2024.

It is based on The Yellow Brick Road performed by Toru Suzuki at the Tenyo Magic Fan Meeting held in Yokohama (about 30 minutes from Tokyo).  This effect was based on the “Fortune Telling Card” created in 1998 and released in 1999 as part of the Tenyo Plus One campaign.

Olaf created a new graphic and had it professionally printed on aluminum. The wooden frame is made of certified mahogany. It is a very solidly made item and looks perfect in the Porcupine 🙂

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Here is another beautiful upgraded Tenyo item from Olaf Güthling. He has added a matching box for The Sakkaku Scale (Acrylic).

Tenyo released this illusion in 2001 as part of the +1 series. About 10 years later, Tenyo enlarged the pieces for Sakkaku Scale DX onto magnetic sheets for presentation on a whiteboard. In the meantime, a reissue of the original version was available for purchase, but it is now out of stock. The latest version, introduced in early May 2024 and available at the 2024 fan meeting, is larger than the classic version but smaller than the DX edition and made of 3 mm Plexiglas. This edition comes in a matching tray in which the “cats” and the “ruler” are placed back at the end of the routine.

The beautiful mahogany box is closed with a magnetic lock and the small drawer is designed so that the individual parts can be easily removed by pressing at a certain point. The material is blackened mahogany. Red or green felt is inserted.

The Sakkaku Scale is based on the Jastro Illusion that has been used in science and magic at least as early as 1873.  For a more detailed description of the history and the effect please read Peter Prevos’ book The Jastro Illusion in Magic (c. 2016).

The effect with the custom box is the same, but if you like real wood, as most collector’s do, you’ll love this box, it really upgrades the feel of the whole effect and adds to the illusion.

One of the best things about this deluxe version is that it is always ready to go and the box just sits neatly in the Porcupine looking intriguing and ready to be picked up and demonstrated 🙂

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This is a beautiful set of boxes that I received from the great German craftsman Will Wessel, however Willi did not make them himself he had a friend craft them to his specifications.

What is particularly brilliant about them is they all lock in one simple motion. No slides or false doors. Just close the lid and you are done. If you combine them with the perfect Vanishing Ring then you have a real miracle on your hands.

They come in a lovely presentation case too and really are a wonderful find. I plan to keep them behind the bar and you never know when I might get lucky and impress one of the frequent lady visitors to the Porcupine 🙂

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This is my favorite device for vanishing a ring.  It works perfectly  and looks clean without any preparation or set-up.  This is the one to use. This comes in Red, Blue, and Black. And the red is easily the most perfect color of all three. I can’t understand why Sans Minds stop making this beauty 🙁

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This beautiful table was built by Homer Hudson.  Originally he made them directly for Floyd Thayer and they were sold as Thayer’s Improved Rabbit Table (c. 1946) and then later directly from Homer himself (c. 1968)

The ones built for Thayer had green tops (12″ x 18″) and the ones sold directly by Homer had black tops (14″ x 20″) . The one pictured is one of the later ones sold by Homer directly.

It is well built, easy to set-up and more solid than many other side tables I have tried.  The rabbit is as cute as a button and can’t help but dress up any act, but especially for younger children.

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You don’t see these around anymore. And there were a limited number made and I don’t think they were such a big hit. I think it is more a novelty item than a serious magic effect. The card sword is one of the most amazing effects you can perform to lay people but this balloon popping and producing a silk then “transforming” the sword into a table … it just doesn’t do much for me 🙁

However, as an interesting looking sword side table it can be used to dress up your act.  The table top is not very big so you can’t put much on here. But I could see it being used in certain circumstances and it does look impressive and is well made too.

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This effect was invented by Joseph Ovette and is described in his book Tricks and Illusionettes (D. Robbins, 1944).  This prop, in a much simpler style, has also been recreated before by Bill Tresslar as the Color Abacaus.

But the version that Louis Paul custom created for me blows away previous versions. As usual Louis has built a perfect prop that is beautiful and functional and spares no detail in the manufacture.  This unit comes with multiple spare beads which are very easy to switch out if you wanted a different color to force.

The problem I have with this prop is coming up with a routine that does justice to Louis’ creative work.  Hopefully my Speed Demo will give you an idea of the effect I am shooting for, though unfortunately I really need three spectators to demonstrate it fully.

Whatever routine you decide to use this prop I have no doubt you will love it 🙂

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Clifton Mitchell can’t help but be a perfectionist and one of his latest creations is an almost perfect replica of the switchboard effect released in 1968 by T & L Magic called Impossible. Clift was so inspired when he saw this effect on my site he had to figure it out and build his own replica as best as he was able given the original was created in 1968 (57 years ago). Clift really did an amazing job here and as with all of Clift’s items they are created in very small numbers, my version is #5.

Clift’s version is actually better than the original for the following reasons:

• He has made the perspex case smaller so that it will fit into a more convenient sized presentation case.  The larger top in the original didn’t really serve any useful purpose.
• The Bulbs are completely clear which make the effect even more impossible because now everything can be clearly seen.

What this really has going for it is clarity and authenticity – everything is out in the open and it looks old and beyond reproach. I found a great looking box to house it which is not old but it still looks perfect for this marvel.

This works precisely as the routine says, with no secret moves, nothing added or taken away, and apparently nothing to go wrong.

One thing to remember this does require 110 volt, 60 cycle, A.C., so please do not think about this unless you live in the USA. There is absolutely nothing for the spectator to see. Instructions include the diabolical method and tips for maintaining the colored bulbs which should last a lifetime with the limited use.

This is a rare electronic beauty that you will love.  I have changed the patter for my routine a little which will be seen in an up coming Speed Demo.

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Wow!  What an wonderful effect from Damir Djanis!  This is the eighth item from the talented Damir Djanis in conjunction with George Robinson at Viking Mfg. This is my second favorite of the seven items I have on my site, the first was Intangibility.

What I like about this release:

• the effect it is very clean without any apparent funny moves;
• the props are beautifully made;
• the method is clever and innovative;
• nothing is added or taken away;
• there are no angle issues;
• it is easy to perform;
• even the patter story actually makes sense 🙂

So what is not to love. Great job Damir and George 🙂

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This is Murphy’s excellent new version of Anverdi’s Spirit Bell from 1969 though it is questionable how closely related to the original it is.  Murphy’s have created two versions of the bell: Spirit Bell and this one, Spirit Bell Deluxe, and they both are based on the same internal mechanism but with quite different visuals. The Spirit Bell Deluxe is closer to the original Anverdi version as it has the swinging arm.

Both versions have two modes: the instant and the five second timed release.  This version works perfectly and although the audience in 2025 might not be so impressed as they were back in the 1960’s and 1970’s with the right performance and routine you could certainly entertain your audience.

The mechanism works well and is very reliable once you have it assembled correctly and lined up.

I know that the Anverdi name is more for marketing than anything else but I’d like to think he’d be pretty happy that over 55 years later that this bad boy  still carries his name 🙂

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