Andy Martin

For more details on Willi Wessel’s unique Alan Warner collection click here.

As with most of Alan’s effects there is always more going on with his items than at first appears.  Firstly this outfit it quite tiny and well constructed with very fine tolerances, you would have no clue the tube breaks open into halves, which is a key part of the effect at its conclusion.  Also, because it is so small it is very easy to dispose of the “dirty” at the end, and because the eye is on the penetration there is really no heat on the moment.  Which means you can cleanly do the penetration and offer the whole outfit for examination at the end.

If you are familiar with this sort of penetration the surprise with this effect is that the block does not fall through to the bottom but gets trapped and embedded on the plastic slide.  Also, because this is so well engineered there is no guess work with lining up the slots and holes – it all works pretty much automatically.  In fact you could do it blind-folded if you so desired.

These are pretty rare and to see one in this condition is quite remarkable – Willi’s unique boxes really have kept everything in amazing like new condition.

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For more details on Willi Wessel’s unique Alan Warner collection click here.

This was my second Alan Warner piece and really what began my love affair with beautiful and clever magic props.

This effect (Die Tunnel) dates back at least as early as 1969 in the USA (Genii Volume 34, #1). Alan’s version is different from Mel Babcock’s later version in that you can show the tube on all sides – this is a big improvement. I used to perform this effect all the time as a teenager. There is no set-up, nothing added or taken away, and it is always ready to amuse and amaze 🙂

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For more details on Willi Wessel’s unique Alan Warner collection click here.

I’ve seen quite a few similar Dice Escape type of effects, but this one works a little differently making it a cleaner and easier penetration. The underlying method is the same, but Alan’s idea to use the ribbon makes all the difference and you don’t have to “tap” the cover as with other versions (even the beautiful Bomba Atomica from Eddy).  Also, if you want to look inside the tube when the block is secured, the block looks to be in the correct place.  It really is a simple change, but makes for a much more effective trick.

Of course, if you follow Alan’s work you would not be surprised by this clever change – he nearly always adds something new, to even old established effects.  Great magic and easy to do, with nothing added or taken away and no reset.

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For more details on Willi Wessel’s unique Alan Warner collection click here.

As Willi Wessel created his unique custom boxes for each of his Alan Warner items he also created four Collections where he grouped together multiple pieces to form Mini Collections all contained in their own custom box.

I cannot think of anyone who has spent so much time and effort to store, protect and display Alan Warner’s magic or dare I say anyone else’s.  It is such a treat to see all of the effort Willi went to for one of his biggest influences: Alan Warner.

_EF  This third Mini Collection includes the following items:

• Block-Buster
• Dice-A-Matic
• Kubika

 

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For more details on Willi Wessel’s unique Alan Warner collection click here.

Another unique and interesting effect from Alan. A lot goes on in a short time and everything appears clean and above board. The vanish of the drawing-pin is very unexpected and then to see the vanished card attached with the same drawing pin in the wooden tablet which has been in view all the time is a real surprise! If you are looking for something a little different you have found it!

The vanish of the drawing pin can be done under the cover of a hanky or not (both approaches are covered in the instructions) but I think it is best to leave the hanky out of the picture as there no heat on the drawing pin up front. So you can simply turn it over and let the magic happen with no covers. Alan also employs a very simple but effective count to show all five cards at the beginning – it is not really a move and takes just a few trials to have it down.

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For more details on Willi Wessel’s unique Alan Warner collection click here.

This is a particularly striking Alan Warner effect which features a great little story, a magical revelation, an amusing joke, and ends with a perfect prediction.

This can’t be repeated because the color is always the same, however the choice is convincing enough, easy to do, and the routine itself is entertaining and the props are intriguing to look at which more than makes up for the lack of repetition. As part of an Egyptian themed routine this will be perfect.

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For more details on Willi Wessel’s unique Alan Warner collection click here.

This is an overlooked miracle from Alan and I think it is because the props are a little plainer than some of Alan’s more intricate and colorful items. However, the method is clean and amazing and easy to perform. One minute the plain plaque is in the box the next minute it is replaced by one with Egyptian hieroglyphic symbols cut completely through it.

What I particularly like is that there are no moving parts and the gimmick is right there in plain sight all along. You could get two of these bad boys and do a transposition between them if you wanted. Reset takes a second and there are no flaps or magnets or other devices. I think you will really like this when you open it up.

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I’m not sure if there is any other single person who has done more for Magic Collecting and the preservation of Magic History than the wonderful and humble Dr. Robert Albo. During a span of 38 years from 1973 – 2012 he produced 16 oversized volumes filled with photos, videos, descriptions, articles and history (With the 16th volume on Okito being released after his untimely death in 2011).

I never knew Dr. Albo, and didn’t begin to read his books until 2018 but it is obvious to anyone reading these truly beautiful books how much he loved magic. Every article I have ever read by him or about him speaks of his generosity to others and his love and passion for magical apparatus. His preservation of the art of magic by remembering the great magical creators and their effects through detailed and meticulous cataloging and demonstrating of their works is legendary.

If you are ever lacking inspiration just open up any one of his books and you will be transformed into a magical mystery world, filled with amazing characters and craftsmen surrounded by the most wonderful props you will ever see. Dr. Albo had a remarkable impact on magic collecting and the history of our art that is unlikely ever to be repeated and his books will continue to inspire and enthrall collectors and magicians for decades to come.

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It’s always exciting when I track down a new (to me at least) Anverdi item and this is the first time I have seen an early Talking Skull like this. The more common version I have seen on a few occasions measures 3 1/2″ x 4″ x 3 1/4″ with the skull mounted on a clear plexiglass wall and bony hands either side.  This one is mounted at the end of a long tiny rod surrounded by a thick perspex tube.  It operates in a similar fashion with the mouth opening and closing in response to various questions and makes a clacking sound as it does so.  What I love about this little guy is you can keep the mouth open as long as you like to add a little bit of character to the responses. 

Works perfectly with easily found AA (6) batteries and a Sony CR2477 for the remote control which is about the size of a deck of cards, which isn’t bad for fifty year old technology! As I’ve said many times before I wonder how many of the so called modern day electronic miracles will still be working in ten years time let alone fifty.

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I must say how impressed I am with this beautiful close-up version of Martin Lewis’ signature effect: Cardiographic.  I think the close-up version is even better and more practical than the others.  It just looks so good and effective. 

I think as magicians we often get jaded by all these tricks we have seen and it is difficult to spot the winners.  But this effect is novel, easy to do, quick to reset, and looks amazing – the switch to a clean sheet looks so smooth even close-up.  I am going to have to rethink selling this as I could see this fitting nicely in my Christmas act which will be here before you know it 🙂

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