Andy Martin

The Coin Wand was first exposed in Hoffman’s Modern Magic as The Half-Crown (or Florin) Wand (pg. 203), it was first used in performance c. 1872. Stanyon’s advertised their version c. 1902, Roterberg advertised there version c. 1904, and Thayer (which would be the closet decedent to this Owen’s one) were advertising there’s at least as early 1921 but probably earlier. They also had a Slender Coin Wand, but this did not use the same mechanical approach.

This wand from Owen’s is the cleanest and most beautiful coin wand I have seen. It works perfectly and is smooth as silk. It even has a cap to cover the end when not being used as a coin wand.  You can also view the coin from both sides.  It is very solid and measures 14″ with 2 1/8″ tips. It weighs 5.6oz, it matches the standard wand here.

Really exceptional.

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This is the current version (since 2013) of Nick Wenger’s amazing Shake ‘n’ Snake.  It is basically the same but the basket is now a hand woven basket from Gypsy Baskets instead of a hard shell (firbeglass?) basket and the snake is now more realistic than before and in fact very similar to one supplied with Viper Pro.  I love Terry Lunceford’s Viper Pro, but Shake ‘n’ Snake is so much better in entertainment, look, and, of course, manufacture.  The electronics for Nick’s snake continue to be very solid and expertly made, and the unit is very reliable and works like a charm.

Although Collectors’ Workshops’ Khyber Kobra is mechanically superior, from a concentrated excitement and laughter impact I think I’d stick with this effect.

The addition of the shake feature is a brilliant idea and really increases the suspense. Imagine Jaws without the music, the film would be nowhere near as scary. The Shake feature is kind of like that. Not only do they suspect something is about to happen they get a preview too and each time it shakes it builds up the tension and surprise factor. When the snake finally leaps the surprise is that much more intense.

The electronics in the Viper Pro II and III are good, and I’ve never had a problem with them (the first Viper Pro was another story), but they are clearly inferior when compared to Mr. Wenger’s work. Don’t get me wrong I would still perform the Viper Pro II if I didn’t have Shake ‘n’ Snake, it is still a great, reliable trick. But Shake ‘n’ Snake is the best without a question, and I cannot imagine ever using my Viper Pro II again.

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I have never seen a set of dice like this before and although I thought we were done when Marc Antoine brought his version out in 2018, I was wrong.  This is not only the best set of mental dice ever created, it is probably the best item Murphy’s has ever produced.  Absolutely Fantastic! 🙂

And it all began with this beauty back in 1976, and since Murphy’s owns the rights to all of Anverdi’s creations I assume we can expect more amazing things from them to come in 2020.

The ad copy of this incredible set of dice is all true …

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I knew when I purchased my first Ball Vase from Richard Spencer’s that it would not be long before I purchased one of these.  I was surprised I held out for a whole year 🙂

Richard has made this beautiful set from the exotic hardwood Monkey Pod.  Having the ability to transpose colors between vases definitely adds an extra dimension when it comes to creating an interesting and entertaining routine.  These work perfectly and even without any sleights you can create some great magic.

The gimmicks are very solid and blend seamlessly into the vase.  There is nothing to see even close-up and it is very easy to forget if you are looking at the real ball or the gimmick.

The effort involved to create these and the subsequent price, means they are clearly aimed at the high-end collector and you will not be disappointed with the quality. Also you will be pleasantly surprised that with very little effort you have an effect that will look classy and be amazing too!

These are really beautiful, great job Richard!

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American magician “Silent” Mora (Louis Jerome McCord) created these wonderful Chinese Sticks out of real bamboo. The Bamboo Wands released by Owen’s look like Bamboo but are made from high quality plastic.  Though the Owen wands are definitely smoother to operate because they did not in fact use real bamboo which is harder to work with to get perfectly smooth.  Even so these are still beautiful sticks and every set has a signed message or inscription from Silent Mora.  These ones say:

• “Talking is Silver, Silence is Gold.“
• “When Money Speaks, Truth Keeps Silence.“

with a date of Nov. 5, 1956.  Silent Mora began making these Bamboo sticks c. 1925.

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After the success of Viking’s Medieval Card Box they have now introduced two new Celtic Card Boxes: a regular magnetic one and a locking magnetic one which is based on the Locking Card Box here.  These boxes are very well made, look great, and work perfectly.  They are quite large and heavy but that is probably more practical and realistic for the bizarre themes they can be used for.  These boxes comfortably fit a full size Tarot deck and other larger items for your story telling needs.

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After the success of Viking’s Medieval Card Box they have now introduced two new Celtic Card Boxes: a regular magnetic one and a locking magnetic one.  These boxes are very well made, look great, and work perfectly.  They are quite large and heavy but that is probably more practical and realistic for the bizarre themes they can be used for. These boxes comfortably fit a full size Tarot deck and other larger items for your story telling needs. They are perfect for Arthur Monroe’s VooDoo as performed by Richard Osterlind here.

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The idea of using magic powder to distract attention from a sleight or move has been around for centuries. It was first described c. 1584 by Prevost used to ditch the thread in the Gypsy Thread effect. The term Woofle Dust first appears in Lesson 2 of the original Tarbell Course c. 1927 and it has been used ever since.

Thomas Wayne’s version is made from a quality salt shaker and contains precision machine components that are built to last a lifetime. It comes with an empty salt shaker which Thomas uses to maximize the laughter out of this otherwise under utilized prop.

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This is the Talismanic Card in Wallet or Window Wallet that inspired Dave Bendix to create the Bendix Bombshell.  This wallet was made by Roy Roth, but it is based on the original ones made by Ed Brown. Ed Brown created the Window Wallet c. 1975 and a routine using it was published in Kabbala Vol.3, No. 1, January 1976, called: Between Elmsley, Brown, and Himber. The Window Wallet was the inspiration for a number of great card men including, Ed Marlo, Dave Solomon (using Ed Brown’s own wallet), Jon Rachenbaumer (Talismanic Card in Wallet – Lecture Notes 1, 1976) , and Dave Bendix to create some wonderful Card to Wallet routines.  The second you see the the diagram on page 1 of the Kabbala article you will recognize the familiar set-up for the special Himber wallet that we recognize today as the Bendix Bombshell.

Having seen both wallets up close I still prefer the Bendix, but both wallets have interesting applications.

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Locking Card boxes have been around at least as early as 1876 with Professor Hoffmann’s seminal Modern Magic and also  1897 with the publication of August Roterberg’s amazing and detailed book New Era Card Tricks but the locking mechanism’s in both Hoffman’s and Roterberg’s designs use springs and/or pressure.   Even Thayer’s beautiful mahogany Lock-Flap Card Box c. 1931 used a similar method. 

Most modern locking card boxes use magnets and as far as I can ascertain this one by Wayne Sanderson was the first of it’s kind and it was released by Tannen’s in 1947.  This particular version is designed for bridge sized cards and can hold a full deck (though not in the card case).  The locking mechanism is so perfectly weighted that it does not need an external magnet to release the flap, just shaking the box in the hand with the correct downward motion will release the flap.  This is actually a nice touch if you have lost as many magnets as I have 🙂  The other feature of note on this box is that it has a black painted interior such that you don’t have to worry about the wood grain changing after the reveal.

The wood used is not a fine hard wood like many of the special card boxes produced today, but it works well and the flap works very reliably.

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