Review by Andy Martin for Hong Kong Paddle by Willi Wessel
5 out of 5
Another rare and collectible item from 1987 by the great German craftsman Willi Wessel. Unlike his fellow countryman, Thomas Pohle, Willi has retired from creating magic some years ago, so his magic is getting harder and harder to find. This is one of his best items.
What I like about Willi’s routines is that he extracts every inch of magic from his props. This set comes with a great routine translated perfectly by Wolfgang Wollet. The routine involves:
Red Chinese tokens appearing on the paddle and doubling
Then you raise the stakes and use Western Money which then doubles
Then some Chinese writing appears on the paddle
And finally the tokens change color
Willi packs a lot in to the routine! Comes with everything needed (use your own dollar bills) and fits neatly in the presentation case.
Review by Andy Martin for The 19th Hole (Hole in One) by Daytona Magic
1 out of 5
One of my favorite Jack Hughes items is Penetra-Spheres that was invented around 1937 shortly after Jack invented his tray version of Coins In Glass. Penetra-spheres was licensed by Abbott’s for sale in the USA and was sold for the first time in 1947 under the name Hole in One which is the name most people know this effect today.
I’ve owned a number of versions of this effect including three from Abbott’s all of which were well over 20 years old. The best version bar none that I have handled is the one released by Howie Baltus and The Trickery called Definitive Hole in One in 2004. Abbott’s have ran into some supply and quality issues in recent years which may have led to Daytona Magic creating their own version. There is no credit made to Abbott’s or the actual inventor Jack Hughes on their website or in the instructions which is a shame.
What is worse is that although Harry Allen (from Daytona Magic) actually performs the effect pretty smoothly in the video with the version I received I would say it would be almost impossible to perform it that well. Although this unit is solidly made, it is easily the worst version of Hole in One I have ever seen (and Jack Hughes would be rolling in his grave if he saw it). These are the issues I see with this version (some of which are obscure because I don’t want to expose the method):
There is zero credit to the inventor which is unacceptable for such a signature effect.
The base is very thick which makes you wonder what is going on in there – it spoils the illusion.
When the tray is resting on the table, the glass dips about half an inch and only when you pick it up does it become level.
There are steep angles for the gimmick so the silk has to cover a long way, or you do what Harry does which is have someone walk in front and do the work during that phase.
The ball requires a jolt to make the action happen – unlike any version I have seen.
Finally, there is a chance you will vanish the ball instead of making it appear in the glass due to the wide angles and you have to keep your eye on it all the time.
Now it is possible that I have a lemon, but most of these appear to be flaws intrinsic to the design.
Needless to say I would not recommend this to anyone who is not familiar with the effect already and is a collector or handy and can make some adjustments. It is a shame because Jack Hughes’ original effect Penetra-Spheres is one of the most beautiful and amazing mechanical effects ever invented and it saddens me to see what they have done to it.
Review by Andy Martin for Vintage Acrylic Nest of Boxes by Silray Magic Co.
5 out of 5
What a unique and scarce nest of four boxes from the Scottish manufacturer: Silray Magic Co. circa 1950s. Silray, run by Jack Silver, specialized in lucite (Perspex) plastic props, and these are a great example of the medium. Not only do these high-quality boxes look great they use an approach that is different to all of the nests of boxes I have seen. They use a variation of the Berg method with the big difference that you can briefly show the bottom of the third box and it appears to be whole. This is accomplished by a clever locking mechanism that traps the smaller box inside precisely at the right location so that it looks like the actual base of the box.
This is the first time I have even seen these boxes and they would look perfect in your collection. Complete with ribbons and key for the outer lock. Highly Recommended for collectors of fine, vintage magic.
Review by Andy Martin for Johnny Hart – International Star of Magic by Stephen Short
5 out of 5
I’m not 100% sure why Johnny Hart had such am impact on me, but I remember being so mesmerized by his magic. He would sometimes perform the same effects as other world-class magicians but when they were in Johnny’s hands I swear he used different methods unique to himself, because the magic looked so much better. When you watched Johnny Hart you were inspired to work harder on your own act because he always delivered and made you want to do better.
Stephen Short has put together an amazing account of the life and magic of Johnny Hart which will surely be loved by any one who was lucky enough to see Johnny, or just heard about this incredible performer. He truly was in a class of his own, and this book brings all the great memories I had of Johnny back. Thank-you Stephen for taking the time to put together such a wonderful tribute to one of the all time great performers of our time.
Review by Andy Martin for Full Bloom (Vols. 1 & 2) by Gaetan Bloom, Todd Karr
5 out of 5
What a beautiful set of books featuring the unique and amazing creations of the talented Gaetan Bloom. I rarely buy books these days but every now and then I spot a few that I think should be in my longer term library for those times in my future when I finally settle down and have time to practice and read all that I have missed!
A set that takes a unique look into the fertile mind of Gaetan Bloom. These books have been years in the making. Over 150 effects about Stage Magic, Close up, Illusions, Cabaret and Mentalism. Hundreds of beautiful James Hodges drawings. Historic photos of Gaetan and many great magicians. All of Gaetan´s lecture notes.
Rounding out the surfeit of magic are intros from Todd Karr, Kevin James and Gaetan Bloom; a few essays by Gaetan; chapters on Gaetan’s marketed items (the Intercessor, the Escorial Monte, the Escalator); and a two-chapter appreciation of Winston Freer.
Review by Andy Martin for The Compleat Magick & Index by Bascom Jones
5 out of 5
I’ve been meaning to get the full set of Bascom Jones’ masterpiece for some time and finally broke down and brought a set from the publisher and my good friend George Robinson. One day in the not too distant future I hope to have time to fully read these volumes and experience the the real Magick! These volumes are beautifully produced with over 2400 pages of material culled from 1000’s of contributions by the best thinking performers in Magic and Mentalism. Over 1400 effects!
Review by Andy Martin for Ribbon Clock Time Machine by Øyvind Kaurstad
5 out of 5
This item is the brainchild of the the talented Norwegian Øyvind Kaurstad and it has been causing quite a stir over at the Cafe and on YouTube. Check-out Rob Rand’s wonderful video to view the action!
It is a very clever device built to some pretty tight tolerances using a Digital Printer and some people even prefer it to Richard Gerlitz’s Family Ties which of course was based upon Ian Ogilvey Blocks of San Yen. There is no doubt it looks very convincing. I found setting it up to be a pain, but Øyvind assures me it gets easier with practice. This is one of those effects where the set-up is harder than the performance for sure. If you have poor eye-sight, arthritis or lack of patience I would not recommend this item, because you may struggle to set it up. I will say that Øyvind provides excellent printed and online instructions to help with the set-up and it certainly makes it easier if you watch the video first.
Once you have it set-up you have a rare and amazing fooler on your hands for sure!
Review by Andy Martin for Magical Hexagram by Thomas Pohle
5 out of 5
I love this item from Thomas! More magical and more convincing than any item like it (even than the beautiful Mystery of the Pyramids Outdone by Wellington). It is just 6″ high and you can show inside the the tube before and after each move, you can separate the cubes during the routine, and you also have the cubes changing color at the end too!
I think it is one of the cleverest things that Thomas has put out in the last few years. Really clever magic and now hard to find.
Review by Andy Martin for Oriental Mirror Box (Medium, Painted) by Mel Babcock
5 out of 5
This is another wonderful item from Mel – the trusty Mirror Box – and what a beauty it is. It comes in three sizes and this is the medium size. If you ever need to produce something, these mirror boxes will cover most things – and they feel so good in your hands.
What continues to amaze me about Mel’s work is not only how consistently well made his magic is, but also how he keeps the prices so low, his pricing is even more amazing than his products.
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