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Alexander by David Charvet
The first edition of Alexander The Man Who Knows told the incredible story of Claude Conlin's rise to fame as his generation's premier mindreader. Just when you thought the Alexander story couldn't get any more amazing, along comes this new, greatly-expanded edition. Loads of new stories that read like a Saturday afternoon movie serial and dozens of new photographs that prove every one of those stories is true.
Throughout this book, two very different stories unfold. First there is the account of Claude Alexander Conlin, the man who became perhaps the highest paid entertainer in the field of magic. Starting out as a stage illusionist, Alexander eventually discarded the large props and relied on his tremendous skills as a showman to put over an act of mentalism and psychic readings. As the turbaned Man Who Knows, Alexander earned four million dollars over the course of a relatively short career during the 1920s.
The second story that runs concurrently with Alexander's theatrical career includes details on his seven marriages (sometimes to more than one woman at once), time spent in local jails and federal prison, his trial for attempting to extort an oilman millionaire, his failed attempt to out run the authorities in a high powered speed-boat loaded with bootlegged liquor, and the four men that he admitted killing.
It is not the kind of story in which you expect to find names like Harry Kellar, Dr. A.M. Wilson, Harry Houdini, Servais Le Roy, Howard Thurston, Floyd Thayer, Joe Dunninger and Harry Blackstone but here they are, both friend and foe alike.
From the gold fields of Alaska to séance parlors on the Barbary Coast to the most luxurious theaters in North America, the story of The Man Who Knows is a story like no other.
Pages: 267 - 8" x 10" - Hardcover with dust jacket - Illustrated with photographs, programs, advertisements and diagrams plus twelve pages of full color, with 70 new photographs!
Peek inside Alexander - The Man Who Knows
Introduction To The Second Edition
In the Introduction to the first edition of this book I wrote: "I wish that I could say that this is the definitive biography of Alexander. It is not. But it is probably the closest we will get at this late date."
Boy, was I wrong.
Following the publication of the book in 2004, a mountain of new material appeared, as if by magic. But, you ask, since Alexander died in 1954, what could be "new?" Surprisingly, a lot. And it came from sources previously unavailable to me.
One of the first persons to contact Mike Caveney and me after the book appeared was Alexander's grand-niece, Cathy Stevenson. It turns out that Cathy is the Conlin family historian. Her grandfather, Clarence, also known as "CB," was Alexander's brother. Cathy had grown up hearing unbelievable stories about her grandfather and great-uncle. Later, she inherited a trunk full of material concerning her grandfather's career as a stage mindreader, which paralleled his more famous brother, Alexander. Clarence also had a successful career as an attorney, defending high-profile Hollywood clients, including family-friend, Alexander Pantages.
In addition to material about her grandfather, Cathy had also researched the Conlin family back to the time they first came to America, which pre-dates previously published accounts. She also had detailed data about the life of Alexander's father, Berthold Michael James Conlin. And perhaps most significantly, Cathy put me in touch again with Alexander's 90 year-old son, John.
I had spoken to John briefly in 2002, during research for the first edition. Understandably, he was reticent at that time to talk about his Dad, as I am sure he was uncertain as to how his contributions would be used. In November, 2005, following the release of the book, I spoke about Alexander at the Magic Castle in Hollywood. There I met Cathy and other members of the Conlin family. I gave a copy of the book to Cathy, who promised to pass it along to John.
Several months later I was back in Pasadena for a weekend at Mike and Tina Caveney's home. I had been there less than five minutes when Mike said, "Let's go see John Conlin." He picked up the telephone and called the assisted-living facility where John resides. The receptionist said John would enjoy the visit. So, after winding our way through Friday afternoon rush-hour traffic in Los Angeles, Mike and I arrived to have dinner with John Conlin.
John was touched that we would visit him. He had enjoyed the book and had more details to offer. In-between bites of peach cobbler, every one of my questions brought forth tales that would be unknown by anyone but the son of "The Man Who Knows." It was all brought clearly into perspective when John showed us a picture of himself at age 5 standing next to Harry Kellar, the Dean of American magicians, who died in 1922. Here we were in 2006, talking to a man who had actually known Kellar! This was an especially jaw-dropping moment for Mike, who had recently published Kellar's biography.
Before we left that evening, John entrusted Mike and me with four large, well-worn scrapbooks. They were filled with family photos, dating back to the turn of the twentieth century. Later that night, back at Mike's house, we both studied the images into the early morning hours of the next day and found many surprising revelations. John and his son, Alexander, were gracious in allowing us to scan any photographs that we found of interest, before returning the scrapbooks to the family.
Back home, I kept digging. Recent leaps in technology have made it easier to find information concerning the illusive Alexander. In just a few short years, the world of information has transformed from paper to pixels. Complete files of newspapers are now searchable via the internet. Previously, when one was researching a person through newspaper files it was sometimes necessary to scroll through hundreds of microfilmed pages to find one morsel of information. If one knew an approximate date and specific newspaper to search, the task was a bit easier. Without this basic data, it was like looking for the proverbial needle in a haystack. Now, after typing just a name or subject into my laptop computer, online search engines can pick through thousands of newspaper files in seconds, bringing forth more information than Alexander would have ever dreamed possible with his mystic turban.
When the first edition of Alexander sold out, Mike and I made the decision that rather than reprint the book as it was, a completely new edition should be created that would incorporate this new material. Some parts of the Alexander story have changed since the previous telling. Other parts have been brought into clearer focus.
While Alexander is still cloaked in somewhat of a veil of mystery, we have now been able to pull that veil aside just a little bit more. I think you'll find, as I have, that the man behind the curtain was even more amazing than his carefully crafted stage persona.
David Charvet
September, 2006
£45.50
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Allan Ackerman A Material by The Miracle Factory
Nearly three hours of footage
Features Ackerman's Heads-Up Ten Card Poker Deal
Nine commercial, practical effects fully explained
Includes card and coin material
Discussions of Erdnase and card technique
Valuable tips, variations, sleights, and outs
Hosted by Paul Kozak
Effects include:
Heads-Up Ten Card Poker Deal
Extensive Outs
Variations
Bonus Sleights and Moves
The Bottom-Up Zarrow
Gem-Money Mates
Allan's Travelers
Return to Ishtar
An Ultra-Clean Copper Silver
Bottom Dealing
Applications
Practice tips
Tells and Grips
Cutting Any Number of Cards
Out of Sight, Out of Mind
The Divining Rod
Disc 1 Running Time Approximately: 1hr 27min
Disc 2 Running Time Approximately: 1hr 15min
£40.00
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Aura by Jay Crowe
From a blank deck a card is chosen and placed in the hands of a spectator. They are told to pick a card, and visualize the image flowing forth from their mind to the blank card in their hand.
Slowly, Visually, face up, the image materializes from nothing. The blank card has manifested on its own, becoming the very card they had in their mind.
Witness what real magic should look like as the image of their card breathes itself into existence before their eyes.
An object's Aura is the embodiment of an its characteristics. Its energy, considered to be visible only to the 'gifted'.
That has changed.
Jay Crowe and Jason Brumbalow have worked together to create that mythical holy grail of card magic; the no-move, no cover, color change as the blank card comes into being without any sleight of hand or moves whatsoever.
Nowhere in magic does a blank card develop like a Polaroid in your spectator's open palm. Until now.
Fact List
• Perform in spectator's hand
• Unlimited uses
• Aura gimmick included
• Extra Blank card included
• Full instruction booklet included
• Resealable gimmick pouch included
• Self-working, Very easy to perform
• Comes in blue Bicycle or Red Bicycle (sorry, no choice available)
Aura is the world's first visual self-contained-self-printing-examinable card. The beauty of Aura is in the handling. It’s simple, natural and suits any age or skill level.
What you see is what you get. The card virtually does all the work for you. As Aura is virtually self-working, the performer can concentrate on the performance, elevating the effect from a neat trick, to pure magic. Includes is a guide to get you started, but what you make of your Aura, is limited only by your imagination.
"This is like Masuda's WOW without the sleeve!" - Rob Greenlee
£16.99
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Back Twist (DVD and Cards) by Mathieu Bich
Effect:
4 Blue cards change into 4 Red cards... One by one in full view!
Back Twist is easy to perform... If you can turn a card face up, you can perform Back Twist!
3 different handlings are explained on the DVD. You will learn the Easy Handling ( no sleights), the standard handling, and the "advanced" handling. You'll get the DVD and Special USPC Cards cards you need to be able to perform this amazing effect... Note that the Easy handling is also described in the flyer inside the DVD.
Very Visual and Easy to Perform. Super Fast Reset.
Includes Gimmicked cards, instructional DVD and 4-page booklet.
Running Time Approximately: 23min
£23.99
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Bionik by David Penn
From David Penn, the creator of Coinvexed 2. Wizard FX Productions proudly presents BIONIK.
An examined dinner knife is signed by the spectator along the handle. They hold onto the handle and can clearly see that the knife is straight. All you do is massage the blade softly causing it to bend at a 45 degree angle. The bent knife never leaves the spectators hand and can be immediately examined. This leaves the spectator with an impossible object that they cannot bend back!
BioniK can also be used to bend the extreme handles of forks or spoons to further enhance your metal bending routines.
The same straight knife that is signed is the one that bends. No switches!
NOTHING concealed in your hands to achieve the bend at anytime.
• Precision made gimmick and instructional DVD included.
• Perform it in short sleeves.
• Effortless in execution.
• Leaves the spectator with an impossible object.
"Bionik is Badass!" Eric Jones
"The next logical step in metal bending. This is amazing!" Alex Pandrea
"James Bond would be proud!" Alan Rorrison
"My metal bending routine will never be the same again" Dee Christopher
£100.00
Buy Now |
Blindsight 2.0 by Devin Knight
Effect:
The performer shows an 8.5 x 11 inch chart that has the names of four different colors printed on it in different color inks. He says he will attempt to confuse a participant's mind. A participant is asked to quickly call out the color of the ink that each word is printed in. Despite his best efforts, he invariably miscalls some of the colors. For example, if the ink is blue, he may say it is red.
This is all very amusing to the audience as he cannot seem to say all the colors correctly!
The performer says that if the participant is having trouble correctly naming colors that he can see, perhaps he can do better if he cannot see the colors. The performer says he would like to try an experiment to see if the participant has the ability to detect colors sight unseen. The performer shows some opaque envelopes and four different large colored cards. The four cards are placed inside the 6 x 9 envelopes and mixed so the participant has no idea which envelope contains which colored card. Next the envelopes are held up one at a time in front of the participant. The performer asks the participant to attempt to use Blindsight (the ability to see colors, sight unseen in your mind) to determine which color is in each envelope.
The participant says which color he thinks is inside the first envelope. The performer then writes that color on the outside of the envelope. This is repeated until all the envelopes have a color written on the outside of them. After each envelope has a color written on it, the participant is asked to set aside one envelope for the grand finale.
For a climax, the performer opens each envelope and shows that the participant has successfully used Blindsight to correctly determine which color was in each envelope. The performer has the participant pick up the envelope he set aside and remove the colored card. Assume it is yellow. Obviously, it matches the color written on the envelope because the other three were correct.
This is pretty amazing in itself, but the real kicker is yet to come. The performer states that nobody could have known which envelope and color the participant would set aside. The performer shows the back of the chart (which has been in full view) containing the list of colors. The back of the chart has printed on it: YOU WILL SET ASIDE YELLOW. This makes for a stunning climax that can be seen from the largest stages.
LOOK WHAT THE PROS ARE SAYING:
"Thought of as being an underground thinker with much intrigue, Devin Knight has created a solid piece of entertainment with Blindsight 2."
- Banachek
"I was impressed enough to say the original version of this was the best effect I saw at Mindvention. Now, a few years later, this version, a parlor/stage version of the original, is still as impressive."
- JHEFF
"Devin Knight's Blindsight 2 is an awesome effect. The thinking behind it is devious. This is something that packs flat... and plays BIG! Very colorful too. It makes for an eye pleasing presentation, as well as a mind blowing experience."
- Tom Craven
"Devin Knight's most baffling and engaging close-up mentalism effect grows to stage size, adding an amusing, perplexing introductory phase."
- Jerry Dunn
£28.00
Buy Now |
Blower Gimmick
Inflate a balloon in your hands or with your ear!
The ideal entrance magic effect for a balloon routine.
You will receive the gimmick with a password to access the online explanation video.
Easy gimmick load and unload.
The balloon may be given to the audience.
You can show your hands empty.
£32.00
Buy Now |
Classic Correspondence by Mike Caveney
Each month in MAGIC magazine, Mike Caveney selects from the files of the legendary Egyptian Hall Museum a letter of historical importance. Sometimes the writer or recipient (or both) are well-known names while other times the players are totally unknown, but every letter sheds new light on a shadowy corner of magic's fascinating history. After placing each letter in context Mike provides additional information about the people, places, tricks, theaters and everything else that might be mentioned, illustrating it with rare memorabilia from his collection. It's like being taken on a guided tour through the historical files of Egyptian Hall Museum by the curator.The first 24 articles that appeared in MAGIC magazine (2006-07) have been collected into a beautiful new book. The entire book is printed in full-color with additional annotations, previously-unseen photographs, posters and other rare memorabilia.
If you enjoy reading Mike's monthly column (back in MAGIC for 2010 - 2011) you will love this expanded and enhanced volume containing the first series of 24 letters. It's the perfect gift for anyone who loves the art of magic.
Pages: 288 - 6" x 9" - Hardcover - fully indexed, with beautiful full-color endsheets
£45.50
Buy Now |
Collateral by Diamond Jim Tyler
Diamond Jim Tyler teaches his award-winning borrowed Ring & String routine, step by step, with some thought-provoking nuances. The audience witnesses a spectator's ring penetrate and vanish from a leather lace time and again.
This has been a feature of DJ's act since 1986 and used in thousands of performances and hundreds of lectures all over the world. This is a visually stunning routine that transcends the language barrier.
Dan Fleshman and Gregory Wilson, who are experts on the subject, say it is one of the best routines they have ever seen. Unlike most ring and string routines that become predictable this one ends strong with an effect that DJ likes to call COLLATERAL:
The magician removes his ring and asks to borrow a spectator's ring. The magician places his own personal ring into a small coin envelope and asks the ring-less spectator to place it into their pocket as collateral. After performing DJ's Ring & String routine or any borrowed ring effect- their ring is made to vanish! The spectator hands over the envelope only to discover that their own ring is inside! Includes two leather laces and the other necessary props.
Running Time Approximately: 45min
£20.00
Buy Now |
Dai Vernon's Revelations - 30th Anniversary Box Set
It's been 30 years since the initial release of Revelations, the monumental video set that immortalized the life and work of perhaps one of the greatest magicians who ever lived - the Professor himself - Dai Vernon.
In celebration, L&L Publishing is releasing the Revelations 30th Anniversary Box Set which features all 17 volumes of Revelations digitally remastered on 8 DVDs. Also included are three bonus DVDs that contain extremely rare footage of Vernon lectures from the 1970's - almost six hours of material that almost no one has ever seen before. Included also are four audio CDs of Vernon lectures from the 1960s and two commemorative booklets. The first is a facsimile of the original Videonics Revelations catalog with comprehensive commentary on each volume by Sid Lorraine while the second contains Dr. Gene Matsuura's original notes made at Dai Vernon's farewell lecture in 1976. Everything is packaged in a full color slipcase that is sure to make this set one of the most desirable magic keepsakes ever released.
David Ben's introduction that appears in the beginning of Gene Matsuura's notes booklet:
"Will wonders never cease?
When it comes to Dai Vernon, apparently not.
This celebration of the 30th anniversary of Revelations, the series produced originally in 1982 by Hans Zahn in Newfoundland, attests to that amazing legacy and it provides yet another generation of magicians - old and new - the chance to experience Dai Vernon and his magic.
This compilation is much more than just a repackaging of the original discs. With additional footage from the celebrated $1,000 Lecture Tour in the mid-1970s, private videos shot by Bill "The Prez" Larsen at The Magic Castle, and supporting documentation and ephemera, magic aficionados and historians now have an accurate portrayal of perhaps the most celebrated thinker and performer in magic during his "Late Period."
Start with Vernon's lecture at the Washington Press Club in August 1973, courtesy of Arthur Emerson. (Still images of Arthur Emerson and Vernon were inserted for the first minute or so because the initial quality of the video was suspect. Your patience, however, will be rewarded.) Vernon is 79 years old at the time. That's right, 79! It is Late Vernon, Second Wave.
Next, screen the October 9, 1976, lecture at The Magic Castle. Here Vernon is reprising the content of the $1,000 Lecture Tour. He is now 82. Again, it is Late Vernon, Second Wave.
Take a break and turn to the notes provided by Dr. Gene Matsuura. Dr. Matsuura was a confidant of many of the most esteemed sleight-of-hand magicians of the 20th century. He is a real student of magic and, in particular, the magic of Vernon. He is also renowned for the quality of his observations and notes. We thank Dr. Matsuura for agreeing to release his personal notes on Vernon's $1,000 Lecture Tour appearance in Sacramento. His observations are astute, and the nuance he flags worth studying.
Next up: the April 1977 presentations filmed at The Magic Castle. Shot by and because of Bill Larsen, they represent yet another extraordinary gift of the Larsen family to the magic community. In fact, it is hard to imagine what magic would be like today without the Larsens - Genii magazine, The Magic Castle, the Academy of the Magical Arts, and now this. The family, in its fourth generation in magic, continues to contribute to the growth of magic and the preservation of magic history. Vernon, by the way, would soon turn 84! It is the tail end of the Second Wave of the Late Period.
Only then, it is time to revisit the monumental series that is Revelations. Recorded in 1982, when Vernon was 88, it is the Late Period, Third Wave. Here, Vernon provides more coaching and commentary than actual performance. Michael Ammar, Gary Ouellet and Steve Freeman are there to assist, performing and demonstrating magic, and to spark the conversation. We see how things are meant to be done, and how not. The breadth of material is staggering. Fortunately, this commemorative package of discs and other material includes a reproduction of a booklet that provides a detailed description of each section so that viewers can zero in on their particular area of interest.
If I can offer one final word of advice, it is to heed what Vernon said to a young Albert Goshman: take one trick and learn to do it better than anybody else. Goshman did exactly that, and built his initial reputation with "Spellbound."
With this 30th anniversary celebration of Revelations, you have that same opportunity.
I look forward to seeing your magic."
- David Ben, Toronto
VERNON"S LECTURES:
The Academy of Magical Arts has graciously opened their members-only video vault and allowed L&L to publish one of their rare private videos. This is your chance to watch vintage lectures by Dai Vernon taped at the world-famous Magic Castle by Bill "The Prez" Larsen who had the foresight to preserve Vernon's genius for posterity. These videos are also valuable for their historic importance as they are among the first lectures ever videotaped at the Magic Castle.
Lecture DVD 1 - April 1, 1977 Lecture:
Wand Spin Vanish
Retention of Vision Coin Vanish
Card Handling
Pull-Through Shuffle
"Dad" Stevens Shuffle
Erdnase Top Palm
Hofzinser Palm Control
Top Changes
Top Palm
Elmsley Count/Twisting the Aces
Larry Jennings' Ambitious Classic
Hamman's Pinochle Trick
Deal Controls/Stop Trick
Reverses
Color Changes (Leipzig, Malini, Tenkai)
Spectator Cueing
Push-Through and Block Shuffle
Henry Christ's Off the Table Shuffle
Diagonal Palm Shift and Card Transfer
Action Palm
Cover for Erdnase Shift
Double Lift Get Ready
The Trick That Fooled Marlo
Double Lift-Handling and Application
The Trick Without a Name
Coin Under Glass
Three-Card Monte
Cards Up The Sleeve
General Advice
Card Switches
Vernon's Mental Card Miracle
Lecture DVD 2 - April 15, 1977 Lecture:
Five Coins and a Glass
Leipzig's Slow Motion Coin Vanish
The Tale of the Treasury-Worm
The Daivergent Silk
The Peripatetic Walnuts
Balls in the Net
The Cups and Balls
The Linking Rings
Cut and Restored Rope
Knot in Rope Bar Stunt
Joe Berg Knot
Upsetting a Square Knot
Ball Handling/Wand Spin Vanish
Also featured are Vernon's anecdotes including how he first came to the Magic Castle, early Castle memories, and his infamous X-rated Japan story.
October 9, 1976 Lecture:
Introduction by Bill "The Prez" Larsen
Vernon's Introductory Remarks
The Cups and Balls
The Peripatetic Walnuts
Five Coins and a Glass
Retention of Vision Coin Vanish
Han Ping Chien
Wand Spin Vanish
The Daivergent Silk
Lecture DVD 3
In August of 1973, Dai Vernon lectured for a large and extremely enthusiastic audience at the Press Club in Washington D.C. and host Arthur Emerson was prescient enough to have a video camera on hand for the occasion.
Contents include:
The Cups and Balls
Coins Through The Table
Retention of Vision Coin Vanish
Five Coins and a Glass
The Linking Rings
The Cylinder and Coins
Matching the Cards
Larry Jennings' Ambitious Classic
Color Change (Tenkai)
Top Changes
Cards Up The Sleeve Advice
VINTAGE VERNON VOLUMES 1-4 (AUDIO CDs)
On April 9, 1963, a very select group assembled at the newly-formed Magic Castle to hear Dai Vernon lecture. This was a historic moment because it was on the strength of this presentation that Vernon was asked to become the Castle's resident magician - and now, through the magic of audio recording, you can be there, too, almost 50 years later. Volumes 3-4 record another lecture on December 6, 1964. Vernon was performing regularly at the time; his methods were brilliant and his timing perfect.
CD 1 (1 hour)
1. Introduction
2. Five Coins and a Glass
3. Cups and Balls
4. The Daivergent Silk
5. John Ramsey Cylinder and Coins
CD 2 (1 hour)
1. McDonald's Hundred Dollar Ace Trick
2. Penetration of Thought
3. Top Change
4. Bottom Change
5. Ambitious Card
6. Tips
7. Conus Aces
8. Erdnase Bottom Palm
9. Hofzinser Bottom Palm
10. Mental Card Miracle
11. The Travelers
12. Palming
CD 3 (1 hour)
1. Introduction
2. General Comments
3. Jerry Andrus and Lies
4. Conversational Approach
5. Double Lift
6. The Pass
7. Getting a Card to the Top
8. A Trick with a Double-Faced Card
9. Aces Up or Down
10. Color Changing Deck
CD 4 (1 hour)
1. Coin and Glass
2. IOU
3. Brain Weave by Alex Elmsley
4. Four Pair Solitaire by Henry Christ
5. Spelling Trick (using a cull)
6. Thought of Card Trick
7. Silk from Bill Trick
NOTES ON DAI VERNON'S FAREWELL LECTURE BY DR. GENE MATSUURA
In this booklet, you'll find comprehensive notes by Dr. Gene Matsuura, a lifelong student of sleight-of-hand magic - particularly Dai Vernon - who was in attendance at what was billed as Dai Vernon's farewell lecture in Sacramento, California in March of 1976.
Matsuura's keen observations of the material that Vernon presented at that lecture provides invaluable insights into many of the routines performed on the lecture DVDs in this set. Covered are the Cups and Balls, Five Coins and a Glass, The Tale of the Treasury-Worm, The Daivergent Silk, The Peripatetic Walnuts, Twisting the Aces, the Linking Rings, many, many effects and ideas from Erdnase, and much, much more.
Coupled with a scholarly introduction by David Ben, Dr. Matsuura's notes are a snapshot of a historic occasion - Dai Vernon presenting his life's work one final time.
1983 VIDEONICS CATALOG FACSIMILE
This booklet is an exact reproduction of the Videonics catalog that was issued in June of 1983 which featured the Revelations series. We've included this to provide Revelations viewers with the historical context of the series in addition to other valuable insights.
You'll find an introduction by Michael Ammar, one of the co-hosts of the series, where he describes the filming of Revelations in addition to offering some interesting perspectives on how the project was developed and realized. In addition, Sid Lorraine contributed comprehensive reviews on each of the 18 volumes, providing viewers with a "blow by blow" description of the vast and rich material covered in Revelations.
Vernon Revelations - Volumes 1-17 (on 8 DVDs):
History was made September 2-6, 1982 in a filming studio in St. John's, Newfoundland, Canada, as the life and magic of Dai Vernon was permanently recorded for future generations. Inspired by Bill Larsen, the project was undertaken by Videonics, owned and operated by Hans Zahn. The co-hosts of the filming project were Michael Ammar, Gary Ouellet and Steve Freeman.
The format is that of a jam session, with Vernon discussing his tricks, moves and routines, and generally holding court. All the moves, techniques, routines, tips and handlings discussed are actually performed by Vernon or one of the co-hosts, along with a complete explanation. Roughly half of the subjects covered relate to the published record; half the material was new and disclosed for the first time (at the time of the video shoot). You'll learn important new techniques regarding the Vernon classics and important revelations about the Erdnase techniques, which Vernon has spent a lifetime studying. There's a lifetime of magic study in these eight discs.
DISC 1:
Volume 1
Gary Ouellet Intro
The Story Behind the Stars of Magic Series
Vernon on Think-of-a-Card, Dunninger,
Brainwave Deck
Vernon on Effects
Triumph-the Vernon Triumph Shuffle
and the Proper Presentation
Story of the Vernon False Shuffle
Practice & Improve Your Magic
Keeping Notes on Your Magic
Cutting the Aces-
Another Vernon Card Classic
Vernon on Passes, False Cuts
Irv Weiner's Opening to Cutting the Aces
The Story is the Entertaining Part of the Trick
Story of the Ambitious Card
Vernon Performs the Ambitious Card
Vernon Explains an Ambitious Card Move
Volume 2
Gary Ouellet Intro
The Vernon Double Lift
The Fingerprint Card Trick
Vernon Double Lift Replacement
On the Strike Double Lift
Vernon's First Intro to the Pass
Spellbound
Story of the Purse Palm
Vernon Demonstrates the Purse Palm &
Spellbound Move
Vernon on Coin Vanishes
The Ring and the Wand
Slow Motion Aces Performance
(Steve Freeman)
Story Behind Slow-Motion Aces
The Slow Motion Card Vanish
Story of the Last Card (Tent Vanish)
Freeman Demonstrates Last Card Vanish
Vernon Explains Slow Motion Aces
Lay Down & Routine
The Force with No Name
Slow Motion Aces for Magicians
DISC 2:
Volume 3
Gary Ouellet Intro
The Travellers (Michael Ammar performance)
Explanation of the Travellers
Vernon on Malini's Method of Marking the Cards
Proper Way to Turn the Top Card Over
Why Vernon has the Cards Signed
The Kangaroo Coins (Gary Ouellet performance)
Kangaroo Coins Explanation
Vernon Talks About Lapping
The Balls in the Net (Steve Freeman performance)
Vernon's Story about The Balls in The Net
Vernon Explains the Moves for The Balls in The Net
Han Ping Chein with Ball
Vernon Explains What Makes a Good Trick
Jumping Jacks
The Tenkai Palm Switch
Vernon Explains How He Got the Name "Professor"
Volume 4
Gary Ouellet Intro
The Tenkai Switch - The Pivot Move
Story Behind the Symphony of the Rings
Vernon Tells a Silhouette Story
Vernon Performs the Symphony of the Rings
Explanation of Ring Routine - Counting the Rings
First Link
Spinning the Ring
Unlinking the Ring
Crash Link
Chain of Three
Linking Three & Unlinking Three
The Continuous Linking
The Falling Ring
The Interlocked Rings
The Figures
The Long Chain
Unlinking a Solid Ring
Unlinking All the Rings
The Symphony of the Rings -
Vernon Performs for Live Audience
The Coins and Champagne Glass - A Vernon Classic
The Secret to a Good Coin Vanish
More Coins & Champagne Glass Explanation
DISC 3:
Volume 5
Gary Ouellett Intro
Vernon Talks About Fred Kaps
Vernon Explains Coins & Silk Routine
Vernon Explains Coin Transfer
Ammar Teaches Chanin Classic Palm Coin Productions
Ammar Introduces the Cups & Balls
Vernon Tells How He Got His Cups
Vernon Demonstrates the Opening to the Cups & Balls
Ammar Demonstrates Jay Marshall's Bit with Cups
Explanation of Depth Illusion
Vernon's Story About the Cups &
Balls at the Magic Castle
Vernon and Ammar Walk Through Cups & Balls Routine
Vernon's Advice On What To Do After Palming Something
Explanation of Phase Two & Three
Loading Sequence
Large Ball & Wand Vanish
Wand Spin
Vernon Explains Ball Under Cup Vanish
Vernon Explains Coins & Purse Swindle
Malini's Version
Vernon's Purse Palm Vanish
Leipzig's Coin on Knee
Volume 6
Gary Ouellett Intro
Color Change Section Intro (Freeman)
History of Color Change
Erdnase's First Method with the Vernon Improvement
The Erdnase Pivot Color Change
The Malini Handling
Picking Off the Pip
Leipzig's Handling
Leipzig's Side Slip and Vernon's Variation
Handling the Sucker Gag
Steve Freeman's Tips on the Color Change
" Softy" Color Change
Vernon Passes on Good Advice
The No Palm Color Change
The Time Vernon Cheated the Cheats
The Greek Crimp
The Gambler's Peek
The Back Crimp
The Suit Peek
The Corner Crimp/Cutting to a Crimp
Story About Larry Grey
The Snap Crimp Story
The Snap Crimp
Mexican Joe Crimp
Best Way to Reverse a Card
The Breather Crimp
DISC 4:
Volume 7
Gary Ouellett Intro
An Unpublished Linking Ring Move
The Vernon No Key Linking
The Five-Card Mental Force
Some Thoughts on the Stop Trick
Taking Advantage of Good Breaks
The Trick That Cannot Be Explained
The Cutting Trick
How to Practice the Trick That Cannot
Be Explained
Vernon Talks About Card Palming
The Hofzinser Bottom Palm
The Diagonal Palm Shift and the
Vernon Improvement
The Hofzinser Bottom Palm Transfer
Volume 8
Gary Ouellett Intro
The Diagonal Palm Shift-
a detailed description
The Hand Washing Move
The Gambling Palm
The Vernon Gambling Palm Transfer
Topping the Deck
The Erdnase Top Palm
Several Methods of Replacing the
Palmed Card onto the Deck
Skinning the Hand, Version 1
Vernon Color Change
The Tenkai Palm Color Change
Skinning the Hand Version #2
The French Pass
Two Technical Descriptions of
Bottom Palms
Covering the Side Slip
Dramatizing Revelations
The Loewy Palm
Some Moves for Cards Up the Sleeve
The Vernon Card Switches
A New Top Palm
The Card to Jacket Pocket
The Palm Change
Story of the Mysterious Kid
Vernon Talks About Shiners
DISC 5:
Volume 9
Gary Ouellet Intro
The Berg Move
Explanation of Berg Move
Story of the Trick That Fooled Houdini
Explanation of the Trick
That Fooled Houdini
Vernon Tells Horwitz Story
Vernon Explains the Boat Trick
Vernon Performs Three Card Monte
for Live Audience
Explanation of Three Card Monte
Preparing the Cards
Bent Corner
Tips on the Hype Move
Sucker Ploy
Explanation of Hype Move
The Torn Card
The Broad Worker's Story
The Double Flash
Removing the Bent Corner
Bobby Fischer Story
Volume 10
Gary Ouellet Intro
The Vernon Cone and Ball Routine
Basic Move for Cone & Ball
The Ball and Silk
Hand to Hand Ball Transfer
Vernon on the Dye Tube /
Color Changing Silks
Loading the Silk
Palming the Tube
Start of Routine
Steal of the Tube
Routine Taught from Behind
The Chopstick Double Lift
Valuable Tip from Erdnase
(Double Lift)
The Overhand Shuffle Technique
The Pinky Count
The Greek Break
Bottom to Top Transfer
Vernon's Simple Double Peek Control
Triple and Multiple Peek Handling
The Fan Force
DISC 6:
Volume 11
Gary Ouellet Intro
The International Gambler's Code
The Zanzig Code
The Spread
The Miami Brothers Ploy
The Vernon Card Switch
The Gambler's Hole Card Switch
The Snatch
The Verbal Code (Vernon)
Teaching Method for Verbal Code
(Memorized Cards)
How to Memorize the Cards
(Vernon Method)
Vernon Tells the Story of Benny
Vernon Tells the Names of Each Card
in his Code
Vernon Short Card
Corner Short
Freeman Demonstrates Short Card Control
Volume 12
Gary Ouellet intro
Freeman Quotes Erdnase
The Erdnase Bottom Deal
The Elliott Bottom Deal
The Artanis Bottom Deal
Gambling vs. Magic
The Second Deal - The Erdnase Methods
The Johnny Thompson Method
Vernon's Trick for Second Deal
Vernon Gives Tips on Second Deal
The Vernon New Theory Second Deal
The Big Lie about the Strike Second
The Elliott Million Dollar Secret
Mexican Joe's Shift
The Side Shift
Covering the One-Handed Shift
The S.W.E. Shift
The Kennedy Center Deal (The Real Work)
Bad Habits Center Deal
DISC 7:
Volume 13
Gary Ouellet Intro
The Drunken Mitt
How to Tell Backs from Fronts
by Feel Alone
Tips on the Overhand Shuffle
The Erdnase Full-Deck Control
The Vernon Full-Deck Control
The Charlier False Shuffle
The Push Through Shuffle
The Strip Out Shuffle
Vernon Gives Tips on the
Push-Through Shuffle
The Kid Royal Shuffle
The Up the Ladder False Cut
Up the Ladder used in Triumph
Volume 14
Vernon - Three Card Monte
Ammar - Beanie Wienie, Cards to Pocket
Ouellet - Three Shell Game
Freeman - Time Machine, Cutting the Aces,
Slow Motion Ace Assembly
Ammar - The $2 Bill Tear, The Yeast Card,
Card on Ceiling
Ouellet - Kiss Trick, Ring on Rope
Ammar - Coins & Silk
Ouellet - Silver Passage
Ammar - Roll-Over Aces
Ouellet - The Two Goblets
Vernon - Symphony of the Rings
Volume 15
Gary Ouellet Intro
Why Vernon Changed his Name
How he Got the Name "Professor"
Interest in Magic Since a Young Boy
Enjoyed Watching Gamblers
Talks About Erdnase
Vernon's Favorite Book: Erdnase
School Magic Show
No Use of the Word Damn or Egg Bag
Great Weakness of Magician
Meeting Cliff Green
Producing a Card in the Shower
First Time Seeing Max Malini
Malini Egg Bag - Russia Story
Malini at the GM party
Malini Card Stab
Antique Table Story
Advice from Malini
Malini's Best Tricks Were Never Performed
Malini's Vanishing Tobacco
Malini's Opener
Malini at Buckingham Palace
DISC 8:
Volume 16
Gary Ouellet Intro
Cutting Silhouettes
The Harlequin Act
How Vernon Met Frances Rockefeller King
Magician Spies on Vernon
J. K. L. M.
Dr. Daley's Notebook
The Book, "Our Magic"
Cardini
The Frogman
Cardini's Talking Act
Cardini's Tails
Al Baker
The History of Silhouettes
Colorado Springs
World's Fair
Vernon Cuts a Silhouette
Twenty Dollar Gold Piece
Volume 17
Gary Ouellet Intro
King of Koins
The Gimmick
Emil Jarrow
Jarrow Plays London
Closing of his Act
Partner in his Act
Warren Keane
Malini Block of Ice
Fred Keating Canary Story
Paul Rosini
Herbert Brooks
The Manner In Which Tricks are Presented
Larry Grey Follows Hobos
High School Dance
Lance Burton at the Body Shop
Garrick Spencer / Academy of Magic
Allen Kennedy Center Deal
Teaching John Scarne the Center Deal
Vernon Takes Ted to See Allen Kennedy
Mrs. Vernon Meets Mexican Joe
The Greek Gambler
The Hold-Up Story
Jack Benny Joke
Dr. Ross
Meeting Dan Cummings at Restaurant
Takes the Touch of a Billiard Player
Frank Tobey / Vernon Sees Faro Shuffle
for the First Time
One Arm MacDonald - The Diamond Ring
$100 Ace Trick
Davis the Miracle Man
£150.00
Buy Now |
Drawing Room Deceptions by Hollingworth
Drawing Room Deceptions did not become the publisher's fastest selling book ever just by chance. It was the direct result of a series of specific events. The first ingredient was a young English schoolboy willing to invest a full decade of his young life in the study and practice of close-up card magic. He was not satisfied to mimic the tricks of others so he created a repertoire that was totally original. Along the way, he developed a distinct performing style that was gentlemanly yet steeped in sophisticated humor. Following graduation from university, Guy spent a couple of years traveling around the world performing and lecturing for club meetings and convention audiences. Add to this, television appearances around the world such as The World's Greatest Magic in America. This exposure to thousands of magicians established Guy's reputation for possessing impeccable skill along with an arsenal of original material. And one miracle that stood out among all others was his not-to-be-believed, piece-by-piece card restoration, now known to the magic world at large as The Reformation. The final piece of the puzzle was putting all of this knowledge into a single book, Drawing Room Deceptions. The added fact that this entire book was written, illustrated and designed by young Mr. Hollingworth simply makes this story that much more amazing.
It is not an exaggeration to say that the magic world was desperate for the release of this book and when it finally did appear, the response was overwhelming. The presses had barely stopped spinning when it went to a second printing and it is now in its fifth edition.
Customers knew they would be thrilled with the sleights, theories and routines that fill the 320 pages of Drawing Room Deceptions but they were surprised and delighted with the book's physical appearance. The two-color stamping on the cover, a frontispiece featuring a formal portrait of the author, marbled end-sheets and distinctive typography and artwork give this book the appearance of a classic, nineteenth century magic textbook.
Pages: 311 - 6" x 9" - Hardbound with 2-color stamping on cover and spine. Marbled endsheets.
Here is a peek inside Drawing Room Deceptions
EPILOGUE during which a method for tearing and restoring a card is discussed.
I have always had something of a love-hate relationship with magic; I certainly feel passionate about it much of the time, but I have a tremendous need of completely dissociating myself from it on regular occasions, or I tend to find it incredibly tedious. Magic incorporates elements which I love, and those which I cannot stand. Amongst the latter are the mass of marketed tricks and dealer halls at conventions; that is not through any snobbery or dislike for those who make their living out of producing and selling such items, but rather out of a complete lack of interest. I am aware that by ignoring this side of conjuring I am denying myself many fine effects that I will never otherwise come across, that could make valuable additions to my repertoire, but nonetheless, I have never understood the fascination with the dealer items. For some reason I vividly remember mentioning this incredulity to a colleague at an early convention that I attended, and being met with his philosophical answer that "they are all looking for the one trick in amongst all the others that will make them famous."
Despite being impressed at my relatively early age by the profundity of this statement of an older and wiser performer, I always had my doubts about the validity of what he had said; apart from feeling that it was unlikely that such a thought had ever crossed the minds of most of the people who were present, surely there could be no trick that could actually make your name, nor even distinguish you particularly from other fellows in the field. Whilst I still have my doubts that such a trick can be found on any dealer's table, or for that matter in any book or magazine, I have been truly amazed by the apparent interest that has been aroused by a trick which I came up with mainly to satisfy personal curiosity, rather than as any particular marketing ploy whereby I would become better known. In fact it was in my first year at university, where I had been fortunate enough to be allocated a room of my own, that the beginnings of such a trick came about.
As the work load was rather light to start off with, and since the campus was small and frequently devoid of evening entertainment, I initially quite often found myself in my room with time to kill. Having always intended to perform a torn and restored card of some description, I had recently learned and been very impressed by J.C. Wagner's method from his book Seven Secrets, and had set to work on possible ways of effecting a visible restoration of each piece. Although quite successful, this made the discrepancy of the final piece not being restored all the worse, and I decided that I would try to come up with a solution to this point. Progress was significantly hampered by the location of the only mirror in the room, which was above the sink, causing a multitude of dropped cards over the months to become slightly damp and unusable. Of the various methods that came out of these otherwise unproductive evenings, I had very little confidence in any, but nonetheless felt that from a theoretical point of view I had come some way towards solving the problem.
It was only after showing one version to a few friends that I became persuaded that it may actually be worth my performing it. After a while of doing so, I began to realize that it was not the method that was significantly wrong, but more the lack of practice, that I was now getting through performance. After a while, other conjurors expressed a certain interest in the method, and it was for my first lecture, which was at the Opus Isle of Man Convention, that I was persuaded to release the method (which to my amazement had seemingly fooled some people). It was released on video, being a simpler and quicker method for the novice such as myself to convey the workings than in textual form. I decided to release it as a strictly limited edition, not because of any desire to keep it exclusive, nor because I thought that it was a great trick, but simply as I cynically thought that since no-one would be interested in a complicated trick by someone whom they had never heard of, by releasing it as such, a few people might actually buy it, perceiving it to be more important than it was.
In fact, it seemed that interest was such that this ploy was unnecessary; I have frequently regretted making this pledge of the limited edition, as I have been met with many offers since to buy the tape. However, being a man of my word, I have not sold any since the end of that limited edition, nor will I ever do so; however, that was over three years ago, and I have decided that it is now time to discuss the method in another format, that being this book. It is my sincere hope that this will not cause offence to anyone who purchased the tape, as they have now had at least three years of exclusivity, should they wish to have made use of it, and it seems to me that if anyone else is truly desirous of learning the method (and I fear that they will have to be so in order to comprehend the following essay), they should be entitled to do so even if they did not happen to be on hand to buy the tape.
And so, by way of a conclusion to this book, there follows the complete description, with a number of possible variations, of what is arguably my favorite trick, and that which certainly has been kinder to me than any other, which has come to be called The Reformation.
£27.99
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Executive Wallet by David Penn
David Penn presents Roy Roth's Executive Wallet
With the Executive Wallet you can load the spectator's signed card into a wallet within a wallet without palming. The spectator can then remove their own signed card from the smaller wallet which is even secured with a press stud. As the spectator opens the wallet themselves this provides sure fire misdirection for your killer finale. The workings are all explained along with David's full routine on the accompanying DVD.
Crafted from the highest quality leather
The card is loaded into the innermost wallet with no palming in one natural action.
No envelopes or messy sticky stuff to replace. Resets in 4 seconds.
David Penn's routine from his number one set is fully described on the DVD.
£65.00
Buy Now |
Figurine by Lennart Green and Luis de Matos
Lennart Green created a sensation when he first introduced Figurine to the magic world. It is an amazing demonstration of magical origami. A piece of paper is folded and sculpted into a perfect miniature statue, a figurine. It is one of the most intriguing close-up effects for years and makes for an amazing talking point in any performance. Easily personalised and adapted to different performing styles and conditions, Figurine is a concept you will use.
Comes complete with instructional DVD featuring Lennart Green, figurines and bonus ideas.
£28.00
Buy Now |
Flying Kiss by Devin Knight
The original trick, first released by Devin Knight in 1972 and long off the market. It is available again, after being one his most popular effects during a recent lecture tour. You show a deck of cards and have a lady freely select a card. There is no force. The lady may sign the card if you wish. The card is returned to the deck and lost.
You tell the lady that you will give her magical powers and that she will find her card with magic. This always intrigues the lady you are performing it for. You ask the lady to blow a kiss toward the deck. The deck is spread and an image of a kiss has appeared on the back of one card. When the card with the kiss on it is turned over, it is seen to be her selected card. You touch the back of her selected card to your cheek or lips and show that the kiss has amazingly vanished from the back of the card!
Say to the lady, "Thanks for the kiss. Now I will give you a kiss. Please hold out your hand." You snap the card and a candy kiss falls into her palm. The lady keeps the candy kiss for a sweet finish. The perfect effect to use as an ice-breaker with women, as it is a proven commercial effect that women love to see!
Used in a restaurant gig for over seven years! Very easy to do and comes with complete directions, special Bicycle card, and all the nuisances you have come to expect from Devin Knight.
"I saw Devin wow many women with his kiss trick at a local magic convention. To say this effect is a lady-pleaser is an understatement. Highly recommended for magicians who want to impress the ladies."
- Dick Christian
"Devin Knights 'Flying Kiss' routine is easy to do, and has a high impact on an audience. The lady helper gets a candy kiss at the end of the routine, which is a nice touch. I saw this performed in Cleveland during Devin's lecture there. He supplies the necessary gimmick and a great routine. You need only to add the showmanship."
- Tom Craven
£12.00
Buy Now |
Genius of Robert Harbin by Eric Lewis
Robert Harbin is a name that towers over the world of magic. His original stage illusions are familiar, even to laymen, in all parts of the world. His incredible output of close-up, cabaret and stage magic continued unabated for over forty years. Today, Robert Harbin is recognized as a rare genius of 20th century magic.
As a writer, artist and confidant of the legendary Robert Harbin, author Eric Lewis has produced a fascinating, behind the scenes look at the public, as well as private life of his friend. The Genius of Robert Harbin includes detailed explanations for sixty-six Harbin effects including a number of previously un-published illusions.
Pages: 358 - 8" x 10" - Hardcover with dust jacket - Lavishly illustrated with 150 photographs, programs, and advertisements.
£31.50
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Gibeciere Vol. 1, No. 1 (Winter 2005)
The first issue of Gibeciere features several very salient articles as well as introductory pieces by Stephen Minch, the Editor, and William Kalush, the Executive Director.
A fascinating article on "The Yawning Mouth", by Volker Huber, starts the issue. Mr. Huber looks at the origins of the principle and then moves forward to the various incarnations it will take in the course of its history, including Jacob's Ladder and the Himber Wallet.
Vanni Bossi contributes the next article entitled "On the Prearrangement and Mnemonic Use of a deck of Cards", which, as you may have guessed, looks at early references for arranged playing cards and methods for taking advantage of the order for magic and related purposes.
The third article, "Sharpers and Their Tricks in the Late Middle Ages and Early Modern Times" by Robert Jütte, features commentary on organized crime during that period, specifically with regard to gambling cheats and their argot, society, and methods.
The final article is by Ricky Jay and is a history on "Davenport Brother & Fay", a duo of Ira Davenport and William Fay trying to recreate the act that had won the Davenport Brothers their fame and notoriety prior to William Davenport's early death.
As you can see, the first issue contains a wealth of fascinating articles and, since we have only printed a limited number, and do not intend a reprint, now is a good time to acquire one of these for your collection.
Pages: 138 - 9.5" x 6.5" - Softcover - Black and white and color images
£27.50
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Gibeciere Vol. 1, No. 2 (Summer 2006)
Issue two of Gibeciere continues the scholarly tradition begun in issue one with three exceptional articles.
The first article marks the beginning of Mitsunobu Matsuyama's enlightening series of articles, "An Investigation into Magic in Japan after the Opening of the Country".
Albrecht Heeffer contributes the next article, "Recreations Mathematiques: A Study of Its Authorship, Sources and Influence". Here Dr. Heefer presents a new candidate for the authorship of the book as well as a detailed look at its place in the literature.
We round out these pieces with a biographical article by Mike Caveney on "Del Adelphia, The Cowboy Magician", a previously forgotten, yet fascinating character in our history.
These articles cover a broad spectrum of wonderful topics, and it is with pleasure that we offer them to the fraternity.
Pages: 197 - 9.5" x 6.5" - Softcover - Black and white and color images
£27.50
Buy Now |
Gibeciere Vol. 2, No. 1 (Winter 2007)
Our third issue continues Gibeciere's enlightening forays into the magical tradition with four exquisite articles. As usual the contents feature brand new revelations and insight into our history.
We start with Volker Huber's "The Educated Swan". Here he looks in depth at the history and development of this centuries-old trick.
This issue continues Mitsunobu Matsuyama's look at Japanese magic from issue two with "An Investigation into Magic in Japan after the Opening of the Country, Part II".
Aurelio Paviato looks into an early book to bring us a number of salient references to cheating and magic in "Notes on Pietro Aretino's Le Carte Parlanti".
We conclude with a fascinating discovery of what may well be a previously unrecorded professional magician in the Bamberg line. Peter Bräuning documents his findings in the article "Abraham Bamberg: The Augmentation of a Dynasty".
All in all a great issue from our talented contributors.
Pages: 158 - 9.5" x 6.5" - Softcover - Black and white and color images
£27.50
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Gibeciere Vol. 2, No. 2 (Summer 2007)
In this issue we've made a brief departure from our usual style. In lieu of articles on various subjects, we've dedicated our current issue to the translation and analysis of one of the rarest and most important books in the history of magic.
In 1593, Venice, Italy, Horatio Galasso's Giochi di carte belissimi (Most beautiful card games) was printed for the first time. No less important for our history than Scot's Discoverie of witchcraft or Prevost's La premiere partie des svbtiles, et plaisantes inventions, Galasso's book broke new ground in early card magic. During the late 16th century we have numerous accounts of great sleight of hand men traveling around Europe performing card magic, but with Galasso's seminal work we now have a book with numerous methods. Here for the first time is the explanation of what became the famous 21 card trick. Also here for the first time is the system that would later be attributed to Si Stebbins.
This rare treasure, which is only known in two examples, has now been translated into English by Lori Pieper.
More importantly, we now have the distinct pleasure of publishing the esteemed Vanni Bossi's detailed analysis of this wonderful book.
Pages: 187 - 9.5" x 6.5" - Softcover - Black and white and color images
£27.50 - £50.00
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Gibeciere Vol. 3, No. 1 (Winter 2008)
The first issue of our third volume includes the fascinating third installment of Mitsunobu Matsuyama's "An Investigation into Magic in Japan after the Opening of the Country." This time he is solving the mystery of Soto Sunetaro's arrival in the U.S.A. and discussing the role that Soto played in the history of de Kolta's "Expanding Die" illusion.
Dr. William Spooner has contributed a history of the ideomechanic pendulum commonly known as the "Sex Detector."
Volker Huber returns to provide a solution to the source of German artist Max Beckmann's puzzling lithograph, "Magic Mirror."
We have also included the first English translation of Satana raccolta Europea: passatempo dell'intermezzo nelle sedute: di magia egiziana: del cavaliere Bartolomeo Bosco, a rare and early biography of the renowned sleight-of-hand performer Bartolomeo Bosco. And we are very excited that this new translation includes an introduction by Ricky Jay.
Pages: 160 - 9.5" x 6.5" - Softcover - Black and white and color images
£27.50
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Gibeciere Vol. 3, No. 2 (Summer 2008)
We gladly submit a most fascinating Gibecière issue for your perusal. Please enjoy the following sundry articles:
The first piece, "Vernon the Mesmerist", is by Peter Lamont, author of The Rise and Fall of the Indian Rope Trick and The First Psychic, and features the escapades of W.J. Vernon, a proponent of phrenology and mesmerism.
The next article features a further installment in Mitsunobu Matsuyama's series "An Investigation into Magic in Japan after the Opening of the Country". This time he looks at some of the first magicians to adopt western magic effects and some of the early foreign magicians to introduce western magic into Japan.
Finally we end with a look at the history of nail writing and pencil reading in "Lessons Written with a Small Gimmick" by Loren Pankratz. In addition to providing some of the earliest references to date for these secret subterfuges, there is also some intriguing information on two fascinating characters, William Eglinton and S.J. Davey, whose methods were considered superior to the prominent Henry Slade and still leave even present day magicians nonplussed.
Pages: 153 - 9.5" x 6.5" - Softcover - Black and white and color images
£27.50
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Gibeciere Vol. 4, No. 1 (Winter 2009)
Our fourth volume begins the year with two new and fascinating articles. As with all of our contributions, these articles feature novel discussions of previously little known or practically lost historical information.
We begin with "The Thought-Reader Craze" by Barry Wiley. Well known for his scholarship, this article features original research and commentary on the fascinating beginnings of the one-man mental act, and the techniques of contact mind-reading and muscle reading. A number of engaging characters and stories emerge during this study, featuring John Randall Brown, Washington Irving Bishop, and Stuart Cumberland.
Our second article in this issue features the fifth installment of Mitsunobu Matsuyama's "An Investigation into Magic in Japan After the Opening of the Country". The previous four installments have appeared in previous issues and are quite glorious. This article is similarly endowed.
Of course we have included a number of striking photos and graphics to highlight the text. Additionally, the issue features a number of improvements in design, including a splendid embossed cover, that make this one of the most beautiful issues ever.
Pages: 195 - 9.5" x 6.5" - Softcover - Black and white and color images
£27.50
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Gibeciere Vol. 4, No. 2 (Summer 2009)
Similar to the Summer 2007 issue where we reprinted Horatio Galasso's Giochi di carte belissimi (Most beautiful card games), this issue features a new and complete translation of Engaños a ojos vistas (Deceptions in Plain Sight) by Pablo Minguet è Yrol. Published in 1733, Minguet was Spain's first book devoted to the teaching of conjuring secrets. This is the first time his examplary early text has been translated into English.
In addition to the translation, there are also introductory and supplementary articles by Stephen Minch, Juan Tamariz, and Enrique Jimènez-Martinez, including a checklist of editions by Mr. Jimènez-Martinez and William Kalush.
Original copies of Minguet are rather rare so it is a real treat to offer this translation which, combined with the supplementary materials, provides a unique opportunity to learn a great deal about a fascinating and previously inaccessible work.
Pages: 227 - 9.5" x 6.5" - Softcover - Black and white and color images
£27.50
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Gibeciere Vol. 5, No. 1 (Winter 2010)
Magic lovers rejoice! Due to the great efforts of our editor Stephen Minch the new issue of Gibecière (Winter 2010) is now off the press.
This issue of the journal is robust and includes a fascinating article by Martin Gardner on the history of a specialized spelling effect with cards. Also included is an article by William Kalush on the general history of the speller which includes a facsimile reproduction of Dr. Elliott's handwritten manuscript on the 3 card speller. Once again we are privileged to include another glimpse at the history of Japanese magic by Mitsunobu Matsuyama. After all that we still found room to include a translation of a newly discovered and possibly unique 19th century French pamphlet by Antoine Castelli entitled Amusemens physiques. Join or renew now to be sure you won't miss this issue!
Pages: 179 - 9.5" x 6.5" - Softcover - Black and white and color images
£27.50
Buy Now |
Gibeciere Vol. 5, No. 2 (Summer 2010)
For our spectacular tenth issue, we hear from a familiar voice, welcome a celebrated new contributor, and unearth a centuries-old manuscript that turns the entire timeline of magic history on its ear.
First, Barry Wiley chronicles the remarkable Nellie Bly, considered the first female journalist, and her shrewd exposure of fraudulent supernatural performers in early 20th Century America.
Next we hear from the prolific Joshua Jay, who gives us a morbidly fascinating catalog of magicians who have met with tragic ends in the pursuit of their art. Chung Ling Soo's death is well-chronicled, but these magicians' stories are equally (and just as eerily) compelling.
Finally, Conjuring Arts has uncovered a 17th Century Italian manuscript whose contents both shed light on and call into question the timeline of many well-known conjuring tricks. Lori Pieper once again provides the English translation, and Stephen Minch and William Kalush give context and commentary.
Pages: 173 - 9.5" x 6.5" - Softcover - Black and white and color images
£27.50
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Gibeciere Vol. 6, No. 1 (Winter 2011)
The 11th issue of Gibecière is finished, and we are very excited. This particular issue contains a real treat as we have finally persuaded the delightful Jim Steinmeyer to contribute an article, an addition to our list of contributors that we have been hoping for since the journal began. Additionally we have articles by Mitsunobu Matsuyama, William Kalush and Stephen Minch, and a translation from Lori Pieper!
Jim Steinmeyer's article, "The Spider in the Flies", neatly transitions from Joshua Jay's "Tragic Magic" in the last issue, as it has to do with murder, although it is not the magician this time who is the victim. There is quite a bit more to this novel mystery which we leave you to work out by reading Mr. Steinmeyer's enlightening article.
Mitsunobu Matsuyama provides a seventh(!) installment in his fascinating series, "An Investigation into Magic in Japan". This time the history intertwines with several of magic's biggest names: Maskelyne, Devant, and Chung Ling Soo. M. Gintaro may have performed at the Maskelyne and Devant theaters more than any other magician, possibly more than 6,000 performances! Frank Kametaro was Chung Ling Soo's right-hand man who also, tragically, gave the order to fire during the performance of the bullet catch which cost the life of Soo. These and several other individuals are documented in this installment.
We round out this issue with a new translation of the magic section of Ozanam by the ever diligent Lori Pieper. The translation is introduced by Mr. William Kalush and Mr. Stephen Minch in their article, "The Influence of Ozanam", which looks at where the text may have come from and the later texts that may have benefited from its popularity.
In all, we are very happy with this issue and are sure that you will find much of interest.
Pages: 157 - 9.5" x 6.5" - Softcover - Black and white and color images
£27.50
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Gibeciere Vol. 6, No. 2 (Summer 2011)
The latest issue has arrived and completes the first dozen issues and marks the end of the 6th volume. Happy anniversary Gibecière!
As usual, we have a rich variety of contributions from a number of authors to make for some fascinating reading. In addition to some historical works, we even delve into a historical feud!
The first article is an intriguing look into the fascinating character Ishii Black by Mitsunobu Matsuyama in a continuation of his superb series of articles investigating magic in Japan. In addition to the look into Black's life, we also have reproduced a series of articles that he contributed on Japanese magic, complete with commentary by Mr. Matsuyama.
The next series of articles are a present day look at what amounts to an historical feud! In our Summer 2009 issue, you will note that we offered a translation of Spain's first magic book, Engaños a ojos vistas (Deceptions in Plain Sight) by Pablo Minguet è Yrol. Well, the book was not without controversy and one of Minguet's contemporaries, Diego Joseph Zamorano, took him to task in Thesoro atractivo de curiosos... or Attractive treasury of curiosities... Dr. Lori Pieper provides us with a translation of this interesting magical work and we are also treated to an introduction by Enrique Jimènez-Martinez and some present day commentary by Stephen Minch!
Pages: 193 - 9.5" x 6.5" - Softcover - Black and white and color images
£27.50
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Heptagon by Patrick Redford
Powerful Mentalism Performable Over the Phone or in Person!
As part of a 5 comic book series, Heptagon (preceded By Triangle & followed by Square), is a comic devoted to mentalism over the telephone. This stuff doesn't suffer from your usual transparent mathematical or psychological methodology.
Artist Jesse Rubenfeld's art is beautiful, the page layout is stellar, and overall the product productions are top notch.
Imagine being able to perform strong, commercial mentalism remotely over the telephone without having to resort to contrived mathematical feeling procedures, or having to rely on traditional psychological forcing techniques. These routines are just as impressive over the phone as they are in person.
Dead Phone - Divine and predict the location of three weapons hidden in three different pockets of your subject.
Drinks on Me - A 100% Safe Acid Roulette Game.
The Call - Successfully call the winner of three rounds of RPS & know the exact objects thrown in the last play.
Memory Prison - Memorize the subject's deck of cards in 30 seconds then teach the subject to memorize a deck of cards in under one minute all over the phone.
Coin Claw - Feel exactly what the subject feels and identify which of four coins is being held at seemingly any given time.
Coin Cast - Perform a which hand is the coin in effect and also be able to call if the coin is heads or tails up in the subjects hand. Yes, even over the phone!
Lie Detector - The performer is able to correctly spot when the subject is lying or telling the truth without fail.
Remote Composition - A different presentation of the previous routine with a psychic theme rather than a psychological. This works well as a fail-safe for Joshua Quinn's Duplicity.
Subliminal Persuasion Kicker - Have the subject write down an open prediction about a physical set of actions he or she will do only to have him or her cause it to come true moments later without being aware of it.
Tracing Dick - A drawing duplication for the phone
Pages: 52 - Soft cover - 10" x 6.5" - Full-color and black-and-white illustrations
£32.00
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Houdini Laid Bare by William Kalush
The Secret Life of Houdini by William Kalush and Larry Sloman is perhaps the most controversial book ever written about Harry Houdini. Experts are still debating the claims put forth in this groundbreaking biography. Did Houdini really work for the Secret Service? Did he sometimes rely on confederates to accomplish his escapes? Were ardent spiritualists in some way involved in his untimely death?
The authors have now compiled all of their notes and sources into a beautiful companion volume. The Secret Life of Houdini Laid Bare provides a fascinating peek into the voluminous files that were collected from all parts of the world. Plus, all of the material that was edited out of the original biography appears in Houdini Laid Bare for the first time. Scattered throughout the book are more than seventy rare photographs relating to the career of the Great Houdini.
Fans of magic history will find that reading both books together will bring each one to life. Sold only as a set, these books are packaged in a beautiful slipcase. To commemorate the publication of this important book, artist Chrysse Haynes painted two original oil paintings; one shows Houdini escaping from a strait jacket and the other of him about to be lowered into the Water Torture Cell. Both can be seen in the thumbnail images at the right. These images, signed by each of the authors, have been tipped into a first edition of The Secret Life of Houdini and The Secret Life of Houdini Laid Bare. Each book is numbered and only 1,000 sets have been produced.
Pages: 333 - 6" x 9" - Hardcover with dust jacket - Illustrated with 70 photos, programs, posters and advertisements - Sold in a slip case with The Secret Life of Houdini
£66.99
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If An Octopus Could Palm by Dan and Dave Buck
Dan and Dave's first book reveals over a dozen conceptual palming techniques designed to inspire new ways of thinking about the age-old practice of holding out.
Highlights include a method for replacing a bottom palmed card to the top of the deck, a switch loading a palmed card beneath the top card in the action of turning it over, a variation of the Miller Cascade Control that allows for the card to be palmed and a streamlined approach for executing the Diagonal Palm Shift from a peek.What is palming? Basically, it's the techniques magicians and gamblers use to secretly remove cards from the pack into hidden positions in the hands. Gamblers refer to it as holding out. In fact, a card can be palmed from any location in the deck into pretty much any palm position without your spectators ever suspecting. As a result, these cards can be surreptitiously placed either back on top, bottom, or anywhere you conceive (your pocket, a shoe, your spectator's purse, even another palm). Palming also affords the ability to retain certain cards while the spectators shuffle, only to be replaced later, under your control.Beautifully printed and bound with luxurious features such as a foil embossed title, a tip-in reproduction of the original cover art by Juan Luis Buñuel, a protective dust-jacket and color accents throughout, If an Octopus Could Palm is 90 pages with 109 hand drawn illustrations.
£45.00
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