Greetings from all of us here at Hank Lee's Magic Factory. We are just back from the SAM Convention, where we had more fun that humanly possible. For us, the best part was seeing so many friends. The time just flew by. We found some really excellent items in the dealers' room. You will be reading about them in this email letter and in the weeks to come.
And, now let’s take a look at the ever popular Hotlist!
Deep Astonishment II - Everything about Paul Harris’ Deep Astonishment has been improved, simplified and beautified.
Display a leather gypsy envelope and a beautiful old gypsy fortune telling deck. Each card has a fortune printed right on its face. You ask your "client" to utter the name of a special someone to create a relaxed fortune telling atmosphere. Let's say her special name is "Rose."
Do a short three card reading for your client. The first card predicts good luck. The second card indicates an impending mystery. The third card hints that this impending lucky mystery might have something to do with an envelope. Could it be referring to the leather envelope lying on the table?
Open the leather envelope and remove a small packet of fortune telling cards. Their backs are a different color than the cards you've been using!
Slowly and cleanly deal the cards from the envelope onto the table. The first card has a large hand drawn "R" on its back. The next card an "O". The next an "S." The final card an "E," spelling "Rose"!
No one says anything for a very long time. Then a single word escapes your client's lips. "HOW?"
No cue cards! No memorization! No mnemonics!
No lead-in effect! No cards to hold! Totally angle-proof! Completely streamlined!
Includes a custom-made leather envelope and a full-color gypsy fortune telling deck! $45.00
(http://www.hanklee.org/xcart/customer/product.php?productid=1169&cat=&page=1)
Extreme Rubber Band Magic DVD - Joe Rindfleisch -Magic performed with rubber bands has grown in popularity with close-up magicians in recent years mostly because it encompasses all of the elements that make for effective close-up magic.
Joe Rindfleisch has taken rubber band magic to an entirely new level and on this DVD, you’ll see effects that will fool even experienced band workers.
Learn rubber band magic from the man who wrote the book (Elastrix Vol. 2 - The Encyclopedia of Rubber Band Magic was actually written by Stephen Minch and featured Joe Rindfleisch’s original creations). These aren’t your father’s tricks with rubber bands. This is rubber band magic to the extreme! All on one DVD $34.95
(http://www.hanklee.org/xcart/customer/product.php?productid=7856&cat=&page=1)
Full Metal Jacket - JC Wagner & Syd Segal - A unique booklet from the creative minds of JC Wagner and up-and-coming magician Syd Segal. Beautifully illustrated by RFA Productions, this high quality 35 page booklet contains 7 brand new killer routines designed to fool layman and magicians alike.
"JC Wagner in print for the first time in over 10 years!"
Also included:
Syd Segal digs deep into the mind of JC and finds out what he's been up to for the last 10 years. A one-on-one interview that tells all. $29.95
(http://www.hanklee.org/xcart/customer/product.php?productid=7857&cat=&page=1)
Fernando Keops DVD Set - Fernando Keops has been performing for more than 30 years in some of the world's most prestigious venues. His television credits include more than 200 appearances on such shows as “That’s Incredible” and “The Five Greatest Close-Up Magicians in the World” in addition to six of his own one-hour specials in his home country of Mexico. His list of awards includes just about every honor the magic world bestows with prizes from FISM, the Magic Castle, IBM, and many more. $99.95 (Also available individually)
(http://www.hanklee.org/xcart/customer/product.php?productid=7858&cat=&page=1)
Chinese Set - The Chinese Set was a runaway best-seller at this year’s national conventions! A coin routine like no other.
Hold two laminated playing cards face down in your hands. Ask a spectator to name two cards.
She names two cards, you turn over the cards in your hand, and they match! Of course, your cards are written in Chinese letters, so it is a little difficult to verify!
As soon as the groans subside, you put the two cards together and a Chinese coin appears!
Show the cards on both sides, put them together and another Chinese coin appears. And another and another! Until you have four Chinese coins on the table!
A great lead-in to your favorite Matrix routine. A powerful routine on its own.
Comes with the two cards and the very special set of Chinese Coins. You will be thrilled with the workmanship! $99.50
(http://www.hanklee.org/xcart/customer/product.php?productid=7861&cat=&page=1)
Astonishing Rice Jar - Barrie Richardson’s Astonishing Rice Jar is an amazing demonstration that Barrie has brought to life once again, as featured in his newest book, Act Two.
People who have witnessed this stunt can recall it many years later. How many card or coin tricks fall into this category? How many stage illusions are this memorable?
The plot, like most good magic, is uncomplicated. An ordinary glass jar is filled to the brim with ordinary rice. A chopstick (or wooden letter opener) is inserted a few inches into the vessel. When the chopstick is lifted, the heavy rice-filled vessel is suspended. How can this be?
The vessel is then lowered, the chopstick removed, and the rice poured out in a long dramatic stream. Everything is normal. There are no gimmicks - no magnets, wires, hidden supports, etc. Comes complete with Barrie's detailed instructions and chopstick. You can use virtually any jar and grain (not included). $19.95
(http://www.hanklee.org/xcart/customer/product.php?productid=7862&cat=&page=1)
P-PIK Prediction Cards - The most original and unique revelation in the illusionary arts. Strong statement, but true!
Twelve prediction cards are shown. On the face, each card bears a golden circle of symbols with a solid black spot in the center. The back bears 100 numbers and corresponding symbols.
A spectator freely chooses a number and a card. There is no force of any kind. They are asked to look at the back of the card and match their number to one of the many symbols. This will be their chosen symbol.
Turn the card over and their chosen symbol will gradually fade into view, right in front of their eyes. It looks absolutely amazing!
You can perform this for up to 12 people at one time.
It’s great for any type of performance, whether it is pure magic, pure mentalism or a mix of both.
The cards do all the work, so it is a snap to perform! $35.00
(http://www.hanklee.org/xcart/customer/product.php?productid=7863&cat=&page=1)
Gentle Art Of Cold Reading - Lee Earle - "I said the secret words and tripled my income.
I'm talking about Cold Reading. A combination of flim-flam, applied psychology, and glib entertainment, it persuades folks to believe that you know more about them than they ever thought possible. Knowledge like this will prove to be one of the most valuable assets in your performing repertoire." -Lee Earle
Only one hundred and seventy seven words long, this reading was developed at a major university and evaluated by test subjects to be over 90% accurate every time! This 80 minute audio-CD and its companion book are packed with hints, tips, techniques, and distilled experience; the inside information which, up until now, has been closely guarded by some of the industry's most successful performers.
Pop the audio-CD into your car's stereo and learn Cold Reading the easy way. Discover how to make the reading sound fresh and new every time. Even when the ladies cluster around you (and they will) listening to what you say to every person, each will receive different and personalized information when it's her turn. Learn a method that gets your spectator to make the reading more accurate by doing your work for you.
Includes instructional booklet and 18 track CD. $24.95
(http://www.hanklee.org/xcart/customer/product.php?productid=7864&cat=&page=1)
Slow Motion Swindle - David Parr - Take an amazing detour into the land of flim-flams, con-games and swindles! It’s David Parr’s Slow Motion Swindle!
A borrowed five dollar bill is held by an audience volunteer; an examined one dollar bill is held by the magician. Everything appears to be on the up-and-up. But the performer demonstrates that appearances can be deceiving, when the bills suddenly change places! A wonderful new version of the classic bill transposition, with instructions by David Parr and an introduction by Eugene Burger!
* No palming required!
* Both bills are examinable!
* No complicated sleight of hand!
* Works with the new U.S. currency!
* Includes complete script and special items! $20.00
(http://www.hanklee.org/xcart/customer/product.php?productid=7865&cat=&page=1)
And that's the coolest hot stuff for this week. Tons and tons more coming in the weeks ahead. So, stay tuned!
I hope you will find some time to visit us either in person at our wonderous showroom at 112 South Street or online at www.magicfact.com. Either way, we love the company!
Hank Lee
