Greetings from all of us at Hank Lee’s Magic Factory. This has been a mighty busy week, for sure.
We have been working on the new Holiday Extra, which will be delivered to the printer next week, and hopefully hit the mail by the middle of November. Of course, we will have it up online under the Extras Button at www.magicfact.com long before it arrives in your mailbox. Speaking of which, have you checked out the Fall Extra under that very same button. For those of you who get the weekly Email Newsletter in html format, you will find the Extras Button directly to the left! How convenient.
Every day the 2008 edition of the Cape Cod Conclave looks better and better. This week, we booked The Magic of Lyn. I am really pleased. I’ve known Lyn since she was a just a magical sprout and she has blossomed into one of the most talented and hard-working performers on the scene today. Plus, from France, Laurent Beretta. We have also known him forever, and he will be with us as well. A very high energy act that you will love. You might think about registering now for the Conclave. It’s our 20th year, and will for sure be a sellout.
Speaking of old friends, have you seen the new Genii Magazine? My old pal Max Maven adorns the cover. Inside, it is all Max, all the time. It’s really an excellent issue. Of course, the fact that Max had some very nice things to say about us has little or no effect on my opinion of the article. Not. If you don’t subscribe to Genii, you can get a copy from us.
OK, I have held off as long as I can. The Red Sox won the American League Pennant, and are in the World Series. Twice in the past four years. I must tell you that it does not have the emotional impact that the 2004 Series did. In 2004, we were all crazy with excitement. You had to be here to understand. This time, I think we expected them to deliver, and they did. Are we becoming so jaded? I hope not.
Quick note. Are you still getting this eMail Newsletter in Text-Only format? Would you prefer it in the deluxe html format? I’m sure you would. Just drop me an email and I will set you up for html. You will be happy you made the change!
Halloween is next week, a most magical day. So, deciding on this week's excitement was easy!
HALLOWEEN SAVINGS - For the next seven days, from the very moment you receive this email until Thursday, November 1st at midnight, everything (well, almost everything) is on sale at 25% off the retail price. All you need to do is enter the special code HALLOWEENSAVINGS in the Discount Coupon Box of the online checkout at www.magicfact.com and we will automatically deduct 25% from your order total. If you are calling your order in to the Toll Free Order Line at 800 874 7400, FAXing your order to us at 781 395 2034 or emailing us your order to magicfact@aol.com make sure to mention the special code so you can save a huge 25%!
There are a few rules that apply, as with all things in life.
• The minimum order to use the 25% off discount is $25.00.
• The 25% is deducted from the retail price of the item. No intermediate discounts (such as HankoGram pricing) may be applied. In the case of sets, such as DVDs and Videos, the 25% is deducted from the retail price of each item and not from the set price.
• Certain items, due to contractual restrictions, are not included in this sale. All Joe Porper items, Paul Harris Prime Time Magic items, Viking/CW items, Kennedy Enterprises items, Colin Rose items, Mike Caveney Books, JB Magic, Martin Breese, Mikame Craft items, Greater Magic Teach-In DVDs, One Of A Kind Collectors' Items and a few other items are not included in the sale.
• If you place an order for an item that is not on this list or not noted in our online catalog, but is excluded from the sale, we will let you know before processing your order.
• Coupons will be deducted from the order total before the discount is applied.
• As the discount is automatically generated, you must put the special code HALLOWEENSAVINGS in the Discount Coupon Box. You may have to scroll to the bottom of the page to find the box, but it is there. If you are not sure how to do this, please phone your order in to our toll-free order ine at 800 874 7400, and we will take care of you. We cannot offer discounts retroactively.
And that's it. It could not be easier. So, get your order together and save yourself some serious money! But, act quickly. The sale ends Thursday at midnight!
And now, to the hauntingly exciting Hotlist.
Bammo Dekronomicon: The Holy Grail of “Any Card at Any Number,” discovered at last!
A spectator thinks of a card, but does not reveal its identity. He doesn't write it down, cut to it or take it from the deck. He never touches the deck, just gazes at it to form an image in his head. He is the only person in the universe who knows the card.
A second spectator thinks of any number from 1 to 52, but says nothing, writes nothing. He is the only person in the universe who knows the number. The deck is spread face down on the table. The magician knows neither the card nor the number at this point and he never touches the deck again.
Before the first spectator reveals his card, the second spectator reveals his number and he - not the magician - counts over to that point in the deck. He can count from either end of the spread. His choice, no force. Only after this has been done, only after the count has finished, does the first spectator reveal the name of his card.
The card at the selected position is turned over by the spectator. It is the thought-of card! The next card is shown, and it is an indifferent card!
With Bob Farmer's Bammo Dekronomicon, there are no sleights. You don't switch the card counted to for the thought-of card. The spectators can do the counting and turn over the card. No bizarre calculations or formulas to learn, do the trick 30 minutes after assembling the props. It’s that simple
* The deck is spread on the table before the number and the card are named.
* The magician never touches the cards after he spreads them on the table.
* The cards are not specially printed; use any cards you want.
* It is not the same card and number every time (you could perform this hundreds of times and have a different number and card every time).
* The magician learns the name of the card and the number at the same time as the audience. No particular card or number is forced.
* No rough and smooth, no short cards, no cards stuck together.
* No stooges and no assistants.
* Resets instantly.
* No special clothing! Do it in a T-shirt, jeans and sneakers (as Bob Farmer does).
* Works for any conditions: close-up, stage, standing, sitting, begging.
* Walk-around and no table? One spectator can count the cards into the other spectator's hands.
*Do it surrounded there are no angles.
It really is as described. As purchasers of Bob Farmer's other effects know, the description of the effect is the effect you get - and the method is always diabolical. You get the manuscript and full instructions on how to construct the secret and mysterious inner workings. $19.95 (30.1272)
(http://www.hanklee.org/xcart/product.php?productid=9096&cat=0&page=1)
Santa’s Hat With A Point: A traditional Santa Clause hat that also functions as a fully usable change bag!
You can use the hat to vanish or change the color of silks; use it to perform an Elfin cut and restored rope routine; use it for anything you would normally do with a change bag!
You can wear the hat yourself. You can put it on a kid. Really well made, deluxe red felt, trimmed in white faux fur. The gimmick is virtually invisible. A buy at $39.95 (60.1482)
(http://www.hanklee.org/xcart/product.php?productid=9100&cat=0&page=1)
The Eyes Have It: The latest entry in the Geeky Magic parade, it’s Alan Wong and Steve Marshall’s The Eyes Have It!
Using these delightfully funny sponge eyeballs, you will be able to create all kinds of ‘eye-popping’ effects. All the while keeping a close eye on your audience!
The very funny routine that comes with the eyeballs includes some real ‘groaners.’ Of course, you could go the macabre route and present a most ghoulish routine. It’s your choice, just ‘see’ which style suits you best.
This package comes with a set of four sponge eyeballs and complete routine! $24.95 (10.1423)
(http://www.hanklee.org/xcart/product.php?productid=9105&cat=0&page=1)
Shh
The Sneaky Handwriting Handbook DVD Set: Learn all you can about the most powerful tool in mentalism with this excellent 2-DVD set!
DVD One: Performances, explanations, tips, including the following:
* Make a spectator think they have ESP.
* Getting started and ditching your "NW."
* Practice tips to get you up to speed quickly.
* What to do when someone says, "Show me first."
* How to personalize for maximum effect.
* The invisible display
* What to write on.
* Special wallet and envelope work.
* How to generate more gigs with "Shh..."
* And much more!
DVD Two:
* Andy Nyman - Get the most out of your mentalism, connect with your audience, strengthen your persona, and more!
* Greg Arce - How to create a higher level of realism, be wrong and look right, special "NW" routines, and more!
* Jon Stetson - How to get the most out of pre-show work, improve the "real you," peeking tips, and more!
* Francis Menotti - Non-mentalism use for the SWAMI, develop your own personal style, bring out your creativity, and more! $49.95 (DVD00785)
(http://www.hanklee.org/xcart/product.php?productid=9104&cat=0&page=1)
The Bubbler – John Sheets: At any time during a manipulation routine, reach into your table and bring out a sleek metal tube. Raise the tube to your lips and gently blow. From the tube emerges a shimmering smoke-filled bubble. Blow the bubble free of the tube and it floats away. Touch the bubble, and as it pops the smoke billows out and wafts away. A second bubble is blown and as you pop it, it transforms into a white silk as the smoke dissipates. Drape the silk over your arm and blow another bubble. The bubble is popped with a downward slap, and a white ball hits the stage and bounces back into your hand! Vanish the ball. Blow another bubble. This time when it is popped, the bubble transforms into a live dove!
What you do with the bubbles after they are blown is limited only by your imagination. You can produce solid glass bubbles, balls, silks, roses, cards, fans, candles, coins, parakeets, doves, or whatever your imagination devises!
This awesome effect has been in John's award winning act for nearly 15 years. Despite significant pressure from other famous performers to divulge the method, this is the first time it is being released to the magic fraternity. This patent pending device allows you to blow bubbles that are automatically filled with real smoke. When the bubbles pop, the smoke spirals away... just like real smoke... because, it is real smoke! There is no messing with separate blowpipes and loose cigarettes to add the smoke after the bubbles are formed! No cigarettes need be seen at any time!
The Bubbler is designed for use with only one hand, so the other hand is free for other movements.
Engineered from the highest quality aluminum and stainless steel, The Bubbler will last a lifetime.
Illusionists, magicians, manipulators and bubble artists will all benefit from including The Bubbler in their acts. Creative performers recognize the unlimited possibilities!
Since real smoke fills the bubbles, this effect is not recommended for Birthday Party performances or close up situations. The design and manufacturing of this deceptively innocent device insures that the source of the smoke stays dry before, during and after performance, no matter how it might be tipped.
* Highest quality aluminum and stainless steel
* Certificate of Authenticity
* Directions and tips for handling
* Registration Card
* Performance Rights
* Comprehensive Formula Directions
$349.95 (60.1483)
(http://www.hanklee.org/xcart/product.php?productid=9102&cat=0&page=1)
Compression: Visually smash a Bic pen into one half its original size!
No switches. No sleeves. End clean. The compressed pen writes and is completely examinable. You can even give it away to a spectator to keep as a souvenir! They will find nothing because there is nothing.
Keep this hard-hitting effect with you everywhere you go!
* Extremely easy to master
* Can be performed surrounded
* Can be made in under 15 minutes
* Resets in seconds
* Can be given away as a souvenir
The DVD consists of the following sections:
* Demo Video with Live Performances
* Introduction
* Simple Explanation
* How To Make Compression
* Detailed Handling
Now with over 15 minutes of Bonus Material, including:
* Performance Tips
* Performance Ideas
* Special Handling
$24.95 (10.1422)
(http://www.hanklee.org/xcart/product.php?productid=9103&cat=0&page=1)
Inka: Welcome to magic's newest secret weapon!
In the world of magic, new multi-dimensional secret weapons are a hard thing to come by, until now! With magic's newest jaw-dropping technological wonder, you will be able to “kill” your audience, leaving them mentally destroyed.
Your mission, should you choose to accept it, is to blow your audience away, employing this latest piece of technology. You will need the following apparatus to complete the mission.
* Your secret weapon.
* 32 page Operations Manual full of various ideas, tactics, and explanations using your new weapon of mental destruction.
* Your target audience
Having read the Operations Manual, you will be equipped with all the knowledge required to carry out your mission successfully. There is no need for extensive training. This apparatus requires little skill to use effectively. It is simple to master, yet the possibilities are limited only by your imagination!
Begin your mission now! $24.95 (10.1421)
(http://www.hanklee.org/xcart/product.php?productid=9101&cat=0&page=1)
Secrets Of The MacDonald Aces DVD: World’s Greatest Magic By The World’s Greatest Magicians - Seven versions of magic’s strongest card trick, assembled just for you!
There are many who would argue that the Ace assembly trick that has come to be known as MacDonald’s Aces is the strongest card trick you can do for a layman. Though you may have a different opinion, you just may be tempted to change your mind after witnessing the six world-class performances on this volume.
Leading off, Michael Ammar presents an easy-to-master, yet extremely effective, version of MacDonald’s Aces while Johnny Thompson offers a take that intimately involves the spectators. John Mendoza is next with the approach of a classicist while Alexander deCova embellishes his interpretation with an amazing – and amazingly simple – four Ace production. Rising card star John Guastaferro offers up two versions. The first features complete vanishes of the Aces rather than a transposition and also supplies a strong presentational hook while the second is the perfect solution for performing this extremely strong card effect for a much larger audience. Lastly, Martin Nash dons his “Charming Cheat” persona and removes the Aces one at a time right from under a spectator’s hand.
Once again, MacDonald’s Aces is one of card magic’s rare feats – a genuine jaw-dropping miracle – and on this volume, you’ll find seven of the finest treatises ever created. $19.95 (DVD00784)
(http://www.hanklee.org/xcart/product.php?productid=9099&cat=0&page=1)
Houdini Book Test: Imagine this: You are sitting waiting for an appointment when someone notices you are reading a book by Harry Houdini. A conversation ensues in which you begin to explain how the classic book penned by this famous magician is purely dedicated to exposing fakes and frauds using trickery to deceive people into believing that they have "supernatural" powers.
Then you say, "For example, take a look at this book real quickly. While you do that, I am going to write down something here on a piece of paper, fold it up, and put it in plain view for you to see." You then instruct them to turn freely to any page they would like, remember the page number, and then close the book and put it on the table. You take the book back and tell them to read the paper: you predicted exactly what they read!
No stooges! No confederates. Can be done impromptu. Can be done completely surrounded. No mirrors. No coins. No breaks. One of the easiest book tests you'll ever do. And, it is the real book! The possible routines are limited only by your own imagination! You can even read Harry's work from front to back.
Pages 200 - Perfect Bound Soft Cover - 5 1/2" x 8 1/2" (14cm x 21.6cm) $49.95 (40.596)
(http://www.hanklee.org/xcart/product.php?productid=9098&cat=0&page=1)
Devil Of A Bar And Pub - The Scribe: Known to readers of Linking Ring, members of the exclusive Shadow Network and elsewhere. The Scribe has long written reports about the goings on of this pub, and the peculiar cast of characters who frequents it. Those people are the alter egos of a veritable Who's Who of the magic, bizarre and storytelling world!
Who are they and who is The Scribe? Well, that has never been made public, until now! Yes, in addition to over 60 of the scribe's reports- in addition to never before published reports- in addition to reprints of the Linking Ring Pub specials, here you will learn the identity of the Scribe and his cohorts! We will tell you that editor and co-publisher of Oracle Magazine, Larry White is the head of this group, and the rest is a Who's Who of the storytelling, bizarre and magic world- but to find out who's Who, you'll have to own the book.
Leaping Lizards Magic brings this very exclusive hard cover collection of storytelling, bizarre and psychically entertaining magic together for the first and only time. This dust jacketed hard cover book is 383 pages and is sure to become a collector's item. $85.00 (BK01547)
(http://www.hanklee.org/xcart/product.php?productid=9097&cat=0&page=1)
Amazing Guy DVD - Thom Peterson: Faster than a speeding ticket! More powerful than a refrigerator magnet! Able to leap subway turnstiles in a single bound.... okay, two bounds.
Thirteen close-up routines designed to turn you into an amazing super-hero!
INK. Inc - A complete deck of custom, hand drawn playing cards visually prints right in front of your spectator's unbelieving eyes. You'll never slip these into a poker game. Your audience will think you have mini ink-jets hidden in your finger tips!
George of the Jumble - A torn and restored mismade-ish bill (with the torn edges restored on the outside) that will leave your spectator with a souvenir that would have the The Riddler scratching his head.
Thomato - A real cherry tomato is smashed flat between your hands, and ends up with a facial expression almost as surprising as your audience's.
Psycho - A card is selected by a spectator, shuffled into the deck by the spectator, and found by the spectator! You've heard all this before, but wait. Come back. This one actually looks as good as it sounds.
Simply Three - An in-the-hands 3-Card Monte that re-sets immediately, uses regular cards and has a killer ending. This is the 3-Card Monte you'll actually use. Metropolis will never be the same again!
Plus 8 Other Acts of Super-Human Skill. $35.00 (DVD00783)
(http://www.hanklee.org/xcart/product.php?productid=9095&cat=0&page=1)
And that’s another week of amazing new magic. Just waiting to jump off our shelves and head for your home! I hope you find some stuff that tickles your fancy.
And, as always, I hope you will find some time to spend with us online at www.magicfact.com, or in person at 102 North Street in Medford. Either way, we love the company.
Hank Lee
