Friday, November 09, 2007

Invasion Of The Techno-Bots

Greetings from all of us at Hank Lee’s Magic Factory. It’s like a scene from Invasion of the Techno-Bots. The Pitney Bowes technical team has invaded our warehouse. There is techno-stuff all over the place. New computers, printers, scales and brand spanking-new shipping software. It must be amazing software,because the techno-guys have been programming it for days and days. Tweaking this. Changing that. Customizing. Updating. All day, every day. When they are finished, we should be able to ship packages with the speed of light. At least that’s what it says in their brochure. We shall see. In the meantime we continue to ship at somewhat less than the speed of light, but still pretty darn fast!

You will really want to check out the new items in this week’s Hotlist. I can’t remember a week when we received more excellent items. And, I am very pleased to be able to share them with you.

On the home front, Aron reports in that he has been doing extremely well in his courses. He has finally reached the point in his life where he understands that going to class and doing the work will result in good grades and a promising future. Good for him! Lucas is just about at the end of the long college application process. I have seen stamps on envelopes, which I know is a good sign. His next step is the infamous audition CD. He records this Sunday, and wouldn’t you know it, he has a bad cold. He will be fine by Sunday. I already made it clear that he has no choice. Get better.

This week’s excitement is perfectly timed, trust me!

BUY MORE GET MORE: This couldn’t come at a better time, what with the holidays coming and all! Starting right now and running through Thursday, November 15th at midnight, we are having another Buy More Get More event. And, here is how it works. For each order you place during the event, you will get a coupon which you can use towards any future purchase here at Hank Lee’s. The value of the coupon depends entirely on the size of your order. Here is the breakdown:
• Order between $25.00 and $100.00: Coupon is for 10% of the merchandise total. (Orders less than $25.00 get our sincere thanks, but sadly no coupon)
• Order between $100.00 and $200.00: Coupon is for 15% of the merchandise total.
• Order over $200.00: Coupon is for 20% of the merchandise total.

When you place your order online at www.magicfact.com, please put the secret phrase BUY MORE GET MORE in the Customer Notes Box of the online checkout. If you place your order by email or FAX, just include the secret phrase with your order. And, if you place your order by phone, toll free at 800 874 7400, please mention the secret phrase to get your coupon. The coupon will be sent along with your order and can be used whenever you wish, no expiration date. You will get a coupon for every order you place during the event. Just don’t lose the coupons, please. Unlike other sales events where certain items are not included, the Buy More Get More event includes every item we carry! This is your chance to, really save for the future.

And now, this week’s Hotlist!

SuperCoin - John Kennedy: It's Absurd. It's Insane. It's Supercoin!
With Supercoin you can pluck coins from midair, make coins vanish into thin air and have everyone gasping for air!
It’ll feel like you have superpowers as coins bend, change into other objects, visibly penetrate cups and much, much more.
Supercoin is different. It's not a shell. It's not a flipper. In fact, it's not like anything you've seen before. It's so different, it has a patent pending!
Carry this revolutionary new coin gimmick and you'll have a concealed weapon in your pocket! It also comes with a DVD that will teach you several super-stunning routines.
John Cornelius: "Supercoin opens up whole new possibilities."
Gregory Wilson: "Supercoin is so versatile. I immediately put two routines into my working repertoire."
R. Paul Wilson: "Supercoin fills your pocket with magic and fills your imagination with new ideas. I love it."
You'll love it too. $95.00 (20.374)
(http://www.hanklee.org/xcart/product.php?productid=9119&cat=0&page=1)

SuperCoin DVD2: SuperCoin is so versatile that by the time the first DVD was done there were several more new ideas and routines!
SuperCoin DVD2 will teach you some incredible magic, including the most visual coin penetration through a clear plastic cup you're likely to see.
You will also learn coin penetrations though napkins, coffee cups, business cards, even a spectator's shirt!
There's more, including Gregory Wilson's "Nothing To Nothing" routine. Greg teaches you how to produce 3 coins, one at a time, from midair. You then make them vanish into midair one at a time. Unbelievable!
$35.00 (DVD00791)
(http://www.hanklee.org/xcart/product.php?productid=9125&cat=0&page=1)

Real Ghost – Christopher Taylor: Ever since the premiere of Real Ghost at MindVention 2006 the underground buzz on this outstanding effect has been phenomenal. In fact Christopher was approached within minutes of his performance with an offer to sell the TV rights (he did not choose to do so)!
By utilizing Real ghost Christopher has created the finest and most hands off version of PK Touches I have ever seen!
Real ghost can be used in a number of ways to create numerous outstanding magic, PK, mental & bizarre effects.
Real ghost comes complete with the Real ghost Unit and a password that will allow you to download the video instructions and gain access to the Real ghost users forum. $299.95 (40.599)
(http://www.hanklee.org/xcart/product.php?productid=9117&cat=0&page=1)

Alpha Cards: The very latest from the creative force that is Jesse Feinberg.
Imagine a playing card that will change from the Four of Hearts to the Four of Spades simply by applying a little heat to the face of the card!
The change is slow and visual and will leave the spectator’s just plain amazed!
You can make the change happen by blowing hot air on the card (no jokes, please, this one is too easy!).
You can light apiece of Flash Paper on the face of the card and it will visibly change.
The possibilities are endless!
You get two specially printed cards for two different changes. Plus some great routine ideas. All for a very low price. $20.00 (30.1273)
(http://www.hanklee.org/xcart/product.php?productid=9122&cat=0&page=1)

Fire Starter: Everyone has been asking for it. Now, Rick Haslett has created it! Fire Starter is the ultimate in utility devices. Truly, a magician’s dream!
No resets, silent in working, all electronic. Use it over and over again. Nothing to replace. Put it on and you’re ready to do some serious fire magic, at a moments notice.
Fire Starter ignites Flash Paper, Flash Bills, Flash Cotton or Flash String.
The uses are endless.
Comes with rechargeable batteries, charger, CDRom Instructional Video and special gimmick. A Hank Lee Exclusive!
$87.00 (60.1488)
(http://www.hanklee.org/xcart/product.php?productid=9120&cat=0&page=1)

Big Bang: The ultimate demonstration of psychokinesis.
Place any ordinary light bulb in a clear bag, completely sealing it off. From this point on you never touch the bulb, and spectators can clearly see the bulb straight through the bag.
Concentrate all of your mental energy on the bulb – it explodes! This unexpected Whooommp! stops the hearts of even the most hardened spectators.
You now are free to hand out the bag of broken shards, or safely dispose of the dangerous fragments in a nearby wastebasket.
Big Bang also allows you to borrow a quarter, and hold it in your outstretched hand in front of the bulb. Spectators can see that other than the bulb, the bag is completely empty. Now, two things happen at once: The bulb explodes as the coin visibly vanishes from your fingertips! The coin has reappeared inside the remnants of the shattered bulb. An alternate handling even allows for the coin to be signed.
With Big Bang, you have complete control the entire time. Also, since the explosion happens in a bag, it's safe to perform in any venue - from stage to close-up - and there's never a mess to clean up. Big Bang comes complete with everything including a video CD that explains it all - you supply any regular bulb.
Features:
• Spectators can hold the bulb through the bag.
• Do it completely surrounded.
• No special bulb or set up needed.
• Very simple to perform, so you can concentrate on presentation.
$70 (40.598)
(http://www.hanklee.org/xcart/product.php?productid=9124&cat=0&page=1)

Neat & Tidy: A jumbled mass of rubber bands instantly snap together to build a neat and tidy rubber band ball that can be dropped on the table or handed out to your spectators.
Neat & Tidy is perfect for any rubber band routine. It creates a stunning effect out of the 'down time' moment when you introduce your rubber bands to the audience.
As well as providing magic along the way, Neat & Tidy can act as both an opener or closer for your routine!
* Is it easy to perform?
Yes! Neat & Tidy comes with a special device that does all the hard work for you. If you can hold a mess of rubber bands in your hand, you can perform Neat & Tidy. Wayne Fox teaches you in detail, walking you through the method and presentations, then concentrates on the little details, tips and variations, that can raise your presentation of this effect to the best it can be.
* Will I need to buy anything else to start performing?
No! Neat & Tidy comes complete with everything you need! Not only do you get the special high quality device and a mass of rubber bands that do all the work, we also include the handmade rubber band ball, saving you hours of work putting your own one together!
* I don’t perform any rubber band magic. Is this still OK for me?
Yes! Neat & Tidy is a perfect introduction into this field of magic. Rubber bands are familiar objects to an audience, and many of us remember making rubber band balls as kids, so the magic has meaning to your audience. You can use Neat & Tidy as a stand-alone effect or use it to enhance your rubber band magic.
* Is this suitable for a professional magician?
Yes! The angles are perfect, it's an instant reset, the rubber ball is examinable, no pre-show set-up is required, and it’s been tried and tested 'in the trenches'. The ball also makes a perfect chop cup load! $49.95 (10.1426)
(http://www.hanklee.org/xcart/product.php?productid=9123&cat=0&page=1)

GhostShelf: An all-new, innovative way to store your magic media.
Using the GhostShelf gimmick, you will be able to have your magic books or DVDs mysteriously suspended on the wall without any visible means of support. Not a magic trick, but rather a diabolical way to show off your magic.
Can you figure it out? If you cannot, don't worry. You are not the only one. Here are a few more hints for you to keep in mind:
* No, it does not use glue.
* No, it does not use magnets.
* No, it does not hang on thread.
* No, it does not use electricity.
* No, we do not give you a gimmicked book.
* No, there are no 'blind-spots'
* No, the pictures aren't stooged.
* No, you cannot sit or stand on it.
* Yes, you can put a small goldfish bowl on it.
* Yes, it will last a lifetime.
* Yes, every book is your book
* Yes, you can use any books
* Yes, it is silent.
* Yes, it is very easy to install.
* Yes, it will dock on a glass wall.
* Yes, it works in any type of weather.
And, yes, it makes an incredible holiday gift for that special magician on your list! So, get two!
$24.95 (70.995)
(http://www.hanklee.org/xcart/product.php?productid=9121&cat=0&page=1)

Complete Course in Watch Stealing: Vol. 2 Rolex Style Watch:
This DVD embodies everything about removing Rolex style wrist watches. This informative DVD is packed with over 50 minutes of useful information. Taking you through this journey will be Byrd & Coats. Some of the information provided includes:
• Anatomy of the Rolex Style Watch
• Why you are able to steal a Rolex Style Watch
• Coin trick to remove the Rolex Style Watch
• Sponge Ball trick to remove the Rolex Style Watch
• The Stage Steal
• Spotting
• Trouble Shooting
All this information is provided for you plus much, much more! $34.95 (DVD00790)
(http://www.hanklee.org/xcart/product.php?productid=9116&cat=0&page=1)

Miracle Shoelaces: Make your shoelaces change color!
Walk up to someone on the street and show her your shoelaces. The spectator looks down at your shoe and sees a white shoelace. Tell her them that your shoelaces are voice controlled. She won't believe you. So you ask your spectator to tell to your shoelace to change color. She does, and the shoelace visibly changes color!
Why Miracle?
•Easy to perform
•Can be performed surrounded
•No pulls or reels
•Your shoe, shoelaces, and pants can be fully examined!
•No switches of any kind!
•Use any shoes
•Devastating reactions every time!
•It looks like real magic
This is a very commercial effect. It can be used in all your street magic feats and even on kid shows. You'll be surprised with the endless possibilities.
You get everything you need to start performing this most incredible effect. Special examinable shoelaces and detailed instructions.
This is not close to the real thing. This IS the real thing. $29.95 (60.1487)
(http://www.hanklee.org/xcart/product.php?productid=9118&cat=0&page=1)

1Deck... 14Tricks... 24Hours...Volume 1 - Matthew J. Dowden:
We set Matthew J. Dowden on a challenge. Learn seven world-class easy-to-do card tricks within 24 hours and then go out onto the streets of London and amaze your audiences!
You’ll see Matthew perform seven of his fourteen fantastic card tricks that require no skill and absolutely no sleight of hand. Only you'll know just how simple these tricks are to do. Aimed at the beginner and professional, after watching this DVD you'll wonder just why you haven’t used these before.
Volume One: Contents Include:
Four Thought - The amazing 4 Ace mystery in which four people find their own cards.
Compatibility Test - Matthew's unique presentation. Just watch the reactions!
Listen Ear - A freely chosen card is mixed into the deck by the spectator. Never touching the cards the magician can still tell where their card is from the top of the deck!
Psychic Hotline - A card is chosen and then revealed by a stranger on the other end of the telephone!
Urban Princess - A thought of card vanishes and appears in an impossible location!
Ultimate Phone Prediction - Any card, the magician never touches them and yet someone on the other side of the world tells them where their card is from the top of the deck.
Ripped - The ultimate matching pieces trick! $29.95 (DVD00788)
(http://www.hanklee.org/xcart/product.php?productid=9114&cat=0&page=1)

And that’s this week’s hit parade of magical wonders. Seen, I told you it was amazing stuff this week. So, take your time and check it out.
I should also mention that the fabulous Lexington High School production of Les Miserables is coming up next weekend, Thursday through Saturday. Tickets are still available for a mere $10.00 each. As you can probably guess, I have some right here, so let me know how many you need.
As always, I hope you will find some time to spend with us either online at www.magicfact.com or in person at 102 North Street in Medford. Either way, we love the company!
Hank Lee