Greetings from all of us at Hank Lee’s Magic Factory. I hope that everyone had the most wonderful holidays. I can tell you that Hanukkah Harry was most generous to me. I got a very large stack of mystery and sci-fi novels. Enough to keep me busy for quite some time. I am such a pulp addict. I also got some new shirts, socks and, can I say this here, underwear. Just in time for annual underwear toss-out. Plus, some welcome additions to my Red Sox wardrobe: A new Red Sox field cap, A pair of Red Sox gloves and a Red Sox field jacket. Aron got Red Sox pajamas, but I will be annexing those soon!
Bonnie’s favorite gift was a Keurig coffee maker. It’s one of those that makes one cup at a time using those little plastic containers of coffee. I never liked the concept because of the tremendous amount of waste. But, now, they have an add-on that lets you use your own coffee and not have all those plastic cups to toss out. She uses it every day. Me, too.
Aron got a Slingbox that we will hook up to our cable TV here at home so that he can watch Red Sox games on his computer in Gainesville, or anywhere else for that matter.
Lucas got a special turntable so that he can take my old vinyl records and convert them to MP3s to play on his iPod. This is such a cool thing. As a matter of fact, right now I am converting, and listening to, Derek and the Dominos “Layla,” one of the greatest albums of all time.
This year, I really tried to give gifts that served two purposes. The person who got the gift would love it, and I would get to use it. No fool here.
For some reason, there seems to be a movement afoot to see what your favorite magic dealer’s home looks like all decked out for the holidays. So, I took a picture of our winter decoration. In case you can’t see the picture (switch the html version, just ask me to do it for you), it’s a delightful full-sized penguin, all lit up. It’s the first time we every had any kind of winter decoration, and I just want to thank whoever put the little penguin on the sidewalk on trash day for such a fine addition to our home.
Now that the holidays are over, at least the ones that count, we want to let you all know just how much we appreciate your business. So, we are having a very private sales event for the next few days. It is only for those of you who get the weekly email Newsletter, and anyone you would like to tell about it!
YEAR END SAVINGS - For the next seven days, from the very moment you receive this email until Thursday, January 3rd 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 PRIVATESALE 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 PRIVATESALE 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!
Now, let’s take a look at this week’s abbreviate Hotlist.
Bob Read Collection DVD Set: Released at the 2007 MacMillan Magic Convention, this special 4 DVD set honoring the dynamic and hugely entertaining magician, Bob Read, was an instant hit.
Disc One: Bob Read Through The Years. A comprehensive (2 hour) collection of nine great performances by Bob recorded between 1976 and 2005 - a real insight into a great magician
Disc Two: The Bob Read Lecture And The Private Session. The full Bob Read lecture (over 70 minutes) filmed in front of a live audience at the MacMillan Magic Convention in 2002. This superb lecture covers Bob's theories on comedy, sight gags, plus The Bottle Production and Knife through Coat followed by a Private Session that includes priceless details.
Disc Three: The Cups And Balls In Art And Lithography And The Search For Arthur Watson. Bob's fascinating hour long talk is a real joy. The footage has been greatly enhanced revealing immense detail. This is followed by his hilarious talk "The Quest For Arthur Watson" (whose material mysteriously found its way into Sidney Clarke's 'The Annals of Conjuring'). Inspired by Gordon Bruce's discovery of some of Arthur's articles in an obscure book, this talk highlights everything that was wonderful about Bob.
Disc Four: Bob Read's Magical London, The Interview plus Bonus Material. Excerpts from his acclaimed 'Magical Tour of London' in which he introduces his audience to magically related historical landmarks of London plus an in depth interview with Richard Kaufman, in which Bob explains with great detail the Bottle Production as well as talking about comedy, timing, use of feet, etc. As a special bonus, you will receive full resolution pdf files of all of Bob's pamphlets including Thanks to Pepys, Penultimate Cups & Balls, $100 Glass Thro’ Table, Knife Through Coat, The Bottle Production, Transpo Tumblers, and What You Get Is What I Do.
Plus, the entire Genii feature article and interview from April 2004 plus Bob's 'Magical London' map! In detail for you to view.
The boxed set consists of the 4 DVDs plus a printed booklet by Richard Kaufman detailing the contents and his thoughts on one of his all time favorite magicians.
$119.95 (DVD00808)
(http://www.hanklee.org/xcart/product.php?productid=9194&cat=0&page=1)
Excalibur Floating Table: Fifteen years ago Dirk Losander created a special effect, The Floating Table. It is the best Floating Table you have ever seen. A solid table, which is used during the show to hold your props, begins to rise, starts floating and a volunteer can even examine the table while it floats.
The usual reaction Losander gets after showing this amazing table to Magicians is, “That's the best levitation effect I've ever seen!"
Magicians like Jeff McBride, Eugene Burger, Lance Burton, Salvano, Moretti, Marco Tempest, Chuck Jones have bought the original from Dirk Losander. All these people know how much effort and time it takes to create such a beautiful and amazing effect.
There are copies of Losander’s Floating Table available, but none of them come close to the genuine article. How do you know what is an original? If it doesn't say Losander's Floating Table, than it's a copy.
This a perfect levitation effect. It can be performed under any conditions, even surrounded. Imagine a solid table, which mysteriously begins to rise from the floor and then suddenly takes off! This table floats all over the place. Now you can get the table in a new design the metal series Excalibur.
$800.00 (60.1496)
(http://www.hanklee.org/xcart/product.php?productid=9193&cat=0&page=1)
Flipple Tipple Wand: The Flipple Tipple Wand is one of the best wand gags of all time!
At any time in your show, one end of your wand falls down. Of course, you don't see it. The kids do, and waste no time letting you know. In loud voices!
When you look, the tip is back in place. Again, it falls down and the kids will yell even louder. Of course, when you look, everything is fine again. This is a terrific running gag that will drive the kids bonkers!
Finally, you see it, apologize and say you will put it back on. When you put it back on, the other end falls down and the fun starts all over again.
The wand is under your control at all times.
If you are a children’s entertainer, and who isn’t, you need this prop! $42.50 (50.955))
(http://www.hanklee.org/xcart/product.php?productid=9195&cat=0&page=1)
Ultimate Sketch Pad 5.0. – Sean Bogunia: Stage size, programmable and now remotely activated!
The new Ultimate Sketch Pad 5.0 allows you to start and pause your program by remote control. The ability to start and stop the eyes from moving on your Ultimate Sketch Pad 5.0 opens exciting possibilities. Imagine leaving your Sketch pad in view of your audience. As you walk past the drawing during your act the, eyes will fallow you. Or have it look where you want, on command.
Imagine, picking up large artist’s sketch pad any time during your performance and drawing any face you wish. Unexpectedly, the drawing becomes animated with the eyes and mouth moving. But, wait! There’s more. You can set the pad down on your table, a chair, almost anywhere and the drawing’s eyes continue to move. You can even have them follow your movements. Thanks to 5.0's ability to remotely activate and pause the program, you control when they eyes move during your performance! Now for the killer ending: Lift up the single sheet of paper you drew the face on and tear it from the sketch pad, in full view of the audience.
No switches. No tricky moves. You tear off the actual drawing and hand it to a spectator for a souvenir they will never forget!
New improved mouth action adds to the illusion!
Measures 11 ”wide by 14 ” tall, perfect for platform or stage performers. Comes complete with everything you need for dozens of performances. Refill with any same size sketch pad or purchase refills from us. Now comes with DVD instructions!
The Ultimate Sketch Pad 5.0 is very easy to program! You simply press a button and turn a wheel. The microchip records your movements and plays it back when you are ready! $399.00 (60.1084)
(http://www.hanklee.org/xcart/product.php?productid=3609&cat=0&page=1)
Duvivier's Magic – From Old To New, Vol. 4 - Dominique Duvivier:
Dominique Duvivier is already considered a legend by his peers. A self-taught man, his magical background is out of the ordinary. He is an amazing inventor (he has created thousands of tricks and groundbreaking sleights), the founder of Paris's famous Magic Pub/Cabaret, The Double Fond and the owner of the oldest magic shop in the world, Mayette Magie Moderne (founded in Paris in 1808). This passionate man is also a relentless worker, who never stops pushing the envelope of the Magical Art.
This new DVD series offers the best of Duvivier's Magic, including many secrets revealed for the first time! Unbelievable effects, devious methods and subtleties designed to make people dream and laugh! A different approach that turns magic into a way of life!
Demonstrations and Explanations:
* My Routine of The Banknote in The Pocket
* Turnover Aces Production
* The Spelled Thought of Card
* Second Chosen Card
* Marie-Christine
* Sandwich 1
* Sandwich 2
* Sandwich 3
* 2 French Francs Coin
* 4 Red + 4 Black
* The Fastest Sleight In The World (Sophisticated Version)
* The Card In The Pocket
* 4 Aces On 4 Packets
* Quick 4 Aces On 4 Packets
* Upside Down Mind
* Reverse Assembly
Bonus Feature: Shooting Impressions
$34.95 (DVD00809)
(http://www.hanklee.org/xcart/product.php?productid=9196&cat=0&page=1)
Zippitup: Just remade!
Show a little zipper-purse. It's about 3" square and very colorful. And of course, it has a zipper opening. Place a sponge ball or coin or any small object into the purse. Then watch out!! Faster than you can say WHATTHEHECKGIVES, the purse is unzipped. And, not only has the small object vanished, but so has the purse! All that's left is a giant zipper! (actually, the object vanishes and the purse changes into a giant zipper). Of course, you can use it the other way. Start out with a long zipper. Zippitup into a small square purse. Reach in and produce a coin or sponge or whatever. It's a great visual item! Zippitup comes with a bunch of routining ideas. $14.50 (50.029)
(http://www.hanklee.org/xcart/product.php?productid=2714&cat=0&page=1)
Business Card Case – John Cornelius: This one is really nice! Perfect for anyone who has a business card! Show a small brass business card case. Very classy! Open the case, and your business cards will be visible. Slowly, and visibly, one of the cards rises out of the case! After the card has risen for half its width, you remove it and hand it out!
What a super way to hand out your business card! A very classy prop indeed! Easy to do; the perfect item to carry your business cards in! No threads, wires, or body attachments. Self-contained! $15.00 (10.219)
(http://www.hanklee.org/xcart/product.php?productid=1685&cat=0&page=1)
And that, fellow kids, is this week’s Hotlist, which includes two great oldies just remade! Next week, I will give you a list of the elves’ ten top faves of 2007. I’ll bet you just can’t wait. Well, too bad, you’re going to have to!
As always, I hope-a-hope that you will find some time to spend with us either online at www.magicfact.com or live and in person at our winter wonderland showroom at 102 North Street in Medford. Either way, we love the company!
