Greetings from all of us here at Hank Lee’s Magic Factory. I am sure you know the old saying, “Some days you get the bear and some days the bear gets you.” Last Sunday, our beloved Patriots did not, to say the least, get the bear. The New York Giants outplayed the Pats and won the SuperBowl. They were the better team, on that day. On the bright side Spring Training is only a few weeks away, and then life really begins. Go Sox.
In just a few short days, it will be Valentine’s Day. Mark your calendar. Do not forget. Make sure and get a card, some flowers and maybe some chocolates to give to the one you love on this very special day. Believe me, it’s a small price to pay, unless of course you find the couch oh, so very comfortable.
Lucas’ winter audition tour continues this weekend. Lucas and I will be traveling to Chicago for his Roosevelt College audition. In case you wanted to know, we will be arriving at Chicago’s O’Hare Airport at about 8:00 pm on American Airlines. Just in case you wanted to meet us at the terminal and cheer us on. Despite the fact that I know a lot of you Chicagoans will want to show up at the airport, please don’t do it. Lucas would be embarrassed and I would never hear the end of it.
On the Conclave front, we have just added Dave Merry to our Saturday night show. Dave is one of the funniest guys I know, and a really great MC! If you haven’t registered for the Conclave yet, the fact that Dave will now be with us, should be reason enough to get your registration in! As always, you can register online under the Conclave Button at www.magicfact.com or by calling us at 781 391 8749. Oh, yes, the dates are April 4th – 6th.
In the past couple of weeks, we have had so much great new stuff come into the shop that our heads are spinning. We’ve even had some rare and hard-to-get Collector’s Workshop items arrive in stock. I really do think that you want to spend some time checking out the Hotlist this week!
And now, to this week’s excitement.
DVD GIVEAWAY: This week it’s a plain old giveaway. You got it. A DVD Giveaway! For the next seven days, from right now until Thursday, February 14th, at midnight, you have the opportunity to get DVDs for free! But, you have to get them the old fashioned way. You have to earn them.
Here's the way it works. For every order of $100 or more, you get one free DVD (your choice of any single DVD that sells for $35.00 or less). If you spend $200 or more, you get two free DVDs (again, your choice). $300 or more gets you three free DVDs. And on it goes. The more you buy, the more you get for free! It's an incredible deal when you figure that the average price of a DVD is $35.00! In order to claim your free DVD, just put the name of the DVD in the Customer Notes Box at the bottom of the second page of the online checkout (after you fill in your name, address, etc.) at www.magicfact.com. If you phone your order in to our toll free number at 800 874 7400, just let the order-person know what free DVD you want. If you FAX the order to us at 781 395 2034, same thing. Just let us know which ones you want. Remember, the giveaway ends on Thursday, February 14th, at midnight!
Now, let’s take a peek at this week’s Hotlist!
Blockbuster – Terri Rogers: About twenty years ago, we purchased the manufacturing rights to Terri Rogers’ Blockbuster from Martin Breese. We worked long and hard on the project and finally released it here in the US. The problem was, that while it was a great effect, sometimes it didn’t work as well as it should.
Just recently a very clever woodworker figured out what was wrong. He made a simple modification and it worked every single time. 100%. So, we are happy to re-introduce this baffling and ingenious effect.
The effect is brief and to the point. Show a polished block of wood with a slot cut deeply into it. At right angles to the slot, a hole is drilled right through the block. A ribbon has been threaded through the block; the ends of the ribbon are tied in a knot. By looking through the slot, the spectator can see that the ribbon passes through the entire block.
Hand the spectator a small metal ring to examine. Ask him to extend his hand, palm upwards. Place the threaded block onto his open palm. Ask him to push the ring deeply into the slot, to hold the ring firmly and release the block from his hand. To his absolute amazement, the ring has penetrated the ribbon and the ribbon is now clearly threaded through the solid ring!
Read it again! That's right, the ring has penetrated onto the ribbon!
Remember, both the ring and block are totally unfaked!
The effect takes place right in the spectator's hand! There are no threads, pins or magnets!
This is the closest you will get to a self-working miracle.!
Complete with block; ribbon; two rings; special gimmick and full instructions. $75.00 (10.326)
(http://www.hanklee.org/xcart/product.php?productid=1666&cat=0&page=1)
Psychic Sword: Through special arrangement with our friends at Collector’s Workshop, we are happy to offer the Psychic Sword!
A strong, mystifying and effective bit of mentalism combined with a wonderfully crafted piece of apparatus.
Display a deck of cards and spreads it ribbon-style on the table.
Opening a beautifully crafted wooden box with brass fittings, you remove a small, but elegant Samurai Sword. As you do, it is noted that an envelope rests inside the sword box. Offering the sword to the spectator, you ask her to point to a card and push it from the pack (or stab it). "You might have made other selections", you say, turning over cards at random, "but you chose the card on the sword that you've stabbed."
"At this moment, no one in the world knows its identity, and for the moment, we will keep it that way. Before we arrived here tonight, I placed a single card in this envelope, and placed the envelope in the sword box. It's time to reveal my selection."
The envelope is opened and the card displayed. Then, for the first time, the stabbed card is revealed. Incredibly, they match!.
The sheer beauty of the props will add mystery and class to your act. The effect looks like real magic! Comes complete with deluxe sword box, sword, cards, envelopes, and complete instructions, ready to perform. Available in a very limited number, so act quickly! $190.00 (30.1304)
(http://www.hanklee.org/xcart/product.php?productid=9272&cat=0&page=1)
Ring Finale: This newest offering from Rich Hurley and Dean Dill is a practical and entertaining routine that packs small and plays big.
After some funny bits of business, a borrowed finger ring vanishes. However, much to everyone’s amazement, the ring is found inside a zippered purse along with other rings the performer has stolen from other “victims”. How did it get into the zippered purse? Why does everyone think this is so funny? That’s the beauty of Ring Finale. A trick loaded with entertainment value! Ring Finale is easy to perform but versatile for professional magicians as well. It resets instantly, is gentle on the borrowed ring and no special wardrobe requirements are required.
The rings are high quality fashion jewelry sold in department and clothing stores for $30.00 to $45.00 each. These are not toy rings but beautiful props. The genuine leather purse is hand made the USA and the illustrated instruction booklet includes a complete routine with clever patter suggestions. The ring hank adds extra value but also makes the effect easier for beginners. Working pros will find Ring Finale can be incorporated into any borrowed finger ring routine and is extremely versatile!
Comes with: Custom Made Leather Purse, 3 Quality Fashion Jewelry Rings,
Illustrated Instructions,
Complete Routine with Patter,
Special Ring Handkerchief. $45.00 (10.1439)
(http://www.hanklee.org/xcart/product.php?productid=9271&cat=0&page=1)
Phoenix Watch: Another fine item from our friends at Collector’s Workshop, available in very limited supply.
The only way you will really experience the awe this effect creates is by performing it yourself. The impossible nature of the restoration is unfathomable by the spectators; the method is diabolical and so natural, no one would suspect the truth. The sheer beauty of the watch would fetch this price in an upscale jewelry store without the Magic!
Effect: A very special effect for close up and table workers. The performer exhibits a see-thru glass watch (called a skeletal watch) containing random gears and parts.
"What a deal!" he exclaims. "I got it cheap but it came with a little note - Some Assembly Required. So saying, the performer decides to use Magic and wraps the watch in a velvet-like drape, keeping the curved bow in view and attaching a chain. The watch is then handed to a spectator. From this moment on, the performer never touches the watch.
The performer now lights his lighter and tosses a bit of flame toward the watch. Adding a few carefully chosen incantations, the drape is removed. Incredible as it may seem, the watch, with all its components, has been perfectly assembled and is now functioning perfectly! Phoenix, rising from the ashes, the watch is completely restored!
Photos cannot do justice to this magnificent, fully functioning timepiece. The Phoenix Watch is available on a limited basis. Complete with full instructions, routine, patter, and a one-year full warranty. Includes velvet hank, gold-tone chain and beautiful gold-tone skeletal watch delivered in a custom velvet case.
$290.00 (10.1440)
(http://www.hanklee.org/xcart/product.php?productid=9274&cat=0&page=1)
Card Happening – Sanada: The spectator takes a card, and remembers it. The card is returned to the deck. The cards are then returned to the case and put on the table.
Your hands are both empty.
But, the card appears with a wave of your hand.
You can perform this trick with a regular deck.
Sanada's Card Happening and Ginjiro's Invisible Boomerang Card are explained.
You have to see these to believe them!
$25.00 (30.1302)
(http://www.hanklee.org/xcart/product.php?productid=9260&cat=0&page=1)
Fiber Optics Extended – Richard Sanders
: All the original eye-popping material from Fiber Optics
plus 10 brand new phases, 5 brand new routines
and Hyper Ring: The visually astounding ring and rope routine!
On this 2 hour, power packed DVD, you will learn 32 eye flipping, mind crunching, hyper visual rope moves that will literally stun your audience! Nowhere else will you find this much mind crunching visual magic, without the aid of gimmicks, magnets or special props. All 7 routines featured on the DVD are immediately repeatable with no reset, there is nothing to get ready, nothing to prepare and nothing to hide; just pure adrenaline magic right out of your pockets!
As performed at The Magic Castle in Hollywood, The Magic Circle in London and FISM in Den Haag.
Including never before seen bonus footage:
10 amazing new phases
5 amazing new routines
Hyper Ring, the visually impossible ring and rope routine
Super Practical:
Instantly reset for multiple performances
No scissors ever needed
Use the same rope over and over.
Over 5 minutes of visual magic in your pocket
Stage or Close-up
3 Rope and 1 Rope routine included
Featured moves include:
Throw Restoration, The Ends Switch, Finger Cut, Super Slide, Gravity Pull, Endless Loop, Pop Endz, Static Cling, Clip Link, Gravity Link, Toss Link, Lickety-Split Ends Switch, Midair Morph, Ends Away, Loop Swoop, Air Toss, Opposite Ends, Middle Melt, plus much more!
Includes:
Full Instructional DVD with every move taught from audience and performers perspective...making it super easy to learn!
32 phases to choose from
7 routines
Hyper Ring: The miracle ring and rope routine
Over 2 hours of
visual impossibilities! $34.95 (DVD00301)
(http://www.hanklee.org/xcart/product.php?productid=7396&cat=0&page=1)
Royal Scam: John Bannon's first effect in the Fractal Card Magic Trilogy.
Display several Ace of Spades with the same back design. Explaining how you practice with all the same card, show that adding a face-up card can cause the whole pack to turn face up, and vice-versa.
While moves are nice, you show that while moves misdirect the spectator, you took the opportunity to switch in several cards with various back designs. Of course, in order to win money, several other cards change to a Royal Flush in Spades. Ends absolutely clean and examinable!
Bannon's brilliant handling is explained fully on the enclosed DVD, which includes a downloadable e-book in PDF format. Gaffed cards included. $14.95 (30.1303)
(http://www.hanklee.org/xcart/product.php?productid=9268&cat=0&page=1)
Casanova Concept DVD - Steve Haynes: Steve Haynes has tweaked and developed this closely guarded secret for 17 years! Now, it can be yours! The Casanova Concept is an easy to apply principle that will allow you to perform bona-fide miracles with both playing cards and business cards. It's simple and straightforward, requires the minimum of sleight of hand. This is not a trick; it's a principle that can be applied to hundreds of routines.
Featured on this DVD:
Stroller Controller - A freely selected card is signed front and back, and then lost in the deck. You cleanly reach into your pocket and withdraw their card, showing that you had it before they even signed it!
Thru & Through - A signed Card Thru Window with a face-up, signed selection!
Rip Trip - A signed business card is torn but miraculously restores itself!
Homing On Easy Street - A signed card disappears from the deck and appears in your pocket. Twice!
And, Steve Haynes' signature piece - the Casanova Closer.
Your spectator selects two cards and signs them both. One is placed in their own wallet (or pocket). The other is lost in the deck. Within seconds you open your own wallet to reveal the signed selection which was apparently lost in the deck.
As your spectator is still reeling, you offer to repeat the effect. You re-open your wallet (which was empty only moments ago) and slowly withdraw a face down card. Your spectator's eyes are popping out of their head - 'How did that signed selection get back into your wallet'?
It didn't. It's the other signed card! The one that should have been in the spectators' wallet. And when they look in their pocket they find the first signed card! Then they faint!
Both cards are genuinely signed by the spectator and you never touch the spectator’s wallet.
Note: The Casanova Closer utilizes a gimmicked wallet (not supplied). But, this is just one way to employ the Casanova Concept. The DVD also features a second method using nothing but a deck of cards and an ungimmicked wallet! $30.00 (DVD00831)
(http://www.hanklee.org/xcart/product.php?productid=9273&cat=0&page=1)
Twisted – Andrew Mayne: A borrowed bill is signed on both ends by a spectator and then ripped in half. You attempt to put it back together but accidentally restore the bill in a mis-made twisted state with half the bill facing the wrong way! The signatures are plainly visible on either side! Finally, you restore the bill to its original condition.
Twisted allows you to perform both a torn and restored and a mis-made bill effect using a borrowed bill that can be signed by a spectator. It’s easy to master and can be performed anytime anywhere.
*Special Bonus: The Remixed Bill - Learn Andrew’s quick and easy mis-made bill effect where you give away a twisted bill!
Featuring clear step-by-step instructions including performer point of view angles.
Presented in Widescreen. $15 (10.1438)
(http://www.hanklee.org/xcart/product.php?productid=9270&cat=0&page=1)
“Twisted adds a whole new dimension to the bill change. Now it’s visual! You create an impossible object and then fix it right before their eyes. And the ability to do it with a signed bill fooled me!”
- Joshua Jay
Gator Sealed: Gatorade is the most popular sports drink in the entire world. You can find it anywhere. Now you can factory seal one in less than 10 seconds! Think of the possibilities!
* Comes with factory caps ready to go
* Multiple re-sealing techniques taught on DVD
* Works with nearly all Gatorade bottles.
* Factory sealed in any item that will fit in the bottle
* Can be used for Coin-In-Bottle Effects
* Can be used for Card-In-Bottle Effects
$39.95 (DVD00830)
(http://www.hanklee.org/xcart/product.php?productid=9269&cat=0&page=1)
Le Grand David – The Early Years In Photographs - Webster Bull:
From 1976, when they bought the Cabot Street Cinema Theatre, through the 1980s and the purchase of the Larcom Theatre, the early years of "Le Grand David and his own Spectacular Magic Company" were a time of remarkable creativity and growth, combined with trials and many triumphs. This newly edited collection of archival photographs tells the inspiring story of how Cesareo Pelaez and a dedicated troupe created the world's largest and longest-running resident stage magic company at two theatres in Beverly, Massachusetts.
86 pages. Softbound. $14.95 (BK01564)
(http://www.hanklee.org/xcart/product.php?productid=9266&cat=0&page=1)
The Rosini Secret - Docc Hilford: The ultimate in close-up billet reading.
A small piece of paper is torn from a menu. A participant writes a brief question on the blank side of the paper and folds it. The mentalist uses a deck of cards in their box as a little tray to display the folded paper. The folded paper is returned to the participant. The cards are removed from the box and shuffled by the sitter. She removes five cards and they're returned to the box and put away.
As far as the mentalist is concerned everything is done!
The folded paper is burned and the mentalist reveals the spectator's question through his interpretation of the five chosen cards.
The mentalist undetectably switched the paper for an exact duplicate and read the question without any moves. The special card box does everything!
Just let the sitter drop her billet on the card box and with it seemingly in view at all times, the billet is automatically switched. As the cards are removed and replaced in the box, you openly read the message!
You learn how to gimmick any card box with a few minutes of work and some basic tools like scissors and glue.
A great feature is that everything resets almost automatically, preparing you for the next table if you do restaurant work. You can tear a corner from a placemat or menu to use as a billet, with the need for previously prepared duplicate billets.
The read can be done completely surrounded and without additional props. No "turning away" or "looking into the crystal." All you need is a box of unprepared playing cards, an impromptu billet and the Rosini Secret! $35.00 (40.609)
(http://www.hanklee.org/xcart/product.php?productid=9265&cat=0&page=1)
Sponge Ice Cream Cones - Alan Wong: These foam ice cream cones will leave your audience roaring! Turn one ice cream cone intoto two ice cream cones. A great finish for any sponge prop act, the foam ice cream cones are definitely a crowd-pleaser. Comes with two foam ice cream cones.
Dimensions Approximately 6.5" x 2.5" (16.51cm x 6.35cm)
$24.95 (50.956)
(http://www.hanklee.org/xcart/product.php?productid=9264&cat=0&page=1)
Kanpai – Ginjiro: Kanpai means "Cheers" in Japanese.
How about a drink after a long stand-up act? Make a glass of wine appear out of nowhere to replenish your thirst after a hard day’s work. Great way to end your performance. Easy and effective.
* No extra step or hassle for the lid.
* After it appears, nothing remains in your hands.
* You can produce a glass of water or wine at the end of a long stand-up act.
* Ready to drink at once.
Comes with a glass, special holder and instructional 8cm DVD (cannot play in a slot-type player). $75.00 (60.1508)
(http://www.hanklee.org/xcart/product.php?productid=9263&cat=0&page=1)
Casino Game Protection - Steve Forte:
The consensus is in, gaming experts from around the world have hailed this book to be truly one-of-a-kind, the finest, most in-depth study on casino game protection ever revealed...a jackpot, with the reader the winner!
Preface from the book:
The following work is the culmination of 30 years of research into the arena of casino cheating, advantage play, electronic player assistance, and you name it. If a concept was designed, worked out, played, or dreamed of, and had anything to do with beating the casino - legal or otherwise - I've probably been there. Or close to it.
After many years of working in the industry, then as a professional gambler, and later as a casino consultant, you will, hopefully, find my perspective unique as the information to follow comes from both sides of the table.
Every effort was made to compile a comprehensive guide, and present the game protection topic with scope and objectivity. The scams and strategies presented run the gamut from old to new, from rank to sophisticated. Everything from marked cards and coolers to advantage play and electronic assistance is discussed in detail. I've especially tried to address those million-dollar questions that come up over and over again, the questions that rarely get answered throughout an entire career. Is it possible to control the dice? What's best way to shuffle and why? Do roulette dealers have signatures to their spin?
This work is not an encyclopedia of scams and strategies, nor is it intended to be. With certain techniques, such as false shuffles and card mucks, there are literally hundreds of variations. Describing them all doesn't serve a useful purpose. In each area, I've tried to select a variety of moves that best illustrate that spectrum of technique. The same can be said of the Card Counting and Blackjack Advantage Play chapters. There is some unavoidable rehash, a genuine effort to give credit where credit is due, and I will try to point you in the direction of quality information for further study. Despite these concessions, the book will stand on its own merit. It's a comprehensive guide.
There is also a fair amount of historical information presented, and for many gamers there's a perceived antiquity with many of the older moves and scams. Don't fall into this trap, and don't underestimate the importance of a little history, as it will provide you with a deeper understanding of how scams, strategies, and procedures have evolved. This, in turn, may provide some sense of what to expect in the future. There is a time and place for every scam presented in this research.
The book was compiled sequentially, so each chapter should be read in order, yet studied as part of complete work..
The book has been written for all capacities and levels of experience. If you are new to gaming herein lies an opportunity for you to separate fact from fiction, and to expand your game protection.
When all is said and done, the primary goal of this work is to stimulate your interest and thinking about this very important industry topic.
- Steve Forte
Sample Book Chapters
* Getting Started - Elements of a Scam
* Blackjack
* Card Counting
* Advantage Play
* Craps
* Roulette
* Baccarat
* Asian Games/ Novelty Games
* Poker
* Detection
627 pages. Hardbound. $200.00 (BK01563)
(http://www.hanklee.org/xcart/product.php?productid=9261&cat=0&page=1)
And, that’s this week’s gigantic Hotlist! I told you there was a ton of new stuff, didn’t I? And, it’s all really good! Spend some time reading all about it, then place an order and get yourself some free DVDs!
As always, I hope you will take some time out from your busy schedule 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
