Greetings from all of us at Hank Lee’s Magic Factory. This week I am writing the email Newsletter from sunny Gainesville, Florida. I know, I know. What kind of nut-case heads off to Florida in August, where the temperature hovers near the 100 degree mark every day. And the humidity is not far behind. The fatherly nut-case who has a kid in college in Gainesville. A kid, who if I do say so myself, has been working his head off all summer to finish a couple of courses that he needed in order to transfer to the University of Florida. He has really been a trooper. He spent his entire summer in school, and there was hardly a peep of complaint. So, Bonnie and I felt that he deserved a few days of parental pampering. And, here we are, schvitzing like crazy.
Later today we are heading off to Amelia Island, named I am told for Amelia Badelia. I have only seen pictures, and it looks like a quaint Victorian Pirate Village, where the temperatures hit only 95 degrees every day. If you would like to know more about Amelia Island, and who wouldn’t, you can go to www.ameliaisland.org. Lucky me, I will be there in person. No, I really do mean that I am lucky, very lucky indeed. No sarcasm intended. Bonnie reads this Newsletter. Aron, too.
We did receive our first shipment of Sweeney’s Revenge, and I was very pleased with the workmanship and the method. I am waiting anxiously to hear from the folks who got theirs to see if they agree with my assessment.
We also received our first shipment of Miser’s Delight. This is a fantastic item for anyone who uses D’Lite, and that’s just about everyone. You really have to see this thing in action. It looks so cool as each red spot of light drops into the bag. Great for kids shows, family shows, really any shows. Check it out in the Hotlist.
And, now, from the hottest place on earth (I know it’s not, so no need to send letters) comes this week’s excitement, and I think you’re really going to like it!
QUADRUPLE POINTS: The Hank Lee Rewards Program has been up and running for some time now, and people are collecting some serious points. As a reminder, for every retail dollar you spend with us at Hank Lee’s, you will get one Reward Point. Twenty Reward Points can be redeemed for one dollar in merchandise. Two hundred Reward Points gets you $10.00 in free merchandise. And on and on. The points are automatically added, and your point balance will appear on the invoice that comes with your order. There is no limit to the number of points you can collect. The points will not expire, so you can use them any time. All you need to do is tell us how many points you want to redeem when you place your next order (if you are ordering online, just put the number of points you would like to redeem in the Customer Notes Box and we will deduct the proper number of dollars from your order total). We think it’s a great idea. The perfect way to save for future orders! What could be better?
I’ll tell you what’s better. Quadruple Points! That’s right, for the next seven days, until August 7th at midnight, we are giving you Quadruple Points! So, for every retail dollar you spend, you will get four points. The points will add up so fast that you won’t believe it! And you can use them with your very next order or with an order you place a year from now. The points never expire. So, buy some magic and watch those points accumulate!
Now, let’s take a gander at this week’s Hotlist.
Pimpin’ DVD: Nathan Kranzo was one of the most talented people we ever booked for the Conclave. He has now released one of his pet effects – Pimpin.’
Here is the video that started a wave. For months Nathan had to constantly delete comments that people made about the video. Not because they were guessing the method, but because they were accusing him of using special FX or camera editing. Not true.
Not true at all.
The original video was shot a few years back with a terrible web cam. It’s included on the DVD for completeness and to document the history of the effect.
Special thanks to Paul Harris: Nathan is honored to share this effect with you that spawned from one of Paul’s great ideas. After sharing the effect with him he was very happy. When asked for his blessing he said “consider yourself blessed”.
The visual transformation is stunning. In this particular handling, Nathan performs a short ambitious card type sequence. On the Pimpin’ DVD, he explains how you can perform dozens of different card effects and then go right into this startling transformation.
One of his favorite handlings involves walking up to a group of people and offering them a card for a card effect. As they reach out their hand, the deck morphs into a handful of cash!
This is a fantastic opener for close-up or even stand up, as the transformation can be seen by large groups.
People literally scream when they see this transformation. Turning money into more money is one thing, but when a normal everyday object explodes into a handful of cash it hits them in the head and the heart. There is such a strong emotional and social connection with money.
The effect can be performed with any bills that are similar in width to a playing card. The length doesn’t matter.
Please note that when you purchase the DVD, you will receive the complete Pimpin’ training. You won’t see Nathan performing for actors who pretend to be interested, won’t see him performing it on top of the Empire State Building, or on the streets of Hollywood etc. Just Nathan sitting down one on one with you
old school style.
$24.95 (30.1356)
(http://www.hanklee.org/xcart/product.php?productid=9545&cat=0&page=1)
Morison Pill Box: A gorgeous and very unique shaped vase is displayed. A solid red ball is removed from the vase, shown all around and then vanished. The vase is again opened and the ball has reappeared inside the vase! The ball is dumped out of the vase, shown to be a complete, solid ball, and tossed it in the air! Those “in the know” will be amazed!
Do not confuse the Morison Pill Box with a regular Ball Vase. It is a precision-made mechanical vase with a spring loaded plunger built into the top.
Each beautifully textured and elegant-shaped 5” Morison Pill Box is patiently hand-crafted of deep, rich colored resin composite material and hand-painted in an antique Pan Din Pao style, which makes it one of the most unique Morison Pill Boxes ever made! And, the price is very, very low. $149.95 (10.1464)
(http://www.hanklee.org/xcart/product.php?productid=9541&cat=0&page=1)
Ping and Pong Chinese Sticks - Wayne Dobson:
Custom made in 3/4" square, 18" long aluminum tubing, anodized in an Electric Blue with white plastic ends. They also have a white plastic ball on the end of each chord and are perfect for the Wayne Dobson Ping & Pong routine. These sticks work like a dream!
Comes complete with a free copy of the Wayne Dobson booklet Ping & Pong. $149.95 (60.1537)
(http://www.hanklee.org/xcart/product.php?productid=9544&cat=0&page=1)
Witness: An original idea from Lee Asher. He performs his brand of magic across the world, leaving audiences speechless. Witness has never before been released on DVD -- until now.
After having a card selected, your spectator holds a Ziplock bag with a Joker sealed inside. The Joker, held securely between the spectator's palms, 'transforms' into the selection! Never once is the bag opened. Everything can be handed out for examination.
Invaluable instruction from a professional like Lee Asher allows you to speed up the learning process. Designed with real world conditions in mind. After watching this DVD -- you'll perform Witness in no time.
The effect requires no gimmicks and features a simplified, tried and tested handling. The DVD or download runtime is approximately 21 minutes, including full length street performances and extensive instruction on all aspects of the Witness routine.
Witness (formerly known as Deucebag) has been the signature effect in Lee's sold-out lectures around the world for audiences all the way from Singapore to Paris to Eugene, Oregon for over a decade. This is the first time that this effect has been taught on video. Shot in High Definition on the streets of Las Vegas.
$19.95 (30.1357)
(http://www.hanklee.org/xcart/product.php?productid=9547&cat=0&page=1)
Control: From Wayne Houchin comes Control. Cause your heart to slow down... and completely stop. An effect that has been developed and refined over half a decade of careful experimentation and performance in Wayne’s professional repertoire, Control is beautifully simple and strikingly powerful.
It is one of the most powerful things you can do - demonstrate control over life and death. In this comprehensive DVD, Wayne Houchin takes you through the entire effect - from incredible live performances to the technique and the subtleties that allow you to transform this from a trick to a miracle. Feel. Hear. Control
Over 2 hours in length, the video also features a bonus effect during which a spectator hears your heart stop.
100% Safe, Effective, and Reliable
No Setup; No Gimmicks
Includes Stop by Daniel Garcia - Learn to stop a borrowed watch
With: Dexter, Randall, and Daniel Garcia
$29.95 (DVD00910)
(http://www.hanklee.org/xcart/product.php?productid=9548&cat=0&page=1)
Mini Cube-A-Libre: Another great classic, made in miniature by our very good friends at the Magic Wagon!
Four blocks numbered 1 through 4 and an empty tube are displayed.
Each block is stacked on top of the other, in numerical order starting with number 1 on the bottom, then covered with the tube.
Point to the vertical easel and openly places the numbered plates on the easel with the 1 on top and 4 on bottom. When the cover is removed, the blocks have now magically rearranged themselves to exactly match the order on the easel!
This is repeated several times. Each time the blocks end up in the exact same order as the plates on the easel.
To conclude, a spectator is invited to arrange the numbers on the easel in any order he chooses. Despite this, the cover is lifted and the stack of blocks still matches perfectly!
Each set is delicately hand-crafted from hardwood and adorned with brass engraved numbered plates. Each block is approximately 1 1/8” on each side and the tube is 4.5” tall. Available in strictly limited quantities. $149.95 (10.1465)
(http://www.hanklee.org/xcart/product.php?productid=9542&cat=0&page=1)
Re-Labeled DVD - Ben Williams:
Imagine being able to perform Labeled but in a situation where the bottle is already in view and viewable from all angles. The bottle can also be produced from a silk if wanted. You sign the label and with a little shake the penetration occurs with no cover. Yes, the spectator clearly sees the label penetrate the side of the bottle! Of course the bottle can then be given away as an impossible souvenir.
All of this and more is possible with Re-Labeled, the new add on to the original effect. All of the restrictions of the original effect have been stripped away to allow for an amazingly visual and impossible piece of magic.
So what exactly is Re-Labeled?
Re-Labeled will teach the new handling (and lots more!) of the original effect, Labeled. The new routine begins with the introduction of the bottle, or it can be standing alone on a table and viewed from all angles, (something not possible with the effect before). The performer then picks up the bottle showing all sides and then signs the label with a marker pen. The bottle is then given a little shake, which causes the label to visually penetrate the side of the bottle. You can immediately show both hands empty and then hand out the bottle for inspection. The spectator can clearly see the bottle has never been opened before. The bottle can also be given away as a souvenir.
Taught on the DVD are:
* The new and improved routine with visual penetration
* All additions to the set up required
* Another visual penetration with no cover
* A hands off penetration that happens in the spectators hands
* 2 bottle productions to get you into the effect magically.
To clarify, Re-Labeled is an add-on that will not teach the original construction of the Labeled bottle, so it will not teach you how to retain the seal on the cap. For this information you will need to purchase the original effect 'Labeled', available as a DVD.
$20.00 (DVD00909)
(http://www.hanklee.org/xcart/product.php?productid=9546&cat=0&page=1)
Uncle Percy’s Last Poker Hand: Someone from the audience chooses one of five playing cards lying on the table. A piece of glass is placed in the spectator's hand. A word mysteriously appears on the glass, which is the color of the back of the chosen card! And it is exactly this card which belonged to Uncle Percy's Last Poker Hand, taken from a card case and presented to the audience.
You get:
* Card case with two compartments and a secret compartment
* Five playing cards with different colored backs
* Two sets of four cards with red or blue backs, each of them folded in a piece of paper, printed with the words Uncle Percy's Last Poker Hand.
* Specially prepared glass
* Cleaning cloth
$19.95 (30.1353)
(http://www.hanklee.org/xcart/product.php?productid=9535&cat=0&page=1)
And that’s this week’s Hotlist. One of the hottest Hotlists I can remember. Especially if I stick my head outside the air conditioned hotel. I hope it’s cool where you are. It’s always cool where I am, or so I delude myself.
As always, I hope you will find some time to spend with us either online at www.magicfact.com or in person at our always cool showroom at 102 North Street in Medford. Either way, we love the company.
Hank
