Greetings from all of us here at Hank Lee’s Magic Factory. So I’m driving home from work, and as I come up our street, I see the biggest crane I have ever seen parked in my front yard. So, I think to myself, “Have the Repo guys figured out a way to repossess an entire house?” Luckily, it turns out that our neighbor was having some trees removed, and the only access to the trees was through our yard. Nonetheless, I check to make sure the mortgage payment was right up to date. It is.
I know how much you love to know exactly what I’m doing and when I’m doing it. So, here’s my schedule for the rest of August, at least the stuff that I can discuss publicly. On Thursday, the 21st, I will fly back to Florida to help Aron move in to his new apartment. That way, we can guarantee that it will be neat and tidy for at least a couple of days. On Saturday, the 23rd, I will be back home for one day, and then on Sunday Bonnie, Lucas and I will fly to Oberlin, Ohio to get Lucas set up and settled in college. Lucas in college. Oh me. Oh my. I will be home on Wednesday the 27th with yet another non-vacation trip behind me. So, if you really need to get in touch with me, call me on my cell phone. You have the number, right?
Once we return from the college trip, there will be just Bonnie, Bones the Dog and me. I think we need to get another dog. It’s a lot like having a new baby, only no diapers, and no college tuition to look forward to. Plus, it will give Bones someone to play with. So, I am looking for dog suggestions. Bones is a black and white Border Collie/Beagle mix and the most friendly and mischievous dog going. He needs a friend. Any ideas?
And now, let’s take a look at this week’s excitement.
EIGHTH OF AUGUST SALES EVENT EXTENDED: I know that August is vacation season, and a lot of you are away from your beloved computers and may not see our email Newsletters as regularly as you wish. So, you miss out on some terrific sales events. To be nicer than nice we are extending this one for just a few more days. For the next four days, from the very moment you receive this email until Monday, August 18th 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 AUGUSTEIGHTH 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 and mention the special code so you can save a huge 25%!
• 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, Viking/CW items, Kennedy Enterprises items, Colin Rose items, Mike Caveney Books, Johnson Products items, MagicSmith items, 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 and Reward Points will be deducted from the order total before the discount is applied.
• As the discount is automatically generated, you must put the special code AUGUSTEIGHTH 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 line 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 Monday the 18th at midnight!
Now, let’s take a look at this week’s Hotlist!
Lethal – Bobby Motta: Bobby Motta’s Lethal looks so much like real magic, your audiences will not believe what they are seeing!
Have a card selected, signed, and shuffled back into the deck. The spectator can even shuffle the cards.
Bring out a big knife, and the laughter begins!
A target board is brought into play and placed around the spectator's neck, covering their torso. Who’s laughing now?
Spring the deck of cards into the air. Throw the knife towards the target board, and in mid-air, the knife pins one card to the board. Of course, it is the signed selection!
Not just a card trick but a visual masterpiece, Lethal is always under your control. There are absolutely no assistants or stooges involved at any time. The gimmick is totally self-contained and may be performed in any environment. Comes complete with everything, including full-length instructional DVD.
Designed and manufactured by Gerry Frenette! $1195.00 (60.1540)
(http://www.hanklee.org/xcart/product.php?productid=9566&cat=0&page=1)
Invisible Hand – Device: The Invisible Hand is the new name we give to an old device originally known as Hold Out. You can do wonders in your magic act with this device. You can vanish different objects, change colors, sizes or shapes, cut and restore a rope, etc. And, do it standing in front of the audience with your hands away from your body and away from the table. You can show your hands before and after the effect. You can do magic with balls, eggs, cards coins, silks, bills, watches, pens, etc. It is useful either in Close Up or Stage. Check out The Invisible Hand DVD Set for tons of ideas using this brilliant device. $55.00 (70.908)
(http://www.hanklee.org/xcart/product.php?productid=9564&cat=0&page=1)
Prediction Video System – Martin Lewis:
"The roots of this idea go back 400 years -- but Martin Lewis has yanked it into the 21st century. It was worth the wait." - Max Maven
Precognition: Clairvoyance relating to an event or state not yet experienced. In this case to foretell a video event before it occurs.
A spectator chooses one of six disks and places it into a DVD player. They then choose an episode on that disk, then a chapter from that episode. Before they hit the play button you describe a scene in detail. They then play their selection and it matches your description perfectly.
The disks can be checked both before and after, all the episodes and chapters are different.
The effect plays in almost any venue, from a TV set in a living room to a full size auditorium. If the theater has multimedia capabilities the effect plays huge.
$35.00 (40.644)
(http://www.hanklee.org/xcart/product.php?productid=9558&cat=0&page=1)
Haunted Hand: Halloween is not that far away, and honestly, what could be more spooky that Dave Powell’s Haunted Hand?
Remove a handkerchief from your pocket. Unfold the hankie and inside is a small skeleton hand. The hand is examined and placed under the handkerchief, where it beings to rise and move.
Remove the little hand from under the handkerchief and place it on your outstretched palm. Again, the hand rises and lowers on your command.
Then, the hand completely vanishes and re-appears in your pocket! Excellent close-up magic with an eerie theme! No thread. No Magnets. Completely under your control. $12.00 (10.1467)
(http://www.hanklee.org/xcart/product.php?productid=9561&cat=0&page=1)
Smooth Operations - Kevin Ho:
Introducing the card magic and flourishes of Kevin Ho, Smooth Operations is a 60 page book explaining an array of new material for both the curious student and seasoned pro with over a hundred photo illustrations for an enjoyable learning experience.
Kevin is a rising young Singapore-based magician with some serious talent. As a flourisher, he's already earned a reputation as one of the best. His style is fresh, ultra smooth, and extremely visual. And his magic is no different. Learn 5 effects, 4 sleights, 3 productions and 2 flourishes in 1 kick ass manual on card magic.
Step into a world of visual madness and experience the unexpected.
Contents:
Tools, Inventions and Applications for the Modern Card Magician.
Punk'd
This version of Re-Set is simple, instant, and leaves you completely clean. Imagine two four-of-a-kinds, like the four Aces and four Jacks, instantly changing places with each other, and then back again moments later.
Static 4
A quick and easy four Ace production that's perfect for getting into any of your four card routines. It's also one of Kevin's favorites.
Inverse Impulse
A very magical looking one-handed color change that can be continuously repeated.
Long Division
This clever routine is fun to do and gets killer reactions.
A card is produced, equaling the value of two spectators’ chosen cards. This single card is then visually ‘stretched’ into a long card, which the spectators help split into their respective selections.
Pegasus
An insane production of any four-of-a-kind that will blow your audience away.
Florida Count and PCP
I guess you could say it's a rhythm count...on acid. Very flashy, very visual, very cool.
This is definitely one of our favorite effects. It's fast, visual, direct, and allows you to showcase beautiful sleight of hand.
PCP
Four Jacks are counted between your hands as they seem to visually change into the four Aces. (Note: If you're tired of the remark, "Do that again", this is not the trick to do.)
Chaser
The magician offers to demonstrate different aspects of sleight of hand. What follows is a fast-paced sequence of cards appearing, teleporting, changing, and transposing with each other in a casual, yet highly visual manner.
Raccoon
Imagine a card spinning atop the deck 540 degrees to infinity. This cool little flourish is so neat and original, it has to be seen.
Collectors Redux
In the process of finding three spectators' selections, the four Queens (or any four-of-a-kind) are found in an insanely chaotic and visual way that only Kevin would think of.
Visa Switch
This very cool switch is open for many, many applications, of which Kevin supplies two. However, I'm sure after a little experimenting, you’ll have applied it to numerous ideas of your own. All around, it’s a fun little move to play with.
Fully Loaded
In this effect, Kevin explains how a deck of cards can be a deadly weapon with not only the ability to shoot single cards out of the deck, but also to produce a four-of-a-kind (Okay, it's a really cool ace production with some fun patter.).
Conspiracy of Four
An extremely visual and fun handling of a classic plot.
The magician offers to find a four-of-a-kind other than the four Aces. All goes well until the fourth and final production - it's an Ace. However, within the blink of an eye, the other three cards instantly turn into the other three Aces, forming a complete four-of-a-kind after all.
Bob Change
With a light shake, a card held in the magician's hand instantly turns into another card. A very clever and in-your-face take on the well-known Shapeshifter change.
RePainted
A blank fan of cards is seen. With a quick wave, the faces of the cards visually appear. The method is so obvious it's hard to believe no one has ever thought of this before. An instant classic in my book.
Pages 59 - Saddle Stitched, 8 1/2" x 11" (Glossy Paper) $25.00 (BK01592)
(http://www.hanklee.org/xcart/product.php?productid=9562&cat=0&page=1)
Multicolored Bicycle Deck: A great new multi-colored deck for your card act! These black-backed cards are genuine Bicycle Poker-Size Cards, printed by the U.S. Playing Card Company and can be used in any number of card routines.
Features a Red, Green, Yellow, and Blue color scheme with original style face cards.
Bring a bit of color to your card routine! $10.50 (30.1359)
(http://www.hanklee.org/xcart/product.php?productid=9563&cat=0&page=1)
Jokers Wild – Rodger Lovins:
Any playing card is selected and signed, returned to the deck and the cards are shuffled, cut and placed face down on the table.
Tell the spectator that their signed card is now on the bottom of the shuffled deck of cards. The deck is turned face up to reveal the bottom card is the Joker.
Explain that Jokers are wild and it represents their signed selection.
After a bit of "Joking around," pick up the card box and tap the deck. Instantly and visually the Joker changes into the signed selection.
Open the card box to reveal the magical wild card has ended up inside the closed box. Wow! Jokers really are wild!!
* Easy to do
* Fast reset
Comes complete with illustrated instructions and Special Deck. $29.95 (30.1360)
(http://www.hanklee.org/xcart/product.php?productid=9565&cat=0&page=1)
Bob Solari – Live In Your Living Room DVD Set:
From the simple, clever and very fragile mind of Bob Solari comes over 20 unique very commercial close-up effects performed and fully explained!
Compressed: Magically shrink an ordinary deck of cards into a mini deck right in front of the spectators’ eyes!
Bob’s Brainwave: An easy to do Brainwave where one card is gaffed.
Signed, Sealed & Amazing: A freely selected signed card vanishes, only to be found in a sealed envelope that has been in full view all along! No Palming!
Match It: A box of matches magically appears sandwiched between two selected cards. A very unique routine that you will want to add to your close up arsenal immediately!
Clipped: A freely selected card is isolated with an ordinary paper clip. This clipped card matches your jumbo card prediction.
Business Minded: Instantly duplicate whatever your spectator secretly draws on the back of your business card. Great mental magic! Great way to hand out your business card!
Solari’s Monte: Learn the secret behind this 3 card monte effect that has fooled and sold in the thousands!
Ring Rapture: Visibly melt a gold ring onto a gold necklace right in front of the spectators eyes.
Cunning Card Case: A deck of cards is shown in its case. Magically and instantly the card case vanishes. Great opener!
Ultra Match: A three card prediction that has fooled some of the biggest names in magic! No skill!
Metamorphosis Bill: A $5.00 bill and a $1.00 bill magically change places under impossible conditions. Both bills may be signed and borrowed.
Premonition: The spectator has full control over the deck yet their selection always matches your prediction!
Jumbo Prediction: An easy prediction with a jumbo card that you will use all the time.
Visible Half Thru Table: Visibly penetrate a half dollar through a table. In this version, the half dollar visibly penetrates from the bottom of the table onto the table top!
Solari’s Impossible Aces: Bob's version of the famous MacDonalds 4 Aces. His version does not utilize double face cards or sleights.
Un-Bill-Eivable: Visibly penetrate a borrowed bill with an ordinary knife. Bill is returned to the spectator unharmed! This is visual magic at it's best! N skill!
Brainwave For Dummies: An easy to do brainwave that has fooled some of the world's most knowledgeable magicians!
Fool’s Monte: An easy to follow (?) 3 card monte routine that you will use all the time.
Gift Box Prediction: A gift box is shown empty. 10 different cards are mixed by the spectator and placed in the empty gift box. A single card is freely selected from the box. This card matches your prediction every time!
Bling Bling Ring Thing: Five rings are shown, each with a different color stone. Spectator freely selects any ring and places it in an ungimmicked ring box while your back is turned. The four remaining rings are hidden from view. Immediately you know which color ring is in the box! An old time tested method!
Bonus Effects:
Solari's Original Flotation Device: Cause a borrowed playing card to rise at your fingertips, then float in mid-air! No threads, No wires, No magnets!
Bob’s Breather Cards: Two different styles, easy to make "breather card" are explained. (Breather cards makes forcing a card easy) $39.95 (DVD00913)
(http://www.hanklee.org/xcart/product.php?productid=9559&cat=0&page=1)
"Every magic effect is a gem! I ordered 6 more sets of Bob Solari's DVD's as gifts for my 6 best magician friends. I can’t think of a better recommendation than that!" - Steve Dusheck
Kona – Bill Goldman: A deck of cards sits on the table. A spectator takes the deck, removes a card, looks at it, replaces the card in the deck and puts the cards back into the case.
It is all so fair. You haven’t even touched the deck yet.
With a wave of your hand, the selected card vanishes from the deck and appears in your wallet in a sealed envelope!
There is no palming. No sleight of hand required.
The instructions are written so that you experience the effect the first time you read them.
That’s right, you will be fooled the first time you try it! Michael Weber says “Devastatingly simple and direct. This looks even better than it sounds!” And, he’s right. Kona — $25.00 (30.467)
(http://www.hanklee.org/xcart/product.php?productid=9560&cat=0&page=1)
And, that’s this week’s detailed travel itinerary, Hotlist, and sales event announcement. The perfect three-in-one. Two of the three are really exciting. See if you can guess which two.
As always, I hope you will find some time to spend with us either online at www.magicfact.com, in person at our delightful showroom at 102 North Street in Medford, or wandering around the campus at either the University of Florida or Oberlin College. No matter how you decide to spend your time with us, we do love your company!
Hank
