Greetings from all of us at Hank Lee’s Magic Factory. I hope you all enjoyed this past week’s Summer Sizzler Sales Event. It was one very exciting day around here! I do apologize for sending out an extra eMail Newsletter about the sale, but I did want to make sure that everyone got the announcement. And, that everyone had the opportunity to save!
I know that last week’s Newsletter got a little long. But, there were so many stories to tell. Believe it or not, I left out a lot. I hope you weren’t too bored. I know that I was laughing as I wrote it, so it must have been at least a little funny.
As I am sure you know, we love to be on the cutting edge, technologically speaking. So, after much cajoling by Aron the elder son, we have finally signed up for Twitter. Now, you can follow us on Twitter as much as you want. Believe me when I say that we will not become Tweet Happy. You will not get a Tweet when I arrive at work and another when I take my jacket off and another when I get my morning coffee. I mean really. Is any of that important enough to share with the world? However, when a new and exciting item is on the horizon or comes in the door or when there is an exciting event around the corner, we will Tweet. You can sign on by going to http://twitter.com/magicfact. Follow us!
Other than shipping a ton of orders, this has been a pretty uneventful week. What with the All Star break, there hasn’t even been much baseball to watch. So, I’ll keep this week’s Newsletter sort and just head right to the Excitement portion of the program!
DVD GIVEAWAY: With so many great new DVDs hitting the market, what could be better than an old-fashioned DVD Giveaway! For the next six days, from right now until Wednesday, July 22nd, at midnight, you have the opportunity to get DVDs for free! But, you have to get them the old fashioned way. You must 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(s) 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 Wednesday, July 22nd, at midnight!
Now, let’s take a peek at this week’s Hotlist!
Art of Magic DVD – Wayne Houchin: A groundbreaking instructional DVD on classic and contemporary magic tricks. This 120 minute performance and instructional DVD features a unique look at the current state of magic. Including interviews with David Regal, Aaron Fisher, Dan and Dave Buck and (of course) Wayne Houchin. The interviews are combined with live performance footage of WH performing both on the street and at The Magic Castle - from South Beach, Miami to Hollywood, California.
What’s on the DVD?
- A 60 minute documentary on the Art of Magic featuring David Regal, Aaron Fisher, Dan & Dave, and WH.
- An in-depth 60 minute teaching session during which Wayne Houchin explains how to perform 5 of the effects that were featured in the documentary. You will learn:
TWISTING THE ACES - Wayne Houchin's handling of Dai Vernon's classic effect. The four aces magically turn face up one at a time. Clean, beautiful, and amazing.
FRENCH KISS - You ask someone to sign a playing card. The card is then folded up and placed in your spectator's mouth. You take and sign another card, which you then fold up and place in your mouth. Impossibly, the 2 folded up cards switch places. Your signed card is in the spectator's mouth and her card is in yours. Simple and powerful.
WH RING+STRING MYSTERY - A piece of string visually penetrates through a borrowed ring. New, unique, practical, and fun.
MATCH BITE - A lit match is extinguished on your tongue. The magician then bites off the burnt end, chews it up, and spits it back onto the match. Impromptu and uses only one match.
CARBON PAPER - An incredibly powerful effect contributed to AOM by Jay Sankey. The back of a playing card is burned. Your spectator feels the burn from that card travel through their hand and end up on a signed card that has been between their hands for the entire effect, leaving the originally burnt card completely unharmed.
The documentary and instructional portions of this DVD attempt to capture a modern look at the Art of Magic through personal anecdotes, advice, and live performance. The interviews touch on everything from the presentation of magic to advice for beginners, and why magician's fail. The effects taught are practical and suitable for both beginners and the intermediate student. Welcome to Art Of Magic.
$35.00 (DVD01026)
(http://www.hanklee.org/xcart/product.php?productid=2098&cat=0&page=1)
Miller Miracle Wallet: In stock and ready for immediate shipment! From Ray Piatt, a wallet, actually a card case that holds business cards or playing cards up to poker-size and fits in a shirt pocket. It is ultra thin and allows you to open to four different compartments, instead of the standard two compartments in a Himber Wallet.
This is a real utility item. It can be used for any effect requiring 'outs.' One, two, three or four 'outs.'
Use double envelopes to get up to eight 'outs!'
You can switch playing cards, business cards, credit cards, papers, envelopes - anything flat that will fit in the pocket of the wallet. It is perfect for Date Book effects.
With the four built-in, wet-erase note pads, you can switch words, numbers, drawings, etc. The note pads can also be used for Add-A-Number effects.
And you can use each pad over and over again. You get the appearance of a pad without the bulk of a pad!
Included with the wallet are several excellent mentalism routines plus a bonus magic effect using paper currency.
Designed by Roy Miller, the wallet is made of the finest quality leather. Easy to carry with you at all times. It will fit comfortably in your shirt pocket, your pants pocket, or any of your jacket pockets.
Thanks to the slim state-of-the-art design, your audience will be aware of only one opening. A perfectly natural looking prop, one you will be proud to own. $135.00 (10.1004)
(http://www.hanklee.org/xcart/product.php?productid=2010&cat=0&page=1)
Cue Control – Axel Hecklau - Many artists do not use music in their shows simply because they do not realize there is a reliable and invisible method for controlling music, without using a sound technician.
Cue Control offers the solution for this problem and makes it possible for solo artists to add more variety to their shows.
Axel Hecklau's system uses no fancy specially made electronic devices. With some clever ideas, an mp3-player and a standard wireless system (maybe you have these items already at home) you are able to manage your cues during the show by yourself: Reliably, Independently, and Invisibly.
Your full concentration stays on your show, because you only have to push one button.
Axel Hecklau shares all his experiences of the past years in this script, having used Cue Control in hundreds of shows.
If you are a magician, singer, comedian, mime, cabaret artist, juggler, story teller, balloon artist, ventriloquist, hypnotist, travesty artist, speaker, give it a try. it will certainly increase the quality of your performance.
34 pages - Saddle Stitched. $30.00 (BK01659)
(http://www.hanklee.org/xcart/product.php?productid=2083&cat=0&page=1)
Souvenir Linking Loverbands – Alan Wong: Two normal rubber bands link, visibly morph into two permanently linked hearts, then are given away as a romantic souvenir. Souvenir Linking LoverBands is created by Alan Wong on the ten-year anniversary of his best selling rubber band effect "Stargazer".
Paul Harris and Alan Wong had the same dream (at the same time) to produce permanently linked rubber bands. Both have succeeded. Paul made normal rubber bands link together while Alan made them heart shaped for a romantic plot. Alan and Paul happily agreed to independently manufacture their own versions.
Linking LoverBands is a strange beautiful visual dream. Two separate red bands suddenly link, then slowly and visibly morph into two rubber band hearts! It's the perfect romantic souvenir for the ladies. You have the pure astonishment of the impossible link combined with the powerful emotional hook of two hearts forever together.
* Option to show separate heart bands at the start and go directly into the link.
* Use SLR linking handling for LoverBands.
* Includes 20 linked heart shaped LoverBands and 10 matching singles.
* Full routine created, performed and taught by Steve Marshall
* Bonus chapter of full downloadable e- book with detailed written instructions and 32 photographs for step by step follow through and many additional ideas
* LoverBands can withstand boiling heat up to 120 degrees Celsius and will last a long time
* No powdering is needed
* Refills are available and sold separately
$35.00 (10.1527)
(http://www.hanklee.org/xcart/product.php?productid=2064&cat=0&page=1)
Flagtastick: Magic Ian presents the perfect addition to your act. Flagtastick can be a startling opener, or a fantastic closer. The magician shows three 12" diagonal silks (18" long) and, while in clear view of the audience they instantly transform into a 12" x 18" American Flag on a silver flag stick (silver metal appearing cane).
A special holder is included to produce this from your vest or jacket and do a one handed production!
Other routines: Have the setup in a crystal silk cylinder or any other production item, then instantly do the transformation. 4 Stars in Genii magazine, this was originally on the market in 1977 and this deluxe improved version uses 100% pure silks and silk flag. Includes full DVD instructions. $179.95 (60.1600)
(http://www.hanklee.org/xcart/product.php?productid=2058&cat=0&page=1)
Book of Oopses – Chan Canasta: Being a collection of thrilling experiments in which the book itself plays the part of the mind-reader!
This is the first ever book that can mind-read. It is based on a completely new and unusual idea. You, the reader, are the spectator, and the book is the performer of a series of exciting mind reading tricks.
The instructions for each trick are clearly set out on one page, and when you have followed them, you turn to another page and find that the book knows exactly what you are thinking. Like any mind reader the book is not successful all the time - and when it fails - OOPS! - it shrugs sadly and admits failure. But when it scores a hit, the effect is nothing short of miraculous, giving you an eerie feeling that it possesses some occult and incredible power.
Pages 48. Saddle Stitched with Card Cover. 5 3/4" x 7 3/4" (14.6cm x 19.6cm) $42.00 (BK01658)
(http://www.hanklee.org/xcart/product.php?productid=2062&cat=0&page=1)
Lunch Date DVD – Paul Romhany: Paul Romhany performs and explains his favorite routines from his book Lunch Is Served. The "Out To Lunch" principle is dedicated to changing the characteristics of an object that has been signed by a spectator. The trick, "Out To Lunch" is generally treated, appropriately, as a comedic trifle, but in this DVD you will find strong approaches, plots and presentations that take the principle to places that you have perhaps not explored or even imagined.
Truly magical moments are crafted from this workhorse of a principle, one that is exceptionally simple, but deceptively so. The routines in this DVD range from close-up to stand-up, with access to all the graphics needed so you can easily make up your own gimmicked business cards.
* Time Change
* Cookie’s Fortune
* 8 Ball Production
* Business Card Switch
* Knife And Fork
* Bill To Orange
* Coin On Card
$35.00 (DVD01025)
(http://www.hanklee.org/xcart/product.php?productid=2070&cat=0&page=1)
Webmakers: From the mind of Rosenbaum comes a new patent pending IT (Invisible Thread) utility device that has opened new doors in the areas of thread work.
The reloadable WebMakers locking utility spooler can quickly dispense IT for routines and effects at a moment’s notice, be used to create elaborate web work, and when used with Rosenbaum's SkyHooks, create effects and stunning miracles that are only now possible.
WebMakers are an essential complement to all of your thread effects, do not require expensive refill spools, and are very inexpensive to use.
WebMakers can be reloaded with most any IT and allows you the ability to reload with various types, lengths, and strengths of IT specific to your needs.
WebMakers are specifically designed for breaking thread and are quickly restored to working order with a simple and quick technique fully explained in the included instructions.
Each package contains two WebMakers (one black, one White), preloaded with approximately 30' of IT.
$15.00 (10.1530)
(http://www.hanklee.org/xcart/product.php?productid=2095&cat=0&page=1)
Skyhooks: Imagine, having the ability to keep your IT elevated and completely out of the way of your spectators and where you can easily control an object from across the room. Rosenbaum now makes it possible!
SkyHooks, when used in combination with Rosenbaum's WebMakers (can also be used without WebMakers), allow arrangements for IT routines and effects, which are only now possible.
The simple design and near invisibility of the SkyHook, allows you to ladder long distances of IT, keeping the IT out of the way of your spectators.
Finally, you can now have a crowded room of people, elevate or easily arrange your IT to avoid your spectators from breaking it, and create new miracles from across the room.
Each package contains 15 SkyHooks and full instructions. $7.50 (10.1529)
(http://www.hanklee.org/xcart/product.php?productid=2096&cat=0&page=1)
And that’s this week’s middle of summer Hotlist. So hot, so hot, so hot. I hope you will find some items that you simply cannot be without. I really do!
As always, we thank you for taking time out of your busy schedules to visit us, either online at www.magicfact.com or in person at 102 North Street in Medford. Either way, we love the company.
Hank
