Greetings from all of us at Hank Lee’s Magic Factory. As you know, we always try and look at the bright side of life. But, to be honest, some weeks are better than others. I thought this week was one of the better ones, until yesterday.
Yesterday, my office computer let me know that it was about to fail. Failure is not a good thing. But, knowing that failure is imminent is a great thing. I had time to back up everything important. And, I could take a leisurely stroll to the Apple Store and pick up a new Mighty Mini. I’m not sure when the Apple folks added the failure imminent feature, but I am really glad they did!
The other bad news this week came from the West Coast. Hollywood Magic, an institution in the magic world, has closed its doors. There are all kinds of stories swirling around about what happened, but the bottom line is that they are closed. I couldn’t be more sorry to hear the news. It is never good when a magic company goes out of business. I sincerely hope that whatever issues caused the closing will be resolved and that they will re-open at some point.
Thankfully, there was some good news this week. I spent most of Thursday afternoon talking with my old pal Harry Anderson. We have Harry’s latest effect, Big Money, in this week’s Hotlist. It is a mighty fine effect and available in limited supply. I rarely get a chance to see Harry, but it turns out that he is performing in Philadelphia the day before Halloween. It’s not so far from Boston to Philly, so Bonnie and I will hit the road the morning of the 30th, and arrive in plenty of time to visit with the Andersons and see the show. We hardly do anything so spontaneously, so it’s really very exciting!
I hope that all of you took the opportunity to participate in our Buy Some Get Some at 100% Off event. I can tell you that we shipped out a ton of brand new and most excellent magic. I would add up how much free stuff we shipped, but it’s a little scary. I know it was in the thousands of dollars! We will repeat that sales event very soon, but this week, we’ve got something else in mind!
30 And Down Sales Event. The early birds really love this sales event. And why not? Save and save. More today than tomorrow, and certainly more than the day after.
Here’s how it works: No matter what day, from right now until Thursday, the 29th of October at midnight, when you purchase from us at Hank Lee’s, you will save money. But, as you may have heard, the early bird gets the worm! Starting right now, you will save 30% on your entire order, subject to the rules below. We will hold that discount, 30%, through Monday, the 26th of October at midnight. We will reduce the discount by 1% each day after that until the 29th of October at midnight. All you need to do is enter the special code 30ANDDOWN in the Discount Coupon Box of the online checkout at www.magicfact.com and we will automatically deduct the correct amount 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!
There are a few rules that apply, as with all things in life.
• The minimum order to use this discount is $30.00.
• The discount 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 discount is deducted from the retail price of each item and not from the set price.
• Offers cannot be combined.
• 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, MagicSmith, Martin Breese, Mikame Craft items, Johnson Products 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, Reward Points and Promotional Gift Certificates may not be used during this sales event..
• As the discount is automatically generated, you must put the special code in the Discount Coupon Box, and nowhere else. 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. It all ends on the 29th of October at midnight!
And now to this week’s Hotlist!
Harry Anderson’s Big Money: Harry Anderson says, “There’s no money like Big Money!” I think he’s right.
The effect is straightforward and visual. A genuine One Dollar Bill instantly changes into a Giant One Dollar Bill! It’s quick and amazing.
The effect has been around for a long time. But, Harry’s version is clearly the best!
• The fold is Harry’s own. It allows the giant bill to appear in an instant. No fumbling.
• The giant bill is made of a special paper that will never tear! So, it will last forever.
• Each one of these is made in the workshops of Spade & Archer, where quality never takes a back seat.
• Each giant bill is personally signed by Harry, so you know it’s the real thing.
• If things ever get really tough, you can peel the one dollar bill from the giant bill and get something to eat. Not much, but something.
And, there you have it. Harry sent us a bunch of these, in very snazzy envelopes. He says he doesn’t want to make any more, so get yours now or you may never have the chance again.
$20.00 (10.1543)
(http://www.hanklee.org/xcart/product.php?productid=9899&cat=0&page=1)
Zarrow – A Lifetime of Magic – David Ben: We have been asking and asking our good friend and publisher Meir Yedid to slide us a few copies of this wonderful book. Finally, he gave in and we’ve got some!
Herb Zarrow spent a lifetime in magic exploring and creating in the art he loved. Best known, of course, for his legendary Zarrow Shuffle, one of the great, thundering moves and perhaps the only sleight to travel from the card trick to the card table. Herb is also the originator of many other sleights, subterfuges, and routines, with playing cards, coins, handkerchiefs, ropes, and rubber bands, many of which resulted from his long association with the greats of magic; men like Vernon, Miller, Carlyle, Balducci, Walton, Diaconis and others.
For some six decades, Herb kept the bulk of these secrets within a small, select circle. With this book, you can now join that circle.
This book is a cornucopia containing over one hundred and fifty of Herb’s most cherished secrets, sleights and routines, most of which appear here in print for the first time. The book, a distillation of one humble man’s journey to the essence of his art, is destined to join a short list of true classics of magic.
Written with great detail by David Ben, with more than a thousand photographs by Julie Eng, the book also includes loving commentary by Johnny Thompson, Marla Zarrow, Ron Wohl, John Mintz, and Persi Diaconis.
A lifetime of family. A lifetime of friends. A lifetime of art. A lifetime of magic.
480-pages, oversized 9.25"x 12.25" hardcover with dust jacket. $125.00 (BK01672)
(http://www.hanklee.org/xcart/product.php?productid=9896&cat=0&page=1)
The Roadrunner Cull – Kostya Kimlat: When Kostya Kimlat decided to publish his work on the Cull, he was already widely regarded as the master of the sleight. His speed was legendary, so when it came time to title the new project, only one name fit: The Roadrunner Cull.
Whether you're just beginning or have been Culling for years, your technique will improve significantly. With your ability to Cull cards, you will have the ultimate card weapon in your hands, ensuring the success of every performance.
The DVD includes:
-Clear, multi-angle learning with special See-Thru Cards
-Direct and structured training: Sessions with Michael Ammar and friends
-Live restaurant performances: Powerful magic for real audiences!
$45.00 (DVD01063)
(http://www.hanklee.org/xcart/product.php?productid=9900&cat=0&page=1)
"If you engage yourself with the information presented on this DVD, then you're about to become a better magician." -Michael Ammar
Mind Bender: Display a simple-looking 6” x 9” clipboard. Use the clipboard in your favorite mentalism routines, such as Richard Osterlind’s Magazine Test.
At the end of your routines, flip the clipboard over and set a wine glass on it. As you concentrate on the wine glass, it slowly beings to visibly bend! You can hand the wine glass out after bending, as there is noting to find!
The clipboard is gimmicked with a very clever self-working mechanism. Completely self contained. So diabolical you will amaze yourself!
You receive one special 6" X 9" Mind Bender clipboard, one Sharpie marker, one specially prepared wine glass and instructions. Instructions include how to prepare your own glasses, with routine and presentation suggestions.
If you currently perform David Penn's Refraction or wanted to do Ted Lesley's bend from Paramiracles, this is the perfect item for you.
Can be preformed from as little as 4 feet away.
Perfect for the intimate cabaret or parlor show.
Hand made from the finest materials and built to last. $150.00 (40.696)
(http://www.hanklee.org/xcart/product.php?productid=9895&cat=0&page=1)
Chico The Mind Reading Chimp: For the family show entertainer, Chico the Mind Reading Chimp is a hilarious, laughed-packed routine that packs small and plays big. After thousands of performances spanning a decade and a half, Bill Abbott has worked out everything: structurally, physically and for every conceivable venue and in front of every kind of audience. Bill Abbott has booked more shows from this one routine than any other in his repertoire. With this single purchase you will be adding 15+ minutes of solid entertainment to your show. It can be learned in a short time, with everything you need to make it your own.
Bill Abbott's Chico is a one-of-a-kind professional package that includes:
All Necessary Props:
Comb, Mirror, Binoculars, Dust Pan, Broom, Spray Bottle, Soft Hat (toque), Alphabet Cards, Zipper Banana, Heavy Duty Chrome Staple Gun, Frying Pan, White Cotton Handkerchief, Party Poppers
Customizable natural wood roll-down sign with complete details of how to trace, outline and finally paint your own puppet's name
Other Supplies Include
Fast Dry 2-Part Epoxy Glue, Set of Artist Brushes, Black Duct Tape, Velcro Strips
Custom Chico Monkey Puppet
Prepared Monkey Puppet with removable tail and miniature Fez hat.
The Poster
A poster featuring 40 photos with all the necessary "behind-the-scenes" action and all the script lines.
Royalty-Free Music CD
Royalty-free intro, background and finale tracks on Compact Disc created just for the Chico routine.
An Exclusive Performance DVD
In this new Chico package there are two additional bonus performances of the Chico routine on the DVD. One performance is at a kids’ day camp and the other at a high school retreat in front of 500 teenagers. This along with Chico's classic TV debut appearance and another killer performance at an adult comedy club all serve to illustrate how versatile the routine can be!
An Exclusive Instructional DVD
Details all of the nuances of the set-up, prop management and a complete performance breakdown. The Master Puppet Workshop section of the DVD will show you all of the intricacies of bringing your puppet to life with the proper hand positioning, technique and the manipulation of a few simple props. Everything is covered to help you find and develop a character with your puppet, developing a bond between the puppet and the audience and how to use the Chico routine as a foundation for your very own creation. Bill's main objective is to help you to understand the routine inside and out, so you feel comfortable in performing it as soon as possible!
DVD-ROM Contents
Full Photo-Illustrated Script
A complete script on PDF transcribed with over 50 photographs to make learning the routine that much easier.
The Templates
Chico Text Template
The Mind Reader Text Template
The "Y" Letter Template
The Real Deal
What you are purchasing is a well-orchestrated and thoughtfully put-together professional package with built in laughs. Whether you adopt this routine as is, or inject your own personal touches, you will have a perfect piece of comedy, magic and theater that appeals to a wide range of ages.
$550.00 (60.1625)
(http://www.hanklee.org/xcart/product.php?productid=9893&cat=0&page=1)
Ant-Tack: I love this trick! A colony of ants attack a signed card. Hilarity ensues!
A card is selected and the spectator's favorite food is drawn on its face. The card is lost in the deck and the performer's hands are shown empty.
The cards are spread face down and one is seen to be covered in printed ants.
The card is turned over to show that it is the selected card!
With a flick the printed ants fall off the card and shower down into the spectator's hands. They scream. Oh, yes they do!
The card is then given to the spectator to keep.
Ant-Tack is perfect for leaving that lasting impression on your audience. Starts with the emotional attachment to food and ends with a surprising fist-full of ants.
Includes gimmicks with a detailed, fully-illustrated instruction manual. $17.00 (30.1449)
(http://www.hanklee.org/xcart/product.php?productid=9892&cat=0&page=1)
Powerball 60: One of the easiest and most practical mindreading effects ever!
Have a spectator think of any number between 1 and 60 and ask them to imagine that number as their secret winning lottery number.
For fun, hand them your used scratch tickets and ask them to see how many winners they would have had.
By this simple action alone, you know the exact number they are thinking of!
100% accurate every time!
Instantly repeatable as many times as you want, with different numbers every time!
No sleight of hand. The beautifully produced tickets do all the work for you!
Completely examinable.
Nothing to replace. Use the tickets over and over.
A magic prop that doesn’t look like a magic prop!
Powerball 60 is the perfect covert tool to throw into your wallet. The tickets are 2-1/4” x 4” and fit in any wallet.
No need for peeks, impressions or special wallets.
The simple and natural action of asking the spectator to see how many winning tickets they would have had reveals to you the exact number that the spectator is thinking of.
The possibilities are endless:
Read one or several minds at once!
Predict their winning lotter number in advance, in a sealed envelope!
Perform Powerball 60 on stage for hundreds of people.
Comes complete with Powerball Training DVD and custom designed real scratch lottery tickets.
Upon purchase you will receive access to PowerGuide, a free pdf download. Thirty pages jam packed with amazing ideas and the keys to unlocking the hidden secrets of your POWERBALL tickets.
Available in versions for:
USA and Canada
Europe
United Kingdom
$39.95 (40.695)
(http://www.hanklee.org/xcart/product.php?productid=9886&cat=0&page=1)
Dough Or No Dough: From the creative mind of Brandon Smith, it's Dough or No Dough. Inspired by a popular game show, take your audience on an adventure with a surprise ending.
Draw your audience in with a game where choosing the right briefcase means winning cash. Just when they think they have hit the jackpot, the big money case ends up being their chosen card!
Your spectator chooses a card but you fail to find it. As a reward for besting you, the spectator plays a game of Dough or No Dough for a chance to win some money. They are shown several cards with briefcases printed on one side and different amounts of money on the other side. You shuffle the suitcase cards and the spectator eliminates cases until they are left with only one. By showing several of the already eliminated cases, the spectator believes their case could contain the $50. When they turn over their briefcase card, they are surprised to see their chosen card printed on it instead!
Take your audience on a journey they are familiar with! This commercial and modern effect has it all:
Six glossy and water resistant briefcase cards
Various handlings
Audience Involvement
Clearly written instructions
$24.99 (30.1450)
(http://www.hanklee.org/xcart/product.php?productid=9897&cat=0&page=1)
13 Steps To Mentalism – 6 DVD Set – Richard Osterlind - Tony Corinda's landmark work, 13 Steps To Mentalism, is widely considered to be the mentalist's bible. In this comprehensive DVD series, modern-day master Richard Osterlind performs dynamic effects from each step of Corinda's seminal work in front of a live audience. Then, along with co-host Jim Sisti, digs deep into the principles and concepts that make this material so strong and timeless. This DVD set ably demonstrates why Corinda's 13 Steps To Mentalism will always be a fundamental and substantial part of any mentalist's education.
DISC 1
Introduction to Corinda's 13 Steps to Mentalism
Step One - Swami Gimmick
Introduction
Discussion of the Book
Swami Gimmick - Discussion
An Opening Effect
A Stage Effect
Dartboard Prediction
A First Class Newspaper Effect
Matches or Cigarettes
A Close-Up Quickie
Living and Dead
Step Two - Pencil, Lip, Sound and Muscle Reading
Introduction
The Spectator as the Telepathist
Just Chance (Impromptu)
Ghost Deck
Sujan Location
Muscle Reading - Discussion
DISC 2
Step Three - Mnemonics and Mental Systems
Introduction
The Amazing Memory Test
A Day For Any Date
Extraction of Cube Roots
Magic Square
Knight's Tour
Simple Card Systems
DISC 3
Step Four - Predictions
Introduction
What is a Prediction? - Discussion
Predictions, Billet Knives, Pencils, and Indexes - Discussion
A Million to One
The £75,000 Test
Astronomical
The Third Choice
The Prophesy
Hanging Prediction
Step Five - Blindfold and X-Ray Eyes
Introduction
Sightless Vision Act
Impromptu Test (performance only)
Mental Masterpiece (Fogel's Newspaper Prediction)
DISC 4
Step Six - Billets Introduction
Billets - Discussion
Center Tear
Jaks' Crystal Locket
Three Little Questions
Great Minds Think Alike
Step Seven - Book Tests
Introduction
A Classic Swindle
My Word
A Lesson in Mentalism
The Missing Link
The Crossword Puzzle
DISC 5
Step Eight - Two-Person Telepathy
Introduction
Two-Person Telepathy
Step Nine - Mediumistic Stunts
Introduction
Mediumistic Stunts
Cold Hand
Zarkamorta II
Spirit Slates
Step Ten - Card Tricks
Introduction
Photo Memory
Incredible Slate Test
Teleprognos
Birds of a Feather
Blind Coincidence
Two Minds
Before Your Very Eyes
DISC 6
Step Eleven - The Question and Answer Act
Introduction
The Question and Answer Act
Step Twelve - Publicity Stunts
Introduction
Publicity Stunts - Discussion
Step Thirteen - Patter and Presentation
Introduction
Patter and Presentation – Discussion
$99.95 (DVD01064)
(http://www.hanklee.org/xcart/product.php?productid=9901&cat=0&page=1)
Predict Perfect – Meier Yedid: An outstanding prediction effect where you have 100% control over 198 possible outcomes. More than ten years in the making. This routine is a reputation maker. It has every performance quality which made Meir Yedid's W.O.W. Book Test a best-seller. It is self-working. Learned in minutes. Immediately repeatable. No memory work. No stooges. No complicated mathematics. Self contained. Can be performed up-close or on stage. You will love the method as well as the effect. It is a pure pleasure to perform.
Three spectators are handed some cards with numbers on them. Each calls out a number from his set (free choice) creating a three-digit number (free choice). This is repeated until you have three different, three-digit, numbers. All the numbers are added and the total matches the prediction, which could have been mailed to them in advance.
Comes with nine specially printed jumbo cards and an instructional booklet. Can be repeated. $25.00 (40.193)
(http://www.hanklee.org/xcart/product.php?productid=9894&cat=0&page=1)
Poker Tells – Devin Knight: One of the big hits of Devin's recent lecture tour. Instantly give any spectator psychic powers! This new effect is an improved version of Devin Knight's best-selling Blindsight. It has a new handling that will fool those who own Blindsight! Considered by many to be one of his most baffling effects to date.
Explain that some card players seem to have psychic abilities. These card players can correctly sense the cards in an opponent's hand. Say that you would like to try an experiment to see if a participant has this ability to detect playing cards sight unseen.
Show four opaque envelopes and remove the four Aces from a deck. Place the four Aces inside the envelopes and mix them so the participant has no idea which envelope contains which Ace.
Next, place the envelopes in a row in front of the participant. Ask the participant to guess which Ace is in each envelope.
The participant points to one envelope and tells you which Ace he thinks is inside. Write the suit of that Ace on the outside of the envelope. This is repeated until each envelope has a suit written on the outside of it. Fan out the four envelopes, allowing the participant to see the suits written on each envelope. State that you only need three envelopes for the first phase of the test. Tell the participant to remove one envelope and place it aside as his lucky card. Assume he placed aside the envelope with Hearts written on it.
Open each of the three remaining envelopes and show that the participant has correctly guessed which Ace was in each envelope. This is amazing in itself, but the real kicker is yet to come.
Explain that no one could have known which envelope the participant would place aside. The participant then picks up the envelope that was placed aside and opens it. You do not touch the envelope. Inside is the correct Ace, but there is also a slip of paper with a handwritten note. The note says: “This card was placed aside as your lucky card. It is the Ace of Hearts.” The participant can then verify the other three envelopes are empty and devoid of predictions. He may fully examine both the envelopes and four Aces.
No forces. Cards and envelopes are ungimmicked
Comes complete with envelopes, needed gimmicks and complete detailed directions detailing every part of the effect. Use any deck of cards. Get this before someone fools you with it! $20.00 (30.1451)
(http://www.hanklee.org/xcart/product.php?productid=9898&cat=0&page=1)
Street Magic Set: Magic and instruction from some of the industry's top professional magicians.
This kit has everything you will need to get started in street magic the right way.
Watch stealing (for entertainment) DVD •Self levitation DVD
Hummer card • Floating bill • Vanishing gimmick • Vanishing gimmick book
Invisible deck (bicycle) • Chinese Money Mystery • Super Easy Triumph
Purse Swindle • Premonition Box • Stand-Up Deck Switch •Ring-O-Matic
Gumball Machine • Boxed Transposition • 9-Card Monte
Flash Restoration • Cups & Balls Moves • Blank Cheque Transpo
Pro Card To Wallet • Ball To Silk • A New Rope Move
Chopstick Vanish • Master Silks Routine • Vanishing Cane
Stand-Up Flurry • Seven Card Monte • McDonalds Aces
Hangman Plus • Ordered Surprise • Spring Gag • Slot Machine
Ultimate Coin Penetration • Lethal Weapon • Hot Pack
Gum Through Window
And much, much more!
Kit includes:
Hummer Card by Jon Jensen
Floating Bill by Jon Jensen
Self Levitation DVD
Invisible Deck (Blue, Bicycle)
Watch Bandit by Kevin King
Bubble Gum Magic - Vol. 1 & 2 by James Coats and Nicholas Byrd
101 Tricks with a Thumb Tip by Royal Magic
Thumb Tip Classic by Vernet
Treasures - Vol. 1,2 & 3 by Alexander De Cova
Complete set of Street Magic Magazine (5 issues)
$244.00; Special Price $199.00 (70.978)
(http://www.hanklee.org/xcart/product.php?productid=9902&cat=0&page=1)
And, that’s this week’s So Good, So Good, So Good Hotlist. Every item better than the last. And the last one was mighty good!
As always, we sincerely thank you for taking time out from your busy schedules to visit with us either online at www.magicfact.com or in person at 102 North Street in Medford. Either way we love the company.
Hank
