Greetings from all of us at Hank Lee’s Magic Factory. I want to thank everyone who sent an email or a card or called me with condolences over my mother in law’s passing. Your kindness is most appreciated. Her funeral was amazing. It was really a celebration of her life. Everyone who spoke had stories to tell about her, all amazing and so funny. I have never heard so much laughter at a funeral. And, everyone who ever worked with her showed up at the funeral. Some folks who have not worked at Hank Lee’s for years came to pay their respects. We were all very touched.
The week was not easy. We sat “shiva,” the seven days of mourning, at my father in law Jonah’s home. So many people came. There were times that there was literally no room to move, it was so crowded.
Lucas’ GF Julia flew in from Houston, and Lucas flew in from Ohio, so the family was all there. It was sad and it was happy, and Helen would have loved it!
One really funny thing happened. Helen and Jonah had been planning to sell their condo. Since they had people coming to see it, Helen cleared off the kitchen counter and put everything in the oven. Only she knew it. One evening, at dinner time, Bonnie’s sister Darryl turned on the oven to heat up some food for dinner. Of course, she didn’t look in oven first. About 20 minutes later, she opened the oven door to put in the food, and found all of the kitchen items. She came into the living room and shouted “Bonnie, Bonnie, Bonnie!” When Bonnie finally heard her, Darryl looked over and said, “There’s a sh-tload of stuff in the oven!” The house was full of people, who all heard Darryl’s exclamation. Luckily, nothing was damaged. And, there was so much laughter and retelling of the story. Helen would have loved it!
Now, things are beginning to return to normal. Time heals all. But, this one is going to take extra time.
I want to thank all of the elves for taking up the slack in my absence. They worked really hard to keep the Hank Lee’s Magic Factory wheels turning. I really appreciate their extra effort.
Some great new items have arrived this week, and we have a wonderful excitement for you. Check out this week’s event and the Hotlist to follow.
BUY ONE GET ONE AT 60% OFF SALES EVENT: By far the most popular sales event we ever held was the Buy One Get One At Half Price Sale. When that event ran, we were inundated with orders. We have now juiced that sales event up by offering a gigantic 60% off the second item. That’s right, 60% off! Here's how it works. For the next 5 days, from right now, until Tuesday, September 20th at midnight, you can save like crazy. How does it work? Simple, really. For every item you buy, you get the second item at 60% off. That's right, a full 60% off. So, if you buy a Harbin Suspension for $575.00 and a Happie Amp for $268.00, you will get the Happie Amp for $107.20! What a deal! It even works with non-discountable items. Just make sure the non-discountable item is the higher priced of the pair. If you buy more than two items (and, we thank you), we will pair them up so you get the best deal!
The rules are also simple. We deduct the 60% from the lower priced of the two items. You can buy as many items as you want, we will do the math and you will save a bundle. There are a few items that are not included in this promotion. Very few. If you order one of those items, we will let you know before we process your order.
Note: Since this is a somewhat complicated sale, the online system will not do the math. We will do it here before we process your order. Your email confirmation will show the full price for each item, but we will figure the discounts before you are charged, and reimburse your credit card.
Hint: You might want to phone your orders in for this event rather than use the online catalog. That way, we can do the math and charge you the correct amount the first time.
In order to take advantage of this outrageous sale, you must put the words BUY ONE GET ONE in the Customer Notes Box of the online checkout at www.magicfact.com. If you are calling your order in to our toll free number at 800 874 7400, give the order person the special code. If you are FAXing your order to 781 395 2034 or emailing it to magicfact@aol.com, just remember to include the special code, BUY ONE GET ONE and you will get the biggest discount ever! So, hop to it and save some serious dough!
Now, let’s take a look at this week’s Hotlist!
(1) Erdnaseum Commerative Playing Cards – Dan & Dave: Brand new from Dan and Dave!These cards are offered to the public in commemoration of the enduring mystery of The Expert at the Card Table and its author, S.W. Erdnase. Among the men whose names have been discovered as anagrammatic equivalents (?) to the pseudonymous writer, W.E. Sanders emerges as perhaps the most compelling. A longtime card player and a student of magic, Sanders was the kind of person who took half-a-dozen decks with him on a camping trip. Skilled in deception, he rearranged the letters in his name, tore pages from his diaries and snuck out of his home for late night visits to high-rolling private clubs. A mining engineer and professional writer by trade, Sanders was eccentric and brilliant, offering no justification and seeking no credit for the knowledge he imparted. But whatever the result of his actions may be, if they inspire lovers of card entertainment and legerdemain, then they will have provided the primary motive of card table artifice, as it needs the mystery.
Take a step back in time, when Erdnase was alive. The Bee® Squeezers box is an exact reproduction of an early 1900's classic. The Bee® Worm back playing cards inside have been imprinted with an original Scott Kim ambigram that says, "S.W. Erdnase" or "W.E. Sanders" when turned end-for-end. Traditionally cut and printed by the US Playing Card Company on premium paper using their casino quality web press. Extremely limited edition, so order quickly!
$5.95 (30.1617)
(2) Birthday Surprise in Las Vegas: Totally tired of the annual surprise birthday party thrown by your family, you secretly (or so you think) run away to Las Vegas.
At the poker table at the casino, you tell the story of your lucky escape.
But lo and behold! The backs of the Mega Aces you have been dealt miraculously change into beautifully illustrated pictures of:
Your darling wife arriving with a giant birthday cake!
Your children carrying all kinds of gifts!
Your crowd of friends boisterously waving whistles and flags!
And what are you left with left with? Their travel bills!
Birthday Surprise in Las Vegas is extremely easy to master.
You tell the amusing story.
The rest is played out by the Mega-cards.
Can be performed anywhere - on stage or in a living room - well suited to close up conditions
Extreme visual impact.
Amusing story that grabs audience attention and generates laughter.
The bright, colorful, and very large Mega-Card series instantly attracts the audience’s attention.
The Magic of Magical Tales
The Magical Tales series transforms magicians into enchanting storytellers, pre-equipped with ready-made highly entertaining and extremely visual powerful routines. The Magical Tales Series is a new and revolutionary concept in the world of magic. The first Tales are for the adult market, but in the near future tales will be added for children, educational programs, tradeshows, corporate seminars and more!
Magical Tales - Uncompromising Quality
A dedicated team of top creative artists (copywriters, illustrators, photographers, graphic designers) are involved in the creation of each magical routine.
Cards are produced in accordance with the highest quality standards. Printed on 1/4" thick PVC boards, matt laminated, with rounded corners like regular cards.
Instructions, including both routine and patter, are very easy to follow and master.
$121.00 (60.1779)
Note: This is a non-discountable item
(3) Stand Up Monte DVD– Garrett Thomas: Finally released on DVD!
This will be one of your favorite tricks to perform.
In the hand Wild Card effect that makes sense to real-world audiences. Garrett Thomas' Stand Up Monte includes eight or more transpositions or transformations.
Draw them in with an intriguing story about games, gambling, scams, hustlers and cons, then add the strength of magic that happens in the spectator’s hands.
This easy to do routine happens all in the hands, yours and the spectators. No table required. Best of all, it automatically resets.
This routine has been used professionally by Garrett for the last 15 years with over 15,000 performances! This effect has been an underground favorite with many of the top working magicians today.
All necessary tools provided.
$30.00 (30.984)
Note: This is a non-discountable item.
(4) Eureka – Roberto Mansilla: This is the ultimate Any Card At Any Number.
Use an ordinary deck
No deck switches
No mnemonics
The spectator shuffles the cards themselves.
Any card and any number can be chosen.
DVD with full explanations, comments and variations.
$30.00 (30.1615)
Coming in stock very soon. Pre-order now and we will pay the shipping!
"Roberto has not only successfully stalked the Berglas Effect, he has captured it. I still favor it among others floating around now." - Jon Racherbaumer
"This is the version that you'll add to your repertoire. Completely impossible for the audience, perfectly practical for the magician." - Jim Steinmeyer
"Roberto Mansilla's magic is intelligent and captivating, and so is his personal version of ACAAN. I like it, and you will, too." - Roberto Giobbi
(5) Note – Matt Sconce: A “word to body” effect that is not only simple to do but is virtually impromptu.
Note is a rare effect in the world of magic products. It's not often that buyers have the opportunity to get an effect that is both TV caliber magic and has the practicality of the simplest impromptu card effect.
Note is portable, packs flat, is easy to do, is virtually impromptu and is magic that you will be doing in just about every situation.
Note is easy to do, requires no lengthy arts & crafts time and can be performed at a moment's notice. When you learn the extremely clever method to Note, you will not believe how practical it is!
With Note you can make any message, word, card, shape or drawing appear on the spectators body. This is not like other methods where the set up is difficult and can be impractical for everyday use. Note is something that you can do within minutes of opening the package, it’s that easy.
Included with this instructional DVD is the little something extra to make all this happen.
Also, Robert Smith walks you through this amazing effect with applications and routines to get you going immediately after watching the video. Be prepared to blow people's minds with Note.
$29.95 (60.1780)
(6) Aqua~imp - Ben Harris: Ionize the water in a drinking bottle, making it almost lighter than air!
Aqua~imp is one powerful piece of "incidental" magic. It appears almost impromptu. This illusion of spontaneity actually enhances the mystery, for it is at this magical (and supposedly offhanded) moment you give your spectators a thought-provoking, gentle, and fun glimpse at an un-imagined world of possibility.
Here's what Aqua~imp looks like:
You join friends or clients at a social or office environment where there happens to be bottles of drinking water being consumed. This can be at a bar, outdoor event, sporting occasion, party, anywhere. Bottles of drinking water are ubiquitous these days. Commenting on someone's particular brand of bottled water, the performer states:
"You know this (insert brand) bottled water really does have amazing properties. The ions in the water can transcend to pure helium, making the entire bottle lighter, almost blimp-like... Let me show you. May I have your bottle?"
The performer takes the spectator's almost empty bottle of water, uncaps it, and spills a little on his outstretched palm. He now smells the water, breathing in deeply and commenting:
"Yes, this is the real stuff... amazing. Here, you smell. Can you detect the faint scent of 'jasmine?' Upon ionization the water gives off that scent!"
The spectator looks a bit puzzled, being able to detect nothing, but the performer continues and provides proof...
The bottle is re-capped and the placed on the table so it is lying down flat. Several other bottles are also laid down flat on the table. The performer now rolls the spectator's bottle under his palm, back and forth across the table. He then allows the spectator to do the same.
"Would you just roll it back and forth, the remaining water will transcend to a higher state - the bottle will become lighter! It will make the bottle want to float off the table. It's a bit too heavy to actually do that, but you should see it try darned hard!"
After rolling the bottle flat on the table for a few seconds, the spectator lifts her hand and the bottom of the bottle rises up, off the table, following her hand.
"It almost does look like a blimp trying to take flight! Push it down flat again. Now release it. Look it really has become lighter!"
The sight of the bottle bobbing up and down is quite freaky. Especially as the other bottles have remained flat on the table throughout. Remember this can be the spectator's bottle.
Commenting that,
"The transcended air is too dangerous to leave floating around,"
the performer offers to:
"...re-compress the molecules, removing all evidence of the ionization."
He instructs the spectator to once again press the bottle flat to the table, but to roll it in an East-West direction. This she does. Upon completion she lifts her hand and the bottle now remains lying flat on the table. The molecules inside the bottle
having returned to their normal state.
Further, the bottle is now uncapped and a little of the water tipped out onto your palm. Everyone can now smell the scent of jasmine! Even the spectator's water bottle will smell like jasmine all day long!
12 pages. 8.5" x 5.5." Softcover. Saddle Stitched. Color Cover and Black and white photos .
$15.00 (BK01812)
(7) Sweet- Diamond Jim Tyler: An initialed coin or borrowed ring vanishes and reappears inside of a sealed sweetener packet that has been in view the whole time. This effect leaves them speechless!
As a bonus DJ teaches another reputation maker called the Birthday Card. The birthday person selects a playing card and signs it and the magician has trouble finding it. So, to divert their attention he presents them with a sealed greeting card envelope. He claims that inside is a birthday card. Instead they find a playing card with a different colored back with a personal birthday message. To their surprise it is their signed card!
Diamond Jim has used both of these reputation makers for over 15 years to slay spectators! The DVD was shot before a live audience and includes the necessary gimmicks.
$25.00 (10.1003)
(8) Howard Hamburg Sessions DVD: For the first time ever, you'll get to see legendary underground card magician Howard Hamburg perform and teach some of his personal routines!
Over 60 years of magic experience.
Personal friend of Dai Vernon for over 20 Years.
8 complete routines described in detail
Contents Include:
Ace, 2, 3, 4: A wonderful packet trick with Aces and a kicker ending that will no one will see coming! No gaffed cards - this is one you have to see to believe.
Rising Card: A spectator's card mysteriously rises from the middle of a deck while inside the card box. Howard incorporates interesting touches to this effect that was originally shown to him by Tom Craven.
Magic Con Revelation: The spectator removes a group of cards from a ribbon spread deck & counts them to himself. The spectator counts down from the deck that number and remembers the card that falls at that number. The spectator then shuffles and cuts the cards (as many times as they want). The magician, upon cutting the deck, reveals the suit of the card. Again the magician cuts the cards, looks at the card he cut to and reveals the value of the selected card. No set-up and it is self working!
Mystery Card: Two face-up Kings with a mystery card between them are placed on the table. The spectator is told that there will be a similarity between their freely chosen card and the mystery card. The spectator selects a card and it is lost in the deck. The spectator removes the mystery card from the table and when they turn it over, it is their card. The card can even be signed! No Force!
19: Howard has an interesting twist on this old effect. The cards are shuffled by the spectator, who then cuts them into two fairly equal packets and counts the cards in either pack. He is then asked to remember the card at that number. The magician reviews the procedures used to arrive at their card and turns over the top card of the packet. The magician spells that card as he turns over a card for each letter. On the final letter, the spectator's card turn up.
Mystical 13: This has been a best-seller at Howard's lectures throughout the United States and, because it sells as a separate product - this is the performance only version of the effect
Plus
You'll learn Clipped, Hidden Prediction, Howard's Brainwave Trick.
As a bonus you'll learn Howard's technique on Jog-Work and the Veeser Count.
Shot in High Definition
$35.00 (DVD01285)
Shipping October 1st. Pre-order now and we will pay the shipping!
"Having a session with Howard is not only loaded with great technique but with theory, presentation. It is always sparkled with great stories of past masters like Dai Vernon and Larry Jennings" - Allan Ackerman
"If affection could be converted to cash, Howard Hamburg would be one of the wealthiest men in the world. As things stand, his finances must continue to depend on his ability to hustle rubes with his diabolical card work." -- Max Maven
"Card table aficionado and raconteur pretty much sums up Howard Hamburg. On a personal note though, his knowledge and friendship have been invaluable in my own growth as a student of magic and I know without a doubt his ideas have been thought out and refined and will become cherished additions to your repertoire." - Dave Buck
"Listening to Howard tell stories of Vernon while showing me card tricks over lunch has got to be one of my most fond memories in magic. After watching this DVD I think you will know why." - Dan Buck
"Howard is a great teacher and skilled magician! I look forward to learning more from him soon!" - Jeff McBride
"One of the best card men in the world that you've never heard of" - Doc Eason
(9) Coinmagic Symposium DVD – Vol. 2: On November 26 & 27 2010, the first European Coin Magic Symposium brought 16 magicians from all over the world to Milan for 2 days of non-stop coin magic.
Contents include:
Performance and Explanations:
Giacomo Bertini - Magnetic Coins
David Roth - Winged Silver and Chink a Chink
Curtis Kam - Extreme Spellbound
Bébel - Cards and Coins! - (Performance Only)
Shigeo Futagawa - Everyday Life of Birds
Alex Conradi - Emotional Memory
Eric Roumestan - Short Close-up
Lawrens Godon - Ubicointy
Toni Cachadina - Integral Three Fly
Mario Raso - Echo
Extras:
Mike Rubinstein - Coin Through Table - (Performance and Explanation)
Nektarios Loukianos - Practice on Downs
$35.00 (DVD01286)
Note: This is a non-discountable item.
(10) Canned Card: An effect that will be long remembered by your audience.
A spectator selects a card, tears it in pieces and keeps one piece for himself. The magician burns/vanishes the remaining pieces and shows a perfectly sealed can. The can and a can opener are given to a second spectator. This spectator opens the can only to find a card inside, which has one corner missing. This corner is exactly the one that the other spectator kept for himself! Both can and card can be given as a souvenir.
Remember: The can is really closed and can be in full view the whole time. The spectator opens the can. The corner matches the chosen card.
This trick is a must-have, and requires no sleight of hand.
You get a pack of 10 cans specially prepared with Poker size Bicycle cards
$21.00 (30.1616)
(11) Fortune Teller’s Prediction: Show the audience a large, old, tattered envelope with a hand written note attached. Explain that you received this mysterious envelope from Lulu, - an Italian Gypsy Fortune Teller who gave you a reading 10 years ago.
Request a volunteer to whom you say, "Lulu told me that inside this envelope we will find her picture, holding the exact card that you'll select in a minute, but if it doesn't work, don't blame me. It's her prediction and I've never ever opened this envelope. How's your Italian? Not so hot? Well, as Lulu knew no English, looks like I'm going to have to translate it for you."
Whilst translating Lulu's note, ask the volunteer to select a card. Finally, open the envelope and extract Lulu's card. Showing only the top side of the card, you expose Lulu holding all 52 cards of the pack in beautiful fans. As the audience chuckles, you turn the Mega-Card over to show Lulu now holding only the volunteer's card!
This trick is a wondrously illustrated version of the well known "52-on-One" principle.
The fascination is in the entertaining story with the surprising punch on the Mega-Card
Can be performed anywhere, on stage or just in a living room. Well suited to close up conditions.
Extremely visual.
Amusing story that grabs the audience’s attention and generates laughter.
The Magic of Magical Tales
The Magical Tales series transforms magicians into enchanting storytellers, pre-equipped with ready-made highly entertaining and extremely visual powerful routines. The Magical Tales Series is a new and revolutionary concept in the world of magic. The first Tales are for the adult market, but in the near future tales will be added for children, educational programs, tradeshows, corporate seminars and more!
Magical Tales - Uncompromising Quality
A dedicated team of top creative artists (copywriters, illustrators, photographers, graphic designers) are involved in the creation of each magical routine.
Cards are produced in accordance with the highest quality standards. Printed on 1/4" thick PVC boards, matt laminated, with rounded corners like regular cards.
Instructions, including both routine and patter, are very easy to follow and master.
$32.00 (60.1781)
Note: This is a non-discountable item.
(12) Reel Magic – Episode 24 – Paul Gertner:
Feature Interview - Paul Gertner
Wayne Kawamoto talks to Paul Gertner about the development of his Steel & Silver routine and performing for Johnny Carson
Columns:
David Kaye - Kid Show FUNdamentals
David Kaye says use with caution
Jon Armstrong - Sessions, Orlando Part 3
Michael Eaton shows us a better way to do card on ceiling.
David Roth – ROTH
David Roth fools you with copper silver extraction.
Garrett Thomas - Try this at home
Garrett talks about matching your decks.
Reviews:
David Regal - Tricks of the Trade
Reviews some expensive tricks - are they worth it?
Tricks:
Paul Gertner "A Familiar Ring"
Dan Tong "Bill to Wallet"
Justin Miller "Seal a Feign"
Move Monkeys:
Charles Watson "Centrifugal Move"
Dennis Goodlett "Classic Pass Lead-in"
Jason Greenamyer "Strike Color Change"
$10.00 (DVD01284)
And that’s this week’s Buy One Get One at 60% Off Hotlist. A deal that no one can refuse! And, remember, it applies to every item we carry, all 7000+ of them!
As always, I thank you so much for spending some of your valuable time with us. Whether it’s online at www.magicfact.com or in person at 102 North Street in Medford, we love the company!
Hank
