Greetings from everyone at Hank Lee’s Magic Factory. And, what a week it has been.
As I told you last week, we have been preparing to sell the “big house” and downsize to something more manageable for Bonnie and me. Bonnie has been totally emotional about the entire process. I, not so much. I think I was so engaged in preparing the house that I slid the emotion to one side. This past week, the realtors put the “For Sale” sign in front of our house, and that’s when it struck me. We have been living in this house for 20 years. We essentially built the house from the ground up. Our kids grew up in this house. Our house is so much more than wood and plaster and paint. It’s our home. It’s our memories. And, we are selling it and moving on. I am a little sad, and I should be. More than a third of my life has been in this home. Logic says that it’s just too much house, that Bonnie and I are not getting any younger and we really need to downsize. While I am a big fan of logical thinking, this time I am finding it very hard to get there.
NEWS FLASH: The Brokers’ Open House was Tuesday afternoon. The first showings were Tuesday afternoon. Offers started to come in Tuesday evening, and by Wednesday at 5:00 PM, the house was under agreement. The offer we accepted was considerably more than the asking price (did we put it on the market too low?). I am so happy that the sale was so quick and easy. Now, we can go back to living like slobs again (Only kidding, Bon. Only kidding).
Just yesterday, I received a letter from my old friend and wild magic dealer, Bob Little. I have known Bob for just about forever. He was my friend when I started out in business, and he is my friend now. His letter was very touching and made me feel so good. I’m getting a little fahklempt thinking about it.
Lucas has moved into his new apartment in New Jersey. Right near Princeton. I can’t wait to visit him. He’s just an hour from New York City, so it will be fun to visit.
On the magic scene, we are listing a fabulous new item, imported from Europe. Leo Smetsers’ Lotto Square is the classic Magic Square brought into the 21st Century. I really think you will like it. Read more in this week’s Hotlist.
Now, its time to check out this week’s Excitement.
BUY ONE GET ONE AT 60% OFF SALES EVENT: We have juiced up our Buy One Get One event 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, August 28th 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 Flying Box for $1300.00 and a Super Chameleon Power for $105.00, you will get the Super Chameleon Power for $42.00! 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 so you save the most! 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. Aron, a genuine college graduate elf, 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 your order is shipped, and reimburse your credit card.
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) Lotto Square – Leo Smetser: A diabolical way to reveal a chosen number!
Ask a spectator to name any card; suppose he says Six of Diamonds.
Take your deck of cards and an envelope and remove the cards from the box. Show that there are different numbers written on all backs.
Next remove the Six of Diamonds and turn it over. Suppose on the back is number 37.
Open the envelope and remove a few scratch lottery tickets. Give one to your spectator. He scratches all the boxes open, but there is no number 37!
Then you add up the top row. It turns out to be 37!
Add up another row, it also adds up to 37.
Take yet another row, horizontal or vertical, it adds up to 37.
Add up a diagonal row, it’s 37.
Add up the four corners, it’s 37.
Take any block of 4 numbers, it’s… 37
Of course, this is the classic Magic Square, but cleverly disguised as a lottery scratch ticket.
Great to do close-up.
Very easy to do.
Nothing to remember.
Many possibilities to use it.
You will receive 60 special, custom made lotto scratch tickets, instructions, explanations and ideas how to use this tickets!
$35.00 (40.850)
"The most fun and cunning presentation for the magic square I've seen to date" - Peter Eggink.
"Leo has taken the magic square and turned it into something wonderful" - Richard Sanders.
(2) Card Dodgery – J.K. Hartman: J.K. Hartman is a creative legend. He has been publishing groundbreaking material since 1970. With books like Card Craft, After Craft, and CAAN Craft, he has cemented his reputation as one of the most prolific, innovative card magicians of our time.
Mr. Hartman has announced that his last contribution will be Card Dodgery. You will find that this volume is a swan song for the ages, and a fitting end to an illustrious publishing career.
Card Dodgery is a handsome volume, with 283 pages and over 60 new effects and moves. At the conclusion of the book, a rare interview with the elusive Mr. Hartman is included; it's the first time he has ever done an interview of this nature for magicians.
Contents: Pushunder Switch, Deeper Dupers, Outjog Force, One O'Cut, CP Force, Passkey, Double Deeper, I Think I.C.A.A.N., Position Possession, Suggestion Box, Boxsome Beauty, Pig Out, Garden of Eaten, Johns & Jills, Subterfuse, One Down - Two to Go, Three to the Fourth Power, 4'11, Re-Orient Express II, Back to Back to Back..., Set-Two II, Jo-Con, Less is More, Invisibull, Speaking of Jokers, Trap Rap, Out and Over, A Likely Story II, JK Aitches, Four-Way Foray, Laughing Ass, Pull Pushers, Speed Trap, Poker Face-to-Face, Piano Forte, Cut Fight, Carlo Monte, Class Cut II, Bottom Out, High Minded, Hand Shake, Poker Face-Off II, Color Guller, Difference Maker, Lo and Foretold, Cutting a Deal, Ultra Impromptu, Match & Mix, The One and Only & Psy Five, Ladies First, Thought Up, Sleight of Handle, Numiracle, Numoracle, Matching Match, One of a Mind II, Guess Star, Suito Psychometry, Simple Simon, Psi-Cycle, Holey Grail, Interview
383 pages - 9" x 6" - Hardcover - Black and white illustrations
$40.00 (BK01865)
Note: This is a non-discountable item.
(3) Instant Fish: Would you like to be able to produce a living gold fish out of your bare hands? Now, it is possible with Instant Fish.
Three Different Effects:
Appearance out of a balloon
Appearance from a borrowed bill
From paper to reality
Includes gimmick and instruction sheet.
$38.75 (10.1172)
(4) Ambideckstrous – Jonathan Pickard: A two-card transposition routine in which the card box transforms to reveal the identity of each selection in turn, printed on its back.
Jonathan Pickard's Ambideckstrous combines a simple sleight and a cunning concept to create an astonishingly fresh routine so practical it can integrate near-seamlessly into almost any magician's repertoire.
The audience is led through an engaging routine of unexpected revelations and a translocation twist whereby two selections change places in the spectators' hands with a shocking conclusion.
Versatile, adaptable, personal...this is an effect where the spectators' reactions will speak for themselves.
Includes gimmicked card and 20 page instruction booklet.
$30.00 (30.1719)
Note: This is a non-discountable item.
(5) X-Ray Spex: The X-Ray Spex will allow you to perform this amazing effect anytime, anywhere with anyone!
A card is selected and lost in the pack of cards.
Ask a second spectator to put on a pair of what appear to be 3-D glasses.
Borrow a lighter and ask your spectator what can he see through the glasses.
He'll see the selected card visibly morph on the flame of the lighter as if it was a ghost vision!
No preparation needed.
Can be done surrounded.
Includes special glasses and instruction sheet.
Available in Two of Hearts and Eight of Diamonds. Please specify.
$12.00 (30.1720)
(6) Juxtaposition – Devonte: The spectator is asked to choose between a red deck and a blue deck of cards. Let's pretend they choose the blue deck.
The blue deck is placed inside their pocket (or handed to a friend to hold) until later.
The red deck is slowly spread between your fingers as the spectator is asked to merely think of any card they see. Keep in mind this is a 100% completely free choice!
Without any funny moves the card completely vanishes!
Next you ask them to remove the blue deck from their pocket. They are surprised to see that inside, there is one red card, the mentally chosen card.
Strong enough for any professional act, Easy enough for a beginner.
No Forcing Card Selections
No Rough and Smooth
No Misprinted Cards
No Switching Decks
No Sleight of Hand
No Memorizing
No Gimmicks of any kind and nothing is ever written down.
Use any style deck.
$30.00 (30.1721)
Coming in stock very soon. Pre-order now and we’ll pay the shipping!
"a great rendition of a classic, absolutely brilliant" - Doug Edwards
And, that’s this week’s If You Clean It They Will Come Hotlist. Celebrating our move into the next phase of life. I hope you enjoy this week’s offerings!
As always, we thank you so very much for finding the time to spend with us. Whether it’s online at www.magicfact.com or in person at 102 North Street in Medford, we love gthe company!
Aron, Bonnie and The Elves
