#2 – Magic Works Muses [1/9/96]
Preview: Magic Works® Series 4.
Through the end of January and early February Milton Bradley will be releasing its fourth series of Magic Works®. There will be a total of four tricks and this is your chance to find out about them before anyone else. As in the previous three series their will be a limited quantity available. So, if you don’t get them now, you probably never will. They are destined to become collectibles. You can find them in most toy stores for about $10 each. If you don’t have the six tricks released in series three this might be a good time to buy them as most toy stores will be discounting them to make room for series four.
The Invisible HookTM
Created by Jeff Sheridan
A new trick created exclusively for Magic Works®. This is perhaps the best use of the Prayer Vase principle.
The trick: A piece of leather string is placed in a plastic fish’s mouth and the fish hangs on it. When the spectator tries – the string won’t stay in the fish. Everything is examinable and self-contained.
The Ghost DeckTM
Created by Dan Harlan
This was originally released to magicians under the name Missing Think.
The trick: A spectator is handed eight plastic cards with pictures of different playing cards on them. He thinks of any playing card and keeps the cards which have his thought-of card on it. You immediately tell him what card he is thinking of. No math involved.
Coin In The CryptTM
Created by Shimomura for Tenyo
This was originally released in 1994 by Tenyo under the name Crystal Pyramid. The method is so devious, you will have fun using it.
The trick: A borrowed and marked coin vanishes and appears in an encased box while covered by a handkerchief.
The Phantom KeyTM
Created by Atsushi Fukano for Tenyo
Originally marketed under the name Zone Infinity this is the best trick Tenyo has ever released. When I first saw it, it fooled me. It packs flat. It’s easy to carry. Uses normal looking props and everything is examinable.
The trick: A solid key penetrates a borrowed quarter. Everything is examinable.
The Brains Behind Magic Works®:
Mark Setteducati and his staff are the creative force behind the Magic Works® line and they get the credit for redesigning the magic props, effects and sometimes the methods involved in bringing these routines to market. After all they are geared toward children and must be easy to learn and immediately performable.
Magic Works® News:
For only $4.99 you can get a one year’s subscription (4 issues) to Magic Works® News a quarterly newsletter which features articles about magicians, tricks (last issue had one of mine), magic tidbits, variations on existing products, a question and answer column, special offers and much more. (Make check payable to: Hasboro Promotions, and send to: Magic Works® News, P.O. Box 2082, Ridgely, MD 21681, USA).
December Poster Boy:
A big honor for me while at the Magic Hands Convention is to be featured as the December, 1995 poster. As you might know Manfred Thumm started a poster series back in 1987 where he produced a poster of a notable magician every month. These color 11″x17″ posters are absolutely beautiful and have featured: Vernon, Blackstone, Daniels, Pendragons, Silvan, Bongo, Le Grand David, Tenko, etc… and now me (I’m in good company huh?). If you would like a copy of my poster it is available for only $7.50 postpaid. Autographed on request. (Outside the U.S. add 20%. We accept: VISA-MasterCard-Discover.)
Apocalypse Scoop:
Since I layout Harry Lorayne’s Apocalypse I am the first to know what goes into each issue. Now you can have that same information. The February 1996 issue is a special All-Card Issue and contains: John West’s From Lapel To Wall, Harry Lorayne’s Ride And Align, Volkmar Mrasek’s Haptap, Roger Klause’s Count On The Variation, Warren Stephens’ A Spectator’s Estimate, Rajneesh Madhok’s Startling Color Change, Harry G. Franke’s Vernon’s Mental Force, Certain(ly), and Wesley James’ Action Palm Variant. Plus: Out To Lunch.
Pit Stops:
Here is where I will be. Come by and say hi.
January 10-15 – The Magic Hands Convention in Sindelfingen, Germany. I will have a dealer’s booth and will be performing 12 close-up shows.
January 18-21 – Gathering For Gardner II in Atlanta, Georgia.
