Meir’s Muses
MyMagic eNewsletter #1,427
August 15, 2026
In 1981 Tom Gagnon published his idea for an expanded shell that can be shown on both sides while empty. The trick was called Popeyed. The effect was simple; you place a half-dollar in your eye and wear it as a monocle. You tilt your head down as the coin inside the shell falls into your hand. You make the coin vanish and when you look up the coin is back in your eye.
The trick was published in Tom’s first book, Slightly Original, and he sold these special shells at his lectures.
He recently found a bunch of those coins that were unassembled. The three pieces were made by Johnson Products. We are selling them as sets which include an original Johnson Ultimate Expanded Shell and two shims. Since these were in storage for more than 30 years Ted Bogusta volunteered to tune and adjust them, bringing them back to their original state. More is explained and clarified in the trailer: HERE
When Tom found these long-lost coins, he also found thirteen copies of his original book. You can get one of the last autographed copies below.
►Double Sided Shell Set:
In 1981 Tom Gagnon published a routine called Popeyed. Within that routine he introduced a revolutionary gimmick. The Gagnon Double Sided Shell.
What he did was take a Johnson Products Ultimate Expanded Shell (deep dish) head side out and glued a tail side shim inside it. This allowed him to flash both sides of the shell while it was empty. The inner wall of the shell created a 3D shadow effect making the inside of the shell look solid, especially when held next to a real coin.
Watch and buy: HERE
►Sleightly Original:
This is Tom Gagnon’s first book. Although he is well known as an expert card magician and illustrator, he started out specializing in coin magic. In addition to coins, some of the unique routines also employ cards, thumbtips, and folding coins.
As Tom explains in his foreword: “Perhaps some may find the material found within these pages to be a little too bold or bizarre for their individual tastes. I don’t know! What I do know, is that you’re going to be fascinated, intrigued, and perhaps even inspired by its contents.”
More than twenty-five original routines and techniques are explained in four chapters titled: Thumb Tipping Quickies, Skullduggery, Hodgepodge, and Departures.
Get a copy: HERE
►Knock’Em Dead:
An updated release (25th Anniversary Edition) of an easy, self-working card routine that will fool just about anyone.
The routine is simple, the method is devious and the reactions you get from both magicians and lay people are always great.
It is a direct prediction where someone is handed a deck of cards and deals them face up on your palm. They can stop dealing anytime they want. Once they stop at a card, you prove that you knew they were going to stop at it all along by revealing your prediction.
Watch and buy: HERE
►Ali Bongo Wallet:
This is an easy-to-use wallet that can be used for various visual routines using paper money or similar sized objects.
You are taught three routines with it (as seen on the trailer). The routines vary from producing money, changing one bill into another, or even multiple changes. A nice feature in most of the versions is that you can remove the bills and hand them out at the end.
You can even do things like borrowing a twenty-dollar bill from someone and changing it into four fives. Many possibilities possible, paper to money, or even using it to ring in a gimmicked bill.
Watch and buy: HERE
►MY MAGIC’S LATEST RELEASE:
►Twisted Royalty:
A quick and easy routine using a handful of cards that turn face up and face down one at a time and lead to an unexpected finish.
You start with a small packet of face-down cards that turn face up one at a time as the cards count down to a finale.
The Four turns face up, then mysteriously turns face down. Next the Three turns face up, followed by the Two. Finally, the Ace appears—and is immediately joined by the rest of its Royal Flush family?
Watch and buy: HERE
►UPCOMING APPEARANCES:
►AUGUST 23: Spinnato’s Comedy Magic Show at Comix @ Mohegan Sun Casino in CT. Tickets: HERE
►SEPTEMBER 6: Spinnato’s Comedy Magic Show at Comix @ Mohegan Sun Casino in CT. Tickets: HERE
To view all my upcoming appearances, go: HERE
Stay happy, Meir
PS: Tomorrow August 16, 2026 will be 40 years since I almost lost my life. That is 14,610 bonus days or found days. As I like to say, towards the end of my stage act, I am very lucky to be here tonight, very lucky to be anywhere tonight! If you don’t know about it go: HERE
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“No matter how much you may like card tricks, the average audience is going to want to see something a little different.”
…William P. Miesel (Forks Full Of Appetizers, 2022)
