[MyMagic] Trade Tricks

Meir’s Muses
MyMagic eNewsletter #1,164
December 27, 2023

Lou Lancaster was a friend of mine and was always one of the most skilled magicians in the room. He did it all, stage, close-up, parlor, walk-around. And boy was he a skilled manipulator with several different acts with cards, bills, fire, well everything. Although he had tremendous success as a magician and performed everywhere, he kept a relatively low profile. Or as Dai Vernon described him, “The most talented unknown in magic.”

Around 1984 he decided to write a book teaching the close-up routines he enjoyed performing. The actual routines he performed during his run at the two Magic Islands where he was the resident magician.

I recently acquired a case of those books, that I only heard about but never saw. The copies I have were re-printed by Lou in 2003. They were self-published and were never really made available to the magic public… until now.

I think the quality of magic taught is as good as it gets. I highly recommend you get a copy.

►Tricks Of The Trade:

Subtitled, “A Professional Looks At… Commercial Closeup Magic,” the book features the routines Lou Lancaster performed up close during his professional shows at restaurants, private shows, and nightclubs.

At some point he decided to share his favorite routines in book form which he also used as lecture notes. You will learn routines with shot glasses, sponge balls, color changing knives, coins, bills, dice, pea and shells, and cards. These are the actual routines he performed during his run at the two Magic Islands where he was the resident magician.

Get a copy: HERE

►Gigantic Comedy Prediction:

This is an ideal stand-up routine with intrinsic situational comedy. Even if you are not a comedian the situational comedy that is built into the routine will always get you laughs.

But not just laughs… The magic is strong and there is even a duel reality ending where the spectator and the audience experience two different effects and both are impactful!

Watch and buy: HERE

►BACK IN STOCK:

The very strong demand for Ted Bogusta’s Organic Copper Silver Brass Sets inspired him to set up his equipment to make new ones, so I will be able to continue offering them to you.

I also just received a small shipment of the Gift Boxes Illusions which continue to sell out.

►Organic Copper Silver Brass Set:

The classic Copper, Silver, Brass routine is one of the most popular of all gaffed coin effects because of the many combinations possible. It was originally created by Pressley Guitar, based on a routine by Connie Haden. This version was designed by Ted Bogusta.

There are many routines and sequences in print and on video. The basic routine explained in the instructions starts with a Quarter, a Centavo, and a washer in one hand. The Quarter is taken away and visually changes places with the Centavo and washer. The sequence is repeated. A third phase happens with the coins changing places with the one in your pocket. Everything is examinable at the end.

Watch and buy: HERE

►Gift Boxes Illusion:

There is a very famous optical illusion with an illustration of two different sized and shaped boxes where one looks larger than the other. But when the tops of the boxes are measured, they turn out to be identical.

In an effort to make the illusion play as a magic routine and to be able to present it standing up, the new artwork was placed on a steel board and the lids of the boxes were made into magnets. This allows you to visually demonstrate the illusion and take credit for the magic.

Watch and buy: HERE

►OUR LATEST RELEASE:

►Quadruple Spellbound:

Originally created in the 1970s and first published in the 1980s, this was one of Simon Aronson’s favorite routines, that he always carried with him and performed often.

The basic effect: You show an American half dollar. You wave your hand over it, and it changes into a Japanese coin with a hole through it. Wave your hand over the Japanese coin and it changes into a copper English penny. Wave your hand over the penny and it changes into an African coin with a hole in it. As a finale, the African coin changes back into the American half dollar.

Watch and buy: HERE

►UPCOMING APPEARANCES:

►Sunday Jan 14: 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: I decided to delay the release of my new item until the first week of 2024. Wanted to put more time into getting the tutorial as good as I can. Why do self-working items take me longer to teach?

“Try to pick your first table of the evening carefully, in order to assure a good response to your magic. The others hear the laughter and applause and want you for their own table.”
…Lou Lancaster (Tricks Of The Trade, 2003)