The Savoy by Magikraft Studios, Eric Lewis

I’ve been trying to track one of these bad boys down for a while.  This is Eric Lewis’ wonderful Savoy from his book A Continuation of Miracles, built by his son Martin Lewis at Magikraft Studios in 1994.

This was first built by Eric Lewis c. 1977, and then by Carl Williams who made faithful reproductions with Eric’s blessing c. 1991.  Martin has made a few improvements to the original design, and the finished product works flawlessly and is a real beauty.  What most impressed me when I finally saw this up close was how small the unit was and how much better it is than the Mikame version (which, unlike many items built by Mikame Craft, was actually credited to Eric and Martin Lewis even though the last name spelt incorrectly).

If you held this in your hands, it would melt your heart like a puppy, and you might find it even harder to part with. Martin Lewis has done a beautiful job of crafting a little known effect from his father’s book, A Continuation of Miracles. Eric Lewis called the notion, “Bruce Elliot Showed the Way,” and Martin has done more than recreate it, he has redesigned the prop (object d’art is more like it) and perfected the mechanics. The result is a bijou that I know will be sought after and admired.

Effect: A locket and chain are displayed on a jewelry store window stand. As the magician lifts the chain, the locket in view is indetectably switched for another. There is no limit to the magic this makes possible-you can duplicate the effect of A1 Koran’s Gold Medallion; a face torn at random from a group photo and burned could be found restored inside the locket; a marked coin could bev anished then discovered within. Martin’s own routine, a prediction effect, is detailed in the instructions.

The innocent appearing jewelry stand is cunningly designed and masterfully crafted. The wood used is American black walnut and the interior is lined with scarlet suede glove leather. The locket supplied (actually two, of course) is most attractive and the gold chain is guaranteed to sparkle under the spotlight.

These are made in an extremely limited quantity. They will be quite rare and quite a coup for collectors quick on the pen. But this is more than a Faberge egg, dazzling but useless. THE SAVOY is a performable prop that will work reliably every time and is capable of producing devastating effects. I must caution working wizards, though, that the stand is quite angly. Audiences need to be in front, and if the crowd is spread out on the sides, the performer will have to work well upstage.

THE SAVOY comes with the display stand (6″ wide by 8″ high), locket and chain, needed duplicate, note pad and Avery labels (for prediction effect), plus a 12 page illustrated instruction booklet.

(David Avadon – Genii Magazine, May 1995)

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