Dishonest Abe by Gregory Wilson, Magic Smith

Effect: Dishonest Abe is a staple for close-up workers all over the world. It’s a motivated, funny and completely devious jumbo coin routine that’s all action. Here’s what happens. . .

Mention that there’s a new counterfeiting ring in the area, and boy are they dumb. They’re counterfeiting PENNIES!! Ask to borrow a penny and take a close look at it. Yup, it’s a counterfiet! How do you know? Hold a magnifying glass over it, and the penny grows to twice it’s normal size. See, you say, you can see it’s larger than a normal penny. When they don’t believe you, remove he magnifying glass and the penny is now permanently the size of a HALF DOLLAR!

Ask them not to stare at the penny too long, ’cause the longer they stare at it, THE BIGGER IT GETS!! The half-dollar size penny instantly and magically morphs into a 3″ jumbo penny!

Once again, a normal penny grows to the size of a half dollar then climaxes with the blowing up into a GIANT THREE INCH PENNY! All in your hands!

Dishonest Abe is a Jumbo penny routine that anyone can learn. It’s easy to do, spectacular to see, and you’ll get more “do that agains” than from anything else you perform.

Included are–Gregory’s Routine, matched luster set of coins (a regular penny, half dollar size penny, and a 3″ jumbo penny), a magnifying glass, and 3-D Illustrations that make learning Dishonest Abe a cinch.

Greg Wilson has released a very nice “kit” containing all the props necessary to do the ever-popular “Small Coin Grows Bigger and Finally Changes into Jumbo Coin” routine. Just recently in this column I have asked whether the world needs another routine of this type, but in this case I think Greg is offering a very worthwhile product. You get a real American penny, a half-dollar sized penny, a jumbo penny, and a small magnifying glass. The pennies all match in luster, which enhances the “growing” illusion. (In fact, Greg manufactured his own half-dollar size penny, since he could find none which fit his specifications.)

The routine which comes with the kit is very practical, and most importantly, is well within the technical abilities of the average magician. The only moves involved are the Bobo switch and the shuttle pass, and you are clean at the end. In addition, Greg has provided a great (and funny) presentation which justifies the magical transformation of the coin.

I like this a lot. If you went out and tried to track down all the props you need to do a routine of this type you would probably spend at least $15. Greg gives you everything you need, the routine is solid, and the instructions are very clear. I’m putting this routine into my walk-around repertoire. You’re probably going to want to, also. Recommended.

(Michael Close – Magic Magazine, January 1997)
Text Source: michaelclose.com – click for details

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