Reviews

A rarely seen card box from the prolific Ed Massey that is particularly good for changing one or more cards into something else of reasonable bulk, e.g.:

• candy;
• cigarettes ;
• chocolate candy coins;
• a set of blue backed cards for red backed cards except the chosen one;
• a set of blue cards for all blank cards except the  chosen one.

It is also perfect for Richard Himber’s Big Trick (c. 1965) where all of the cards are cut up with a razor blade except for the chosen card.

When working with this and other card boxes that effectively switch one set of cards for another the use of  Juan Pablo’s Torn  Card Evolution can really clinch the deal because you can cleanly tear off the corner of the chosen card, and hand it to the spectator for safe keeping (without switching it).

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Couldn’t agree more with Barry – thanks for reminding me how good this effect is. Need to get it back into rotation.

Edward Victor created this effect c. 1950 and sold the rights to Ken Brooke which Ken started selling c. 1954.  The main move, the EYE Count, was invented by Chris Charlton c. 1940 for his Modern Monte effect.

As a teenager I purchased this from Ron MacMillan’s International Unique Magic Studio and used to perform it all the time. I loved how it used so little, with no reset, and yet had such a good impact.

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This version of this popular effect was created by Tony Lackner for Eckhard Boettcher based on an idea by Herbert Martin Paufler, first released c. 1982, and re-released c. 1991 and c. 2009. This is the c. 1982 release and it is considered one of the finest versions available. It comes in a nice presentation case (but this was added later and was not part of the original release from Boettcher.)

The routine is easy to do and following the simple steps will create the necessary transformations without issue. The blocks stack well in the tube and the 3D effect for the skeleton is a nice touch, though it would have been nice if the skull was a little larger.

But a great collectible you will enjoy performing and will look great in your collection 🙂

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This precision wooden Deck Vanish is similar, but not the same as Robert Jackson’s popular Impossible Deck Vanish.  The Jackson style is more popular but this Fedko version has its merits and in fact was reproduced by Kelvin Chow in 2019 as the Butterfly Box.

The Fedko box is fairly fragile but it works well and is easy to perform.  Whether you simply make all of the cards vanish, or turn them into something else is left to your imagination.

When vanishing the deck I think it is a nice touch if the card they chose (possibly with a corner torn off for comparison) is left behind to make it seem even more impossible 🙂

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What a lovely and rare vanishing deck variation by the talented craftsman Robert Jackson who created the popular Impossible Deck Vanish and the Zig-Zag Bill.

What makes this vanish different is when the deck disappears instead of having the top attached to the sides you have the top, the bottom, and the sides which can be seen clearly through with absolutely no sign of the deck that was just seen, and it it’s place is a jumble of cut cards. 

It is a subtle difference but for those who are looking closely quite amazing 🙂

This is basically self-working and finely made using: aircraft ply, bass wood, spruce and a little walnut.

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This is the original version of Pikolinus created by Tony Lackner and marketed by Eckhard Boettcher.  Although the later version, Pikolinus II created by Thomas Pohle, looks similar the method for the original is quite different.

The original is probably a little easier to perform, but it is not as flexible as II.  The original can be handed out for brief examination, which you could never do with II. However, you can’t so cleanly show the covers at the end as you can with II.  Though for most performing conditions you can certainly flash the covers and everything will appear fair.

I think the original probably looks cleaner to the spectator because you are not turning the blocks over as much, which might seem a little strange – but it is required for the method to work.

I think it is fair to say Pikolinus II looks prettier, though both are made very well and will last if handled correctly.  Saying which is better overall is quite difficult and I would leave this to the collector to make their own decision.  I do know when I first received Pikolinus II it took a while to get the knack of the moves. Whereas with this version it was a quicker study.  That reason alone might be why some would prefer the original.  However, if you follow my routine for Pikolinus II it pretty much works itself, so the learning curve is diminished.

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What a lovely paddle Willi has created here and this deluxe version is complete with beautiful custom case.  I’ve also included all of the extras (the deck of cards, post-it pad, and correctly colored green pen) so that you can reproduce Willi’s lovely routine.

This only comes with the original 4 sides of German instructions but it has 10 photos and with Willi’s video you’ll be able to perform this easily.  The paddle motion is very smooth with the thickness of the paddle stem just right.

I really love the casual handling will always brings to his videos, I can only hope to get close.  Great Job Willi 🙂

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This is Willi’s beautiful Die Penetration.  It is made of solid wood, looks and works perfectly and everything can be examined if you so desire.  Willi shows how to do it using a very simple sleight, but it is quite possible to perform without any sleights, though you are not quite as clean.  The choice is up to you.

In the video Willi will be the first to admit there are a few slips and flashes, he had not performed this effect for probably decades when he did the video for me.  However, what I love about watching Willi perform is how natural his moves are – I’m such a klutz in comparison, particularly when any move is required.  That Magician’s Guilt weighs down on my every time 🙁  So I’ve included the video in tribute to a true master, even if he is not quite at his best in the video.

Thomas Pohle’s Super Block Penetration uses the exact same method and Willi granted Thomas permission to use the idea at the time.  It is also the same method used by Vienna Magic with the Mini Die Penetration.  Willi was not familiar with Vienna Magic’s version and he got the idea from an old J.G. Thompson effect in a book, but cannot recall the name of the effect unfortunately.

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