5 Stars

This is the larger version of Casino Royale distributed by Howard Schwarzman. It is good for larger close-up venues and even parlor. For formal close-up performances and high-end establishments like The Porcupine it is perfect 🙂

A great close-up item that requires no reset and is easy to do – it’s a game of chance where the Magician always wins 🙂 It is one of those items that resets instantly, is easy to perform and looks great.  Because this is the smaller one it fits more easily in the pocket or bag too.

The effect is basically the same as Jack Ruda’s Turning Stone but performed with better quality props.

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This is a high-end version of Magiro’s amazing Wurfel Mysterium. This version was sold by Magiro to Domenico Dante who ran Progetto Magia in Italy. Howie, from Howard Schwarzman’s Limited Editions Magic, purchased them from Progetto Magia, changed the name and added the English instructions.

The effect is the same just the props are better made. In this form or the original it still remains one of the most amazing effects that Magiro ever created and simply defies explanation.

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The Real Original from Germany not Italy

So for five years I was under the impression that the original version of this effect was called The Cubes of Cagliostro from Italy and brought to the USA by the great Howard Schwarzman. Well if you study the instructions for this, Wurfel Mysterium by Magiro, and then look at the diagrams on the instructions that come with the Schwarzman version you will see they are identical.  After discussions with Domenico Dante who ran Progetto Magia in Italy it turns out that Magiro sold these wooden versions to him which were then purchased by Howie 🙂

So like so many of Magiro’s ideas this is an amazing, clever and simple effect and either version is the genius of Magiro.

This is one of those beauties you will not be disappointed with! Highly Recommended for collectors and close-up performers.

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Ed Massey invented this clever and original effect. The initial version of Squeeze Away Block first appeared in Blackstone’s Annual of Magic c. 1929 in a contribution written and illustrated by Massey. Commercial versions started appearing c. 1946.

This is a beautiful version of the classic Massey effect and one of the the very rare early items from the now famous German Craftsman Thomas Pohle.  These were sold by Eckhard Boettcher in very limited numbers.  This is the first one I have seen. Made very solidly in Mahogany and Brass – it is a real rare beauty for sure 🙂

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The first time I saw a similar effect to DragonScale was ten years ago with E.S.P. by LabcoMagic and I was suitably amazed with Soren Harbo’s beatuiful effect.  DragonScale has more features for about half the price but that is because you get to use the full power of your smartphone (iPhone or Android are supported).  The two biggest criticisms of DragonScale I have read are:

1. It should come with a custom reader, not just a smartphone. The price would sky-rocket.
2. I can do everything with a stacked deck without DragonScale. Good luck doing the described effect with a stacked deck and not once looking at the cards 🙂

I’m not a big lover of anything to do with electronics but you have to give this effect its due. If you are performing more formal close-up, as opposed to walk-around where I’m not sure I would recommend this effect, you can create some outstanding miracles that could not be done simply with a stacked deck (even if you are lucky enough to remember one!).

One of the routines in the tutorial that took my eye was when the performer leaves the deck on the table and looks away.  The first spectator cuts a portion of cards off the deck and you can tell him what card he cut too.  The next spectator cuts off a portion and you are able to tell them how many cards are in their hand.  Finally the third spectator cuts off a third portion and you are able to tell them how many clubs, hearts, spades and diamonds are in the packet.

In no instance do you turn around or need to see the cards.  Zero memory work too and you could even use your own stack if you wanted.

I did found you should not use a close-up mat when performing this – it works best when on a hard surface like the table or bar.  But if your close-up pad is stiffer then it could also work, but my mats are fairly plush and I found it a little less accurate.

So if you are looking for that one killer effect this could easily be it.  Use a new deck, keep your battery charged and go for it 🙂

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This is a great version of J.F. Orrin’s Uplift effect. Uplift was invented by J.F. Orrin c. 1945 and improved by Jack Hughes c. 1947 and it is found in Jack’s book World of Magic Vol. 2.  This effect is easy to learn and perform.  The routine is not as extensive as the Ultimate version released by Len Belcher, but it is easier to set-up and perform so that is worth considering.

This version is made well and I like how the stack of blocks is the same height as the tube, which of course is not possible for the Belcher version and other similar props such as Strat-O-Sphere.

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This effect was originally called Swish  and invented by Warren Stephens c. 1969.  It was often combined with Warren Stephens other effect Bowl of Silks. This is a well made copy from Creative Magic Products c. 1974. I am not sure if they had permission or not, but this appears to be a direct copy.

Creative Magic Products was a joint venture started by Dr. Keith Rossein and Frank Paglia in Baldwin, New York, c. 1974.  They appeared to be well funded with a real mission and purpose but as far as I can tell they were only in business from 1974 to 1978. If you have more information on them please contact me.

This is a great item that is easy to do.  In the video I make the silks reappear using one of Viking’s Mirror Wine Glasses which are perfect for this effect.  I’ve had a few people comment on the video saying that it looks like camera trickery, but if you had been in the Porcupine when I took the video you would have seen the same vanish and appearance.  When I watch it back myself, it does look pretty amazing, if I do say so myself 🙂

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This beautifully clever checker penetration was invented by U.F. Grant c. 1954 and if you are familiar with other approaches this one will certainly fool you.  I know I was not expecting the props and the moves.  This is the Mak Magic version c. 1981.

If you have not seen this beauty before you are in for a real treat and a genuine surprise. When it comes to collecting magic those are the best kind 🙂

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The first version of this remarkable illusion was invented by Okito c. 1904 (Dr Albo Vol 1, pg 103).  Among others, variations have also been built by Thayer, National Magic Company, Henry Bohlen and Town House Magic (Deluxe Visible Block Penetration c. 1946), Richard Gerlitz, Mel Babcock, Magic Wagon, Mikame Craft, and Nielsen Magic.  It is performed by Dr. Albo in the Ultimate Okito.

However, not all Visible Block Penetrations use the same Okito method.  The key tell tale sign in performance is “slow-motion”: can the penetration be done slowly and visibly?  If it can then it is most likely based on the same method.  If it is visible but almost instant it is probably not using the same method.

This beautiful close-up version follows the Okito method was created by an unknown German Craftsman c. 1980 and acquired by the great German Craftsman himself Willi Wessel. When I purchased this from Willi earlier this year unfortunately Willi did not know who the creator was.  It is made very well and the small size makes it particularly useful since many of these slow motion visible block penetrations are designed for stage and parlor.

The one difference with this version is that that it uses a solid block throughout instead of a shell.  This means without some extra moves it is not possible to show the tube completely empty at the beginning.  However, you can at the end as explained by Willi in the quick video explanation he created especially for the lucky winner 🙂

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