Andy Martin

This is Tenyo’s highly sought after Paddle collection. Also included are the 19 page of instructions written by Phil Goldstein and illustrated by Teruhide Sonoda.

I have read through the clearly written and well illustrated instructions multiple times and attempted to perform each of the 11 effects presented and here are a few brief comments. When you first look at the ten paddles you think what a cute set of bar paddles, but each of the paddles has a very specific purpose and it is quite incredible how amazing some of the routines are thanks to the placement of gems in certain locations. Although none of the paddles has any sliding parts or items added or removed, if you bother to read through the routines I’m quite sure you will find some effects that appeal to you and are easy to perform.

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Magiro created two versions of this unique switch case. His first version was released c. 1993 and this deluxe version was released c. 1998.  Both versions were called “Kartenspiel Austauschkassette” and marketed by Eckhard Boettcher in Germany (see the final two photos).  The switch mechanism is clever and unique to Magiro and quite different from other boxes created to switch decks of cards.

In 2023 Joe Long and Paul Lembo created a particularly fine version through their Limited Edition Magic line.  Magiro’s version is smaller and not as ornate and only works with bridge sized cards, but otherwise there are no significant functional differences between the two.

This would be a shoe in for any type of Eddie Joseph Premonition effect, however, Magiro includes a much simpler effect that is similar to Premonition, but with no calculations or memory work. It can also be used to switch any bridge sized playing cards, billets and other small objects.

The original Magiro versions are very rarely seen and this is in fact the only one I have ever seen.

(Notice: the way this device is constructed the switch is not silent.  I think adding some felt could help a lot, however, because I won’t be keeping this historical item I have not made any changes.  But if you were going to perform with this on a regular basis you would probably want to consider adding some felt to dullen the sound.)

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These micro items of Wolf’s Magic larger products are the cutest, most robust, brightest, fully functional, modern, micro magic I have ever had the pleasure to own. Every piece in the collection is a joy to behold and every detail has been thought out. I am not sure if I’ll ever perform them in a formal show, but that is not a great surprise because I have almost never performed any of my mini-magic effects from my good friend Alan Warner either.

The Genius of Chance is by making micro versions of his larger flagship products, they will certainly appeal not just to kids performers but to collectors of beautiful magic everywhere too. When you see the quality of the finish you absolutely have to have them. You can perform them too, which is almost too good to believe.

Wolf’s Magic is not only the #1 Leader in Innovative Children’s Magic, they are also the #1 Leader in Innovative Micro Magic too. They just keep getting better.

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What a beautiful production item from Don Redmon. Earlier versions of this item omitted the Bottania and produced a goldfish bowl for the climax instead. But if you want the full experience the Bottania is the way to go for sure. It makes for a very impressive display when you produce all the silks and other items, then the rabbit and finally produce the Bottania which really fills the table 🙂

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Here is a rare beauty from Alan’s early days when he’d create some wonderful and unique items for children’s performers.

As often is the case with Alan’s work, The Chinese Money Box is not what you are expecting. Normally in this type of die-box type effect the large Chinese coin vanishes after some byplay and is found somewhere else on the Magician’s person. In fact, this is an option but what really makes this item unique are these two features:

• When the coin has vanished the kids can still hear it rolling back and forth as the performer tips the box from side to side. But during this byplay the magician can expose half the coin in the back of the box, which will get the kids screaming even more.
• This is then followed by the startling climax that the coin they think is rolling back and forth is in fact a large gold coin instead of the original silver one.

I am almost always pleasantly surprised when I pick-up one of Alan’s items – he goes the extra mile to squeeze out all the magic he can from his wonderful items.  I think you will be pleased too 🙂

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This is a very clever vanish of a block invented by Jimmy King and first sold by U.F. Grant and then later by Mak Magic. Although it looks similar to the See-Thru Block Vanish it works completely differently and it is a very convincing vanish that I think you will enjoy ?

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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.

The version featured here was designed and built by Bud West and sold by Abbott’s and does not use the Okito method. However the performance of the effect is different from other similar effects such as the Harries Super De Luxe Penetration and if you are familiar with those versions it is important to study the effect and read the instructions because at first it seems a little awkward. But once you understand the different approach it becomes easy to perform and is a very convincing illusion.

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These boxes were designed by Roy Roth for his cabaret act and they are very compact.  The loading mechanism is very similar to Himber’s Her Majesty’s Box (c. 1945) which has also been used by Viking Mfg. and Davenport’s.

These work well but the quality is not as fine as Himber’s original or the later versions.  But it is quite amazing how small the boxes are.  However, don’t confuse this with Roy Roth’s other Nest of Boxes and his Prediction Chest/Nest of Boxes which are have also been called Nest of Boxes in R.A.R. magic adverts and catalogs.  This is the first version I have seen of this style.

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This is a remade version of Viking’s  Jack and Jill Jumbo which is an updated version of the Steve Dusheck and Jim Hill effect: Cases of Metamorphosis c. 1984.  All of these effects are versions of Al Baker’s Cherchez la Femme.

This is a nicely made version, though heavier and not as fine as the Viking version.  The addition of the separate stand allows you to show the cards in the stand before you begin so that you can show the cards and the frame cleanly to begin with. The holes to see the jumbo card through the frame could be a little larger.

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Since 2019 the Mystery Blox as been my version of choice. But sadly I have gone back to John Kennedy’s Mystery Box II due to reliability issues.

I was practicing with the Mystery Blox this holiday season and the gimmick came apart unexpectedly.  I replaced it which was relatively smooth. However, my Mystery Blox has never been the same.  I tried it on some friends and it went drastically wrong twice.  I even tried a brand new box from PropDog and had the same issues. 

It is true if you really work it in you should be fine, however the more you work it in the less life the gimmick has, so now you are stuck between a rock and a hard place. If you work it in too little it can fail you, and if you work it in too much it will also fail you by breaking on you when you least expect it.

So as much as I love this box and idea it certainly can be more unpredictable than the original Mystery Box and as a result I have now switched back to as my go to set: https://www.martinsmagic.com/allmagic/cards/mystery-box-ii-by-john-kennedy/ .  I just don’t have the time or inclination to deal with issues that can arise with this box.

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