George Guerra

Round 2 and still going

I have already reviewed Todd’s Ultimate Wild Coins with the first batch he released back in April, 2008. The response was so good that he released this additional batch back in February (2009), but used the new copper pattern coins he has been working lately. He had on his blog, last year in June, the sculpts for the new design and they looked impressive at that time.

The new copper coins are so very nice with wide rims, clean designs, that I couldn’t turn down a second set made with these. I figured you can never have too much Lassen to play with and I like this set better than the first. Again, the top coins and the second image are the gaffs and the companion coins are remilled to fit the shells for maximum versatility.

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CSB with that new Lassen touch

This is one amazing set of CSB coins, though, to Todd, it may have been a nightmare to make. This incorporates his "Infinity Edge System (IES)" and the results are remarkable. The gaff with the silver side up is absolutely indistinguishable with an ordinary silver coin. You can display it on the palm as long as you want as you start your routine and, even those in the know, will not think "gaffed".

Reversing the gaff and un-nesting it, the first thing that now stands out as different from the traditional CSB sets is that there is absolutely no visible division in the rim of the C/S insert. It’s all non-silver (brass or copper, depending on the coin). This is the infinity edge at work that only a highly skilled machinist like Todd can do with perfection.

Now, not everything is "perfect". One complaint that I have read in one forum is that the Chinese coin does have a silver rim, but I personally do not see this as a problem. First, this section of the routine is kept rather brief; second, there are two coins being displayed to divert some attention; and finally, with the coins overlapping towards the audience, the silver does pick up some color of the coin below as seen in the third image, so it is less obvious visually.

Oh yes, Todd included with my set an expanded Chinese shell (these are his "Miracle Enjoyment" coins, BTW) to fit the CSB gaff nicely for a "Chinatown Half" effect (an idea of David Neighbors).

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Triple Threat with a different color

This was a brilliant idea to the standard Triple Threat…why not in copper and a companion set to the silver dollar Triple Threat. The possibilities are endless with these two. This set uses that new copper pattern coin I discussed in UWC #2 set….gorgeous set as Todd included two normal copper coins with the gaff.

The first image shows the gaff with the shells up, if you hadn’t noticed, and you can see the workmanship is amazing…bet the wider rim allowed Todd to achieve a trimmer fit without that "potato chip" final insert. Practically looks like just one coin. The next two images shows the un-nesting of the gaff.

This was one of only 5 from a total of 25 that was left without the "sauce" that gave the coins a dark toned look. I preferred the brilliant clean look to match the other gaffs in my collection that used this copper coin. I also prefer nature to tone the copper with time. Most highly recommended as is all of Todd’s work.

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Fascinating coins through glass

This is one CW item I somehow missed getting during the many years I bought directly from Nick and Rich. When one does become available for sale, it usually demands a high price. I acquired this one from a collector a few years ago and I am so happy it’s now part of my collection.

As the images show, it’s a coin penetration of four coins from the top to bottom of two stacked brandy sniffers. Now, the method is utterly diabolical and rather daring, but the illusion and effect comes off as real magic. The coins are actually heard clinking into the glass one by one before the handkerchief is whisked away. It should be mentioned that the brandy sniffers are not gimmicked in any way.

The storage cabinet for the brandy sniffers is a beauty of smoothly finished, solid walnut construction with elegant brass touches as seen. The inside is lined entirely with green felt to protect the glassware. Overall, a favorite among the few select CW pieces I hold in high esteem for both beauty and mechanical ingenuity.

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You can’t find any better sand frame

This is a gorgeous solid walnut frame by Milson-Worth, measuring 5 1/2 inches by 6 1/2 inches and 3/4 inch thick on the perimeter. The sand empties almost instantly and takes about 3 seconds to fill entirely. MIlson-Worth only made two sand frames. This one is for regular sized cards and only made of hardwood. A larger gloss black lacquered frame was made for jumbo cards. Both came with the gold striping as pictured.

As stated in the catalog, the frames use a special combination of glass plates to enhance the visual clarity of the production, whether it be a card, photo, written message, etc. As expected from Milson-Worth, this is a beauty that is not easily captured with the camera as when seen with your eyes.

This frame always seems to bring back memories of my visits to Milson-Worth back around 1990. The workshop was a rather quaint small place in one of the many plain commercial buildings found in the far northeast area of Southern California’s San Fernando Valley. There was no outdoor advertisement telling what lied inside. There was only one door that took you immediately into a closet size area where Lyn Johnson did his famous flawless paint job. This then led into a bedroom sized tooled workshop and that was all to Milson-Worth. I used to spend lots of time in there talking to Lyn about his magic and, of course, buying his stuff.

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Another classic CW seldom seen for sale

This item is quite an interesting piece of magic and the demo on the CW Video Catalogue was somewhat misleading in the presentation. You present an elegant clear, plastic chest with brass framing and hardware. Clearly visible inside is your favorite deck of cards, a small handkerchief, and some coins. You bring out everything and decide to do a coin trick, instead of card magic.

The deck is put aside, the coins vanished, and the chest covered with the handkerchief. Now, the magic begins. With your hands clearly empty, coins are heard clinking loudly inside the covered chest at a mysterious pace, one by one. The handkerchief is whisked away and inside the closed chest are the vanished coins.

This is a wild piece of magic. Diabolical and daring in method like the one found in Friends, but with more a similarity to Copenetro. What was misleading in the demo on the CW Video Catalogue was the absence of the deck of playing cards which is essential…there, that is all the secret I am revealing. It made me smile when I learned it as I had no idea on reading the catalogue description.

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Too nice to use!

These are really one incredible set of cups and the storage is not some standard draw string fabric bag but a beautiful heavy custom hardwood case with nice inlay work on top. The cups are heavy and finished flat black inside for contrast. The cups have a opening diameter of 3 inches and a height of 2 3/4 inches.

The storage box has heavy brass hardware and measures 11 1/4 by 5 1/4 inches with a height of 3 1/2 inches. I bought this set back in September, 2002 from Bob Kohler who was then Joe’s dealer till he went on his own. In an e-mail dated 09/10/02, Bob wrote, "The good news is that you have the first set of Copper Porper Cups coming to you."

The wand in the set was an unimpressive dark Cocobolo wand that I later sold. I was then visiting Joe at his company in Chatsworth, CA and he showed me a gorgeous copper segmented wand made with California Buckeye Burl. That became the replacement for this set of cups and it’s one beautiful wand. Joe has long changed the design of his wands, so this one is a collectible (the choice of wood may also make this one rare or unique).

The only drawback to this set is that these cups are so nice, you would hate to use them from fear of any damage coming to them.

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Wish I had more Taytelbaums

Eddy Taytelbaum has no equal and inspired the mini-magic line that Alan Warner took on as the next generation with splendid results. This is Eddy’s cork penetration effect which, I am told, was invented by him.
The effect is clearly visible in the images. The cork can be examined before or after the effect. I have seen others copy this effect, but there is clearly NO comparison to the original.

The slide is so elegant as only Eddy can handcraft. It’s all wood with a beautifully applied dark green paint and his signature gold striping on the edges. The paint job is so smooth I can only think of Milson-Worth as the only other builder with such excellent results. It is hinged so it can be opened to expel any suspicions (the slide is ungimmicked). A brass hinge at one end keeps the slide locked closed.

Considering its age, this sample is in fantastic shape, as mint as you can get…what a relief as I have seen many Taytelbaums in poor condition. But, then, these were intended to be used. I only wish I had more of Eddy’s work in my collection, but it is hard to come by and expensive when is does.

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I love paddles and Eddy’s are even better

One good thing about the recession is that these Taytelbaum paddles sold at a "reasonable" price…still several hundreds, but not 3 figures as in the past. That’s how much in demand Eddy’s work exists.

I find it sort of ironic how much complaints I read about the Tenyo line being made from plastic that a new Tenyo Elite venture will try to correct this for performers and collectors. The quality of the effects is there, it’s the material that turns people off. Yet, people are willing to pay the big bucks on one particular line of plastic magic tricks that happens to carry the Taytelbaum name. Of course, what Eddy sculpts from plastic are masterpieces and well deserved of the praise and prices these demands, but was just thinking.

Anyway, here are two paddles that sold as a set at a Swann auction. The top is a classic chalk paddle and the bottom is a rather unique version of the jumping peg paddle. The design is very interesting as the close-up image can attest. Not sure what inspired Eddy to design it as I have never seen another jumping peg paddle like this one. Both were in mint condition and so beautiful up close. One can only admire the workmanship. No recommendations needed here, the Taytelbaum name speaks for itself.

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Solid performer from Milson-Worth

This is Milson-Worth’s version of the card box and it’s a masterpiece. The cover is heavy duty, solid walnut construction with a distinctive look to it to stand out from the many popular models out there. There would be no mistaking that this is a Milson-Worth card box.

One feature that stands out is the cover can be freely handled as the "flap" is a lockable one, both before and after the transformation. Don’t recall ever seeing this added touch in the many boxes out there. The locking and release mechanism is cleverly built into the cover and entirely under your control.

As with the famous painted MW line, Lyn Johnson also demonstrates his skills with woodworking on this item and it ranks among the best I have seen. Definitely, one of my favorite MW pieces in my collection

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