George Guerra

Delightful New Warner Magic!

This is one clever and ingenious piece from Alan. The method is so diabolical and the craftsmanship is impeccable, as one expects from this master craftsman. Beautiful effect and all so nicely stored in an elegant case. This is one where examining all the (secret) components of the appartus makes you appreciate what value you are getting than from simply seeing the images from this review.

Owning many of Alan’s magic, I thought he couldn’t surprise me (well, I have witnessed great magic from this man) but I felt like a child on Christmas Day when I took this out from the parcel. This will definitely be on the list of my favorite Warner pieces, if that is possible to have favorites.

Thanks again, Alan, for another beauty and a most welcome addition to my collection.

Click here for more information.

WOW!

Chance has clearly established himself as a master craftsman of the highest caliber with both this apparatus and the recent Classic Coin Ladder. Only greatness can be expected to come from this builder and I definitely look forward to all his next releases. Again, this is one item that is best appreciated with your eyes and not through any images. The beauty of the Cocobolo wood, the beautiful gold vinyl accents, the overall design and expert craftsmanship would be greatly missed.

I was surprised, but ecstatic, over the size of the apparatus on unwrapping this beauty. Truly a mini-magic item as I see it, with the square based platform having 4 inch sides and a height of 6 inches (without the chopsticks). Now, that is just perfect for my taste, though the size may be standard for this trick (never owned one, so can’t compare). The only potential drawback is that this is really a stage effect as mentioned in the nicely written instructions. There is an angle issue with one of the gimmicked props, if attempted as a close-up effect. However, even with the distance, it’s strong magic and the apparatus is one to be proud to own and present. BTW, Chance provides an interesting storyline in one of the nicest instructions sheets I have seem. He sure didn’t spare anything to provide the best here.

Thanks so much, Chance…very few magic builders come close to your quality and service. I speak for many who appreciate what you are doing for Magic.

Click here for more information.

What a treat from Colin Rose!

Love wooden magic apparatus as many may know and this gorgeous boxed set of fourteen magical pieces is the perfect Christmas present I gave to myself. This will be the third English boxed set of magic in my collection…the first two being the Millennium Collection and the Egyptian Collection, both by Alan Warner…impressive magic coming from our British friends. This set has that Victorian or turn of the century look to it, which I always find admirable to look at, if anyone has seen those antique sets on auction.

Many exotic woods are present in this set. I recognize Amarillo, African Blackwood, Purple Heart, Cocobolo, Padauk, and not sure of the others. The box itself has a beautiful grain…looks like Sapele to me, because of the characteristic sheen to the grain. The brass Five of Hearts disc in the lower left corner is a lovely touch.

The effects range from classical to modern with many sold individually on the Five of Hearts Magic site. You definitely get a bargain getting the whole collection as a whole. The instructions come neatly packed in their signature red corduroy bag. As usual, the craftsmanship is SUPERB throughout. This is definitely one of those items that photographs just don’t give it justice.

Overall, I am one very happy guy and anyone who collects magic should seriously consider this for their collection.

Click here for more information.

Another RNT2 Winner!

I have owned a copy of “The Amazing Miracles of Shigeo Takagi”, published by Richard Kaufman for years and one effect in that book that intrigued me was “The Solid Cup”. It was not just the routine that attracted my attention, but the interesting cup that was needed. Having owned many cups and balls set, it was very unusual. I did see a simple Walnut one go on ebay recently and now RNT2 has made a very few sets turned from very exotic woods.

Jake made this one from Asian Rosewood Burl and it is absolutely gorgeous! As I have said in another RNT2 review, the company is the leader in handcrafted wooden apparatus made with a vast choice of rare exotic woods. The images may give you an idea of both the beauty of the wood and the skill of the turner. The fit between the two sections is tight, maybe too tight, but don’t mind it at all, so there is no danger it separating during the routine before the final revelation.

The set came with a wand (not shown as not to steal the stage from the star) and a set of crocheted balls. No routine was included, but get a copy of the Takagi book, a great book for your magic library. Thanks Jake and company for another most welcomed piece to my collection.

Click here for more information.

A beautiful addition to my vase collection

As many viewers to this wonderful site may know, I have posted in the past some images and reviews on several gorgeous vases from Colin Rose (Five of Heart) and an incredible pillbox by Angelo Iafrate (Majic). This latest addition comes from RNT2 and it’s worthy of my vase collection. The wood is Red Heart and African black Ebony. I have always been a fan of beautiful exotic woods. Mel Babcock used them in his line, but RNT2 has definitely taken it beyond everyone else with a large assortment and choices (click on "Exotic Woods in Stock" at the RNT2 site).

There is definitely very high quality craftsmanship here. A few almost invisible cosmetic issues I do find, but easily correctable with some buffing and everything then looks flawless; I tend to be a "perfectionist". However, Jake and company offers great personal service and quickly responsive to correcting any major issues till one is fully satisfied. Jake quickly replaced my first vase when I noticed a crack in the shell. I had mentioned to him that I wasn’t too happy with a teak olive vase I bought some time ago (after he first asked me about that purchase) and he immediately offered to replace it without having to return the other one. This is great customer service! I definitely visit the RNT2 site regularly now to see what’s new.

Click here for more information.

Simple, but elegant in Colin’s hands

This is a simple, old pocket trick, but it’s the workmanship that elevates this to a true collectible, not to mention the source of the material used in its construction. The Oak wood is quite old, over 240 years, and comes from the H.M.S. Victory, Admiral Nelson’s ship in the Battle of Trafalgar against the combined French and Spanish armada back in 1805. The arrows have been cut from the Copper Sheet that was taken from the hull of H.M.S. Victory. You don’t have to be British to appreciate these events in history. As a lover of history, holding the compass alone is exhilarating, imagining where this wood has been in over two centuries.

The oak is a beautifully grained specimen as can be somewhat appreciated in the images. You really need to see this with you own eyes. What a magical and truly historical piece to add to my collection from this wonderful craftsman, whose vases are also a beauty to behold (I have five, so far).

Colin also released an "Exotic Wood" version of the Chinese Compass made with black Ebony and Amarillo turned arrows…also very nice, but the Trafalgar Oak Compass definitely takes center stage. Besides, as suggested by Sharron Rose, "…it is a great little piece of magic, now with the added story linking it to The Battle of Trafalgar and Lord Nelson…same brilliant magic routine but now with a nautical flavour!. It is most highly recommended for the discriminating magic collector, but caution, as it may be limited to only ten pieces.

Click here for more information.

TV Card Effect in Your Hands

I bought this little CW curiosity from a fellow collector not too long ago because 1) it’s an early discontinued CW item, and 2 ) always had a fascination with this long time classic of magic. Now, the best of the bunch is the CW BulletProof, but this one is unusual as no frames are involved and it uses a miniature deck of cards.

The principle is still basically the same, except the mechanics is all brass construction and, well, kind of "hidden". The choice of using a miniature deck makes it a little more doable. This is one of those review items where the "works" is almost needed to be photographed as that is the heart of the whole thing. As usual, CW did a very nice job and for those fascinated by magical gadgetry, I don’t think you will be disappointed.

I don’t think I would be comfortable performing this, but, if you collect Collectors’ Workshop, as I do, it is a welcomed piece to add. I give it 5 stars for ingenuity and as a unique version of a classic effect.

Click here for more information.

A Masterpiece from Chance Wolf!

Though my main focus in collecting is towards small, so called Mini or Micro magic, I have added some big items in the past, but these were grand pieces that were a "must buy", such as the Milson-Worth Pillar of the Magi and Ruggiero’s Perfect Card. Not surprisingly, when I first saw the high resolution images of Chance’s new Classic Coin Ladder, I immediately pounced on it…I couldn’t type fast enough to get my order in as I knew only 12 would be sold and I wasn’t going to be left out.

Well, the Ladder arrived yesterday and after unpacking it, I was in complete awe at what I was seeing…it left me speechless. Now, I have had similar reactions with packages from Alan Warner, Richard Gerlitz, Colin Rose, Lyn Johnson, to name a few of the top talents, but Chance has clearly anted the standard on the craftsmanship of magical apparatus. Everything is, simply, in my opinion, PERFECT!

What struck me as I quickly eyed the entire unit is the weight of the components…lots of the most gorgeously colored and grained Cocobolo wood I have ever seen layered thick for strength and durability. The same was observed of the solid brass components throughout the apparatus (even the banding around the wood is the thickest I have ever seen in an apparatus…no thin flimsy metal strips here). Even the glass used in the ladder is heavy duty. This is one sturdy, but beautifully built apparatus…I just wish people could see it up close and their eyes would say more than words can.

Overall, I would venture to say that my Classic Coin Ladder is now the best, most prized, piece in my entire magic collection. Up to this point, I would have hesitated to make such a comment as I really have many very nice pieces and it has always been a difficult choice when asked, but, believe me, the Classic Coin Ladder is way too good…$3000 price tag – what a bargain, now that I have seen it.

This is not only a GG Standard item, but as with all nobility, there is always one at the top, the king, so it gives me great honor to crown the Wolf Classic Coin Ladder at the top of this elite list. The one thing I may change is the special Eisenhower coin that came with the apparatus. This masterpiece deserves better than clad coins, so I tried a Lassen magnetic Morgan 1921 silver dollar and it seems to work. I also like the fact that the music box motor is easily replaceable…this is an Achilles’ heel, as these are temperamental mechanisms (CW used a lot of these and the one in my Coin Classic easily broke down).

Thanks so much, Chance for an incredible magical heirloom and for remembering the No. 4 to match the serial number of my Wacky Micro Magic series.

Click here for more information.

Cutest Hippity Hoppers Ever!

Collectors’ Workshop released their version of the classic Hippity Hop effect early in their existence. I have not seen one that tops it, yet. They are a beauty. The rabbits are about 4 3/4 inches high and were designed by Les Smith of Owen’s Magic. Actually, if your see their version, you will see a resemblance. The covers and bases are solid walnut. The gimmicks are well built and fit perfectly. Overall, the nicest "mini" sized rabbits I have seen to date and a treasure to my CW collection.

Click here for more information.

A New Craftsman Is In Town!!

Wacky Wolf inspired box and what a great box this is…with meticulous attention to both detail and quality. As the enclosed letter starts, "Congratulations! You are the proud owner of the Yellowshark Design Sliding Disc Box. This is made of the finest quality materials, designed for professionals…" I am definitely proud to add this beauty to my magic collection

Bright colors, piano hinged doors, perfect fittings, and fabulous graphics on the doors with the center plates attached with screws so that the message can be exchanged are some of my observations on the box. Bill Mitchell the artist behind Yellowshark Design was inspired when he wasn’t happy with the sliding disc boxes currently available and wanted to have one that would fit with the Chance Wolf props he owned.

As can been seen, he succeded quite wonderfully. He used expanded pvc and the box measures 20 1/2" by 8 1/2" by 2 1/2". Two 7 3/8" diameter "blank" discs are included…one can then custom add one’s graphics to it that fits one’s taste. One has a metal washer attached and included with the set is a belt magnet.

He made an initial 2 boxes, then a run of 12 (probably sold out now). There may be no more, BUT we have not heard the last from Bill, "while it was fun to make the props, and it was gratifying to see that there is a market, I do not enjoy working with the expanded pvc material, so I may not make any more. I have been a professional woodworker for the last 20 years or so, and much prefer working with wood." Am I hearing the next Mel Babcock or Alan Warner here…keep tuned.

Click here for more information.