Search found 752 matches

by JHostler
March 16th, 2024, 7:31 am
Forum: Buzz
Topic: BREAKING NEWS: AMA Members Petition for Meeting to Address Creation of Executive Director Position
Replies: 4
Views: 908

Re: BREAKING NEWS: AMA Members Petition for Meeting to Address Creation of Executive Director Position

Many college and university presidents, running much more complex organizations than the Magic Castle, don't make $350K/yr.
by JHostler
March 3rd, 2024, 5:26 pm
Forum: General
Topic: The Unknown Life of Karl Fulves
Replies: 46
Views: 4333

Re: The Unknown Life of Karl Fulves

I know a guy in Sweden - an expert in both European and US copyright law. Glad to put you in touch. (Sorry... so full of snark today! :)
by JHostler
February 23rd, 2024, 6:56 am
Forum: Close-Up Magic
Topic: Who is the best coin magician you have seen?
Replies: 80
Views: 15684

Re: Who is the best coin magician you have seen?

katterfelt0 wrote:
F.Amílcar wrote:Dear friends,

In my opinion the great magician in close-up with coins was JOAQUIN NAVAJAS. R. I. P.

For those wishing to see his work, here's a YouTube video.


The bit at 1:44 is beautiful.
by JHostler
February 10th, 2024, 1:04 pm
Forum: Collector's Marketplace
Topic: Tyche's Fiddle
Replies: 4
Views: 1160

Re: Tyche's Fiddle

A little video tip for Tyche's Fiddlers. Password = the last name of the magician who conjured up the five-card mental force (all lower-case). Cheers!

https://www.gnominal.com/tf-tip
by JHostler
February 4th, 2024, 2:43 am
Forum: Buzz
Topic: Christmas in February
Replies: 2
Views: 753

Re: Christmas in February

It being 1:29am 2/4/24, I can now reveal the riddle's answer. The "secret number" was 159 - simply the number of words (per Microsoft Word) in my original post. Omitting numerals and URL components (technically not "words") reduced this number to 150, but did not change the winne...
by JHostler
January 31st, 2024, 7:25 pm
Forum: Buzz
Topic: Christmas in February
Replies: 2
Views: 753

Re: Christmas in February

A very good question just in: In the event of a tie, the early bird gets da worm.
by JHostler
January 31st, 2024, 6:59 pm
Forum: Buzz
Topic: Christmas in February
Replies: 2
Views: 753

Christmas in February

I have one test print each of Tyche's Fiddle and Sleightly Hopped taking up space on a sofa table. In the spirit of Jack Shalom, I’m going to mail each of these to an interested party – at my expense if you’re in the United States, at yours if in saner territories. I have a number between 1 and 500 ...
by JHostler
January 26th, 2024, 6:41 am
Forum: Collector's Marketplace
Topic: Tyche's Fiddle
Replies: 4
Views: 1160

Re: Tyche's Fiddle

Sorry, Andrew. The gnomes must persist. If it's any consolation, Tyche is far more serious than (if nearly as whimsical as) the website.
by JHostler
January 24th, 2024, 7:10 am
Forum: Collector's Marketplace
Topic: Tyche's Fiddle
Replies: 4
Views: 1160

Tyche's Fiddle

As some grow older, they veer toward conservatism. Others just have more fun with reckless abandon… hence last night’s disjointed launch of http://www.gnominal.com . While the site is shamelessly goofy, Tyche’s Fiddle – the Gnominal Gnomes’ new utility device for equally reckless, goofy magicians an...
by JHostler
January 19th, 2024, 6:55 am
Forum: Buzz
Topic: AMA / Magic Castle issues
Replies: 10
Views: 1633

Re: AMA / Magic Castle issues

Corporate entities - for-profit and nonprofit - almost all exhibit self-preservation instincts extending beyond "what's good for the customer." In this case (pure speculation), it sounds like an LLC and a 501(c)(3) are dancing around some sort of formal merger or permanently binding legal ...
by JHostler
January 1st, 2024, 10:46 am
Forum: Marketing & Magic Business
Topic: The Aretalogy of Vanni Bossi
Replies: 8
Views: 2244

The Aretalogy of Vanni Bossi

I'm currently watching the gazillionth copy of "The Aretalogy of Vanni Bossi" dip below $20 a Penguin "Open Box" flash sale. I absolutely LOVED this book, and can't help but think something went horribly wrong on the business end of things - i.e., gross overestimation of market p...
by JHostler
December 7th, 2023, 7:04 am
Forum: Close-Up Magic
Topic: All Backs Routine
Replies: 52
Views: 18637

Re: All Backs Routine

I guess this is heresy, but All Backs always looked to me, even before I knew much about card magic, exactly what it is--a bunch of face to face cards in different configurations. It never seemed magical to me at all. You're not alone. The "printing" plot (more or less the same thing thro...
by JHostler
November 25th, 2023, 12:16 pm
Forum: Buzz
Topic: Card Craft, Collected Almanac, Totally Out of Control All Reprinted!
Replies: 23
Views: 6270

Re: Card Craft, Collected Almanac, Totally Out of Control All Reprinted!

Kenner is in the house. Richard beat December by a week!
by JHostler
November 18th, 2023, 9:10 am
Forum: Collector's Marketplace
Topic: Mark Elsdon's UNLOCK
Replies: 4
Views: 2766

Re: Mark Elsdon's UNLOCK

Unlock should be available through Penguin by year's end.
by JHostler
November 16th, 2023, 9:36 pm
Forum: Close-Up Magic
Topic: Ibidem #20
Replies: 7
Views: 2328

Re: Ibidem #20

Will do. Thanks, David!
by JHostler
November 14th, 2023, 7:12 am
Forum: Close-Up Magic
Topic: Ibidem #20
Replies: 7
Views: 2328

Ibidem #20

I must have perused the bound Ibidem set 100 times over the last XX years, and only last night noticed that volume two lacks issue #20. No pages have been removed; the page number simply skips from 406 to 439. Is this speed reading feature exclusive to a specific edition or print run, or are all of ...
by JHostler
October 30th, 2023, 12:53 pm
Forum: Close-Up Magic
Topic: Method as Accoutrement - A Minor Rant
Replies: 25
Views: 4879

Re: Method as Accoutrement - A Minor Rant

"Method" is never irrelevant for the simple reason that each of us is different. Method A might work better for Magician A than Magician B. This is often confused with the argument that "method is irrelevant" because the only thing that matters is the effect. These are two entir...
by JHostler
October 29th, 2023, 10:19 pm
Forum: Close-Up Magic
Topic: Method as Accoutrement - A Minor Rant
Replies: 25
Views: 4879

Re: Method as Accoutrement - A Minor Rant

I hadn’t planned on getting into Brad’s points explicitly ( though many of the same observations are “baked into” my original rant). Agreed on all counts. It’s the lack of such nuance in “method doesn’t matter if it ‘works’” proclamations that drives me nuts!
by JHostler
October 28th, 2023, 10:28 am
Forum: Close-Up Magic
Topic: Method as Accoutrement - A Minor Rant
Replies: 25
Views: 4879

Method as Accoutrement - A Minor Rant

I recently stumbled upon an intriguing(?) video by one of magic’s more prominent book reviewers. His opening thesis: The latest often isn’t the greatest because “method is [largely] irrelevant.” He supports this bold, steaming pile of insight by asserting that the reasonable execution of any reasona...
by JHostler
October 16th, 2023, 6:17 am
Forum: Close-Up Magic
Topic: Precedents for Ring/Coin Move
Replies: 10
Views: 4083

Re: Precedents for Ring/Coin Move

Thanks Dave & Philippe. I just found some video of the Himber move. Not precisely the same technique, but pretty close in concept!
by JHostler
October 15th, 2023, 10:58 pm
Forum: Close-Up Magic
Topic: Precedents for Ring/Coin Move
Replies: 10
Views: 4083

Precedents for Ring/Coin Move

The video linked below is a bit odd/awkward in that my arms are wrapped around a camera tripod for a "rear view." This knacky-but-fun thing is designed for circumstances where someone insists on seeing magic performed from behind. From the front, you'd see my right pinky hooked (its tip co...
by JHostler
September 30th, 2023, 2:51 pm
Forum: Buzz
Topic: Not the Bob Read Book...Kurt Volkmann's Geschichte der Zauberkunst
Replies: 48
Views: 23282

Re: Bob Read Book?

At that word count, the final product will be truly massive.
by JHostler
September 30th, 2023, 9:59 am
Forum: Buzz
Topic: Not the Bob Read Book...Kurt Volkmann's Geschichte der Zauberkunst
Replies: 48
Views: 23282

Not the Bob Read Book...Kurt Volkmann's Geschichte der Zauberkunst

A while back, I happened to obtain a "Performing Hare" bronze sculpture that was later determined to have been owned by Bob Read. An individual whose name I don't recall approached me for photos of this piece - for some sort of book-in-progress. I'm curious if this book is still in the wor...
by JHostler
September 8th, 2023, 6:18 am
Forum: Buzz
Topic: Amusement vs Amazement
Replies: 4
Views: 1164

Re: Amusement vs Amazement

Isn't one who's amusing but not amazing better described as a comedian than a magician? I understand a handful of wildly talented folks (e.g., the late, great Tom Mullica) might succeed in both areas, but they're the exception.
by JHostler
August 21st, 2023, 7:19 pm
Forum: Buzz
Topic: Mr. Andrews is on the Cover of the September 2023 Issue of Genii
Replies: 22
Views: 3105

Re: Mr. Andrews is on the Cover of the September 2023 Issue of Genii

Maybe another reviewer could take a crack at the The Bammo Gridlock Dossier? Tom Frame just can't let go of his disdain for the genre of grid magic. After a painful 3-paragraph introduction detailing how he was repulsed by the prospect of reviewing a form of magic which he detests, he can't let go ...
by JHostler
August 17th, 2023, 7:19 am
Forum: Collector's Marketplace
Topic: Wtb: Bill Wisch’s Helicopter card
Replies: 7
Views: 1606

Re: Wtb: Bill Wisch’s Helicopter card

Richard Kaufman wrote:You can buy the Slydini books in which it is described, and also watch Slydini do it on YouTube on the Dick Cavett show. You don't need more than that.


Yeah, but the man is so bloody good he still gets the move past you!
by JHostler
August 8th, 2023, 8:00 pm
Forum: Close-Up Magic
Topic: Understanding the Bermuda Triangle
Replies: 38
Views: 13263

Re: Understanding the Bermuda Triangle

This is one of "those" effects that seems *so* bloody obvious to some (including me), but still somehow manages to fool people. Fascinating stuff.
by JHostler
July 31st, 2023, 6:58 am
Forum: General
Topic: ERDNASE
Replies: 8153
Views: 12021504

Re: ERDNASE

"Broken from the very start" is probably accurate on more than one front. In terms of candidate identification, many researchers continue to rely heavily on the twin assumptions that Erdnase both desired anonymity AND chose to spell his name backwards (more or less). Unless we also assume ...
by JHostler
July 27th, 2023, 11:12 am
Forum: Collector's Marketplace
Topic: Thabbatical (Goldstein), Underground Man (Gallo), Inside (Murray)
Replies: 2
Views: 1128

Re: Thabbatical (Goldstein), Underground Man (Gallo), Inside (Murray)

I've just been informed that Thabbatical was originally packaged with a little booklet for one of the effects entitled "Zodiagnostic." My copy does not include this booklet, although the book itself describes the content well enough to self-print.
by JHostler
July 27th, 2023, 9:26 am
Forum: Collector's Marketplace
Topic: Thabbatical (Goldstein), Underground Man (Gallo), Inside (Murray)
Replies: 2
Views: 1128

Thabbatical (Goldstein), Underground Man (Gallo), Inside (Murray)

I’m rotating out a few more books. All prices include packing & postage to anywhere in the lower 48 United States: Lou Gallo: The Underground Man by Richard Kaufman and Mark Phillips (1996). GREAT material, and very difficult to find. Hardbound with dust jacket, very nice condition (small tear i...
by JHostler
July 16th, 2023, 1:13 pm
Forum: Close-Up Magic
Topic: Change Blindness References
Replies: 13
Views: 5041

Re: Change Blindness References

I think that’s better classified as inattentional blindness, though the two phenomena (from my untrained standpoint) are closely related. Really fascinating stuff - and you see it reflected in the recent surge of discrepancy-based methods.
by JHostler
July 16th, 2023, 9:52 am
Forum: Close-Up Magic
Topic: Change Blindness References
Replies: 13
Views: 5041

Change Blindness References

While “change blindness” has been leveraged in many magical contexts (card under glass, coins suddenly appearing on close-up mats, etc.), our use of this psychological principle seems focused largely on masking object placement and obscuring small discrepancies with larger actions/visuals. I’m inter...
by JHostler
July 15th, 2023, 12:03 pm
Forum: Close-Up Magic
Topic: Understated Advertisement - Genii June 1991
Replies: 4
Views: 2912

Re: Understated Advertisement - Genii June 1991

Dontcha love it? Long before demonstration/hype videos became de rigueur, paging through ads for magic effects and books provided endless entertainment and intrigue. I vividly remember "reading between the lines" (or trying to) for hints of modus operandi, attempting to discern the quality...
by JHostler
July 9th, 2023, 9:00 am
Forum: Close-Up Magic
Topic: John Mendoza Material
Replies: 16
Views: 4820

Re: John Mendoza Material

I wonder who ended up with the rights to Busby's other publications upon his passing...
by JHostler
July 8th, 2023, 3:30 pm
Forum: Close-Up Magic
Topic: John Mendoza Material
Replies: 16
Views: 4820

Re: John Mendoza Material

Thanks for the link - I hadn't seen that. Fingers crossed that Conjuring Arts follows through!
by JHostler
July 8th, 2023, 11:08 am
Forum: Close-Up Magic
Topic: John Mendoza Material
Replies: 16
Views: 4820

John Mendoza Material

Hey All - Is anyone aware of any efforts to compile something like "The Collected Works of John Mendoza" in book form? I always liked his general approach to (and taste in) close-up, and frequently return to the Portfolio collection for ideas and inspiration. John cut quite the enigmatic f...
by JHostler
July 4th, 2023, 10:09 am
Forum: Collector's Marketplace
Topic: The Feints and Temps of Harry Riser
Replies: 1
Views: 514

Re: The Feints and Temps of Harry Riser

This book along with others by Don England and Scotty York can now be found here >> https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?item=40 ... johos-5492
by JHostler
July 2nd, 2023, 11:13 am
Forum: Reference Room
Topic: Prophecy Move "Subtlety"
Replies: 6
Views: 14523

Re: Prophecy Move "Subtlety"

john, that's the way i've been doing it for decades. i've always used it in ackerman's quick coincidence and just assumed that's how he taught the move. it was so long ago. i never thought of it as different. don england did it that way as well. i would probably lean toward it not qualifying as a v...

Go to advanced search