Martin Gardner and Todd Karr

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Diamond Jim Tyler
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Re: Martin Gardner and Todd Karr

Postby Diamond Jim Tyler » December 20th, 2010, 11:11 am

Just found my receipt for mine from Aug. 6th, 2007:


PayPal Shopping Cart Contents

Item Name: Martin Gardner's Impromptu limited edition
Item Number: 4

Quantity: 1

Total: $300.00 USD


Cart Subtotal: $300.00 USD
Shipping: $15.00 USD
Sales Tax:
Cart Total: $315.00 USD

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Payment Details

Transaction ID: 4P792286RD3538718
Item Price: $300.00 USD
Total: $315.00 USD
Buyer: Jim Tyler
Magically,
Diamond Jim Tyler

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Don Hendrix
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Re: Martin Gardner and Todd Karr

Postby Don Hendrix » December 20th, 2010, 12:19 pm

I also paid in 2007. I had hoped that the book would be finished in Martin's lifetime. Now I just hope to get it while I am still breathing. I don't understand why Todd can't finish one book before he starts another. He has produced many other items while we are waiting for this book. He offered to refund my money, but I really want the book. I know that patience is a virtue, but I believe that Todd would pi%@ off the Dali Lama.

Todd Karr
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Re: Martin Gardner and Todd Karr

Postby Todd Karr » December 20th, 2010, 5:14 pm

Hi, everyone. Well, I saw the Dalai Lama here in L.A. last year. He speaks of patience and cycles, and here's the cycle I'm emerging from. I'll address this as honestly and openly as I can.

The Miracle Factory has always been a hand-made, one-man production company. We've usually been late with our books, but the discount of buying early, and the beauty of the finished book, offset the frustrating delay. But as we've grown and taken on more projects, it's been a challenge to keep up.

I managed to completely overload the schedule a few years ago by taking on Martin Gardner's wonderful Impromptu, Gaetan Bloom's Full Bloom, Andy Nyman's Bulletproof, and my own book test, The Secret Lexicon. Don's right. One book at a time is the way to go. I've learned the limits of my own workaholic abilities.

I'm finally catching up with these projects, however, with Nyman's Bulletproof being mailed this week. Gardner will be out in 2011, along with Bloom and the Lexicon.

I always address any concerns from my customers. As Don writes, I offered him a refund. I have also sent free items to customers as a thank you for their patience.

On the other hand, despite the delay, the Gardner limited preorder customers will be the ones who get to own one of the copies signed by the late Martin Gardner and Jay Marshall. As of now, they're completely sold out and there's a long waiting list for cancellations. The wait has been unbelievably long. The book will be brilliant.

I'm trying to honor the saintly patience of my customers, while also getting these books created as soon as possible without sacrificing their proper style, originality, and quality.

I know the finished products will be wonderful and beautiful (take a look at Bulletproof if you can!) and I appreciate everyone's patience as I catch up.

If you have a question or want to vent, please write me at toddkarr@aol.com. (I won't be answering more questions on this thread.)

Happy holidays to everyone, and thanks for your continued faith in our books.

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Don Hendrix
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Re: Martin Gardner and Todd Karr

Postby Don Hendrix » December 20th, 2010, 7:54 pm

Todd,
Thanks for the explanation. We were probably in the same room during the Dalai Lama's visit last year. I know that I saw you at the Innovention back in October but didn't realize who you were until it was too late to say hello. I am also looking forward to the Nyman book.

magicalt
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Re: Martin Gardner and Todd Karr

Postby magicalt » December 20th, 2010, 9:57 pm

I have bought several books from Todd through the years and have had to wait for alomost all of them since I preorder. But I can tell you that every single one of those books has been worth the wait. I can also tell you that if something is wrong with your order Todd will also make it right. So I say keep up the great work Todd and to everyone else patience is a virture.

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Doc
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Re: Martin Gardner and Todd Karr

Postby Doc » December 23rd, 2010, 4:08 pm

magicalt wrote:I have bought several books from Todd through the years and have had to wait for alomost all of them since I preorder. But I can tell you that every single one of those books has been worth the wait. I can also tell you that if something is wrong with your order Todd will also make it right. So I say keep up the great work Todd and to everyone else patience is a virture.


That's right!
It will be worth the four year wait!

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Richard Kaufman
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Re: Martin Gardner and Todd Karr

Postby Richard Kaufman » December 23rd, 2010, 4:42 pm

I just received a copy of Andy Nyman's "Bulletproof" today and it's done DAMN fancy book! Very nice.
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Doc
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Re: Martin Gardner and Todd Karr

Postby Doc » December 23rd, 2010, 5:23 pm

A comp review copy?

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Richard Kaufman
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Re: Martin Gardner and Todd Karr

Postby Richard Kaufman » December 23rd, 2010, 5:31 pm

The book will be reviewed by Eric Mead in our April issue.
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Timothy Hyde
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Re: Martin Gardner and Todd Karr

Postby Timothy Hyde » December 23rd, 2010, 5:33 pm

Doc wrote:A comp review copy?


the real ones are being shipped.
Really looking forward to this

Timothy
The Secret Notebooks of Mr Hyde - Vol 1 & 2 - http://www.MagicCoach.com

magicalt
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Re: Martin Gardner and Todd Karr

Postby magicalt » December 23rd, 2010, 8:18 pm

My Nyman book came in today and it a really nice book with all of the xtras and like a said earlier it was worth the wait. Cant wait to dig into it.

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Seuss
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Re: Martin Gardner and Todd Karr

Postby Seuss » December 23rd, 2010, 11:45 pm

^Sweet maybe mine will be in my mailbox tomorrow! :D
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Don Hendrix
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Re: Martin Gardner and Todd Karr

Postby Don Hendrix » December 28th, 2010, 9:59 pm

Received notification of a package shipped from Karr today. Assume that it is the Nyman book.

Daniel Bain
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Re: Martin Gardner and Todd Karr

Postby Daniel Bain » December 29th, 2010, 4:20 pm

Just got the Nyman book and have been reading through it. Beautifully done! Great material, including all of Nyman's previously published lecture notes. Lots of cool goodies and inserts. Haven't played the DVD's yet.

So far looks brilliant! Can't wait to read through it all...

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Richard Kaufman
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Re: Martin Gardner and Todd Karr

Postby Richard Kaufman » December 29th, 2010, 4:47 pm

It's a very nicely produced book. The goodies make it seem interesting.
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Richard Kaufman
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Re: Martin Gardner and Todd Karr

Postby Richard Kaufman » December 30th, 2010, 12:44 pm

It's a great book.
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Don Hendrix
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Re: Martin Gardner and Todd Karr

Postby Don Hendrix » December 30th, 2010, 8:35 pm

Received mine today and agree with Richard. Who else, besides a British working pro, would give you FIVE pages demonstrating how to change into your suit in a tiny bathroom without letting your trousers touch the floor? The magic ain't bad either! If you have the slightest interest in Mr. Nyman or in mentalism, you should buy this book while it is still available. I am very happy with my purchase.

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erdnasephile
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Re: Martin Gardner and Todd Karr

Postby erdnasephile » December 30th, 2010, 9:42 pm

Don Hendrix wrote:... Who else, besides a British working pro, would give you FIVE pages demonstrating how to change into your suit in a tiny bathroom without letting your trousers touch the floor?...


I think Seabrooke published advice similar to this as well--it really does sound like a great book! Gotta put it on the list.

michael mode
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Re: Martin Gardner and Todd Karr

Postby michael mode » December 30th, 2010, 10:54 pm

Received my pre-ordered copy of Bulletproof this week and it was WELL worth the wait. I knew there would be some props included with the book, but didn't know there would be that many... and two DVDs! Top notch production all the way around.
I'm also waiting for the Gardner book and know it will be outstanding. Todd produces great books that are a pleasure to own, read and display.

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F.Amílcar
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Re: Martin Gardner and Todd Karr

Postby F.Amílcar » December 31st, 2010, 7:10 am

Dear friends,

I also have bought the MARTIN GARDNER'S BOOK in its moment and I know that I will receive just in the exactly moment that it will finished. But the true trouble is that when the people buy dvd's most of them are copyed and it is a inconvenient for producing other items for Todd just in time. Be patience with this guy and see the final result.

Sincerely,

F. Amlcar Riega

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Doc
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Re: Martin Gardner and Todd Karr

Postby Doc » December 31st, 2010, 11:39 am

Be patience with this guy and see the final result.


That's right. Patience is a virtue and what is five years, more or less, in comparison to the time space continuum as a whole?

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Don Hendrix
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Re: Martin Gardner and Todd Karr

Postby Don Hendrix » January 1st, 2011, 11:01 pm

I thought it odd that the DVD which came with a book produced in America came in PAL format, which won't play on American DVD players. I realize that Mr. Nyman is British, but, since the book is produced here, I thought the DVD would be NTSC. It will play fine on a computer, but not on my HD TV.

Todd Karr
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Re: Martin Gardner and Todd Karr

Postby Todd Karr » January 3rd, 2011, 1:56 pm

Hi, everyone. The DVD included with Bulletproof can be viewed by American readers on your computer with the free VLC Media Player from VideoLAN.org videolan.org (you can use this great player to play several foreign formats, in fact). It also works fine with my iMac Video Player software.

However, if any American Bulletproof purchasers would like an NTSC version, write me at toddkarr@aol.com and I'll send you one free of charge.

Like the British spellings in the book, we left the video in its Anglicized format!

Thanks for all the nice comments on Bulletproof! Gardner will be equally amazing.

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Re: Martin Gardner and Todd Karr

Postby Bill Mullins » January 3rd, 2011, 5:20 pm

Who did the cover art for the upcoming Gardner book?

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Re: Martin Gardner and Todd Karr

Postby Michael Close » January 3rd, 2011, 5:26 pm

Don Hendrix wrote:Who else, besides a British working pro, would give you FIVE pages demonstrating how to change into your suit in a tiny bathroom without letting your trousers touch the floor?


I think Senator Larry Craig had a DVD out on this subject.

Edward
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Re: Martin Gardner and Todd Karr

Postby Edward » January 4th, 2011, 9:23 pm

:lol: funny Michael.

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Tony Drake
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Re: Martin Gardner and Todd Karr

Postby Tony Drake » January 5th, 2011, 4:10 am

I've been Emailed to say that Bulletproof is on it's way. Really looking forward to it's arrival.
Tony Drake

AKA Ali Carumba

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F.Amílcar
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Re: Martin Gardner and Todd Karr

Postby F.Amílcar » January 5th, 2011, 9:16 am

I'm sure that MARTIN GARDNER'S book will be amazing and that I told you when I bought you a year ago more or less.

I have no doubts when come from you.

Best regards,

F. Amlkar.

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Tony Drake
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Re: Martin Gardner and Todd Karr

Postby Tony Drake » January 16th, 2011, 11:41 am

I now have bulletproof. It's great. The Gimmick for "Miracle Monte" isn't complete so i'll have sort that. Otherwise great.
Excellent quality.

Regards

Tony Drake
Tony Drake



AKA Ali Carumba

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Doc
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Re: Martin Gardner and Todd Karr

Postby Doc » January 19th, 2011, 1:03 pm

Bill Mullins wrote:Who did the cover art for the upcoming Gardner book?


Johannes Vermeer, he was still alive when this project was pre-sold.

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Re: Martin Gardner and Todd Karr

Postby Bill Mullins » November 21st, 2013, 10:27 am

I got an email yesterday from the Miracle Factory offering prepaid customers of the upcoming Gardner Impromptu book a sample PDF chapter. Given that the Gaetan Bloom book is complete and in print, I'm optimistically taking this as a sign of forward progress on the Gardner book, and am looking forward to receiving it.

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erdnasephile
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Re: Martin Gardner and Todd Karr

Postby erdnasephile » November 21st, 2013, 10:54 am

I didn't get that email. I guess I'll email Todd

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Richard Kaufman
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Re: Martin Gardner and Todd Karr

Postby Richard Kaufman » November 21st, 2013, 1:00 pm

Peoples' email address, as well as their physical addresses and phone numbers, sometimes change over a 7 year period.
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Ralph Mackintosh
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Re: Martin Gardner and Todd Karr

Postby Ralph Mackintosh » November 21st, 2013, 7:23 pm

Then I'm sure my Lexicon must be coming next week(year,decade,century)?

Ted M
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Re: Martin Gardner and Todd Karr

Postby Ted M » November 21st, 2013, 11:11 pm

If he ever actually publishes the Impromptu book, he might then need to hire a mentalist to perform a Living/Dead test on the list of prepaid customers...

Robert Meisch
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Re: Martin Gardner and Todd Karr

Postby Robert Meisch » November 22nd, 2013, 10:59 am

I hear Chris Angel might be able to help with that. ;p

-r

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Gordon Meyer
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Re: Martin Gardner and Todd Karr

Postby Gordon Meyer » November 22nd, 2013, 12:44 pm

Maybe if Todd shared the sample PDF with non-purchasers, he'd get a few more pre-orders.

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Re: Martin Gardner and Todd Karr

Postby Mark Collier » November 23rd, 2013, 11:22 am

When did he start taking pre-orders for this? He's had my money for 6 1/2 years. I would advise anyone to be skeptical before placing a pre-order. He puts out great books but this is ridiculous.

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erdnasephile
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Re: Martin Gardner and Todd Karr

Postby erdnasephile » November 23rd, 2013, 11:58 am

The delay is a bit disheartening, but from all accounts Todd is an honest guy, so I'm not worried.

If memory serves, I also think if anyone wants a refund at this point, they need only contact Todd.

Mark Collier
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Re: Martin Gardner and Todd Karr

Postby Mark Collier » November 23rd, 2013, 12:16 pm

I also think Todd is an honest guy. I don't want a refund....I want the book. Although I think he is honest, I don't think it is good business to take pre-orders when you don't have a realistic timeline for when the book will be finished. How many years has he been taking payment for this book? It is not a rhetorical question. Does anybody know?


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