Very rare Labyrinth magazines for sale here

[Frank Yuen]

I have for sale five rare issues of Stephen Hobbs magazine, Labyrinth: A Journal of Close-Up Magic. This magazine ran sporadically for 5 years from 1994 1999. Each issue was limited to 100 copies with the exception that is listed below. Every issue could be considered a small book or very detailed set of lecture notes. Im not knowledgeable on the grading of books but I would guess that these would be graded excellent. They look like they just arrived in the mail. Here are the issues I have available:

[color:#3366FF]Issue # 4[/color] This is the exception that I mentioned in my opening paragraph. Technically, this is a set of Alain Nus lecture notes but it is indeed issue number 4 of Labyrinth. Stephen Hobbs reprinted another 100 copies for Alain to use as lecture notes. It is identical to the actual issue except that on the cover it also says, The Mentalism of Alan Nguyen. There are also a few lines that were changed to note that it is a special reprint on the title page, the table of contents page and the Preliminary notes page. This issue is 40 pages and contains:

VooDoo Redo The performer displays a voodoo doll, a pin cushion with 6 pins stuck in it and a stack of cards each bearing the name of a different part of the human anatomy. Three body parts are selected using three pins. The pins are subsequently stuck into the corresponding parts of the voodoo doll. It is then revealed that there is a second doll hidden in the pin cushion. The doll is removed to reveal that it has three pins stuck in exactly the same positions as the spectators doll.
Rune Speller Fortune Teller Using a set of rune dice the performer divines a thought of word.
Bender Ender A spoon is placed in the folds of a regular handkerchief which is held by a spectator. The performer gestures around the handkerchief which is seen to move slightly. The spectator unwraps the spoon to find it bent into a corkscrew.
On Books & Good Looks One of Alains specialties is the book test and this chapter examines six techniques that he uses in ungaffed book tests. These techniques are Peek-to-Peek, Page Number Rifle Force, the Romantic Reader, the Silver Dollar Force, the Natural Anagram Principle and the Peek Bank. Alain feels that with these procedures you can rival any effect that is possible with gaffed book tests with the added advantage of being able to give the books away or to leave them casually on the table at the end of your performance.
Over-Draun Challenge Alains adaptation of Drauns Fan Glimpse to three cards.
The Red-Black Stack Alains walk around instant reset version of Paul Currys Out of this World.
Invisibility Watch Alains presentation for the Invisible Deck

[color:#3366FF]Issue # 9[/color] Every other issue of Labyrinth was a one man issue. This is one of the general issues with several contributors. All of the effects in this issue have an L.A. connection. This is number 55 of 100.There are 39 pages to this issue and its contents are:

Time Flies The flight of a thought of card from one deck to another from the mind of Dean Dill.
Con-Clue-Sion A Phil Goldstein and Stephen Hobbs contribution that lets you predict the outcome of a game of Clue the murderer, the weapon and the room.
The Trans-Pocket Switch and Applications John Gustaferros technique for convincing an audience that a card has flown to your pocket along with four additional applications.
Dunbury Aces Part of Steve Silvermans Magic Castle act, a Dunbury Delusion effect where the prediction cards transform into the three mates of the selection.
Multi-Level Dealing Another part of Silvermans Castle act, this is a demo of false dealing inspired by Bruce Cervons Devils Elevator. At the end of this routine, the four random cards transform into the four kings.
Multiplex Interchange John Lovicks extension of Jack Carpenters Pocket Interchange.


[color:#3366FF]Issue # 10[/color] A 36 page one man issue containing the creations of Eric Dockery. These are some of Erics performance pieces emphasizing presentation and concept. This is number 88 of 100.

The Golden Chain This is a routine that Eric uses in virtually every performance. It is his in the hands version of the Endless Chain.
The Rose A female spectator is asked if she would like a rose and is given a rose sticker with which she marks a card. A short ambitious card sequence is performed and finally the performer magically transforms the sticker into a real rose (the selection returning to its original pre-sticker condition) which is given to the spectator to keep.
Hot Sauce Erics sponge ball routine that concludes with the appearance of a bottle of Tabasco sauce.
The Genie Bottle Erics take on the classic Prayer Vase.
No Camera Trickery Three effects that Eric uses to frame his act. A torn and restored sign, a camera production and card to camera effect that brings the act full circle.
Repeat Card to Envelope Two selections are signed and lost. After failing to locate the first selection, the performer takes a wallet previously handed to a spectator and removes a sealed envelope. The envelope is ripped apart and the first selection is found inside. Placing the wallet back in his pocket the performer tries to locate the second selection. Failing again, the performer removes the wallet but no card or envelope is found. The performer calls attention to the previously destroyed envelope on the table. It has magically restored itself and the second selection is found within.
Paddle Routine Notes Erics ideas on the classic paddle routine from Sachs Sleight of Hand done with a dinner knife.

[color:#3366FF]Issue # 11[/color] This is number 62 of 100. Another general issue with several contributors. There are 32 pages to this issue with the following contents:

A Labyrinth in a Labyrinth A self-working card effect of Gordon Beans.
The Ballet Cut John Gustaferros in the hands false cut along with seven applications.
Kings Castle Another part of Steve Silvermans Magic Castle act. The four kings are placed in a diamond formation on the table. The Suit of each king is clearly seen. The aces are dropped as a pile in the center of the diamond. Instantly the aces and kinds change places.
Moment of Egress Steve Silvermans very different and very direct handling of Alex Elmsleys Point of Departure plot.
Card Case Cascade A fancy way to remove the deck from its case. Contributed by Lee Asher it is casual and understated, but quickly demonstrates that you know your way around a deck of cards. Its also easy to do.
Silvermans Outjog Insertion Steve considers this a variation of ATFUS and it accomplishes the same effect as that move. It has none of the traditional peeling of cards normally associated with the ATFUS sequence.
On the Bottle Production Three different techniques to produce a bottle from under a handkerchief contributed by John Lovick. One of these is accomplished while wearing a fully buttoned, double-breasted jacket and can be used to produce a highball glass full of liquid. Also included is Johns kicker ending to this glass production.


[color:#3333FF]Issue # 12[/color] This is number 34 of 100 and is another one man issue. This time the contributor is Gregory Wilson. There are 44 pages to this issue with the following contents:

The Name Tag Trick Gregory uses this as an opening routine allowing him to introduce himself, learn his assistants name and perform an effect unlike anything done by the spectators Uncle Ernie.
The Outjog Spread Pass A spread pass variant that was also independently conceived by Michael Weber.
The Professional Card to Pocket Wilsons real world worker. A card jumps to the performers pocket three times ending with the now familiar 51 cards to pocket.
King-Size Travelers An excellent and practical handling for Vernons Travelers. However in this version there is no need to wear a jacket; you can do this in jeans and a t-shirt. Secondly, in this version the deck is set aside and cards vanish while in the hands.
Two-as-One Display Sequence A sequence used by Wilson to convincingly display a double as a single card.
The Training Deck An entertaining effect that lets you practice your memorized deck stack at the same time that you demonstrate your ability to cut to any number in the deck.
The Open Action Cull Gregory Wilsons method for openly culling cards.
Lethal Fours Wilsons take on Dan Garretts Four Card Reiteration ending with the four fours.


Price for each is $25.00 but I will take $110 for the set of 5. Shipping will be $5 for one or all five issues. Paypal preferred.

Thanks for looking!

Frank Yuen
0s030 East Street
Winfield, IL 60190
630-665-3748
f.yuen@comcast.net

[Frank Yuen]

Wow, that was fast and I got two other replies as well within the first 20 minutes (It took me way longer than that to write the post!). These are sold pending payment. Thanks for the interest.