Search found 194 matches

by Jon Elion
August 31st, 2023, 1:00 pm
Forum: General
Topic: Magic in NYC
Replies: 9
Views: 15513

Re: Magic in NYC

Stephen Cohen's " Chamber Magic " is highly recommended. I have been several times and look forward to going back again soon. It is "adults only" (there is no "adult humor," just an elegant and formal ambience to the evening). His rendition of " Think-a-Drink "...
by Jon Elion
January 21st, 2023, 8:33 am
Forum: Buzz
Topic: The February Digital Issue of Genii is Now Live
Replies: 1
Views: 684

Re: The February Digital Issue of Genii is Now Live

Another terrific issue!

NOTE: Typo at the top of page 60 -- I believe that it should read "blue-backed Kings," not "blue-backed Queens."
by Jon Elion
December 16th, 2022, 10:51 am
Forum: Close-Up Magic
Topic: Organizing Coins
Replies: 4
Views: 1169

Re: Organizing Coins

I have a bunch of half dollars and silver dollars in the album that I mention. I prefer the album (or 3-ring binder) format rather than the "Coin Capsules" that Jim references -- also an excellent choice but the pages are easier to spot the desired coins (and I use a label-maker to label t...
by Jon Elion
December 14th, 2022, 8:49 am
Forum: Close-Up Magic
Topic: Organizing Coins
Replies: 4
Views: 1169

Organizing Coins

Over many decades, I have collected a nice assortment of coins, including genuine old coins, various gaffes, and more recently some nice replicas. I have tried a variety of ways to keep them organized, labeled, and ready to use, but until now, none were satisfactory. I finally find what is for me an...
by Jon Elion
December 1st, 2022, 9:33 pm
Forum: Collector's Marketplace
Topic: BEWARE of Scammers Selling Here
Replies: 20
Views: 2530

Re: BEWARE of Scammers Selling Here

... Sometimes folks pay and then demand returns (or discounts) for either trivial reasons or even switch the working item you sold them for a broken one. (Recording serial numbers (if any) and taking detailed pictures of the item and box prior to shipping can serve as evidence of the condition of t...
by Jon Elion
December 1st, 2022, 9:21 am
Forum: Collector's Marketplace
Topic: BEWARE of Scammers Selling Here
Replies: 20
Views: 2530

Re: BEWARE of Scammers Selling Here

I am always nervous about purchasing from magicians on the internet. Even well known and respected names fail to fulfill orders not necessarily because they are trying to scam you but because they are highly disorganised and inefficient. Not only that they seem to have run into money problems which...
by Jon Elion
December 1st, 2022, 9:10 am
Forum: Collector's Marketplace
Topic: Busby's Epoptica Magazine Numbers 1-12 & Yearbook
Replies: 0
Views: 574

Busby's Epoptica Magazine Numbers 1-12 & Yearbook

I am selling Jeff Busby's Epoptica Magazine Numbers 1-12 plus the Yearbook issue on eBay. Click here to see the listing.
by Jon Elion
October 29th, 2022, 6:14 am
Forum: Close-Up Magic
Topic: 3D Printing Designer
Replies: 11
Views: 2656

Re: 3D Printing Designer

Chris Wasshuber has been 3D printing since at least 2012 and is still active with it today.
by Jon Elion
October 9th, 2022, 6:46 pm
Forum: Close-Up Magic
Topic: Trick with Casino "Cut Card"
Replies: 6
Views: 1450

Re: Trick with Casino "Cut Card"

Looking forward to it, Bob. Cut cards seem like a natural addition to a card-handler's arsenal; I'm surprised there aren't more routines that use them.
by Jon Elion
October 9th, 2022, 5:45 pm
Forum: Close-Up Magic
Topic: Trick with Casino "Cut Card"
Replies: 6
Views: 1450

Re: Trick with Casino "Cut Card"

YES -- that's the one!! Thanks for the fast response, Mike. Given enough time I would have figured it out (or come across it again), as I recently learned the Aronson stack and have been looking for routines to learn. And "Luckiest Cards in Vegas" is indeed first-rate.

Phew!
by Jon Elion
October 9th, 2022, 5:21 pm
Forum: Close-Up Magic
Topic: Trick with Casino "Cut Card"
Replies: 6
Views: 1450

Trick with Casino "Cut Card"

Recently I found a nifty card routine that used a casino "cut card" (a solid-colored card used to determine where to cut a deck of cards in a game like Blackjack). I was so impressed that I ordered a few cut cards (click here to see how they look). But now I can't for the life of me rememb...
by Jon Elion
September 26th, 2022, 10:49 pm
Forum: Buzz
Topic: Linking Finger Ring Project
Replies: 3
Views: 1084

Re: Linking Finger Ring Project

The rings are first-rate, as is the downloadable background and instructional video. Great tips and nice performance video at the Castle.

Glad I got in on this round!
by Jon Elion
September 19th, 2022, 8:01 pm
Forum: Mentalism & Mental Magic
Topic: Brainwave Rationale
Replies: 17
Views: 4205

Re: Brainwave Rationale

Let me describe my handling of the Invisible Deck first (done as an opener at a sit-down close-up show). There is an Invisible Deck in its case in my lap. I bring out an empty (and visible!) card box. The first part of the routine is usually done silently as a mischievous pantomime. For the sake of ...
by Jon Elion
September 15th, 2022, 10:38 pm
Forum: Mentalism & Mental Magic
Topic: Minature Tarot Deck
Replies: 6
Views: 2850

Minature Tarot Deck

I bet I could make a small fortune with these. ;)
by Jon Elion
August 15th, 2022, 6:09 pm
Forum: Buzz
Topic: Anyone heard from Mark Elsdon?
Replies: 1
Views: 705

Anyone heard from Mark Elsdon?

Has anyone heard from Mark Elsdon recently? I have had trouble reaching him by email or Facebook (I saw that he suspended the Hidden Gems private Facebook group...)

Thanks!

-Jon
by Jon Elion
July 4th, 2022, 7:32 pm
Forum: Buzz
Topic: The Folks at Genii Wish You A Happy July 4th
Replies: 11
Views: 2101

Re: The Folks at Genii Wish You A Happy July 4th

I don't get it -- what's the big deal? Grater Magic
by Jon Elion
June 30th, 2022, 8:00 am
Forum: Buzz
Topic: Another Genii Convention in 2022?
Replies: 17
Views: 3426

Re: Another Genii Convention in 2022?

Must be safe to assume by now that this is not happening. :-(
by Jon Elion
April 4th, 2022, 8:20 am
Forum: Buzz
Topic: Crystal Billet Box
Replies: 5
Views: 1461

Re: Crystal Billet Box

The quality on David's Crystal Billet Box is first-rate, and the associated instructional video well-produced, informative, and gets the creative juices flowing. I felt like I was sitting down with a friend in the living room as he shared his knowledge and love for performance. If you need see anoth...
by Jon Elion
January 12th, 2022, 7:25 pm
Forum: General
Topic: Best Mathe-Magic Book?
Replies: 24
Views: 7150

Re: Best Mathe-Magic Book?

+1 for Harry Lorayne's "Mathematical Wizardry." It is available as an ebook or as a softcover book.

BTW, I ordered my copy from Harry when the book first came out. He was very amused to find that I made a math error in totaling up my order ;-)
by Jon Elion
November 28th, 2021, 4:44 pm
Forum: Magic History and Anecdotes
Topic: Al Mann's Glass Box
Replies: 7
Views: 2020

Re: Al Mann's Glass Box

The copy of the Al Mann manuscript that I have is not dated. The intro says "What follows here is only one of many ideas discussed with Richard Himber in the early 1959 after his release of the Diamond Prediction Chest" in case that is helpful at all.
by Jon Elion
October 6th, 2021, 9:25 am
Forum: Close-Up Magic
Topic: Do we see reality?
Replies: 82
Views: 7316

Re: Do we see reality?

The brain counteracts these movements by by steadying them and making everything appear smooth. While the the brain is using saccadic movements to read, it searches ... OMG! I am very familiar with the "Paris in the the Spring" phenomenon, so I smugly looked at it quickly and thought myse...
by Jon Elion
October 1st, 2021, 3:37 pm
Forum: Close-Up Magic
Topic: examinable
Replies: 9
Views: 1326

Re: examinable

At one event a person said to me that card tricks are all palming. I showed him two tricks using a palm. I assume he didn't have a clue. We are devious aren't we. I was hanging around Al Cohen's shop in DC one day when a customer came in complaining bitterly that the thumb tip he had purchased the ...
by Jon Elion
September 22nd, 2021, 2:02 pm
Forum: Mentalism & Mental Magic
Topic: Equivoque Origins
Replies: 19
Views: 5503

Re: Equivoque Origins

You chose Ponsin's Nouvelle Magie Blanche Dévoilée? Great, then that's the one we'll set aside. That leaves us with Magie Blanche Dévoilée, so that's the one we'll use...
by Jon Elion
August 21st, 2021, 9:22 am
Forum: Collector's Marketplace
Topic: Needing A Couple Cards
Replies: 4
Views: 683

Re: Needing A Couple Cards

I hadn't see these before They look like they have lots of possibilities for creative routines. They can be found here: https://www.amazon.com/Ellusionist-Bicycle-Black-Ghost-Playing/dp/B0018DPOMM/ref=sr_1_3?dchild=1&keywords=bicycle+ghost+deck&qid=1629551905&sr=8-3
by Jon Elion
July 19th, 2021, 12:46 pm
Forum: Buzz
Topic: Another Genii Convention in 2022?
Replies: 17
Views: 3426

Re: Another Genii Convention in 2022?

Count me in!
by Jon Elion
May 25th, 2021, 11:35 am
Forum: Kaufman & Company
Topic: Yahoo! Mr. Jennings Takes it Easy Has Shipped!
Replies: 80
Views: 59740

Re: Yahoo! Mr. Jennings Takes it Easy Has Shipped!

I like to support the author ;)
by Jon Elion
February 14th, 2021, 10:33 am
Forum: iGenii
Topic: Error while printing from Magic Magazine
Replies: 26
Views: 11172

Error while printing from Magic Magazine

Is there a known problem with printing/downloading from digital back issues of Magic? I am trying to download a page from the October 1996 issue, but it gives an error. This happens in both FireFox and Chrome (latest versions).
by Jon Elion
January 27th, 2021, 7:17 pm
Forum: Close-Up Magic
Topic: Impromptu Coin Magic
Replies: 15
Views: 5187

Re: Impromptu Coin Magic

And anyone who doesn't have Rubinstein's Coin Magic yet should drop everything and order a copy from him right now. It is a truly amazing labor of love, the result of a lifetime of work in the field and will give you a lifetime of fun things to work on. Sorry I waited so long to get my copy; I am tr...
by Jon Elion
December 1st, 2020, 5:45 pm
Forum: Collector's Marketplace
Topic: WTB Books by Carney ,Garcia , Mullica ,Maze
Replies: 2
Views: 1064

Re: WTB Books by Carney ,Garcia , Mullica ,Maze

Mike -- I replied to you via PM.
by Jon Elion
July 12th, 2020, 5:24 pm
Forum: Buzz
Topic: Fool US
Replies: 136
Views: 18964

Re: Fool US

The Jennings coin toss is in Richard's Almanac. But based on what is published there and what was said during Penn & Teller's attempt at an explanation, Wes did not use Jennings' method.
by Jon Elion
June 16th, 2020, 6:00 am
Forum: Marketing & Magic Business
Topic: Why is editing so bad in magic publications?
Replies: 115
Views: 27835

Re: Why is editing so bad in magic publications?

I am trying to make less grammatical errors. ;)
by Jon Elion
February 16th, 2020, 1:15 pm
Forum: Light From the Lamp
Topic: "Secret Language" by Helder Guimarães
Replies: 3
Views: 9316

"Secret Language" by Helder Guimarães

OMG! My long-awaited copy of Helder's "Secret Language" has arrived, and it is a stunning masterpiece. I can't possibly present a credible review, as this is not a tome to skip over lightly or quickly. I am barely 100 pages into it and have tumbled completely an thoroughly into a whole new...
by Jon Elion
January 2nd, 2020, 9:04 pm
Forum: Mentalism & Mental Magic
Topic: A. Jon Deery's Spirit Bell
Replies: 0
Views: 3651

A. Jon Deery's Spirit Bell

I have been looking at various Spirit Bells for a while, but wasn't moved to purchase one as I was not able to visualize myself using any of them. While there are some excellent choices being marketed, none of them "spoke" to me. Inspired by reading "The Spirit Bell" manuscript f...
by Jon Elion
November 13th, 2019, 6:48 am
Forum: Close-Up Magic
Topic: Ring Box For A Coin
Replies: 16
Views: 3790

Re: Ring Box For A Coin

Check out Steve Dusheck's Confounding Coffer. Click here for a video.

Also Mark Leveridge's Ultimate Lightning Ring Box. I believe that Mark still has a description available here, but I am not a member of his site and cannot view that text.
by Jon Elion
October 1st, 2019, 3:32 pm
Forum: Buzz
Topic: New David Regal Book Coming in September
Replies: 43
Views: 15110

Re: New David Regal Book Coming in September

My copy arrived in Rhode Island yesterday. I have a good-sized library of books on magic, but I dare say that this one could replace them all. Top-notch magic, well-written, beautiful (and copious) photographs, high-quality printing and binding. The routines are clearly the product of many years of ...
by Jon Elion
June 5th, 2019, 8:15 pm
Forum: Link Watch
Topic: The End Times Magazine
Replies: 74
Views: 49099

Re: The End Times Magazine

I second Doug's recommendation to subscribe to "End Times." Ryan's books are mainly his own material, while End Times is largely contributions from friends and colleagues, collated, written and photographed by him and augmented as needed. It is clear that Ryan heavily edits and revises the...
by Jon Elion
May 1st, 2019, 3:05 pm
Forum: Collector's Marketplace
Topic: Universities or Institutions With Magic Collections
Replies: 4
Views: 1350

Re: Universities or Institutions With Magic Collections

The H. Adrian Smith Collection at Brown University. From their web site: https://library.brown.edu/collatoz/info.php?id=104 The H. Adrian Smith Collection of Conjuring and Magicana, long considered one of the finest private libraries on conjuring and magic, includes 16th century titles on natural ma...
by Jon Elion
March 13th, 2019, 6:51 am
Forum: Link Watch
Topic: The End Times Magazine
Replies: 74
Views: 49099

Re: The End Times Magazine

The 1st issue of The End Times Magazine was (is) OUTSTANDING! I consider it one of the best bargains around, and one of the finest publications in my rather large magic library. Beautifully produced, clearly written and photographed with truly outstanding effects. The sleights shown are not difficul...
by Jon Elion
February 21st, 2019, 12:58 pm
Forum: Buzz
Topic: Jim Swain in the News
Replies: 11
Views: 3662

Re: Jim Swain in the News

I cannot speak for Mr. Maven, 'natch, but to my knowledge there are currently only two books in the Billy Cunningham series, Take Down, and Bad Action. Both are fun reads and need not be read in order, but doing so makes sense while there are so few. There is a third book in the Billy Cunningham se...

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