Search found 564 matches
- December 30th, 2020, 9:07 am
- Forum: Close-Up Magic
- Topic: Memorization
- Replies: 33
- Views: 2230
Re: Memorization
Mnemonics and peg systems just don't work for me, I've tried numerous times. I need a stack that uses rules/math and then that blends into memorization. Haven't played with a stack in quite a while though. Same here. Without Joyal's book, I doubt I ever would have committed a stack to memory. (And,...
- December 27th, 2020, 10:18 am
- Forum: Buzz
- Topic: Holiday Treats(?)
- Replies: 1
- Views: 801
Re: Holiday Treats(?)
Thanks to those intrigued enough to take a look. Still "on the house" until midnight CST tonight.
Cheers,
Hostler
Cheers,
Hostler
- December 23rd, 2020, 7:38 pm
- Forum: Light From the Lamp
- Topic: "Distilled" by Ryan Plunkett: opinions, please?
- Replies: 7
- Views: 2295
Re: "Distilled" by Ryan Plunkett: opinions, please?
I've noticed nothing unusual about the writing. Fairly "in the pocket" for books of its kind. Photo-illustrated in full color. Fine piece of wordage; worth the $$$ for genuinely road-tested material.
- December 23rd, 2020, 5:34 pm
- Forum: Buzz
- Topic: Holiday Treats(?)
- Replies: 1
- Views: 801
Holiday Treats(?)
As an antidote to dreary "heartland" weather - and in celebration of 2020's demise (may we never speak of her again) - a couple of pandemic holiday treats. Gratis. Message me if interested... "Of Tactics, Touches, and Tells" (aka “Lucky Chip”) - A little miracle with a poker chip...
- December 22nd, 2020, 9:49 am
- Forum: Close-Up Magic
- Topic: Memorization
- Replies: 33
- Views: 2230
Re: Memorization
Mnemonics and peg systems just don't work for me, I've tried numerous times. I need a stack that uses rules/math and then that blends into memorization. Haven't played with a stack in quite a while though. Same here. Without Joyal's book, I doubt I ever would have committed a stack to memory. (And,...
- November 26th, 2020, 9:04 am
- Forum: General
- Topic: Why are a lot of magicians boring when performing?
- Replies: 33
- Views: 2245
Re: Why are a lot of magicians boring when performing?
To use magic (or anything theatrical) as the springboard for a "conversation" or a larger point, the latter must be somewhat coherent and emotionally aligned with the springboard. Suggesting that you're OK with "trashing the planet" and not recycling because this changes the cour...
- November 25th, 2020, 7:35 pm
- Forum: Buzz
- Topic: Matt Field Has Died
- Replies: 12
- Views: 1497
Re: Matt Field Has Died
Really enjoyed the music-related chats I had with Matt. A genuinely nice guy whose interests and talent extended well beyond magic.
- November 25th, 2020, 7:15 am
- Forum: General
- Topic: Why are a lot of magicians boring when performing?
- Replies: 33
- Views: 2245
Re: Why are a lot of magicians boring when performing?
Only a small percentage of practitioners understand magic as a performing art, and even fewer are any good at it. Meanwhile, the sheer volume of material - and number of folks (especially young folks) capable of advanced sleight of hand - has exploded. I don't think personality has much to do with i...
Re: ERDNASE
... I wondered why he would have had the book printed in Chicago, when he could have done it in house. I assume for the same reason he used a pseudonym. Upstanding member of the community etc. etc. The nine-year age difference doesn't bother me so much; a man in good health at 49 could pass for 40....
Re: ERDNASE
Has anyone ever looked into newspaperman Eber S. Andrews? He certainly had the writing chops, publishing know-how, and financial means necessary to pull off the first edition. What he lacked was everything else - any known connection to gambling or magic.
- August 22nd, 2020, 2:56 pm
- Forum: General
- Topic: Pricey Magic?
- Replies: 1
- Views: 594
Pricey Magic?
Not long before COVID-19 upended planet earth, there was much grousing concerning the steady stream of huge, "over-priced" books hitting the magic market. So I had some fun with an inflation calculator this afternoon... • Nemo 500 & Kaps wallets from Joe Stevens - $75 each in 1983 ($19...
- August 21st, 2020, 8:26 pm
- Forum: Collector's Marketplace
- Topic: Books - David Roth, John Born, Michael Murray, Simon Lovell
- Replies: 1
- Views: 463
- August 9th, 2020, 5:53 pm
- Forum: Collector's Marketplace
- Topic: Books - David Roth, John Born, Michael Murray, Simon Lovell
- Replies: 1
- Views: 463
Books - David Roth, John Born, Michael Murray, Simon Lovell
A few books for your consideration, all in great condition. Add $3 per book for media mail to the lower 48 United States: David Roth’s Expert Coin Magic (1st edition with slipcase) - $99 Meant to Be by John Born (1st edition, 3rd printing; hardcover with no dust jacket – I believe “as issued”) - $69...
- August 2nd, 2020, 5:00 pm
- Forum: Buzz
- Topic: RIP John Mendoza
- Replies: 11
- Views: 1548
Re: RIP John Mendoza
Very sad to hear this. Seeing John at the shop in St. Louis was a treat and - though he never knew it - one of the reasons I'm still in magic today. Re-reading Portfolio #1 at the moment. RIP...
Re: Fool US
…once again proving Charlie Miller’s old maxim, “As logicians and philosophers, magicians make great cat sitters.” That performance was nothing less than a love letter to future magicians. The premise of the show is superb, both the hosts and producers want nothing but the best for magic as an art/c...
Re: Fool US
MagicbyAlfred wrote:... When they inevitably expose the double lift...
This "simple" sleight (and even moreso its sister "double turnover") is performed so poorly by even seasoned magicians that I'd say we've already exposed the heck out of it.

- June 27th, 2020, 9:40 pm
- Forum: Buzz
- Topic: Remembering Louis Falanga
- Replies: 16
- Views: 2545
Re: Remembering Louis Falanga
Louis was apparently a pretty well-rounded guy. I just now made the connection that he was the same Falanga well-known in concert taping and Grateful Dead circles. RIP.
- May 30th, 2020, 9:19 pm
- Forum: Close-Up Magic
- Topic: Wrist Watch "Quick Change"
- Replies: 3
- Views: 458
Re: Wrist Watch "Quick Change"
Jack Shalom wrote:I wonder if the watch change would register...unless the watch turned out to be the spec's...
A simple pre-change cue sets it up. ("Why on earth did I buy a [color] watch? Can you help me...") That part isn't my worry. The credit police, though... those guys are terrifying.
- May 30th, 2020, 8:59 pm
- Forum: Close-Up Magic
- Topic: Wrist Watch "Quick Change"
- Replies: 3
- Views: 458
Wrist Watch "Quick Change"
So... back in the dark ages when I first learned Rollover Aces, I thought it might be fun to time the sequence (as other performers have) but with a little twist. The gist of it is that I'd complain about my wrist watch being hard to read, have an audience member time the thing with their own, and t...
- May 25th, 2020, 9:57 am
- Forum: Buzz
- Topic: Big Announcement from The Jerx
- Replies: 55
- Views: 5344
Re: Big Announcement from The Jerx
You're all so quick to write off the most obvious conclusion: Derren has an identical (and rather mischievous) twin, also named Derren.
- May 24th, 2020, 6:43 pm
- Forum: Buzz
- Topic: Big Announcement from The Jerx
- Replies: 55
- Views: 5344
Re: Big Announcement from The Jerx
According to his 5/27/15 post, the original MCJ ended at "a very busy time in my life." This would have been in the thick of "Trick of the Mind." He drops another bit of relevant info in that post as well. (There's also a mathematical/numerological/vitamin B2-infused proof... but...
- May 24th, 2020, 11:31 am
- Forum: Buzz
- Topic: Big Announcement from The Jerx
- Replies: 55
- Views: 5344
Re: Big Announcement from The Jerx
Holy cow. Assuming this isn't a huge put-on, it feels really weird having had email conversations with the man - who at one point referred to himself as "nobody of any consequence." If "Andy" HAS managed to fabricate this... well, major kudos!
- May 23rd, 2020, 9:40 pm
- Forum: Collector's Marketplace
- Topic: Ramon Rioboo's Second Thoughts (and Cy Endfield... and Karrell Fox...)
- Replies: 1
- Views: 278
- May 23rd, 2020, 6:57 pm
- Forum: Collector's Marketplace
- Topic: Ramon Rioboo's Second Thoughts (and Cy Endfield... and Karrell Fox...)
- Replies: 1
- Views: 278
Ramon Rioboo's Second Thoughts (and Cy Endfield... and Karrell Fox...)
For your consideration… A near-mint copy of Ramon Rioboo’s “Second Thoughts.” Hardcover, 356 pages. Low-sleight material from another master of the Spanish school. (This is the 2019 English language Hermetic Press edition…) As a quarantine bonus, I’ll throw in a copy of Karrell Fox’s AbraKFox (compl...
- May 15th, 2020, 5:26 pm
- Forum: Magic History and Anecdotes
- Topic: My magic videos from 70s. 80s and 90s
- Replies: 51
- Views: 3997
Re: My magic videos from 70s. 80s and 90s
Your quotes may have been accurate, but not your interpretation. In the US, if I own rights to a video of your performance, only I have legal recourse for the theft or unauthorized use of that content. Not you. You forfeit those rights to me upon purchase, unless otherwise specified. That's only wh...
- May 15th, 2020, 11:44 am
- Forum: Magic History and Anecdotes
- Topic: My magic videos from 70s. 80s and 90s
- Replies: 51
- Views: 3997
Re: My magic videos from 70s. 80s and 90s
but US law is what it is. I just quoted the US law above... There's no need to take my word for it, when you can read it for yourself. Why is it that in the whole world, it is only on the Genii forum that people stand up and shout "I DO NOT OWN MY OWN WORK!!!" ? Your quotes may have been ...
- May 15th, 2020, 8:44 am
- Forum: Magic History and Anecdotes
- Topic: My magic videos from 70s. 80s and 90s
- Replies: 51
- Views: 3997
Re: My magic videos from 70s. 80s and 90s
Tom, I have no idea what you are talking about. That's all I'm going to say. If you had read just a few words more, you would have found the relevant section. In short, you have the exclusive rights to authorize someone else to display or air your work. No need at all to transfer your copyright - t...
- May 14th, 2020, 6:39 pm
- Forum: Magic History and Anecdotes
- Topic: My magic videos from 70s. 80s and 90s
- Replies: 51
- Views: 3997
Re: My magic videos from 70s. 80s and 90s
If Dimmare was on a Luis de Matos show, I wouldn't think he owned the copyright -- de Matos would. And therefore he wasn't in a position to claim the youtube video infringed him. Of course, it depends on the contracts, to which I am not privy. An artist obviously own the copyright to their own work...
- April 24th, 2020, 7:39 pm
- Forum: Buzz
- Topic: Miss Smyth - IMO John Prine
- Replies: 3
- Views: 777
Re: Miss Smyth - IMO John Prine
Last call for Mrs. Smyth. (She "married well" last week.) Just shoot an email to hostlerj at geemail dot com before the happy couple jets to the glass spheres of Kakslauttanen on Sunday.
- April 14th, 2020, 12:09 pm
- Forum: Buzz
- Topic: Miss Smyth - IMO John Prine
- Replies: 3
- Views: 777
Re: Miss Smyth - IMO John Prine
Thanks, Daniel (and the other folks who have provided kind feedback). While born of the need for some serious distraction, this was a blast to think through. I'm surprised more hasn't been written about / done with the secondary mathematical principle involved.
- April 11th, 2020, 9:59 pm
- Forum: Buzz
- Topic: Miss Smyth - IMO John Prine
- Replies: 3
- Views: 777
Miss Smyth - IMO John Prine
Available to any serious magicians who may be interested... "Miss Smyth," a new take on ye ol' Smith Myth. No force. No setup. No charge. No nothin'.
In memory of the greatest American[a] songwriter of our time, John Prine.
Email me if interested.
JMH
hostlerj at geemail dot com
In memory of the greatest American[a] songwriter of our time, John Prine.
Email me if interested.
JMH
hostlerj at geemail dot com
Re: ERDNASE
After wading through quite a bit of Steve Forte's Erdnase section, I keep coming back to two statements near the beginning. Both reflect key themes running throughout the text. The first (page 611) implies that Steve's core finding - that SWE was not a professional card cheat - is inconsistent with ...
- February 23rd, 2020, 6:27 pm
- Forum: Mentalism & Mental Magic
- Topic: A White Sport Coat
- Replies: 7
- Views: 2334
Re: A White Sport Coat
Bob Farmer wrote:Not a Parrothead! Before Jimmy there was Marty:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zD8MnvyAi6I
I have been schooled - the strangest part being, I know the song well. Just never made the connection!
- February 23rd, 2020, 5:10 pm
- Forum: Mentalism & Mental Magic
- Topic: A White Sport Coat
- Replies: 7
- Views: 2334
- February 8th, 2020, 5:29 pm
- Forum: Collector's Marketplace
- Topic: Lot of 11 Books - Parr, Fayne, Mann, Minch, etc.
- Replies: 1
- Views: 595
Re: Lot of 11 Books - Parr, Fayne, Mann, Minch, etc.
Decided to have some fun with this. Now listed on eBay (24-hour auction) at $49.99.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/164073385869
https://www.ebay.com/itm/164073385869
- February 8th, 2020, 11:48 am
- Forum: General
- Topic: A BOOK, A DECK OF CARDS & A DESERTED ISLAND
- Replies: 40
- Views: 5925
- February 8th, 2020, 10:43 am
- Forum: Collector's Marketplace
- Topic: Lot of 11 Books - Parr, Fayne, Mann, Minch, etc.
- Replies: 1
- Views: 595
Lot of 11 Books - Parr, Fayne, Mann, Minch, etc.
My asking price of $75 (this INCLUDES media mail shipping to the continental US) reflects the generally “used” condition of this lot. I’ve highlighted the conditional quirks of a few books, but this shouldn’t be considered an exhaustive description: • Brain Food by David Parr (hardcover with dust ja...
- February 1st, 2020, 5:27 pm
- Forum: Buzz
- Topic: Announcement regarding new Steve Forte book
- Replies: 158
- Views: 24315
Re: Announcement regarding new Steve Forte book
This is really simple. ... 4) The obvious solution to the current "issue:" Steve could hand-number each book in the current run of 1000. He'll be signing most of them anyway. ... Hm, reminds me of expensive art prints, where a certain quantity are uniquely numbered (and perhaps signed) wh...
- February 1st, 2020, 10:52 am
- Forum: Buzz
- Topic: Announcement regarding new Steve Forte book
- Replies: 158
- Views: 24315
Re: Announcement regarding new Steve Forte book
This is really simple. 1) Producing something as a limited edition DOES add value and drive demand. That's why it's done. 2) Producing something as a limited edition DOES obligate the seller (ethically, if not legally) to maintain the edition's limited status. 3) Both sellers and buyers should exerc...
- December 30th, 2019, 2:19 pm
- Forum: Reference Room
- Topic: Book(s) of the Year
- Replies: 22
- Views: 3857
Re: Book(s) of the Year
FWIW, there was apparently an episode of "Magic Newswire" where Johnny Thompson, Harry Riser and Bob White discussed the Miller/Vernon material in ECT (http://magicnews.libsyn.com/mnw336-redux-the-charlie-miller-interview). A few hints can be found here >> https://www.magicana.com/news/blo...