The Genii Forum

Jim Riser

Originally posted by Doug Edwards: There seems to be a lot of confusion (and rightfully so) as there were so many Vanishing Bird Cages made by different manufacturers in the past century. The market was literally flooded. <snip> The Lindhorst models are nice but it's inferior to the Holmdale model ...

Jim Riser

Pete, it's very difficult to document exactly who made what cages. Some are marked/stamped and most are not. Often the maker sold them on his own and through dealers who claimed the cages as their own. One of my cages is a rather large flexible ribbon covered cage that most likely predates Abbotts M...

Jim Riser

For your information and enjoyment I have posted a few images comparing currently available cages. If interested, you may see things at: <a class="postlink" href="http://jamesriser.com/Magic/Vanishing/Birdcage.html">http://jamesriser.com/Magic/Vanishing/Birdcage.html</a> :) Jim

Jim Riser

Pete and Keith;
Try www.owenmagic.com

Cage is under livestock
Martin pull is under new items

Jim

Jim Riser

Ray; I'll respond to your question about a quality pull first. For years I merely used a nylon cord pull with no problems - just loop it areond the left forearm and you are ready to go. I always set the length so that the final position of the cage was between my elbow and shoulder. In this position...

Jim Riser

Matt;
Geno was kind enough to take me on a tour of his production facility about a year ago. He is set up properly for making the gaffed cards and I would expect the items to be of good quality.
Jim

Jim Riser

Originally posted by mrgoat: OK then Seems they are not 'quality' rings. <snip> Is there anyone else that sells 4 rings, same size, but good? <snip> So, that aside, does anyone know of anywhere, or anyone that will sell me some decent small linking rings? Please? I will pay handsomely if I can find...

Jim Riser

Mike; Thanks for the kind words concerning my work. RE: The Ring Chipping Problem Pete, just replating the rings with nickel would probably not solve the chipping problem. Some time ago when Martin Lewis approached me about making the McAbee Rings, I suggested using hardened pure nickel silver for t...

Jim Riser

Chuck;
Thanks for sharing your collection. I always enjoy seeing how other makers solved problems when making their items. ;)
Jim

Jim Riser

I am going to be in the Philadelphia area in a week and would like a favor from a Philly magician. If interested, please contact me by direct email. Thanks.
Jim

Jim Riser

"mwa-ha-ha" =

Magnificent Work Applied - Highly Acceptable - Hardly Available ? :eek:

Just a guess.
Jim

Jim Riser

George;
Now I fully understand why you wanted a Riser/Loomis Micro Chop Cup! Space requirements!

I'm helping my younger son move from Hollywood to Philly next week. I can sympathize :)

Good luck.
Jim

Jim Riser

Jeff is correct about the solid balls not having the same appearance as the shell. In addition to using a "shell-less" routine, this can be counteracted by utilizing hollow balls or by carefully selecting the background. Many backgrounds will not accent this change in optical properties. Jim

Jim Riser

FYI - There are significant variations in zombie balls. The balls themselves are not all made the same. To the casual looker they do all appear the same. Possibly the best zombie balls were the ones spun at Rings n Things when Mike Brazill was in charge. The two halves were of different thicknesses ...

Jim Riser

Yeah, Pete will price it at $999,999.99 so he can say it is under $1,000,000.00 :rolleyes:
Jim

Jim Riser

Steve V; Your original post sort of implied that you might be interested in importing cups. I was merely trying to help you avoid untold quality headaches with importing cups from "the Orient". Sorry for the misunderstanding. The customs info is useful as long as whoever in customs process...

Jim Riser

I told them all that I wasn't interested in making the gimmick. It's not the sort of thing I want to be associated with. Did Siros have a similar gimmick?
Jim

Jim Riser

Steve V.;
Before you get all excited about importing a "bunch of copper cups", I suggest that you have a long chat with Tom Frank concerning the expenses, headaches, and quality concerns. It may well not turn out to be the profit maker you have in mind. :eek:

Jim Riser

Originally posted by Whit Haydn:
Anyone seen Bob Brown and Brenda's free-standing levitation? I have a photo.

Whit;
I've never seen it; but have emails from a half dozen guys this year alone who want me to make them the metal work for it. Somebody must like it. :D
Jim

Jim Riser

No problem, I just wanted to let you know that I had been notified that the set was available. There seems to be no shortage of interest in the plated set. :)
Jim

Jim Riser

I was contacted last week by a guy with a set of plated (nickel or chrome?) Paul Fox Cups that he got directly from Danny Dew. These are mint. He used to be Danny's neighbor - so I know they are the real thing.

Contact me off of the forum, if interested.
Jim

Jim Riser

Hey Carlos;
I even have a few sets never touched by anyone but the maker :)
Jim

Jim Riser

Geoff; Apparently you just do not understand props. Here's how the level of mystery is accomplished. The idea is to have such a garrish paint job on that unusual looking thing that instead of closely watching the performance, people will be asking themselves things like "where did he find such ...

Jim Riser

Originally posted by Geoff Latta: Topic: Prop Magicians Are Boring? Yes. Now, Geoff, just looking at many of the stupid looking props with their poorly stenciled designs featuring all kinds of overspray is rather comical. Watching the magic props for sale on ebay is in itself entertaining. The glow...

Jim Riser

Pete;
Someone really cleaned those up. I doubt if they were that shiny when new! Yours was nicer! People ask where to get such trimmers...they show up on ebay about 3-4 times per year.
Jim

Jim Riser

Jeff; I did not realize that Dustin had an vision problem. I have a slightly larger trimmer for books: <a class="postlink" href="http://www.jamesriser.com/Magic/LargeTrimmer.jpg">http://www.jamesriser.com/Magic/LargeTrimmer.jpg</a> I would not suggest trying it for finger nails! ...

Jim Riser

Jeff; If Dustin carefully applies shrinking fluid to the offending oversized tomes, he can reduce them in size to match the others. It's quicker than trimming. BTW - the same fluid is great for making diminishing cards, balls, etc. You must be careful when using it, though. If you spill some on your...

Jim Riser

For those interested in making belly strippers. This link shows how I do it:
http://www.jamesriser.com/Magic/Card/Trimmer.html
:)
Jim

Jim Riser

Richard;
I'd like one of :
14) Cardshark by Darwin Ortiz, Deluxe Edition, leather bound in a slipcase, NOT numbered, ltd. to 50, signed by Ortiz. 4 copies. $65 each.

Thanks.
Jim
jriser@jamesriser.com

Jim Riser

Robert; There was also an imported copy of the effect which I felt was better made than the original. The one I have has a plated metal disc to match the container. I'm not certain that a plastic disc would "sink" to make the effect work properly. BTW - I believe Abbotts made the original....

Jim Riser

Here are some additional thoughts to consider when devising your own original routine. Now, to make things really interesting...The slot ring or shell may be introduced and taken away by a Jack Miller type of holdout. BTW - an $1800 holdout version is not necessary for this ;)
Jim

Jim Riser

If you have an extra ring with a slot in it, you can add ring on/off cord/wand/ribbon/shoe lace to the mix. Pete is correct - work out your own routine! This is why I usually provide no routine info with the apparatus I make. I am trying to force the purchaser to think and develop something original...

Jim Riser

OK, guys, in my mind the brahma type cups are already made. The only questions I have before making spinning chucks are:

1. What size/shape of cup do we want?
2. Is this for close-up, platform, or stage?
3. Round or flat handles?

Jim Riser

Dan; Perhaps everything was not clear in my post above. On custom/prototype work I will require dimensioned drawings (the client's). I will make a prototype as per their drawings for "x" amount of dollars. I own nothing related to their project. But, if after making the item as per their d...

Jim Riser

TiJean;
There is some holdout info on my web page at:
http://jamesriser.com/Magic/JamesRiserMagic.html

Be sure to go down to the bottom of the page to the gambling link.
Jim

Jim Riser

Scott; Yes, the wolves and sleazeballs are out there. Anyone in manufacturing today knows that it is a worldwide competitive situation. It is always a matter of time before India or China starts stealing items designed and made in the USA. Then there are also the domestic guys wanting to take your s...

Jim Riser

Robert; Cup numbers are really quite small. I will only spin 12 sets of my jumbos per year. And, yes, that number is firm and will not be swayed by thousands of orders and thoughts of getting a new house. I can only make so many of the cups. It is time consuming work. The jumbos I count! If someone ...

Jim Riser

Robert;
I can give you a little price break on a few thousand of that item. :D
Jim

Jim Riser

Pete; Did I twist your arm? In the past I have seen all of the applicants for my cups perform their routines with whatever cups they currently owned. This year to open it up to even more deserving young magicians (this is female magicians too, of course) I'll probably ask for video tapes of their ro...

Jim Riser

Jon; Geno Munari sells a set of black and chrome finished plastic cups that are nice. I'm not certain if they are made exclusively for his Houdini Magic Shops or generally available. Geno, are you there? Can you help here? BTW - every year I give (yes GIVE) a few nice copper cup sets to deserving bu...

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