I think it is great that Abbott's has provided many of their trick instructions, manuscripts, and books as downloads, most for only $4.00.
One thing I was disappointed in is the PDF catalog of all the downloads. Rather than including the full details of the items, the PDF catalog only includes the short descriptions. If you really want to see more details, you still have to browse to that specific item page. So, I've corrected that. I've gone through their online catalog and have compiled text files of all of the effects along with there full descriptions, as long as one was provided on the Abbott's site. The text files do NOT contain the hyperlinks to the individual effects, however. There are three files: abbottinstructions.txt; abbottsebooks.txt, and abbottsmanuscripts.txt. Each can be downloaded from my website.
Instructions: http://magicref.tripod.com/magref/abbot ... ctions.txt
e-Books: http://magicref.tripod.com/magref/abbottsebooks.txt
Manuscripts: http://magicref.tripod.com/magref/abbot ... cripts.txt
I've sent an e-mail to Abbott's with this information as well. Maybe they'll make a new catalog!
Doug A.
Abbott's Downloads
Re: Abbott's Downloads
More on Abbott's downloads:
Be careful before you buy some of the instructions! There are several cases where you can buy the physical copy of the effect (in some cases along with the needed cards or other props) for less than the download. Of course, you have to pay shipping, so there may still be a purpose for the download version, but just be sure to do your homework!
For example, the following have downloadable instructions for $4.00, but the effect is available for $2.00:
Cardtration
Color I Do As U
Gamblers Expose
Ingenio
Shirt Pulling Trick
Simplex Four Ace Trick
Straight Gambler
TEN (card effect)
Thief of Judpaw (Eddie Joseph)
Zens 15 Card Trick
Zens Card Miracle
On the flip side, there is a trick like Perpetual Balls, which costs $4.00 for the instructions, or $5.00 for the full effect, but the effect doesn't come with balls so is likely just the instructions. In this case the download is likely the better deal.
Silks From Newspaper download is $4.00, but for $5.00 you can get the whole trick and I assume it comes with the four silks.
The Sting download is $4.00, but for $5.00 you get the cards, clip and wallet.
Just some tips!
Doug A.
Be careful before you buy some of the instructions! There are several cases where you can buy the physical copy of the effect (in some cases along with the needed cards or other props) for less than the download. Of course, you have to pay shipping, so there may still be a purpose for the download version, but just be sure to do your homework!
For example, the following have downloadable instructions for $4.00, but the effect is available for $2.00:
Cardtration
Color I Do As U
Gamblers Expose
Ingenio
Shirt Pulling Trick
Simplex Four Ace Trick
Straight Gambler
TEN (card effect)
Thief of Judpaw (Eddie Joseph)
Zens 15 Card Trick
Zens Card Miracle
On the flip side, there is a trick like Perpetual Balls, which costs $4.00 for the instructions, or $5.00 for the full effect, but the effect doesn't come with balls so is likely just the instructions. In this case the download is likely the better deal.
Silks From Newspaper download is $4.00, but for $5.00 you can get the whole trick and I assume it comes with the four silks.
The Sting download is $4.00, but for $5.00 you get the cards, clip and wallet.
Just some tips!
Doug A.