New additions to my collection

[KirkW]

Things have been a little quiet on the forum lately so I thought I would post some pictures of the latest gems that I’ve recently added to my collection.

The first is the Magic Pyramid by Magic Design. The quality of this piece top notch and I am pleased to have acquired this for my collection.
I have two other variations of this effect – “Trapped” by 3D Magic Works and “Dice Tower” by our own Simon Craze.
Each of the three versions uses a slightly different method. I like all three versions for different reasons but my favorite, as far as method, goes to the “Magic Pyramid” by Magic Design. Not only can you show each disc separately, as show in the picture below, but once the pyramid is covered and turned up-side-down, you can raise the tube a little to show that the pyramid is actually up-side-down. Then, lower the tube and raise it off a moment later to show the pyramid has magically reversed. No magnets are used. The “stones,” as they call them, are made of plastic and the tube is made of a heavy aluminum. It was definitely made to last!

Magic Pyramid.jpg

Burial Chamber of the Pharaohs (by Future Magic)

This is a great version of the Color Block Escape. I’ve always liked this effect but have never purchased it because there was nothing about it that really intrigued me from a performance standpoint. However, when I saw this one with the Egyptian theme, I had to have it. The story that goes with the effect tells of an Egyptian Pharaoh that was poisoned along with some family and friends. All were placed in the burial chamber and locked in place with the long sword. Your spectator is given the magical power to break the poisonous spell for two individuals. When the burial chamber is tilted, the lid falls open and the two selected blocks/people fall free.

Burial Chamber of the Pharaohs.jpg

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The next three pieces are made by Thomas Pohle. I do like a lot of what he produces but I’m not a big fan of the flimsy materials he has been known to use at times. Having said that, these particular pieces are very well made.


Tarnkappel Deluxe

This is your standard ABC Blocks effect which I’m sure you all know.
There is nothing new or different about this piece, but it is a gorgeous, well made mini version made by Thomas Pohle.

Tarnkappe DeLuxe.jpg

Hexed Dice (Verhexte Würfel)

A red and yellow cube each sit on a pedestal and magically switch places several times under cover of the white decorative tubes. At the end, the two cubes vanish, and a red and yellow sponge ball appear under the covers.
This was part of the same collection as “Tarnkappel Deluxe.” Another gorgeous, well-made piece by Thomas Pohle. No magnets are used with effect.

Bewitched Cubes.jpg

Pikolinus II

This is another great piece by Thomas Pohle. Several magical switches take place with the red pipped and black pipped cubes under cover of the white decorative tubes. (The pips are only on one surface of each cube. All other surfaces are white) I find the method used to accomplish this effect to be quite clever in its simplicity and different, in a way, from anything I’ve seen before. There are no shells, no magnets and nothing is added or taken away… nothing to palm. Once you get the simple handling under your fingers, the effect is basically self-working. The cubes can be show all around and the tubes can be shown empty after each change. Had I seen this one performed before making the purchase, I don't believe I could have figured out the method. I am thrilled to now have this as part of my collection!

Pikolinus II.jpg

[PeterW]

Great looking additions to your collection Kirk! Does the company Magic Designs have a website, I can't find any information on them?

[KirkW]

Great looking additions to your collection Kirk! Does the company Magic Designs have a website, I can't find any information on them?

Peter,

I bought this Magic Pyramid piece second hand. There is no date on the instruction sheet and I too have not been able to find any information online about the company.
I’m hoping someone on this forum will see this post and provide some helpful info.

[JohnM]

Nice looking magic. I like the bright colors and high contrast of the designs.

[Ralf R]

What a funny coincidence: I also added two of these items (Tarnkappe De Luxe and Pikolinus II) recently to my collection. A second hand dealer here in Germany offered them for quite low prices (about 40 Euros each). Congratulation to your new purchases. These are especially colorful and well designed. For me, these are kind of relicts from the good old times when Eckhard Böttcher's Zauber Butike offered lots of those "Magische Kostbarkeiten".

[KirkW]

What a funny coincidence: I also added two of these items (Tarnkappe De Luxe and Pikolinus II) recently to my collection. A second hand dealer here in Germany offered them for quite low prices (about 40 Euros each). Congratulation to your new purchases. These are especially colorful and well designed. For me, these are kind of relicts from the good old times when Eckhard Böttcher's Zauber Butike offered lots of those "Magische Kostbarkeiten".

Ralf, as a matter of fact, all five of the pieces in my post came from the secondhand dealer in Germany. I was wondering who got the others. I have a sixth piece that I’m still waiting on that is quite unique by Thomas Pohle (a piece from the late 80s). I will post that once I receive it.

All of these items were were in like new condition. We’re yours?

What did you think of Pikolinus II? I really liked the method and I believe it will be a real fooler.

Kirk

[Ralf R]

Ralf, as a matter of fact, all five of the pieces in my post came from the secondhand dealer in Germany. I was wondering who got the others. I have a sixth piece that I’m still waiting on that is quite unique by Thomas Pohle (a piece from the late 80s). I will post that once I receive it.

All of these items were were in like new condition. We’re yours?

What did you think of Pikolinus II? I really liked the method and I believe it will be a real fooler.

Kirk

Hi Kirk,
my items were also like new. So I find it quite astonishing that our favorite secondhand dealer had multiple copies of these sought-after effects in like-new condition and at a very reasonable price. It's like a collector's dream come true . Concerning Pikolinus II: yes, it's a quite clever method. Thomas Pohle used it also in some of his other creations. Personally, on the one hand I admire the implemented mechanism but on the other hand I don't like to perform it for some reasons. I have also the original Pikolinus version which is not that easy to handle but I really like it. But as always: it's all a matter of taste . I am looking forward to seeing the sixth addition to your magic collection.
Enjoy your weekend!

[KirkW]

Great looking additions to your collection Kirk! Does the company Magic Designs have a website, I can't find any information on them?

Ralf,

Here is the only info I have on “Magic Design.” The business was run by Gert Hoffmann and was situated in Cologne but went defunct around the year 2000 (I believe it started in the mid to late 90’s so it wasn't around for very long). Later on Gert worked as a sales assistant to Jürgen von der Lippe, a famous entertainer in Germany, who as a hobby had a magic shop in Cologne.
As it turns out, I actually have a few Magic Design pieces; Along with Rochade (Magic Pyramid), I also have Ringtempelchen and Paternoster (which I believe may be Magiro creation). All three of these trick are very well made and well thought out.

[KirkW]

E2B4A4C2-39CC-4B83-8CC6-119BFA3A477C.jpeg

Occult Board

One of the latest additions to my collection - This Occult Board is made of acrylic and was sold by the Louis Tannen magic company back in the late 60s early 70s.

I had first heard of this particular item when Richard Kaufman made mention of it in Tenyo-ism. I had never seen one until this one came up on a recent eBay auction from a magic estate...which I fortunately won. The contrast between the red, white, and black make for a really nice looking piece.

[Olaf S]

It seems here are more Thomas Pohle fans then i thought ...

I also have Pikolinus II but get it not that cheap as stated here, can not believe the price mentioned
Pikolinus II is a great trick and well crafted, i like it too. The other two Pohle tricks i have not seen
Tarnkappel Deluxe as trick is well known and looks also nice and Hexed Dice i see the first time

[KirkW]

I received a box of vintage magic for Christmas. All of the items were in "Like New" condition and appeared to have never been used. Whoever owned these gems before me even wrote the purchase date on most of the tricks. All were from the 50s, 60s, and 70s.
The real jewel of this collection was a mint condition "The Elusive Sphere" by Cecil Keech. I have been looking for this piece for years and now I finally have it (Thanks Santa!!)

Here is a list of all the items.

1. The Elusive Sphere (1960, Abbott Exclusive by Cecil Keech)
2. Mathemagical “Dy-ciphering” (Heath)
3. Ultimate Silver & Copper and Coin in the Bottle (Johnson Precision Magic)
4. Mystic Paddles
5. Color Changing Cube (Master Magic)
6. Cig-o-Bill (EZ Magic by Joe Karson)
7. Coin Coaster (Royal Magic)
8. Nickels to Dimes (1973, EZ Magic)
9. Crosstown (1975, The Magic Workshop) The rod is appears to be acrylic...not plastic.
10. Kleen-Kut Salt Vanish (1963, A.U.F. Grant Release)
11. The Impossible Escape (1963, Ireland Magic Company
12. Ribbon Through Finger (1962, Supreme Magic)
13. Spooky Spots (1952, Roydon)
14. Impossible Lit Cigarette Vanish (1962, Ireland Magic Company by Bob Parish)
15. Grant’s Magnetic X (1963, Art in Magic)
16. Disappearing Spots
17. Repeat Reverso (1974, Imperial by Walter Gibson)
18. Topsy Turvey
19. Full Circle (1974, Imperial by Phil Goldstein)
20. Printer’s Demon (1976, Hank Lee’s Magic Factory)
21. Kangaroo Kards (1974, by Buddy Ackner)
22. Miracle Discs (EZ Magic)
23. Trick Lock Cigar Cutter
24. 5 Penny Trick Box
25. 5 Bloody Rusty Nail Trick Bandage

Magic-3.jpg

Magic-2.jpg

Magic-1.jpg

[David DeTenyo]

Wish I got something like that in stead of a new X-mas sweater

That's a nice bunch of tricks, Kirk, congrats! I had never heard of The Elusive Sphere but it sure looks like it's right up my alley and that of many other members I think

I have found very little information about this effect (there is a photo with a part of the manual/explanation, but other than I have found as good as nothing - it isn't even mentioned at Martinsmagic ...).
I still have no idea how this works or what it does exactly ... which is kind of fun to be honest!
Especially the statement that spectators can see right through the tube(s?) is quite puzzling since according to the add it requires no sleight of hand.

Dare I ask for a demo of this effect, Kirk ... ?

By the way thanks for sharing photos of the effects - it's just plain fun seeing all those oldies but (mostly) goodies

[KirkW]

David,
Yes, “The Elusive Sphere” trick is just that…”Elusive,” when it comes to trying to find it or anything about it. I believe I have only seen it once on eBay and maybe once on a magic auction site.

I also saw it in an old Abbott’s magic catalog. 60 plus years ago it was only selling for $4.50.

As far as the effect goes, I think of it as three shell game combined with cups and balls.
You start with the three tubes and one red ball. The ball is placed under one of the tubes and the tubes are moved around. The spectator guesses which tube the ball is under and, of course, they are wrong. This is repeated several times, even with only two tubes but the spectator is always wrong.
At the end, you can reveal a red ball under each tube. And as a 2nd climax, immediately lift each tube to reveal a different colored ball under each tube.

The trick comes with 6 full pages of instructions with a very well thought out routine. Though no difficult slights are used, there is some very basic sleight of hand required when building up to the climax. Learning, and mastering, the routine will take time and practice.
You can show the tubes empty at various times throughout the routine, but it would require you to have on dark clothing.

While showing this morning, I thought of different method where the tubes could be show empty with no risk of anything being detected (no magnets are used).

I love magic like this. If my full time job didn’t keep me so busy, I would be leaning all these old, discontinued magical gems and making performance videos.

[KirkW]

Back on August 10th, in the Magic Creators \ 3D Printed Magic Props section of the forum, Olaf S had posted an image of a 3D printed version of Mini Phantom that Magic Wagon had released some time ago.

I had never seen the trick before so I went online and after viewing a video performance of the effect, I had to have it.

I believe the original effect was done by Erhard Liebenow in Germany in 1969 and was called “Chip Lift.” The 3D printed version appears to be based off this effect.

In 1990 Tony Lackner released and updated (improved) version called “Super Chip Lift” that was sold via Eckhard Boettcher. I was very lucky to have recently acquired the Tony Lackner version in near mint condition, but it had one major defect. A key part of the trick only did half of what it needed to do so I was not able to perform this wonder piece of micro magic. Since the piece was in such great condition and very rare, I decided to keep it in my collect. Pictured here is the Tony Lackner's Super Chip Lift.

Super Chip Lift.JPG

I did, however, purchase the 3D printed version pictured here which is called “Casino 2.”

Casino 2.JPG

A video performance can be seen here: https://www.la-petite-boutique-3d-de-le ... e/casino-2

It looks and performs perfectly. There was a noise issue which I was able to mostly resolve by placing a piece of felt in the recess of the stand where the chips are stacked. And much to my surprise, the chips from Lackner’s Super Chip Lift work great with the 3D printed version. So, I can actually perform both versions of the trick by switching out the chips.

[Olaf S]

In 1990 Tony Lackner released and updated (improved) version called “Super Chip Lift” that was sold via Eckhard Boettcher. I was very lucky to have recently acquired the Tony Lackner version in near mint condition, but it had one major defect. A key part of the trick only did half of what it needed to do so I was not able to perform this wonder piece of micro magic. Since the piece was in such great condition and very rare, I decided to keep it in my collect. Pictured here is the Tony Lackner's Super Chip Lift.

I have this beautiful Tony Lackner Version and for me it is the real Mini Phantom

I wanted to make a Video since some time but until now it did not happen ...

[ØyvindK]

So the Lackner version has fewer chips? I think that's actually an advantage, as it becomes borderline tedious with as many as in that 3D-printed version.

Is there a video of the original version from Liebenow? And does this new 3D-printed version differ in how it works compared to MW Mini Phantom or Lackner's Super Chip Lift?

[KirkW]

So the Lackner version has fewer chips? I think that's actually an advantage, as it becomes borderline tedious with as many as in that 3D-printed version.

Is there a video of the original version from Liebenow? And does this new 3D-printed version differ in how it works compared to MW Mini Phantom or Lackner's Super Chip Lift?

I agree with the tediousness of having the red chip magically pass up through that many green chips.
I would create a story where after passing the red chip up twice, I would move the red chip further up the stack for one or two more pass-throughs to finally reach the top.

[Olaf S]

So the Lackner version has fewer chips? I think that's actually an advantage, as it becomes borderline tedious with as many as in that 3D-printed version. Is there a video of the original version from Liebenow? And does this new 3D-printed version differ in how it works compared to MW Mini Phantom or Lackner's Super Chip Lift?

The Lackner version has 5 chips if I remember correctly and does not need to turn over ...
the chip stack. To the best of my knowledge, the Liebenow also has only 5 chips and is a bit
trickier in terms of showing the lid. I believe MW and Liebenow, however, in the original version
do not have the finale passing chip ! Lackner and the 3D version use differebt ways to achieve it

[KirkW]

Luck has been on my side the past few week because a couple of rare items have made their way into my collection.

The first is a beautiful piece from Kent Bergmann’s zebra wood collection.

The effect is called Psy-Spy (It Knows).
Kent’s craftsmanship on this piece is superb!

This is a Mentalism effect where a spectator chooses one of the colored chips and the prediction is revealed inside the box. The prediction reveal is a colored spot (spectators chosen color) on the floor of the box when the chip tray is lifted out. A 2nd, different colored chip can be chosen and the box will reveal this color as well.

I am a big admirer of Kent’s work and was very saddened to see 3D Magic Works disappear. Being able to add this fine piece to my collection was a real thrill!

Unfortunately, it came with no instructions so if anyone owns this piece, I sure would love to have a copy to see Kent’s routine.

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[KirkW]

Magiro is another magic creator whose work I admire very much. I can’t believe I was able to get my hands on this piece…and in mint condition I might add.

The effect is called “Perfect Migration” (Perfekte Wanderung).
I remember reading about this trick and thinking it sounded too good to be true.

The basic effect is to have a spectator select one of the containers, the tall one or the short one. Next, a scarf or a die (or any object the can fit in the containers) is
placed in the selected container. A moment later when that container is opened, the object is gone…and is found in the other container. No secret or awkward switching is done. The containers are not gimmicked and can be handed out for inspection after the effect. And, the object can be marked in some way by the spectator to prove it is the same object that appears in the opposite container.

There is an entire story routine weaved around this affect with multiple, magical phases. Very entertaining.

When I first received the trick, I inspected everything very closely and could find nothing unusual. Everything looked normal: the containers and the wooden platform. I was pleasantly surprised at the method once I translated the instructions.

Magiro’s magical thinking and design of his effects is nothing short of genius.

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[KirkW]

While vacationing in Asheville, North Carolina, I visited Magic Central, one of the few brick and mortar magic stores, run by Ricky Boone (a super nice guy). Despite his disabilities, he has done quite well for himself in his magic career.

The store is small and though there isn’t much displayed on the shelves, there are boxes and totes full of magic that he allows you to go through and pick out what you want. I felt like I was on a magical treasure hunt.

I had limited time and was only able to look through a few boxes but I did find a few items that interested me, one of which I’d like to share.

The trick is Silk Tunnel by El Duco which came out back in 2000 and is no longer available.
I had never seen the trick before but thought it was very reminiscent of something Tenyo might have produced.

Here is the basic effect:
A small cabinet is shown that is open on both sides. Have a spectator select two cards and these two cards are used to create the walls of this small cabinet.

Now show two silks with a single blank card printed on each. Both silks are pushed through the holes on either side of the cabinet using a small magic wand. When the silks are pulled out from the opposite side, the blank cards that were printed on the silks are now the two cards selected by the spectator. For the finale, the two cards that are forming the walls, that the spectator had chosen at the start, are removed. Not only is the the cabinet completely empty but the two cards are now blank. The selected cards magically transferred from the the cards to the silks and vice versa.

A lot of magic happens and everything is of good quality.
My only criticism is that a little more thought into the construction of the gimmick could have made for an easier handling.

Having said that, modifications would be fairly easy to do.
I am not a big fan of El Duco magic but I do really like this one.

This trick usually sells for around $80 - $100 if you can find one but I was able to purchase it for about $10.

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[ØyvindK]

Andy Martin released a speed demo of this exact trick yesterday. What a coincidence.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qm6WtzH87uM

[KirkW]

Andy Martin released a speed demo of this exact trick yesterday. What a coincidence.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qm6WtzH87uM

Thanks for the link. I wonder if he just acquired this trick?

[Olaf S]

Kirk, you seem to be a lucky guy and browse many stores, all 3 novelties are great.

But the Kent piece is probably a rarity and the Magiro trick is also a rare pearl.

I also find that Magiro has produced very good and clever tricks.

[Roberto B.]

Luck has been on my side the past few week because a couple of rare items have made their way into my collection.

The first is a beautiful piece from Kent Bergmann’s zebra wood collection.

The effect is called Psy-Spy (It Knows).
Kent’s craftsmanship on this piece is superb!

This is a Mentalism effect where a spectator chooses one of the colored chips and the prediction is revealed inside the box. The prediction reveal is a colored spot (spectators chosen color) on the floor of the box when the chip tray is lifted out. A 2nd, different colored chip can be chosen and the box will reveal this color as well.

I am a big admirer of Kent’s work and was very saddened to see 3D Magic Works disappear. Being able to add this fine piece to my collection was a real thrill!

Unfortunately, it came with no instructions so if anyone owns this piece, I sure would love to have a copy to see Kent’s routine.


1D0B8C67-06DE-4D9C-B6DE-1DBFDD8957C7.jpeg

Hi Kirk, send me a message. I think I can get the instructions for you.