Last week we officially launched streaming video content on our site. This project was in the works for some time and required some serious man hours to realize. Our internet technology advisor, Dr Andy Martin worked his fingers to the bone to integrate the new system with our site and I am very pleased with the results.

If you’re new to this type of product, never fear. If you have the skills to watch a video on YouTube, you’re ready to experience this superb new way to learn magic. The videos include content from some of magic’s most respected names including Tom Mullica, David Roth, Gary Kurtz, Michael Ammar, Cellini, Scotty York, and Daryl...just name a few! You’ll find well over 100 videos available right now and many more on the way. Imagine it…you can access your very own massive video library from anywhere in the world! No need to carry disks, no shipping costs, no taxes to pay, and no need to wait for a package to arrive - these masters of magic will be delivered quickly and securely right to your computer!

Still not sold? How about this...

As I type these words over 40 of these videos are only $5! Seriously -for five bucks you can have Derek Dingle teach you his beautiful Cigarette Through Quarter Routine, or Gary Kurtz share his approach to Flurious, heck you can have even have David Roth take you step by step through the Retention Vanish…it’s truly remarkable! These low cost videos are a steal for the price and a great way to sample this new content at virtually no risk to you.

What are you waiting for? Click here to dive into the stream!

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Summer time brings a little slower pace to the influx of new items, so my picks this month are tad shorter than usual. But it’s never been about quantity - quality is what we’re searching for below. With that as a goal, you'll find nothing but the best below. Enjoy...

Solid Three Shell Game - Leo Smetsers of the Netherlands has developed a lovely version of the classic "three shell game". The props are made of polished stainless steel and crafted to perfection. The weight and look are both perfect. Leo’s routines are well thought out and the solid cap ending is a killer finale. Of course, if you have a favorite routine that you like to use virtually any routine can be applied to these gorgeous props. This is not an inexpensive item but it will no doubt be a collector’s piece in no time. We have ONLY a couple of these left and once these are gone they are gone for good.

The Magical Arts Journal – When the MAJ first appeared in 1986 it was quickly hailed as ground breaking. This journal, created by Michal Ammar and Adam Fleischer, contained fresh ideas and bold thinking in magic. Each issue was packed with great magic and insight from some of magic’s brightest minds. It includes material from Dai Vernon, Larry Jennings, Tommy Wonder, Paul Harris, John Kennedy, Jay Sankey, John Cornelius, David Roth, Martin Gardner, Jamy Ian Swiss, Chris Kenner, Roberto Giobbi, Doc Eason, Eric Mead, Richard Sanders, Gary Kurtz and more. When the last issue hit people’s homes in 1990, copies quickly became collector’s items. Each were highly sought after for their incredibly diverse and powerful content. Now, 20 years later they’ve been assembled together as one hardcover edition. What else can I say? I can not recommend this enough...buy it now.

Solid Gold Easy Action (Download) – Back in the late 80’s and early 90’s I used to LOVE performing this effect behind the counter of the magic shop. It was, and is, an ingenious idea for a Signed Card to Envelope. Long unavailable, this new download edition from Ben Harris shows exactly how to construct the gimmick and perform this mind boggling routine. This is an amazing bargain and frankly far better than most similar effects. It’s easy to do, diabolically clever, and very strong. It’s hard to imagine someone being disappointed with this purchase.

The Last Word on Three Card Monte (Set of 3 DVDs) – Has there EVER been a card con that has so enamored magicians and laymen like the Three Card Monte? I think not. While the title may seem a bit far fetched…I think this project successfully delivers the goods. It’s hard to go wrong as Darwin Ortiz, Doc Eason, Pat Page, Jon Armstrong, Bill Malone, Harry Lorayne, Steve Draun, Martin Lewis, and a host of other preeminent magic stars join together for nearly six hours of ideas, routines, and insight. If you love the Three Card Monte, you’ll fall in love with this phenomenal L&L set!

The John Carney DVDs – Typically when I make a recommendation it is for a very specific item. However, a few weeks ago we received a superb selection of great DVDs from John Carney. I’m a huge fan of John’s work and I’m pleased as punch to finally be able to offer these titles to our customers. There are all excellent and filled with strong, practical material that could easily make there way into any performers arsenal. It’s hard to say one title is better than the other because frankly they are ALL very good...you can’t go wrong with any of them. But if you put my feet to the fire I would probably suggest starting with Classic Carney, for me his Fruit Cup routine is worth the price of admission. In truth, add any title to your cart and I think you’ll be a happy customer.

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I was deeply saddened to learn that JC Wagner passed away on Sunday evening...

I was 16 years old when the Commercial Magic of JC Wagner hit the shelves. For a young aspiring magician that book was a life changer. It was filled with powerful, practical, and contemporary magic…most of which I still use to this day. Not too long after its release, JC came to Buffalo to attend the 4F convention. Ray Mertz set JC up with a lecture the night before the convention and I was on cloud nine as I made my way up the stairs of the Forks to see him in action.

JC was the first magic lecture I ever saw and it was a night I remember as clearly now as if it had happened yesterday. I saw the miracles from the book come to life...Super Closer, Card Under Drink, Poor Man’s Matrix, Torn & Restored Card, and so much more…the quantity and quality of the content was staggering. I remember being utterly stunned by his Estimation work. If you had told me it was real magic, I probably would have believed you. People thought of cards and somehow he knew them...it was that simple. Pure magic.

During his Estimation he used brilliantly constructed “outs”…one of which was the Snap Change. I had never seen the move performed prior to JC and the next day I mustered up enough nerve to ask him to help me with it. He directed me over to the steps to the second floor and sat down to show me the move in detail. The position, the approach, the clean up...everything. Keep in mind this was during 4F and around him stood some of the best close up magicians on earth. But in that moment JC gave some convention crashing teenager his full attention. I would realize later that that was just JC being JC...always giving with no expectation for return.

At the end of last April he made his way back to Buffalo for the 40th 4F and then up to Canada for the CAM convention. I had the chance to spend quite a bit of time with him during those two conventions. He had no bitterness about the cancer that had taken hold of him, he just wanted to share magic. I count myself lucky to have had so many opportunities to spend time with him. He was one of the best - not just in magic, but as a human being. Always teaching a lesson, even when he didn't have a pack of cards in his hand.

Thanks for everything JC.

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I’ve been very pleased with the reception to my latest release, Truth.

The reviews have been solid across the board and it always makes me happy to hear that magicians are getting enjoyment from one of my creations. I’ve been using this item personally for about two years and toyed with the gimmick for longer than that. The inspiration for the effect came from one of my favorite TA Waters’ effects called Box Office (you can find it in Mind, Myth, & Magick). My final product bares no real relationship to that item but it is what set me down the path. You never know when the muse will strike...

Since the production of the DVD, I have developed a number of different handlings and ideas with Truth. I’ve also received some wonderful suggestions from other magicians using the effect. I’m currently assembling these ideas into a small PDF file that I will eventually include with the item. That’s where you come in...

If you’ve been using Truth and have developed any ideas or approaches you’d like to share with others, I’d love to hear from you!  If we use your idea, you will of course be given full credit for your contribution. So get your thinking cap on and drop me an email.

I can’t wait to hear from you...and that’s the Truth.

At any moment you’ll find a pretty broad stack of books, articles, documentaries, and talks on my “to do” list. I have always loved learning new things. The wonder of discovering something that I hadn’t known before - I never tire of it.

It’s one of the reasons I'm drawn to magic.

Secret knowledge, hidden techniques, a mysterious vocabulary, and a host of other arcane theories known only within our circle...a “learners” dream.

Yet, I am always amazed at the lack of interest in real learning within magic.

The path of learning is a bit like rock climbing. You have a general idea of where you’re going, but you won’t know what will get you there until you start to make some choices. Each choice opens a world of other choices and the more you move forward, the better you become at making intelligent choices.

It’s climbing that makes the climber...not the summit.

Is that not clear?

Good.

It’s time to learn.