MAGIC! - 22
The following was compiled from the magician's message section of
MAGIC!(tm). MAGIC! was an electronic communications system for
magicians. Access was free, except for normal telephone company
charges. New registrants were required to leave a comment with
their name, address, phone number and a brief resume of their magic
background to be considered for membership. The material herein
should be treated as confidentially as other magic information.
Copyright 1991, 1997 by MAGIC!, All rights reserved.
Msg #500 Dated 2:06:13 04-20-91 460 <--> 501
From: MAX MAVEN
To: BURT CARPENTER (X)
Re: CARD ON TRAIN WINDOW...
It's incorrect to assign credit to Tony Spina; "Room For Doubt" was a
presentational dressing for a Martin Gardner origination, first
marketed as "Voice From Another World" in the 1950's. The specific
sequencing used by Copperfield was mine.
Msg #501 Dated 2:11:28 04-20-91 455 <--> 504
From: T A WATERS
To: SCOTT CRAM (X)
Re: CARD ON TRAIN WINDOW...
The Kennedy effect was marketed as BEYOND REACH.
Msg #504 Dated 9:21:13 04-20-91 489 <--> 505
From: PETE BIRO
To: GENO MUNARI (X)
Re: CARD ON TRAIN WINDOW...
Did he get hit with cruelty to flies? Nice to hear from you Geno...
hope all is well... thinking of you "and Rose"... best
Msg #505 Dated 9:22:37 04-20-91 500 <--> 617
From: PETE BIRO
To: MAX MAVEN (X)
Re: CARD ON TRAIN WINDOW...
Yah... Max, anybody that thinks Room for Doubt was ANYKIND of an
original is not familiar with where and who put THAT out.
Msg #506 Dated 9:24:00 04-20-91 492 <--> 509
From: PETE BIRO
To: DAVID LICHTMAN (SYSOP) (X)
Re: CHOO CHOO CARD
I'm not telling!
Msg #507 Dated 9:24:32 04-20-91 493 <--> 510
From: PETE BIRO
To: DAVID LICHTMAN (SYSOP) (X)
Re: GREETIN'S
I hope you have a macro to do your name like that!
Msg #509 Dated 10:25:28 04-20-91 506 <--> 517
From: DAVID LICHTMAN (Sysop)
To: PETE BIRO (X)
Re: CHOO CHOO CARD
Geez, Pete - Don't know if you can cover a WINDOW trick with a
"non-disclosure." Then again, none of my windows have worked for
years, all painted shut.
Msg #510 Dated 10:26:36 04-20-91 507 <-
From: DAVID LICHTMAN (Sysop)
To: PETE BIRO (X)
Re: GREETIN'S
Yep.
Msg #511 Dated 10:39:46 04-20-91 491 <--> 512
From: EVAN KATZ
To: DAVID LICHTMAN (SYSOP) (X)
Re: NOTHING TO DO WITH MAGIC
Engaged as in engaged to be married. Gig's been going three years
total, two years cohabitation.
!!!
s
Msg #512 Dated 11:05:45 04-20-91 511 <--> 518
From: TABBY CRABB
To: EVAN KATZ (X)
Re: NOTHING TO DO WITH MAGIC
Dude!
Msg #514 Dated 11:56:30 04-20-91 454 <-
From: DARRELL MURPHY
To: MAX MAVEN (X)
Re: CARD ON... YES, THE TRAIN
In my opinion ENOUGH SAID. Welcome back Max!!
Msg #515 Dated 11:58:36 04-20-91 409 <--> 573
From: DARRELL MURPHY
To: DOUGLAS LARSON (X)
Re: DAY OF MAGIC
I think everyone from MAGIC! attending the "DAY-OF-MAGIC" should dust
off there MACIC! buttons and wear them.
Msg #516 Dated 12:01:18 04-20-91 447 <-
From: DARRELL MURPHY
To: MICHAEL AMMAR (X)
Re: HELLO
Hello Michael and welcome to MAGIC!
Msg #517 Dated 12:10:23 04-20-91 509 <--> 533
From: PETE BIRO
To: DAVID LICHTMAN (SYSOP) (X)
Re: CHOO CHOO CARD
What color?
Msg #518 Dated 12:10:56 04-20-91 511 <--> 579
From: PETE BIRO
To: EVAN KATZ (X)
Re: NOTHING TO DO WITH MAGIC
Dude! (Whatever that means?)
Msg #519 Dated 12:11:40 04-20-91 -> 537
From: PETE BIRO
To: ALL
Re: NAME
Does the name Rene Lavand ring a bell? I have been asked to find out
a little about him. What does he do? Is he good, bad, Great? Wha?
Appreciate any work.
Msg #520 Dated 12:12:35 04-20-91 -> 535
From: PETE BIRO
To: TABBY CRABB (X)
Re: COINS
You lookin' for standing liberty coins? Wht size what gaff? I mite have
some dupes. Certain years? Huh? Gots to keep the good ole boy network
supplied!
Am working on a trick where a selected window is found on a giant card.
Do you like sliding? Anderson? Or Pella?
Msg #522 Dated 12:42:56 04-20-91 -> 538
From: MICHAEL AMMAR
To: EVAN KATZ (X)
Re: S
Congratulations on your engagement! I could tell from message 10385
that you were a charmer!
Msg #523 Dated 12:44:44 04-20-91
From: MICHAEL AMMAR
To: ARNAUD VANRIETSCHOTEN (X)
Re: BERT CARPENTER
Hello! I'll be working FISM, so I look forward to seeing you there!
Tommy Wonder showed Hannah and I a wonderful time when we visited last
year. Maybe we can visit again after FISM!
Msg #524 Dated 12:46:35 04-20-91 -> 793
From: MICHAEL AMMAR
To: BURT CARPENTER (X)
Re: THREADS
Hi Burt! Did David Luther tell me you were interested in threads?
I've still got your business card, and would be happy to send a free
sample of what I'm using, if you'd like. To the TransMark Address?
Msg #525 Dated 12:48:11 04-20-91 -> 572
From: MICHAEL AMMAR
To: BURT CARPENTER (X)
Re: HOUDINI STAMP
I just caught the tail end of the dialogue on this, so I hope this
isn't redundant news. But I gave Mike Ellis the suggestion to design
a stamp which Houdini could literally escape from. Using the old
Vanishing Leprachan principle, 13 images of Houdini could be spread
over a six stamp surface. (Yes, some images overlap the perforated
edges, but this has been done before many times.) Then, by tearing the
upper left stamp off, and transposing it with the two upper right
stamps as a unit, one of the Houdini images vanishes from the Stamps!
Only 12 remain - due to a mathematical principle, 1 Houdini literally
escapes through the perforations in the stamp!
No special printing required, and books of stamps are already packaged
in units of 6. Collectors would love it! And the gov. should too, as
they profit from every stamp sold which doesn't get sent through the
system. Maybe it's just me, but I think more people would collect a
stamp of Houdini that did a magic trick than would collect Hummingbird
stamps, or ferns of the world, or whatever.
It isn't a priority for me, but Hannah and I are planning on making a
working prototype of this stamp idea about ten times life size. We
would scan an image of Houdini into a computer, and lay him out in the
proper spots, and print it out on a 2' x 3' sheet. Then paste it onto
cork board proportionally performated for 6 stamps. This way, Mike
Ellis, or whoever plans on ultimately proposing this to the decision
makers, can actually demonstrate the effect.
Msg #527 Dated 12:57:47 04-20-91 -> 550
From: MICHAEL AMMAR
To: WAYNE POWERS (X)
Re: "THE BOOK"
Thanks for the hello! I haven't seen the promo yet myself! Probably
will arrive Monday. Hannah and I are planning on out the first week of
June. Maybe we'll see you up at the Castle!
Msg #528 Dated 13:03:36 04-20-91 -> 540
From: MICHAEL AMMAR
To: PETE BIRO (X)
Re: RENE L.
Rene is the 1 armed magician that drew raves from Ricky Jay, Juan
Tamariz, etc... He does 1 handed false riffle shuffles, etc... I've
planned on looking into his material myself, now that I have more time
on my hand.
Msg #530 Dated 14:31:15 04-20-91
From: BRUCE SANDERCOCK
To: MICHAEL AMMAR (X)
Re: GREETINGS!
Welcome! I attended your mid-night lecture last October at Tannen's,
and will always remember all those "variable tension grippers,"
flying around the room, while you were teaching "Crazy Man's
Handcuffs."
Hope to see you in Westwood, May 4th.
All the best!
Msg #531 Dated 15:34:23 04-20-91
From: MARVIN STERN
To: BRUCE SANDERCOCK (X)
Re: HAWAII
Glad to hear you are back and had a good time. Also, enjoy yourself in
Dallas, if that's possible. What about the lei in Hawaii?
See you Friday lunchtime.
Msg #532 Dated 16:50:11 04-20-91 -> 536
From: TABBY CRABB
To: YOKI
Re: VIEW FROM SPRING HILL
Been wanting to get on here all day but have been busy at
other stuff, and fortunately for me it was real magic. Who sez it
ain't true? I've been to college and know bettern use words like
ain't, but I guess once a hippy, always a hippy. Thats what they
say down at the zoo, anyway.
Was glad to read the Magic Castle Library is progressing
toward its' goals. It's good to know that somebody has all
those books, especially the contempory works, available and keeps
them for future generations (hopefully there will be many future
generations).
Small libraries such as mine, and I'd imagine yours too,
are of generally small value outside the specific interests of
the collector plus they're usually too small to give depth to
more than one or two subjects at most. Fortunately for me, my
library doesn't hit any subject too hard and is a ......sorry,
now that I look at it, there's lots of card magic up there. Maybe
25 or 30%, Close-up another 30% and the rest of it's mixed up
hitting on just about everything including Hindu magic (sleep ina
red t-shirt if you catch a cold).
Most of these books are junk, though sometimes it's
enlightening to catch a glimpse of the soul of the writer-
publisher since some books do at least have that. And some of
them are pure ego trips like mine (no I didn't write a book. On
what?).
I am happy to say that from looking through all this
stuff for so long that there were more junk books (by junk I mean
content) written and published from 1930 to 1955 than any other
time. It looks like to me maybe that socialogically (I don't know
how to spell it but...) that magicians stay a generation ahead of
the rest of the people and that the "ME" generation in magic was
the last one back, but who knows. What generation is this then?
Yeah, this seems a little off the wall even for me but
something came a little unglued today from deep in the earths
core. Its like the Chernoble thing. I was doing some producing in
Fairfield, CT and had b'fast with a woman who had just come back
from Tibet and she was telling me about some calculations carved
into a cave wall. Sed that day was heaviest in earth history.
Meltdown.
I guess you guys hate me for talking this trash on here,
but you've gotta understand something about tabman.
It's all magic to me.
Msg #533 Dated 17:12:59 04-20-91 517 <-
From: DAVID LICHTMAN (Sysop)
To: PETE BIRO (X)
Re: CHOO CHOO CARD
Brown.
Msg #535 Dated 17:19:49 04-20-91 520 <--> 542
From: TABBY CRABB
To: PETE BIRO (X)
Re: COINS
I've got a stack of half dollar walking liberty. Its a
pivoting stack for the "cap and pence" trick. I have a walking
liberty silver/copper and dupes. I need an Okito Box which will
fit the stack as they're a little fatter than reg coins - you
told me that. I also have a folding WL half. Also have a stack of
quarters in walking liberty. All but the last were made by Conrad
Haden and are worn but nice the quarters I put together at my
drill press from a nice top coin and junk under. Silver is soooo
cheap right now but I'm scared to really buy any. Got in on
silver bars when the Hunt Bros were playing with the market and
all the dealers were carrying guns - this was Pasadena, Texas...
Anyway, I appologize for the digression. I want to put a
fun routine together using this stuff. A shell would be nice and
I've got to find a dupe of the half stack which is 1943 in VG+.
They're beautiful coins and they should be appreciated. Haden's
invention of the expanded shell really opened up the use of that
particular contrivance. Geeez, they must of been heck to make
before high speed steel.
I understand you have some Walking Liberty type coins
from this same maker. How much stuff did he actually make? Did
he make it all himself? I hope he kept all those silver shavings
and soldem during the silver boom of 1980.
Msg #536 Dated 17:21:05 04-20-91 532 <--> 541
From: DAVID LICHTMAN (Sysop)
To: TABBY CRABB (X)
Re: VIEW FROM SPRING HILL
Interesting, Tabman! Early this morning, about 2 a.m., I "felt"
something - was near my MAGIC! terminal and bent over to check the fan.
Felt like the opening shock of a strong earthquake, only nothin' was
shakin' and it was too short. Thought maybe it was the "P Wave" (first
wave of a 'quake) but the rest never came. Haven't heard "Boo" about
it being experienced by anyone else though.
Msg #537 Dated 17:35:24 04-20-91 519 <--> 543
From: EVAN KATZ
To: PETE BIRO (X)
Re: NAME
Lavand is an Argentinian magician, born in 1928. He has a book out by
Editorial Fraikson called "Slow Motion Magic." His solutions for card
problems often end up being unique because he lost his right hand as a
child. The book I remember as being mostly, if not all, cards.
Msg #538 Dated 17:38:14 04-20-91 522 <--> 539
From: EVAN KATZ
To: MICHAEL AMMAR (X)
Re: S
Thank you very much, Michael. I look forward to seeing your lecture at
"Day of Magic" (you're there, right?) My brand-new fiancee is smart
enough to not be attending with me.
She tells me when I'm around magicians I "get very quiet
and intense and ignore her."
It's nice to share the engagement joy with the folks here on MAGIC!
After all, it's one of those special things that you only do like six,
seven times in your entire life.
Msg #539 Dated 18:40:27 04-20-91 538 <--> 551
From: PETE BIRO
To: EVAN KATZ (X)
Re: S
I have heard that story before!
Msg #540 Dated 18:41:42 04-20-91 528 <-
From: PETE BIRO
To: MICHAEL AMMAR (X)
Re: RENE L.
Thanks for the reply and welcome online... Now I remember the name.
Yep, one of the most unusual guys anywhere. Thanks much. Later.
Msg #541 Dated 18:44:01 04-20-91 536 <-
From: PETE BIRO
To: DAVID LICHTMAN (SYSOP) (X)
Re: VIEW FROM SPRING HILL
I heard we had a small quakke up here in the San Francisky area, but I
dint feel a thing.... was doin my own shakin on the keyboard!
Msg #542 Dated 18:45:57 04-20-91 535 <--> 545
From: PETE BIRO
To: TABBY CRABB (X)
Re: COINS
I am sending you the 1943 Standing Liberty Half Dollar, with two
shells, one a cut fit, the other expanded that fits over both. The
price you offered on the phone $650.00 is more than generous. I will
pay the postage and send on receipt of your certified cheque. Both made
by Connie Haden. The Standing Liberty folding half dollar is up for
sale, anyone interested?
Oh, Tabb will FAX you the handling I have for the cape and pence with
the half dollar coins. Totally different. Coins are seen through Train
Window.
Msg #543 Dated 18:48:30 04-20-91 537 <--> 571
From: PETE BIRO
To: EVAN KATZ (X)
Re: NAME
Gracias. Will add what you say to what Amaar said, adding up to a big
PLUS.
Msg #545 Dated 19:02:52 04-20-91 542 <--> 559
From: TABBY CRABB
To: PETE BIRO (X)
Re: COINS
Will wire to your account on monday whats your access code for your
Mone One card. Don't forget UPS address if you send other stuff
thataway. I usually use post office since I'm their hero. When I called
UPS about sending the stuff over to Romania they sent a salesman over
since a box of books would cost OVER $400 to send. Right!
Msg #547 Dated 19:11:04 04-20-91 -> 561
From: ARNAUD VANRIETSCHOTEN
To: PETE BIRO (X)
Re: RENE LAVANT
I also remember a very deceptive effect with a teacup and 3
little paper balls.
He takes out all 3 balls, buts back 2 and takes one away....
and yet still 3 remain..
He performs the effect also in slowmotion, and still not de-
tectable how he does it. I remember him from one the FISM
convention in Madrid, where he did this same trick for the whole
week in his dealer booth.
.
A few years ago he was a guest at onbe of the Paul Daniels show.
.
Arnaud
Msg #549 Dated 19:37:43 04-20-91 -> 552
From: TABBY CRABB
To: DAVID LICHTMAN (X)
Re: TREMORS
Tremors world wide. Meltdown.
Msg #550 Dated 20:10:39 04-20-91 527 <-
From: WAYNE POWERS
To: MICHAEL AMMAR (X)
Re: "THE BOOK"
I'll look forward to seeing you then, Michael. I've been trying to
keep it under wraps that the 4th of June is my birthday. I don't know
how you found out, but I'm flattered that you and Hannah have decided
to make a special trip West to celebrate it!
Will you be performing and/or lecturing at the Castle this trip?
Msg #551 Dated 20:26:04 04-20-91 538 <--> 563
From: DAVID LICHTMAN (Sysop)
To: EVAN KATZ (X)
Re: S
Tell her that there are plenty of other magicians who will be sure NOT
to ignore her while you are doing so! Seriously, we are all pleased
for you. But I think we'd also like to see a message from her on here.
By the way, when my nephew, also a mage, got married, he wore a full
formal white tux and top hat. At one point in the ceremony he turned
to greet the people who came to share the experience with them and he
removed his hat with a flourish. He has always regretted NOT making a
rabbit appear - everyone had expected it. Don't know when you plan
your nuptuals, but advise you not to make the same mistake.
Msg #552 Dated 20:32:12 04-20-91 549 <-
From: DAVID LICHTMAN (Sysop)
To: TABBY CRABB (X)
Re: TREMORS
Don't worry - we have a backup generator for MAGIC! Hate to use it in
the rain, especially with lightening, as it leaves the phone lines
unprotected, but don't mind using it during a meltdown.
Msg #553 Dated 20:41:48 04-20-91
From: DAVID LUTHER
To: MICHAEL AMMAR (X)
Re: MESSAGES
What was the cut-off number on the messages? I looked to see if you
were on Thursday night after the meeting, but apparently your message
to SYSOP was private and did not appear on the system. Anyway, just
could not resist sending a message from South Austin to North Austin
by way of California..... Now that you are on, we gotta work on
Kent.... he is still trying to figure out how to boot up his new
computer. There is a local BBS you can call....(no LD charges) but
no magic... and Hanna would not approve but if you want try it call
288-6556.....suggest you use handle and not real name.
It is interesting, and you have influence with the Sysop...
Glad to see you on line.
Msg #557 Dated 21:29:46 04-20-91
From: BRUCE SANDERCOCK
To: MARVIN STERN (X)
Re: LEI?
Word is you were performing in Las Vegas this past week.
Will be at a trade show in Dallas that runs through next
week-end, so won't see you at the Castle Friday. What's wrong with
Dallas, anyway?
Msg #558 Dated 22:05:33 04-20-91 -> 564
From: VINCENT HANCOCK
To: ALL
Re: LONG TIME
Hi everybody. It's been awhile since I was on the board, the biggest
reason being that I quit doing magic for awhile.
It turns out I gradually lost interest in magic, even though I like it
a great deal. I have "diagnosed" what happened as what is commonly
called in the magic cirle "burn out." I have a few questions, maybe
you can answer them for me. First, why? Why does burn out occur? I
think it's more than simply not wanting to do it anymore, but I'm not
sure. Second,
sure. Second, is "burning out" common? I haven't talked to anyone who
has had this happen, although I've heard about it.
Thanks for your help, and I'm glad to be back on the board...Meanwhile,
the magic bug has been nipping at me, and I'm slowly getting back into
the big M.
As for Copperfield's Card-through-Window illusion, I think Burt may
have stumbled across something. I was thinking along those lines a few
days after the special and I think some sort of mousetrap set up may
have been used. If one could "simply" turn the spring so the arm would
fly up, the card could be attached to the arm. Hidden outside,
underneath the window, maybe Copperfield could have some type of
thread, wire, or anything that would make the trap spring on cue.
Maybe even remote control...I didn't see his right hand anywhere within
camera sight after the glasses were moved away from the window.
I am hardly "in the know," being a mere (?) 15 years old, but the card
illusion is kind of fun to guess at.
Once again, glad to be back on the plank.
Vincent
Msg #559 Dated 23:28:52 04-20-91 545 <-
From: PETE BIRO
To: TABBY CRABB (X)
Re: COINS
Cheap in any language.
Msg #561 Dated 23:32:24 04-20-91 547 <-
From: PETE BIRO
To: ARNAUD VANRIETSCHOTEN (X)
Re: RENE LAVANT
Thank you. I looks like we will be having him work shows here in USA
next year.
Msg #563 Dated 23:34:20 04-20-91 551 <--> 566
From: PETE BIRO
To: DAVID LICHTMAN (SYSOP) (X)
Re: S
I once was best man (?) at a race driver wedding and slapped a huge STP
sticker on his back as he went down the aisle! Arrrggghhhhh.
Young Dumb
Msg #564 Dated 23:36:10 04-20-91 558 <--> 587
From: PETE BIRO
To: VINCENT HANCOCK
Re: LONG TIME
Burnout at age 15? Probably wuz just a long pause. I had quit magic
several times since 1950 start, and every time I came back I was
stronger. At least I think so. Hang in.
Msg #566 Dated 1:03:02 04-21-91 563 <--> 567
From: DAVID LICHTMAN (Sysop)
To: PETE BIRO (X)
Re: S
You mean I STILL haven't gotten even with you for that one? Arrrggghh!
You are OUTA HERE, Biro!
Msg #567 Dated 1:11:30 04-21-91 551 <--> 569
From: EVAN KATZ
To: DAVID LICHTMAN (SYSOP) (X)
Re: S
Today went to jewlry stores to shop for engagement ring. Did
"Ring-Flite" for store owner. Got arrested. Guards about to take
laptop away. Need bail.
PS- Used new-ish presentation of aforementioned ring-to-keycase routine
described in "Ultra Cervon." You think perhaps I've been locked away
because authorities prefer traditional working of effect?
PPS- Also identified my occupation to said authorities as "Comedy
writer." So I think perhaps it is also possible I am locked up here
for false representations.
Msg #569 Dated 1:58:21 04-21-91 567 <--> 589
From: DAVID LICHTMAN (Sysop)
To: EVAN KATZ (X)
Re: S
Ascertain that you are not in jail due to violation of copyright notice
in Ultra-Cervon. Skip new version of Ring-Flyte and start studying
Houdini.
Msg #570 Dated 2:00:44 04-21-91 -> 591
From: DAVID LICHTMAN (Sysop)
To: ALL
Re: NEW FILES
The nineteenth set of MAGIC! messages - #9000 (March 27, 1991) to
#9499 (April 5, 1991) - has been transfered to a downloadable
file. The file is named MAGIC-19.TXT. This means that you can
now go to the file area, download this file, and read the nine-
teenth volume of messages off-line. For those who know how to
use the PKUNZIP system for uncompressing files, there is a
compressed version of this same file. It is called MAGIC-19.ZIP
and is less than 1/2 the size of the full-text version.
The twentieth set of MAGIC! messages - #9500 (April 5, 1991) to
#9999 (April 14, 1991) - has also been transfered to a downloadable
file. The file is named MAGIC-20.TXT. The compressed version of
this same file is called MAGIC-20.ZIP and it too is less than 1/2
the size of the full-text version.
These volumes include a number of good effects and tips on
handling. There are also conversations concerning a wide range
of magic topics and events - including the first MAGIC! reviews
and comments on "The Magic of David Copperfield XIII, Mystery on
the Orient Express."
Not only will transfering these messages to a file make it easier
for you to obtain a complete set of them, but it will make the
search for new messages easier and faster.
Msg #571 Dated 2:27:19 04-21-91 543 <--> 592
From: MAX MAVEN
To: PETE BIRO (X)
Re: NAME
He is extraordinary. The fact that his magic is performed with one hand
is only part of the reason. His manner is elegant, his magic is direct
and powerful. Truly a wonderful close-up artist. Pete, if you have the
chance to book him, do so. One caveat: he speaks virtually no English,
so you'll have to have a translator. His work is visual enough that
performance translation is not strictly necessary, but his audience
volunteers will have to know Spanish.
Msg #572 Dated 2:32:46 04-21-91 525 <--> 794
From: MAX MAVEN
To: MICHAEL AMMAR (X)
Re: HOUDINI STAMP
The idea of creating a topological vanish with stamps is lovely. Good
luck on your prototype -- this type of design is not as easy as it
might seem at first.
Msg #573 Dated 2:46:12 04-21-91 417 <--> 574
From: DOUGLAS LARSON
To: DAVID LICHTMAN (SYSOP) (X)
Re: DAY OF MAGIC
How about using a yellow highlighter to make it seam realistic???
Msg #574 Dated 2:47:07 04-21-91 439 <--> 575
From: DOUGLAS LARSON
To: EVAN KATZ (X)
Re: DAY OF MAGIC
Ditto!
Msg #575 Dated 2:47:28 04-21-91 440 <--> 576
From: DOUGLAS LARSON
To: EVAN KATZ (X)
Re: DAY OF MAGIC
See message from David for a solution
Msg #576 Dated 2:48:25 04-21-91 445 <-
From: DOUGLAS LARSON
To: DAVID LICHTMAN (SYSOP) (X)
Re: DAY OF MAGIC
Great idea David ... I wonder if you still have a numbered one with my
name on it? I'll trade you the "plain" button I have for it.
Msg #577 Dated 2:49:13 04-21-91 44 <-
From: DAVID LICHTMAN (Sysop)
To: ARNAUD VANRIETSHOTTEN
Re: MAGIC NL
Arnaud - There was a message from Pete, # 8975, that, somehow, you
never read. You might want to go back and do so.
Msg #579 Dated 3:09:10 04-21-91 470 <--> 601
From: DOUGLAS LARSON
To: EVAN KATZ (X)
Re: NOTHING TO DO WITH MAGIC
Evan,
Is this something to do with a clutch and gears or what?
If not, big congratulations to both of you! I guess the thing to do now
is work out a routine using a ring.
Msg #581 Dated 3:29:21 04-21-91
From: DOUGLAS LARSON
To: MICHAEL AMMAR (X)
Re: WELCOME! TO MAGIC!
Greetings and welcome to Magic!
I want to know how you finally got the modem in your computer and if
you had the work on your book backed up while you did this...
If the book has not been backed up how can you sleep at night?
Anyway it's GREAT to have you here with us and I look forward to the
insight that you bring along.
Msg #585 Dated 4:38:01 04-21-91 -> 594
From: DAVID LICHTMAN (Sysop)
To: ALL
Re: NEW VERSION OF MAGIC!
We have installed a new version of MAGIC! this morning. It should be
quicker and more responsive. Otherwise, it should look and act the
same as the good ol' MAGIC! you are familiar with. If you do encounter
any problems, please let me know by leaving a Comment or by calling me
(during normal Pacific Time business hours) at 818-899-8812.
Msg #587 Dated 6:22:28 04-21-91 558 <--> 595
From: STAN LAKE
To: VINCENT HANCOCK
Re: LONG TIME
Hello Vincent. I would say good morning as I am peering over a
steaming cup of copy through bleary eyes at this monitor, but it's
entirely too early to tell yet. Your question about "Burnout" caught
my attention though. As Biro said, 15 is a bit young for burnout in a
hobby such as magic. At that age the only ones I have seen that were
really toasted were highly competitive athletes driven towards the
Olympics by their parents. Those were kids that had to be up at 4:00
am every morning to start their daily regimen, forsaking nearly all
other outside interests to achieve greatness in their specialty.
Your folks aren't dragging you out of bed each morning to do passes and
palming are they? No matter what age you are, magic should be a time
or at least a source of pleasure whether you are practicing a
challenging new move or performing an old trick to a new audience. If
it has gotten to the point where it is more of a chore rather than
being fun, I would definitly take a step back and look at the
situation. I don't think you are tired of performing the same old
tricks as there are nearly countless books, magical literary treasures,
brimming with new ideas, concepts, moves, and tricks. If anything, I
think it is easier to become overwhelmed by the sheer magnitude of
information available.
You might be tired of performing for the same group of people all the
time. You may learn a new trick without quite perfecting it
(Admittedly that's an absolute we might not attain) and show it to a
few friends in a passable fashion. They may be thinking "OK, that was
interesting, I don't know how you did it, but so what" If you seem to
be suffering from a lack of enthusiastic response I would try to widen
my sphere of audiences beyond the same old friends and family. Put
together a routine if you don't already have one and do some real shows
either paying parties or charity performances for senior citizens,
hospitals, or any place that has disadvantaged people. You have a
tremendously powerful tool available to you in the form of your magic
to bring much happiness to their otherwise dreary lives. Frequently,
that "paycheck" can be much more gratifying than the spendable kind.
I don't know much about you Vincent, I had to make many assumptions
about you that may all be wrong. You may already have a full stage
show and are getting burnt out with all of the road trips!
At your age there is still a world to be discovered. At your age I
thought I knew everything and with each passing year I found out how
little I knew. Even now I know there is still a world to be
discovered. The point is, don't immerse yourself in any one thing to
the exclusion of everything else. In magic or anything else, we all
have a saturation point. Like a sponge, we can only hold so much.
So now you've taken a break, wrung yourself out, and your ready for
more. Keep at it only as long as its fun and if you can, join a club
or make friends with other magicians to share thoughts and ideas with.
Being a lone magician is sometimes like being the only one who knows a
certain language and you can't communicate it.
Don't know if this helped any but my coffee cups empty and my hour is
nearly up online. Write at you later!
Msg #589 Dated 8:01:42 04-21-91 567 <--> 590
From: PETE BIRO
To: EVAN KATZ (X)
Re: S
I wondered why your stuff was funny.
Msg #590 Dated 8:02:04 04-21-91 569 <--> 796
From: PETE BIRO
To: EVAN KATZ (X)
Re: ENGAGEMENT
Yikes, I fo' got the copyright... yous in trouble fella, or is it
fellah? But can you do the ring on the airplane window?
Msg #591 Dated 8:03:39 04-21-91 570 <-
From: PETE BIRO
To: DAVID LICHTMAN (SYSOP) (X)
Re: NEW FILES
How many Kaps letters in this file?
Msg #592 Dated 8:04:02 04-21-91 571 <--> 638
From: PETE BIRO
To: MAX MAVEN (X)
Re: NAME
Si.
Msg #594 Dated 8:07:07 04-21-91 585 <--> 598
From: PETE BIRO
To: DAVID LICHTMAN (SYSOP) (X)
Re: NEW VERSION OF MAGIC!
What?
Msg #595 Dated 8:08:05 04-21-91 587 <--> 611
From: PETE BIRO
To: STAN LAKE (X)
Re: LONG TIME
Couln't have said it better. AN HOUR ONLINE? Hope it is a local call
for you. Later.
Msg #598 Dated 10:17:26 04-21-91 594 <--> 602
From: DAVID LICHTMAN (Sysop)
To: PETE BIRO (X)
Re: NEW VERSION OF MAGIC!
Yeah! I worked ALL NIGHT to install a new version of MAGIC! - better,
faster, and cheaper. And all I get from you is gripe, gripe, gripe...
I'm gonna' get on top of the Kaps letters ASAP. Gr-r-r-r-r-r-r!
Msg #600 Dated 11:45:30 04-21-91 -> 606
From: MICHAEL AMMAR
To: MAX MAVEN (X)
Re: HOUDINI STAMP
Hi Max! Great to 'hear' from you! Are you still into topological
material? (While in Nice in 1983, I saw a wonderful topological
impossibility used by you as an autograph piece.) It isn't a natural
interest of mine, but I know that when applying the vanish idea I
mentioned, the nature of the image, as well as it's precise placement,
is very important. I'd love to be able to contact you for help on this
when the time comes!
If it interests you, here are things to consider. Magic on a stamp has
been turned down twice, already. Thus, my reason for thinking we may
need to look for something 'special.'
On choosing the image, the question becomes person or symbolic
representation. If person - who? Houdini? How? Tied up in chains?
If so, then it is an escape stamp. Using just his face, and playing
up the VANISH, as opposed to the ESCAPE, might work.
As for other people, Robert-Houdin was already on a stamp in France.
Richard Potter? Not only was he the first U.S. magician, but he was
black, as well. There is genuine interest in recognizing minorities,
so this might help get attention.
As for symbolic representations, it is very difficult to think of
graphics that don't represent specific effects, cliches, or performance
venues.
This particular aspect of the problem actually held up another project
of mine for about 6 months. I'm developing a merit badge which
recognizes magic for the 6 levels of Girl Scouts, and the badge itself
has to be a cloth, sewn image.
This means very few lines, while keeping in mind no effects, cliches,
performing roles, or actual venues. Hannah went through at least 6
designs before developing one we felt would work. In theory, this
design could work as a stamp, but why impose sewing criteria on a
printing project?
One final thing. The stamp can't represent any organization, such as
IBM or SAM, as this automatically removes it from consideration.
Msg #601 Dated 12:17:23 04-21-91 579 <--> 603
From: EVAN KATZ
To: DOUGLAS LARSON (X)
Re: NOTHING TO DO WITH MAGIC
Ring on rope. Ring off rope. Ring into keycase. Ring out o }tof
keycase. Ring into wallet. Ring out of wallet. Ring in wallet
_instead_ of money in wallet. Money out of wallet to pay for ring
which will not go on wallet, will go on fiancee's finger.
I think that's some trick!
Msg #602 Dated 12:43:44 04-21-91 598 <-
From: PETE BIRO
To: DAVID LICHTMAN (SYSOP) (X)
Re: NEW VERSION OF MAGIC!
Oh, I'm sorrrry......
Msg #603 Dated 12:44:50 04-21-91 601 <--> 788
From: PETE BIRO
To: EVAN KATZ (X)
Re: NOTHING TO DO WITH MAGIC
It rings a bell.
Msg #604 Dated 12:45:07 04-21-91
From: PETE BIRO
To: ALL
Re: RING TRIX
Am finilizing the contents of a book on the Linking Rings. Need to add
some anecdotes, new moves, concepts, ideas. Etc. Anyone caring to
contribute, would appreciate it.
Still searching my files to find out who the first person was that did
the rings.
Msg #606 Dated 13:30:04 04-21-91 600 <--> 608
From: TABBY CRABB
To: MICHAEL AMMAR (X)
Re: HOUDINI STAMP
Hi Michael...
Conggrats on the Girl Scout Merit Badge in Magic. Bill
Wells and I have been talking over our Boy Scouting days. Is
there a Magic Merit Badge for Boy Scouting? Maybe Bill knows.
I'm excited about your stamp idea and would offer what
help I could in this arena - being close to Washington D.C. right
now and could possibley gopher some if need be. I love the city
much and am hitting the Lib of Congress some right now doing
research.
Houdini as the cover? Hmmmmmmm. The only drawback I can
see is that HH wasn't born in the USA. I don't know if that'll
interfere with the cause or not, but.....
Richard Potter might be a more logical choice for the
reasons you've pointed out. There are some other possibilities
that you've probably thought of. One is to make it a tie in with
American Theatre or to promote a series of Vaudeville stamps with
Magic being one of them.
Your topological idea is perhaps the most potentially
appealing to the powers as it is fresh and unique. You also
pointed out that many Magicians would buy one or more sheets of
the stamps to file away in collections or to use for special
correspondence. I would imagine it would be a much bigger seller
than the USPS realizes.
Also there are a number of other American Magic
Personalities that may appeal to the Board of Approvals. A few
come to mind as Gus Rapp, Blackstone Sr. and Howard Thurston.
tabman
Msg #607 Dated 13:57:50 04-21-91
From: JIM SISTI
To: DAVID LICHTMAN (X)
Re: FAIRNESS
You're investigative work only proves my point more dramatically. Of
the eight messages that you've singled out, only ONE is from me
addressed to all concerning the new issue. Five of them are from
others to me. Surely you can't seriously be holding ME responsible
for others mentioning my publication. That's almost too ridiculous
for comment. I left last night's conversation feeling that we had
reached an understanding. This new information puts a new slant on it
and makes me feel that you indeed come down a bit hard on me for
something that I was largely not responsible for (including the
Private/Public mix-up with Ammar...again not my fault). Let's just be
fair, David...OK? (BTW, there was no mistake in the public/private
function this time out...)
Msg #608 Dated 17:12:34 04-21-91 606 <--> 612
From: PETE BIRO
To: TABBY CRABB (X)
Re: HOUDINI STAMP
The only stamp I know of with an allied artist pictured was W.C.
FIELDS.
Msg #611 Dated 19:37:06 04-21-91 595 <--> 613
From: STAN LAKE
To: PETE BIRO (X)
Re: LONG TIME
Fortunately, I'm in the same area code as Magic! so I'm able to read
and reply to messages on line. If I ever move I'll have to learn all
of those downloading and uploading tricks to save on the phone bill!
Msg #612 Dated 20:09:46 04-21-91 608 <--> 614
From: TABBY CRABB
To: PETE BIRO (X)
Re: HOUDINI STAMP
Thats true. There was a WC Handy stamp I think too and a Duke Ellington
if I recall. Now a Miles Davis stamp....pure magic. Seriously, I think
its a capitol idea and I hope they can do it. France honored
Robert-Houdin and that would be an arguement in their favor I would
think.
Msg #613 Dated 20:11:54 04-21-91 611 <-
From: TABBY CRABB
To: STAN LAKE (X)
Re: LONG TIME
You've gotta move fast.
Msg #614 Dated 21:41:57 04-21-91 600 <--> 640
From: MAX MAVEN
To: MICHAEL AMMAR (X)
Re: HOUDINI STAMP
Yes, I'm still heavily involved with topological magic. In fact, I just
got back from Tokyo, and one of the people I brought over to attend the
Hakone convention was Robert Neale, surely one of the best in the field
of topological magic. By all means, I'd love to discuss the stamp idea
with you further, offline. A tough design challenge, I think, but it's
a fine idea.
As for the girl scout badge design, the only advice I can offer is
that you really ought to avoid using a magic wand as part of the
picture -- I think it would be in questionable taste to use a phallic
symbol for a badge used by an all-female organization.
Msg #615 Dated 21:46:07 04-21-91 -> 639
From: MAX MAVEN
To: TABBY CRABB (X)
Re: JAZZ
Miles is alive, hence not eligible for being pictured on a stamp.
Msg #617 Dated 23:51:12 04-21-91 490 <--> 620
From: SCOTT CRAM
To: DAVID LICHTMAN (SYSOP) (X)
Re: CARD ON TRAIN WINDOW...
A couple of months ago, I bought a commercial card case vanish from one
of the regular dealers at the SAM meetings, worked on it a little bit,
and showed it to the guy who I sold it to. With the new variation, he
didn't recognize it! He thought he knew what I was doing, and then saw
that it seemed to be a real card case. That's the ultimate compliment,
when you fool the guy who sold the effect to you!
Msg #618 Dated 23:54:35 04-21-91 -> 625
From: SCOTT CRAM
To: ALL
Re: TRIVIA QUIZ!!
I thought I'd put this little game up for a diversion (or a
misdirection). Below are 6 last names of famous magicians, but they're
not really known well by them for various reasons. Try and guess who
the magicians are, answers Tuesday. I was going to put "Goldstein" on
the list, but that might be too easy for MAGIC! magi...
1. Weiss (If you don't know this one, give up magic)
2. Fiscbacher (Forgive the spelling)
3. Buton
4. Horn
5. Kotkin
6. Hikita
Bonus question: Name the effect that David Copperfield contributed to
the Tarbell course....
This should get our minds on a different track, and maybe give a fresh
look at the copperfield secrets for the "CARD ON TRAIN WINDOW"
discussion. Happy puzzles!
Msg #620 Dated 0:57:38 04-22-91 617 <--> 628
From: DAVID LICHTMAN (Sysop)
To: SCOTT CRAM (X)
Re: CARD ON TRAIN WINDOW...
Wow! Fooling the guy who sold you the effect is a GREAT compliment!
Must have been real fun. I've had pretty good luck lately too - I've
fooled a large number of people into thinking I'm not a magician...
Msg #622 Dated 1:00:26 04-22-91
From: DAVID LICHTMAN (Sysop)
To: ARNAUD VANRIETSCHOTEN (X)
Re: COMPUTER HACKERS
Arnaud -
In a private message I suggested that some technical help could be
found among the computer community in Holland. BUT I didn't expect you
would go as far as you have - hiring the two guys who "hacked" the U.S.
Defense Department from the Netherlands! It is a BIG story on the news
here. And from what I understand, there is NO LAW in Holland to
prevent it! See, I told you there were ways to save money on those
long distance calls!
On another note, I spent about an hour today discussing MAGIC! and
MAGIC-NL with PETER PIT. He said that Dante had passed your message on,
but that he had been traveling, etc. He is very interested in MAGIC!
and MAGIC-NL and hopes to be able to join us on-line in the future.
Msg #625 Dated 1:57:44 04-22-91 618 <--> 647
From: DAVID LICHTMAN (Sysop)
To: SCOTT CRAM (X)
Re: TRIVIA QUIZ!!
Nice idea, Scott! Thanks for taking the time to assemble and upload
it. Now let's see who can come up with all the right answers.
Msg #628 Dated 5:52:01 04-22-91 443 <--> 641
From: BILL WELLS
To: DAVID LICHTMAN (SYSOP) (X)
Re: REAL MAGIC
Wow! I guess I better go put some woffle dust on my cereal!
When I say I want to believe in real magic...I ain't talking about
double lifts and cards on windows...it means stuff like bar-b-que,
Gloria's BS, and this BBS.
That is an interesting thought about Europeans and Americans...I don't
think I agree that MOSAmericans use sleights...I would say that most
avoid using sleights....Europeans are more direct with their methods
and do seem to design gaffs and gimmicks more readily than we
Americans, however one must be carefull when generalizing like thisas
the resulting sterotypes do not always hold true.
Msg #629 Dated 6:00:09 04-22-91 444 <--> 630
From: BILL WELLS
To: DAVID LICHTMAN (SYSOP) (X)
Re: MAGIC! AT IBM
I think you got it! Two sessions will be puinto the schedule as soon
I have have a chance...The first at 11:15 on Saturday night and the
second at 4:30 on Sunday afternoon.!!
Msg #630 Dated 6:01:43 04-22-91 475 <--> 631
From: BILL WELLS
To: PETE BIRO (X)
Re: REGIONAL MAGIC
Biro...download the last message base file and read it!
member (obviously you don't) our discussion of the Dave Walker lecture
scheduled for the Baltimore convention?
BTW....how many windows on a passenger car? I have a great method for
the DC card on train window...includes having a second set of tracks
and David being able to reach a little further. I mean are there 52
windows?
Msg #631 Dated 6:04:30 04-22-91 476 <--> 642
From: BILL WELLS
To: PETE BIRO (X)
Re: MAGIC! AT IBM
It is in the schedule....(as soon as I type it in!)
Msg #632 Dated 6:07:56 04-22-91 459 <--> 651
From: BILL WELLS
To: BURT CARPENTER (X)
Re: OUR MAGIC GOVERNMENT
I think it is more of a problem of there being too many better known
and more broadly supported personalities that are not magicians. There
also seems more interest in the more recent personalities than older
ones such as Houdini. I wasn't aware there was ever a U.S. postcard
with Houdini on it.
Msg #633 Dated 6:17:15 04-22-91 479 <--> 634
From: BILL WELLS
To: PETE BIRO (X)
Re: MAGIC
are you writing fat words now?
Msg #634 Dated 6:17:45 04-22-91 480 <--> 652
From: BILL WELLS
To: PETE BIRO (X)
Re: MAGIC
I note they are saying EVERYbody won this fight! Both fiters are
praising each other.
Msg #635 Dated 6:19:09 04-22-91 481 <-
From: BILL WELLS
To: PETE BIRO (X)
Re: MAGIC IN BRUNSWICK
I don't know what we are talking about...
Msg #636 Dated 6:20:37 04-22-91 482 <--> 654
From: BILL WELLS
To: PETE BIRO (X)
Re: COPPERFIELD
I understand with the cable...but how could it be moved so
quickly...ever watch 'em switching in a yard?
Msg #638 Dated 6:26:27 04-22-91 519 <--> 656
From: BILL WELLS
To: PETE BIRO (X)
Re: NAME
Check out book number 9 in the same series as the Tamariz books...
Msg #639 Dated 6:37:54 04-22-91 615 <-
From: TABBY CRABB
To: MAX MAVEN (X)
Re: JAZZ
Yep, and especially not a magic one.
Msg #640 Dated 6:37:31 04-22-91 606 <-
From: BILL WELLS
To: TABBY CRABB (X)
Re: HOUDINI STAMP
I know that the Boy Scouts and I.B.M. did have some discussions
regarding a merit badge for magic at one point in the past. Dick
Mossey, a former International President and an Eagle Scout was
involved. I will try to check it out and report to y'all the first
chance I get.
Msg #641 Dated 7:19:47 04-22-91 628 <--> 645
From: DAVID LICHTMAN (Sysop)
To: BILL WELLS (X)
Re: REAL MAGIC
Ah! I see! You are referring to the magic of the moonlight, the
magnolias, the RC's and Moon Pies, and stuff like that. Well, yeah,
it's real too.
And I hope you noticed that I couched my words about Americans and
Europeans - used words like "tend." It often seems to me that I attend
a lecture by an American and he/she sells me a book that shows how to
do some effect that includes all sorts of tricky sleights. A week
later there's another lecture by a European - he/she shows the same
effect, only it's done with a gaff. Maybe it is like the folks who
manufacture the police radars... then they sell a radar detector...
then they design a new radar...
Msg #642 Dated 7:26:46 04-22-91 629 <--> 649
From: DAVID LICHTMAN (Sysop)
To: BILL WELLS (X)
Re: MAGIC! AT IBM
Bill - that seems close to perfection! Now we need some creative
titles for the sessions - lemme see if I can think better a little
later in the morning... If not, it is up to you to make us into
something terrific.
Msg #645 Dated 8:16:52 04-22-91 620 <--> 646
From: PETE BIRO
To: DAVID LICHTMAN (SYSOP) (X)
Re: FOOLING THE EXPERTS
I is great to fool the experts. I once baffled Joe Berg with a set of
Chinese Sticks that I built, using a different principal.
Msg #646 Dated 8:18:13 04-22-91 641 <--> 666
From: PETE BIRO
To: DAVID LICHTMAN (SYSOP) (X)
Re: REAL MAGIC
Radar is becoming obsolete. A friend of mine has devised an optical
speeding detection system using two telescopes and a computer... and is
selling them as fast as he can make 'em to police/sherrif depts!
Msg #647 Dated 8:19:51 04-22-91 618 <--> 698
From: PETE BIRO
To: SCOTT CRAM (X)
Re: TRIVIA QUIZ!!
Too easy, but Buton is spelled Bouton (Harry is first name). Houdini'ks
real name is spelled differently too. I am online and a book I read
last night with Pseudonyms (hundreds of them) is in another room.
Guess what trick I have in the Tarbell course. Sure I am old enuf.
Msg #649 Dated 8:23:32 04-22-91 629 <--> 650
From: PETE BIRO
To: BILL WELLS (X)
Re: MAGIC! AT IBM
I dont' know if my laptop battery can take 2 sessions.... just kiddin'
GREAT!!!!!!!!!!!!! I AM FINALIZING TVL will fly to El Tab's plse on way
to BAlt. YOO TOO? I got to taste the bbq (hold contest, me judge?)
Msg #651 Dated 8:26:20 04-22-91 632 <-
From: PETE BIRO
To: BILL WELLS (X)
Re: OUR MAGIC GOVERNMENT
I have a copy of the postcard with Houdini, and I have the Stamp and
Commemorative envelope with Robert-Houdin. I think I have one other
from somewhere of someone, but forget whom it is?
Msg #652 Dated 8:27:21 04-22-91 633 <--> 653
From: PETE BIRO
To: BILL WELLS (X)
Re: MAGIC
I got my arm/shoulde out watching the NFL draft for 6 hours? Can't
hardly type skinny words.
Msg #653 Dated 8:27:56 04-22-91 634 <--> 668
From: PETE BIRO
To: BILL WELLS (X)
Re: MAGIC
Anybody that gets more than a couple of hundred bucks for a nights work
WINS. I understand even the loser in the fights nowadays get more than
a Million.
I hpe the Rocket loses his but in Canada and the FAT guy tht owns the
team loses more! What a bunch of greeeeeeeedy buggers!!!
Msg #654 Dated 8:29:35 04-22-91 636 <-
From: PETE BIRO
To: BILL WELLS (X)
Re: COPPERFIELD
Yeah they are slow in a yard. But then they are UNION railroad workers
in a featherbed industry. Stage hands are..... er, I see what you mean?
Of course nobody said the camera would run at the same speed.... hah,
just NO CUTS! Hmmmmmm a new thread could emerge here.
Msg #656 Dated 8:34:22 04-22-91 519 <-
From: PETE BIRO
To: PETE BIRO
Re: NAME
Got a bunch of calls on Lavel... he apparently is ONE OF ZEEE GREATS.
Joe will probably have him at next DS.
Msg #658 Dated 8:41:10 04-22-91 -> 670
From: GENO MUNARI
To: PETE BIRO (X)
Re: CONJURING CLOSE-UP
Pete, the Gold Coast is an excellent choice. I would like to go with
you and talk to Mike G., I meet him years ago, in fact he sent his
plane after me when I was in a Mexican hospital. He is a great guy.
Let me know when you are coming in? (702) 595-7770
Msg #659 Dated 8:38:52 04-22-91 -> 672
From: MICHAEL AMMAR
To: PETE BIRO (X)
Re: NAME
Hi Pete. As long as you are planning to bring someone across the pond
(Rene L.), here's a thought - - Book a Magic Cruise to depart from
Madrid 500 years to the day Columbus set sail. Bring the Spanish
magicians over to experience the 'Magic of the New World' on a 'Cruise
of Discovery'! We could have flat world place mats, and commemorative
flat world Frisbee's! (On Copperfield's Special, maybe he can prove
the world is really flat...)
About 4 years ago I had the idea of renting all the meeting places
for Columbus Day 1992, so when everyone wanted to throw their parties
they would have to go through me! I chickened out then, but you could
probably still get away with it, as so few look ahead./
I believe the 500 year celebration will dwarf the bicentennial.
Msg #660 Dated 8:44:02 04-22-91
From: MICHAEL AMMAR
To: DOUGLAS LARSON (X)
Re: GREETINGS!
Hi Guy!
Msg #661 Dated 8:44:34 04-22-91 -> 663
From: MICHAEL AMMAR
To: TABBY CRABB (X)
Re: TABLE
Sorry I didn't FAX you this weekend as I originally planned. It seems
I've gotten hooked on this hotline, though!
Msg #663 Dated 9:35:04 04-22-91 661 <--> 673
From: TABBY CRABB
To: MICHAEL AMMAR (X)
Re: TABLE
Fax was quiet Sunday. Everybody needs a day off sometime, though I
rarely do...unless you figure that everyday isa holiday when you love
what you do. MAGIC! is a pleasure to lots of folks and I'm one ofum
too.
Msg #666 Dated 10:45:53 04-22-91 645 <--> 675
From: DAVID LICHTMAN (Sysop)
To: PETE BIRO (X)
Re: FOOLING THE EXPERTS
In his intro to Michael Ammar's new book, David Copperfield says that
Michael astonished him with a coin effect.
SPEAKING OF WHICH -- We have been critically short of effects around
here lately. Lots of good magic chit-chat and analysis (Card to
Window) but not much "how to do"'ems. You want Kaps letters? How
about posting a killer effect or two? Maybe some others will get the
idea and we can get some mojo going.
Msg #668 Dated 11:01:00 04-22-91 652 <--> 677
From: DAVID LICHTMAN (Sysop)
To: PETE BIRO (X)
Re: MAGIC
Hope you feel better soon. Meanwhile, try working on your one-handed
sleights.
Msg #670 Dated 11:10:48 04-22-91 658 <-
From: PETE BIRO
To: GENO MUNARI
Re: CONJURING CLOSE-UP
No immediate plans for trip to LV, but will call you. Got some other
stuff need to chat about. Later...
Msg #672 Dated 11:11:40 04-22-91 659 <-
From: PETE BIRO
To: MICHAEL AMMAR (X)
Re: NAME
How ya doin? Been crzy here, will look your jplan over later... boy
sounds wild. Actually Joe S has plan to maybe book him. It is just that
neither of us HAD EVER seen him and I was just checking references. Mo'
later....
Msg #673 Dated 11:12:57 04-22-91 661 <-
From: PETE BIRO
To: MICHAEL AMMAR (X)
Re: TABLE
Hooked, what's that, not me.... aarrrrgggghhhhhh
Msg #675 Dated 11:15:40 04-22-91 666 <--> 679
From: PETE BIRO
To: DAVID LICHTMAN (SYSOP) (X)
Re: FOOLING THE EXPERTS
OK LATER TONITE
WILL HAVE TO TAKE SOME LSD TO DREAM UP SOME NEW MAGIC
(LSD = Long Special Diatribe) ? Huh?, gee is this a public msg?
Msg #677 Dated 11:16:52 04-22-91 668 <--> 680
From: PETE BIRO
To: DAVID LICHTMAN (SYSOP) (X)
Re: MAGIC
You probably don't believe it but Matt Corin and I used to do card
tricks wearing one coat. I used my left arm, he his right. We could do
Elmsley counts, all kinds of stuff. Even did the coins thru the table.
However it was not our concept. I think the first to do it was Tamariz.
Msg #679 Dated 11:54:58 04-22-91 675 <--> 790
From: DAVID LICHTMAN (Sysop)
To: PETE BIRO (X)
Re: FOOLING THE EXPERTS
Lookin' forward to the mojo.
Msg #680 Dated 11:56:29 04-22-91 677 <-
From: DAVID LICHTMAN (Sysop)
To: PETE BIRO (X)
Re: MAGIC
Tamariz was the first magician to wear a coat??? Now THAT is a piece
of magic history! How're you comming on your search for the origins of
the Linking Rings? Seems to me I read somewhere that they were
invented in Germany in the 1600's, but that they were attributed to
Oriental origins as "hype." Was told that the ruse was exposed when
someone noticed "Fabrikation zu China" neatly engraved on the inside.
The other most common theory regarding their origin is that Howard
Bamman invented 'em in January of 1920.
Msg #684 Dated 13:10:16 04-22-91 -> 693
From: PETE BIRO
To: DAVID LICHTMAN (X)
Re: COAT
Tamariz and one other person in the SAME COAT. Doing close up, each
using but one arm. I will tell you more later. Boy, Wells giving MAGIC!
two sessions.... at IBM.... what kind of BBQ sauce is he sniffin?
I had to log on for y our zip code, mailing the Goldston Book rat now.
Msg #686 Dated 15:20:26 04-22-91 -> 695
From: MARVIN STERN
To: DAVID LICHTMAN (X)
Re: FAX
Just returned this past weekend from Vegas, having attended NAB.
Right of top of my important business papers, was your fax. That
explains why I didn't reply to the fax.
Secondly, I,m not sure what the fax meant. Were you just trying out
the computer generated facsimile, or were you inviting me to lunch?
AHH, now I remember. You're trying to collect the lunch from me, that
I promised when I thought the fax I sent to you in Vegas, cost you $40.
Anyhow, never one to go back on a promise, I'm buying Friday, at the
Castle, if you can make it.
73's.
Msg #687 Dated 15:47:43 04-22-91 -> 705
From: MICHAEL AMMAR
To: MAX MAVEN (X)
Re: HOUDINI STAMP
Sounds great! I have a file of the letters that have gone back and
forth, I'll copy those that apply and send them by regular mail
sometime this week. The book of stamps I'm looking at measures 6 1/2
mm by 4 1/2 mm. The first question that needs a definite answer -
which so far I've just assumed - is can this size image, or one
reasonably close to it, be divided into sixths and still have the
mathematics work out? It seems like it should, but one can't guess on
such a pivotal issue!
As for the magic wand, we are in complete agreement....
Msg #688 Dated 15:50:49 04-22-91 -> 696
From: MICHAEL AMMAR
To: TABBY CRABB (X)
Re: HOUDINI STAMP
IBM's Mike Ellis is pursuing the Postmaster General himself, and if
you've got Mike Ellis after you, you've truly got someone after you!
So consider that direction dealt with.
On the other hand, no one seems to know much about the Citizens' Stamp
Advisory Committee. Comprised of individuals outside the Postal
Service, they review the thousands of stamps proposed each year, and
recommend a limited number for approval. They meet every two months.
They are the 'gatekeepers' to the yes or no.
Consider two things:
(1) Anyone can walk on water if they know where the rocks are.
(2) Anyone can be reached!
Msg #691 Dated 16:29:25 04-22-91
From: BRUCE SANDERCOCK
To: MARVIN STERN (X)
Re: SAM
Thanks for your letter re the next SAM meeting which I
received today. Will be there. Still haven't heard what you have
agaist Dallasnst.
Msg #693 Dated 16:50:58 04-22-91 684 <-
From: DAVID LICHTMAN (Sysop)
To: PETE BIRO (X)
Re: COAT
Will look for the book in ze mail.
Msg #695 Dated 16:52:29 04-22-91 686 <--> 762
From: DAVID LICHTMAN (Sysop)
To: MARVIN STERN (X)
Re: FAX
Glad to hear that you could afford to return from Vegas. Hope NAB was
worthwhile.
Yep, you got what the fax meant - all three feet of it. Often I don't
know if I can get away on a Friday - hard to plan. But that morning it
looked like I could, so I faxed you. When I didn't hear, I called down
to your place and they said you were away, so I gave up. Going to
Castle for Friday lunch, without you being there, just wasn't worth the
trip. And yeah, I DO expect you to buy.
Msg #696 Dated 16:59:32 04-22-91 688 <--> 720
From: TABBY CRABB
To: MICHAEL AMMAR (X)
Re: HOUDINI STAMP
OK.......I can get some info on the Citz Adv Comm. Know a
coupla guys on Capitol Hill (they're panhandlers - kidding) who
might be able to steer me in the rite direction. I'll be in the
office tomorrow and will make a coupla calls. One guy who's now
Hse Rep had a fundraiser here at Spring Hill a few years back,
though one of my dogs upstaged him while he was making a speech.
Will remind him that I'm the guy with the German Shepard who
really liked him.
Your advice is good and may I add....where there's a
will, there's a way. And, I will get back to you onit.
Later.
Msg #698 Dated 17:17:12 04-22-91 618 <--> 710
From: MAX MAVEN
To: SCOTT CRAM (X)
Re: TRIVIA QUIZ!!
Actually, there are _three_ well known magicians whose original surname
was Goldstein. Can you come up with the other two??
Msg #699 Dated 17:22:06 04-22-91 -> 852
From: MAX MAVEN
To: DANTE LARSEN (X)
Re: GENII
Regarding the letter, I think it's not worth responding to -- just let
it slide.
I should have a new review column for you in the next few days.
Msg #701 Dated 18:45:24 04-22-91 49 <--> 703
From: HARRISON CARROLL
To: TABBY CRABB (X)
Re: FFFF
Tabman: Hope to see you in a few days. I talked to Ray a little bit
ago. He said you'll be up Thursday..I'm looking forward to seeing you
again.
Msg #702 Dated 18:53:44 04-22-91 -> 723
From: TABBY CRABB
To: PETE BIRO (X)
Re: GAFFED SILVER
I've been wondering since we've started this discussion
older American gaffed coins especially on the cap and pence why
I've never seen (not saying they don't exist) a quarter of half
stack tails up so the problem of having a dupe is not so
significant. Have you ever seen one with the tail up? Also I know
you do some work with dollar sized coins. I have some interesting
Mexican silver Pesos (pre devaluation) and wondered if you needed
anything like that?
Had to change my plans for FFFF today. I can't fly up
with Howie like I'd been planning for a coupla months as I have
some business to take care of here in Maryland on Wed and Thus
but am gonna try to drive up Thursday night to at least get to
hang out for a coupla days. I enjoy being home though and with
MAGIC! there's some good cocktail hour talk going on pretty much
all day.
Hasta Luego
Msg #703 Dated 19:00:48 04-22-91 701 <-
From: TABBY CRABB
To: HARRISON CARROLL
Re: FFFF
Hi Harrison:
Was thinking about you this afternoon as 4F (reminds me
of the 4H club in HS) is approaching. Hadn't seen you on inawile
and figured you're on the road. Had to change my plans somewhat
and delay departure for a day or so, but will prob be driving in
Thus after the 21 game at the firehouse. Ray will know where I
am, etc and am def looking forward to getting 2gether with you
again and have a few laughs. Howie will be flying in on Wed. but
I had to delay as have some biz here in St Marys Co that day and
early Thus. Long drive in Silver, my pickup truck, but worth it
to hang out some. See you this weekend.
tabman
Msg #705 Dated 19:28:14 04-22-91 687 <-
From: WAYNE POWERS
To: MICHAEL AMMAR (X)
Re: HOUDINI STAMP
By the same token, perhaps you shouldn't use a rabbit, either...being
the "breeding machines" that they are!
Msg #710 Dated 20:01:54 04-22-91 698 <--> 711
From: TABBY CRABB
To: MAX MAVEN (X)
Re: TRIVIA QUIZ!!
How about "Cardoni" for #2.
Msg #711 Dated 20:03:51 04-22-91 698 <--> 721
From: TABBY CRABB
To: MAX MAVEN (X)
Re: TRIVIA QUIZ!!
Maybe Horace was the other one? Not so sure if Cardoni is your other
reference.
Msg #712 Dated 20:07:48 04-22-91 -> 719
From: RICHARD HART
To: ALL
Re: MAGIC ON (SEMI) TV
Just checked this week's TV Times (LA area). Tuesday 4/23 at 8:00 pm
PDT, the Disney Channel is re-running "Magic in the Magic Kingdom".
Msg #715 Dated 20:46:54 04-22-91
From: GARY PLANTS
To: MICHAEL AMMAR (X)
Re: HELLO
Hey Mike, Glad to see you finally made it on Magic. Hope your hand is
doing OK. I see your book is due out soon. I'm sure it is going to be
great. Tell Hannah I said hi. Later.
Msg #716 Dated 20:39:20 04-22-91
From: BRUCE SANDERCOCK
To: ALL
Re: DAN ANDERSON
Just got off the phone with Dan. Dan was the one who turned
me on to Magic approx 4 years ago. We were on a flight from Ontario to
Dallas when Dan pulled out his sponges and before long we owned
the plane. Thats when I made the decision to get into this action.
He's a lifetime member of the Castle, and use to perform there
regularly. I talked to the late Al Goshman a few months prior to his
passing, and he remembered Dan fondly. To get to the point...Dan has
been quite ill recently...so if anyone out there knows Dan and would
like to drop him a get well wish, I'm sure he would greatly appreciate
it. His address is, Dan Anderson, Anderson Effects, Inc., P.O. Box
657, Mentone, California 92359.
Msg #719 Dated 21:04:50 04-22-91 712 <-
From: DAVID LICHTMAN (Sysop)
To: RICHARD HART (X)
Re: MAGIC ON (SEMI) TV
Thanks for the info, Richard. I think some areas may have Disney
channel free this week.
Msg #720 Dated 21:30:47 04-22-91 688 <-
From: PETE BIRO
To: MICHAEL AMMAR (X)
Re: HOUDINI STAMP
The Chairman of the Postal something, who the Postmaster General works
for, is a member of the Bohemian Club in San Francisco. So is my best
friend, so is Dr. Albo. Hmmmm. Will see what might be ...
Msg #721 Dated 21:32:05 04-22-91 698 <--> 798
From: PETE BIRO
To: MAX MAVEN (X)
Re: TRIVIA QUIZ!!
Sam and Irving?
Msg #723 Dated 21:36:20 04-22-91 702 <--> 773
From: PETE BIRO
To: TABBY CRABB (X)
Re: GAFFED SILVER
Had some FRESH Abalone and white wine tonite.... the Ab came from a pal
of mines place up on the coast. My buddy here went up and did the
diving... actually the private cove is so full of Abalone they just
stoood in the water up to their knees and pulled in the limit in about
three minutes. Never had to inflate boat or get out the diving gear!
Msg #726 Dated 21:44:27 04-22-91 -> 729
From: STEVE KUCERA
To: MAX MAVEN (X)
Re: TAHOE SHOW
Mr. Maven,
I will be traveling up to the Reno-Tahoe area May 17-19. I
understand you produce an occasional show up there and
was wondering if you have any top notch talent that we
should check out. Its a little tough to get detailed show
info down here.
I would also appreciate a few brief words of advice for a
perfomer who would like to eventually work in Japan.
Thanks for your time.
Steve Kucera
the Wine Country Wizard.
Msg #727 Dated 21:45:31 04-22-91 -> 783
From: STEVE KUCERA
To: TABBY CRABB (X)
Re: VIDEO E..
Hey Tabby Howthehellareya?
Dont want to seem like a snob. I recieved your request
for a video and am preparing to ship one to you. I will
need your address as that speeds up the process
somewhat.
We are going to shoot the act on Thursday but it is
still " Work in progress" and should be viewed as such.
I will be performing solo and therefore cant run the
entire wine act. We are preparing to shoot the new
version of the wine act in mid June and will send you an
updated tape at that time.
Been embroiled in building a light system, dance
lessons, new stage setting for the act and working with
the composer on scoring original tunes for same.
The following is a list of things we have in common.
Magic
Music ( I play bluegrass banjo and guitar)
Woodworking ( I run a woodshop for a living)
MAGIC!
I read that you were in Urban Cowboy. Howzabout telling
me where I can see you in that flick so I can jump up
and shout " I know him" at the top of my lungs.
Msg #729 Dated 22:25:08 04-22-91 726 <--> 769
From: PETE BIRO
To: STEVE KUCERA (X)
Re: TAHOE SHOW
If Maven isn't about, go to Caesars Tahoe and see great Magic Show.
Jade, Goldfinger and Dove and --- oh god, went blank on his name. Great
Puppeteer and does killer levitation in show. I will get killed for
forgetting his name.... I plan to go see show in a week or so. Will be
tghere until end of May. There are two other shows but don't recall
where, with lots of magic inem.
Msg #730 Dated 22:13:22 04-22-91 -> 732
From: RICHARD HART
To: BURT CARPENTER (X)
Re: BOOKS...
Burt:
Just mailed off an order to you for Max's Thavant, and Becker's 2nd
volume of his World of Mentalism... I, for one, would like to thank
you for the 10% donation to Magic!, and, as your prices are reasonable,
I see no reason why more of the book-buying Magic! members don't send
a few orders your way... Go figure, eh?
Joe Berg once refused to sell me a Rice 36" blendo until I bought the
copy of Greater Magic he had on his shelf. I bought both. Today, I
have no idea what happened to the blendo, but I sure as hell know where
the book is. I've read it so many times, I've lost count.
Thank you, Joe, wherever you are. And thanks to all the magi, past and
present who take the time to lay pen to paper, and share with the rest
of us your wonderous craft.
Msg #731 Dated 22:27:24 04-22-91 -> 760
From: PETE BIRO
To: ALL
Re: MAGIC TRICK YOU CAN DO
Our beloved SYSOP said we have too many discussions here on
Barbecue Sauce and not enough magic.
OK, here is an item I have pulled from my 1979 World Tour lecture
notes. The description is very abbreviated, as those reading
should know what is meant by an Erdnase Milk Build Shuffle, etc.
The inspiration for this trick was from seeing Persi Diaconis do
the same effect -- only using incredible skill at stocking a deck
whilst Riffle Shuffling!
I call it "SLOP POKER" as it resembles the version of Vernon's
Triumph, called the SLOP SHUFFLE.
Begin with four aces at the bottom of the deck. Do a Slop Shuffle
without disturbing the bottom four cards. Follow this with an
Erdnase "Milk Build" shuffle mixing the FACE UP cards from the
top of the deck with a FACE DOWN Ace in every fourth position.
Injog after the 3rd card on the LAST ACE.
Shuffle off the rest of the cards letting the FACE DOWN batch
come last, without any FACE UP cards in it.
Cut below jogged card. Spread the deck to show how messed up it
looks. Emphasize by showing the top portion which has face up and
face down cards. Spread further breaking at junction of face up
and face down groups at the bottom. Separate the cards at this
point, turning BOTH over to show more mess, then turn the right
hand portion back over to original position, but leave the left
hand portion in turned-over condition.
Put packets together. This is set up now: Top stock is 3 FACE UP
cards, face down ACE, repeated with rest of Aces.
Rest of the deck is now all face down. Important point is to
appear sloppy and disorganized throughout for best effect.
Patter and deal 3 face up cards to 3 imaginary opponents, the
face down cards (Aces) go to you.
"This saves me time when I play" you say, "I don't have to mark
the cards, I can see my opponent's cards, they can't see what I
have!"
Finish by turning over your hand -- the FOUR ACES. Kicker is the
finale of spreading the balance of the deck and all the cards
face one way!
Reward is a Kaps letter or two....
Msg #732 Dated 22:35:52 04-22-91 730 <--> 805
From: DAVID LICHTMAN (Sysop)
To: RICHARD HART (X)
Re: BOOKS...
Pen to paper, Richard??? How about all of the magi who place fingers
on keyboards so that we can bask in this eldritch green (or amber)
glow...
Msg #733 Dated 22:45:58 04-22-91 -> 734
From: PETE BIRO
To: ALL
Re: MORE MAGIC FOR KAPS LTR!
MENTAL KARATE: This is a phrase I came up with late one night
over a cup of coffee with Tony Corinda (Thirteen Steps to
Mentalism) -- He loved the line and said someone could start a
religion called Mental Karate!
Shortly thereafter I put the name Mental Karate to a routine that
I had started to work out. You tell them that Mental Karate is a
new non-violent form of Martial Arts, etc.
The routine is literally self-working and believe me when I tell
you it is one of the strongest in my laymen close up repertoire.
Needed: Haskell Split Deck. Miniature Slate (called Crandall
Slate) with a flap backed up with a playing card, back side out,
that matches the deck you normally use. I use Red Bicycles. The
flap on these slates (Ken Brooke marketed a fabulous quality set)
is the same size as a poker playing card. You can make the flap
by taking any card and putting black vinyl sheeting on the face
of the card, cutting out so is the same size and then roughing up
a bit with fine sandpaper.
You need a duplicate to the force card of the Split Deck. You put
this card between the flap and the slate with back of card toward
the slate. Don Alan commented that he thought this was one of the
best forces of a card he had ever seen. You can actually force a
card that is NOT IN THE DECK this way.
After a number of cards effects, stop and go into the Mental
Karate chat... telling that a Karate expert was in your audience
the other night and look at what he did when I asked him to cut
the cards. (Bring out the Split Deck). Force the two half cards,
but do not reveal, just set the card halves aside, well apart.
Put the deck away.
Bring out the mini slate and have someone initial the FLAP. Then
have the regular deck shuffled and ask someone to cut them into
two piles. Drop the slate onto the lower half, where they cut and
complete cut putting rest of cards on top of slate.
Recap what has been done. Dramatically turn over the two halves,
they match, push them together in front of slate. Lift up the
slate and ask someone to pull the top card "the one you cut to"
away from the deck and turn it over. It matches the split cards.
For a Kicker you say the Mental Karate Man knew you would take
that card... turn over the slate and the name of card is on the
slate in place of the initials. (I forgot to tell you to put it
there before) (How else?)
Toss slate to someone. While they look at it pick up all the
evidence before someone else does. I would not try to follow this
with anymore card magic!
Msg #734 Dated 23:36:26 04-22-91 733 <--> 753
From: EVAN KATZ
To: PETE BIRO (X)
Re: MORE MAGIC FOR KAPS LTR!
What ever happened to Tony Corinda?
Msg #735 Dated 23:49:00 04-22-91
From: DAVID LICHTMAN (Sysop)
To: PETE BIRO (X)
Re: LETTERS FROM FRED KAPS
OK, Pete - You've certainly done your part in spades! So it is my turn
now. Three fresh, never-before-published letters from Fred Kaps to
Pete Biro are about to be uploaded here on MAGIC!
Since we have some people who have joined us in the last few weeks,
since the start of the series, let me set the scene. Pete has very
generously contributed these letters to MAGIC! They are part of the
personal correspondence he maintained with Fred Kaps.
Shortly after we began to publish these on MAGIC!, MAGIC-NL (in the
Netherlands) began to publish the letters that Pete sent to Kaps!
These letters are now exchanged between the two systems, thanks to
Arnaud Vanrietschoten, and the members of both systems are able to have
some rare insight into the activities of some of the greats of magic.
Since there has been a hiatus in publishing these letters, I'm going to
reprint the original introduction in the following two messages.
Msg #736 Dated 23:56:29 04-22-91 -> 737
From: DAVID LICHTMAN (Sysop)
To: ALL
Re: FRED KAPS LETTERS/INTRO.
AN ELECTRONIC PUBLISHING FIRST!
PRIVATE FRED KAPS LETTERS TO APPEAR ON MAGIC!
Pete Biro will be publishing a set of private letters from FRED KAPS
here on MAGIC!. Covering the period May, 1972 to April, 1980, the
letters will be published, in serial form, starting today, January
1, 1991. These personal letters have been held by Pete for over ten
years.
"These letters provide a real insight into Fred Kaps," said Biro.
"They let us see magic and magicians through his eyes."
Those who know and who loved Fred Kaps and those who are familiar
with his work will immediately appreciate the magnitude of the
contribution that Pete is making to magic history through the
publication of these letters.
These letters were written to a personal friend and often include
Fred Kaps' comments on a wide variety of topics. To place them in
perspective, Pete Biro has provided the following brief biography of
Fred Kaps.
"Fred Kaps has been described by many as 'The Best All-Around
Magical Performer Ever!'
"Big words?
"Not to anyone that ever saw Fred perform. He was equally at home
on stage in front of magicians, for the lay public, or at the close
up table.
"His first fame came when as a young Dutch magician named 'Mystica,'
he appeared on the scene. His theme then was the appearing cane.
Cane after cane kept appearing all throughout his act. He would be
in the middle of something and ZAM another cane. He just threw them
offstage. It seemed he produced literally dozens and dozens of them.
"With this act, and others, Kaps was a THREE TIME FISM GRAND PRIX
WINNER. That's nine years and no one came along to beat him!
"His real name was Bram Bongers. I remember the first time I went
to his home in Utrecht. I though maybe I had the wrong address,
seeing the name Bongers on the mail box.
"As a youngster Fred was intrigued by magic performed by his wife
Nellie's father. Nellie was his childhood sweetheart and they
married, raising, two daughters, Barry and Gaby. Gaby is a very
talented artist.
"Nellie is a great cook, and its amazing that Fred never became
overweight, as every time I visited there was incredible food to be
eaten!!!
"In the beginning Kaps was a student of Henk Vermeyden. Vermeyden
was a strong teacher with great ideas and a longtime force in giving
Holland a great reputation for so many excellent magicians. Richard
Ross, Ger Copper, Dick Koornwinder, The Niberco Bros., Jos Bema,
Eddy Taytelbaum, Phoa Yan Tiong, Marconic and many others have
achieved success from so small a nation.
"Kaps had two distinct types of stage performance. The one
magicians are aware of was the sophisticated, skilled, silent
manipulation act. His work with dollar bill productions (in place
of playing cards), gigantic coins, Smoking Thumb and his "signature"
presentation of the Salt Trick stopped show after show at magicians
conventions. His style, his acting, his attitude, always
impeccable.
"There was another Fred Kaps.
"One that few knew about. The comedian. To see Fred perform at a
theater in his native Holland, speaking (yes, a talking act) with
his magic, Fred actually would have the audiences in stitches. On
more than one occasion I was privileged to travel with him and watch
him knock audiences dead with his patter. The tricks in that show?
Things many magicians would laugh at. The Professor's Nightmare,
Sucker Silk, The Spot Card and the Chinese Sticks. He would often
do two acts in a review show. The first the silent manipulation
act, then in the second half he would do the patter act.
(Continued)
Msg #737 Dated 23:59:56 04-22-91 736 <-
From: DAVID LICHTMAN (Sysop)
To: ALL
Re: FRED KAPS LETTERS/INTRO.
"At the same time, being the consummate professional, Fred was also
a rabid amateur. He never stopped learning new tricks, trying new
variations, and was always on the lookout for unique close-up magic.
Fred didn't have much in the way of inventiveness, he had a great
curiosity and a great global network of people that dreamed up stuff
and gave it to him knowing that it would be kept to him, and
especially that Fred would perform it so well that they were
thrilled to give him their ideas.
"He also had a very clever group of friends all over the world that
were capable of manufacturing special one-off items for him.
"One item in particular was a card sword. Fred had a card sword
that was almost examinable. The method was very different, and the
sword was made from a REAL sword of ancient origin. It was a piece
of art in itself, even if it didn't do anything. Fred also had a
special Cane built that would actually assist him in the production,
seemingly from nowhere, of a rabbit! The rabbit's ears were "built"
into the cane and would pop in and out of view at his command.
"You all know of the vanishing birdcage, and in particular the
Martin method, used throughout vaudeville by Frakson? Well Kaps had
a mechanic construct a huge Candelabra that worked in the same
manner. If you are lucky you might have seen him do this on the Ed
Sullivan show. He was on the very show the Beetles made their US
debut. An historic show in many respects.
"Fred had another custom-made item, and one I had always admired.
It was a hand carved Miniature Skull, gaffed to do Bill Nord's great
trick, Skullocation. Fred also had a variation on his famed
"Smoking Thumb" a version he had planned to market through Ken
Brooke. But all the ripoff artists (particularly those that nicked
his cork routine) had him very upset. So, he didn't market this.
Instead he gave it, and the Skull to me. Recently, the marketable
item, I decided that a variant of this was too good to keep out of
the magic world. I have not given it away, but I discussed the idea
and principle with Finn Jon. Finn, I know Fred would have approved,
as they were very close friends, has added this to his professional
act and it is a hit.
"Kaps was a wonderful person as well. A good family man, a
consummate professional. He was interested in his art, not so much
in the money he might make. Many times when I was on the spot
moneywise putting on a show or a one-day convention (as I used to
with Lloyd Jones in Oakland some 20 years ago) Fred was happy just
to be there and would work for whatever we could afford.
"I can still remember to this day the time he came to Oakland and
the rumor was he had a floating cork trick that no one could figure
out. Larry Jennings flew up from Los Angeles, came in early,
grabbed a front row seat and waited for Kaps to do his lecture.
Fred saw Larry (they knew each other and were good friends) and did
the Cork right under his nose. Larry was blown away! (So was I and
everybody else! At that time no one had a clue!!!)
"Fred left us shortly after the last letter came to my mailbox, in
July of 1980.
"He has been, and will continue to be missed.
"The letters from Fred will not teach you how to do magic. They
will give you an insight to his way of thinking, and what he was
doing in the period covered -- May of 1972 through April of 1980.
In many cases I will add an Editorial Comment to clarify something
in the letter -- any of these comments will be found looking like
this, with DOUBLE angle/parentheses <>. Otherwise the letters will be verbatim."
MAGIC! is extremely pleased to be the exclusive vehicle for the
release of these letters.
These letters and the related Fred Kaps material that he choses to
publish on MAGIC! will remain the personal property of Pete Biro,
Copyright 1991 by Pete Biro, All rights reserved.
Msg #738 Dated 0:01:03 04-23-91
From: DAVID LICHTMAN (Sysop)
To: ALL
Re: KAPS LETTER # 7
LETTER #7 FROM FRED KAPS TO PETE BIRO
These letters and the related Fred Kaps material that he choses to
publish on MAGIC! will remain the personal property of Pete Biro,
Copyright 1991 by Pete Biro, All rights reserved.
NOTE: All letters are "verbatim" as written, remember English was
not Fred's native language! Any comments or clarifications by
the editor are enclosed in << >>.
<>
20 June 1976
Pete:
It was good to hear from you again and it was about time
that I too sit down and send you a word or two.
As a matter of fact I was a little afraid of writing because I
was thinking that you might have moved again to Oakland.
Anyway....
Did a short trip to New York for a combined SAM-IBM dinner
and went over very well. So did the lecture the next day. Derek
<> and Scotty <> came over and we had a short
session. Had dinner at Tony Slydini's and it was great to see him
again. <>.
Have not worked any new miracles lately so really I don't
know what to write about!
Japan Convention just sent me my ticket and so far it is
dated for 18th of Aug. and return on the 22nd! Will see if I can
change when in Tokyo, to stay a little longer.
Hear that Emil Loew is coming over to Amsterdam on 28th of
June before going to Vienna with a group of about 12 magicians
(?). So is <> Larsen with another group on the same date!
They don't seem to mix so I guess that politics took over again!
Makes me sick!
I am not going to Vienna <> myself but will
spend 16 days at Fialho's in the south of France from 13th of
July onwards. Nellie and Dick <> are going with me
and we are joining Frank Garcia and Trevor Lewis and wife so we
can have our own convention at the swimming pool!!!
Well, Pete, guess this is all for now. Do you have any
information on the electronic layout for the Ron Wilson version
of your rising cards? <> Hope to hear.
Best!! (signed) Fred-
Msg #739 Dated 0:02:06 04-23-91
From: DAVID LICHTMAN (Sysop)
To: ALL
Re: KAPS LETTER # 8
LETTER #8 FROM FRED KAPS TO PETE BIRO
These letters and the related Fred Kaps material that he choses to
publish on MAGIC! will remain the personal property of Pete Biro,
Copyright 1991 by Pete Biro, All rights reserved.
NOTE: All letters are "verbatim" as written, remember English was
not Fred's native language! Any comments or clarifications by
the editor are enclosed in << >>.
<>
21 September 1976
Pete:
Received the books and your letter. THANKS!!
Wished I could have seen the review!! Program looks fantastic.
<>
I am busy, busy, busy!! 20 shows in 20 days this month.
Before the rush started I went to see Ken <> and as usual
had a swell time. Picked up a few bits and pieces from the
Morrison collection not too much really.
My little calculator I picked up in Japan does not work
properly and the firm here in Holland don't want to repair it
under the guarantee. So that's money down the drain.
When in London I booked myself a T.V. special for Christmas
with the B.B.C. with a connection Ken had. "The Greatest
Magicians in the World" It is going to be a program build around
me. Ricky <> will be one of the guests and we are trying to
get Richiardi, Galli-Galli and a few others that will give enough
variety. Sounds alright doesn't it!! We are going to tape it
November 6th.
Next month we are going to tape the revue. Also for
Christmas here in Holland. I guess this will definitely be the
last season with the revue.
1st of October is the opening of the first of five casinos
here in Holland. Was invited but can't go because of a show. Will
visit next day to see what the setup looks like. So far they are
going to play roulette and black jack only.
Tried out the new version of your card in balloon and it
seems to work out fine. However I prefer the spring version. The
sleight-of-hand version is great for an emergency if you have to
do something at the spur of the moment.
Been filing and reading all the Ken Brooke instructions for
the tricks he sold through the years.
When you go through them again you will find some damn good
advice and bits of business in them!
Well, this is it for now. All the best,
(signed) Fred-
Msg #740 Dated 0:03:04 04-23-91
From: DAVID LICHTMAN (Sysop)
To: ALL
Re: KAPS LETTER # 9
LETTER #9 FROM FRED KAPS TO PETE BIRO
These letters and the related Fred Kaps material that he choses to
publish on MAGIC! will remain the personal property of Pete Biro,
Copyright 1991 by Pete Biro, All rights reserved.
NOTE: All letters are "verbatim" as written, remember English was
not Fred's native language! Any comments or clarifications by
the editor are enclosed in << >>.
<>
15 Sept.1977
Pete,
Thanks for your note on Fickle Fire and I would very much
like a set. <> Because I saw the thing
advertised by several dealers I don't know which one has the real
thing and who has just a rip-off. So I would like to ask yo to do
me the favour of buying me a set and let me know how much I owe
you so I can send you the money in an envelope. I guess about 55
dollars would cover it?
At the moment again busy with the revue for another 3
months. I guess it will be the last 3 months now. What I hear is
that show business is quite slow, apart from our revue. I do more
and more close-up work now.
Ken <> is a little better now. The doctor gave him
new pills and they seem to work O.K. However I don't think he
will ever be the same. When in London I met Cy Enfield again
after 21 years and we did a tape together for Vic Pinto. <>
Will do a show for Ron Mac Millan on Dec. 18th in London, so
I will be able to visit Ken again.
<>.
Next month David Roth is coming here to do a lecture. Hope I
will be able to meet him.
And that's about all the news. Dick Koornwinder <> moved to Amsterdam so I
don't see him so often anymore. However we both play a lot of
Backgammon so I see him at the competitions.
Well, Pete, let me hear again from you! All the best!!
(signed) Fred-
Msg #741 Dated 0:09:51 04-23-91 -> 754
From: JAMES H MARLER II
To: ALL
Re: ZOMBIE
When I was five I saw my first magic show. In that show I saw two
effects that dazzled me, and were also the catalysts for my interest in
magic. One was a sponge ball routine (of which I was a very proud
volunteer), and the other was the "Mystery of the Golden Ball", which
is more commonly known as THE ZOMBIE. Since my entrance into the art
of magic I have stayed away from zombie because I thought, and was told
by several people that it was too hard. Now to the point. I have
recently decided to ignore everyone's advice and give it a go. I have
reached a conclusion. THEY WERE RIGHT. My problem, however, is not
the routine itself. My problem exist in, smoothly, getting the ball on
the gimmick on stage. Is there anyone out there who has an idea.
I just can't think of anything. Thanks!!!!!!!!
Msg #743 Dated 0:35:42 04-23-91 -> 755
From: JAMES H MARLER II
To: ALL
Re: JOINING IBM OR SAM
As you have probably guessed from some of my first messages I am fairly
new to the magicians community. I have, however, heard of IBM and SAM.
I like the concept behind these organizations, and I would like to join
but I can't quite find out how it is done. Could someone please leave
me a bit of information. Thanks again!!!!!!!!
Msg #753 Dated 7:59:28 04-23-91 734 <--> 771
From: PETE BIRO
To: EVAN KATZ (X)
Re: MORE MAGIC FOR KAPS LTR!
Don't know. The last I heard he had a couple of Magic/Joke stores in
London.
Msg #754 Dated 8:03:09 04-23-91 741 <-
From: PETE BIRO
To: JAMES H MARLER II (X)
Re: ZOMBIE
Here is the BEST ADVISE you can get with the Zombie.
Find a good solid workspace. Place the ball on it, preferably on a
solid cement floor, then, step about two meters back, get a good run,
jump as high in the air as you can and try to land dead center on the
ball. Points are taken away if you have to repeat the move.
The best guys can flatten one completely on the first try.
Of course the correct shoes are important. Soft tennies are No Good.
Now. Go into another room, sit down and try to think of all the tricks
you have seen anyone do. Write them down. Now get some good books and
find some tricks not on the list. Work on these to the point that you
feel very comfortable with them and can do them second nature before
you let anyone see you do them.
Oh, yes. DO NOT READ THE PATTER. Say what YOU feel is relevant when
doing these tricks.
The Zombie Gimmick? Keep it as a reminder of a trick that has been done
to death. You might want to use it to keep a plant growing up straight.
You might think this is a facitious message. It is not. It is from the
heart!
Msg #755 Dated 8:07:41 04-23-91 743 <--> 763
From: PETE BIRO
To: JAMES H MARLER II (X)
Re: JOINING IBM OR SAM
Don't know where you live, but my suggestion (after you do in the
Zombie) is to find a local club, where you can meet others and try out
ideas, etc. This local club will probably be a Ring, or Assembly, of
either the IBM or SAM. To joine either National Club without belonging
to a local club doesn't serve any purpose. Politally, I stay out of
that aspect, having been President of both many times (on local level).
The IBM is the one I am with on a National Basis in charge of all
their convention shows. Live near Baltimore? Come to our Convention.
Live near Vegas? Go the the SAM. Live near San Francisco? Come to the
PCAM set for June 20-22 in Concord at the Hilton. IBM is June 29-Jul 2,
and I think the SAM is either just before or after.
Rich? Go to the FISM in Switzerland the week after the IBM.
Msg #760 Dated 10:37:43 04-23-91 731 <--> 770
From: STAN LAKE
To: PETE BIRO (X)
Re: MAGIC TRICK YOU CAN DO
Thanks for the nice effect Pete, but I haven't been able to locate
anywhere what the "milkbuild shuffle" is. I expected to find it in
The Expert at the Card Table but no luck. Any suggestions or further
clarification on what it is???
Msg #762 Dated 11:47:58 04-23-91 695 <--> 766
From: MARVIN STERN
To: DAVID LICHTMAN (SYSOP) (X)
Re: FAX
How ab out this Friday? You can let me know last minute.
Msg #763 Dated 11:49:29 04-23-91 743 <-
From: MARVIN STERN
To: JAMES H MARLER II (X)
Re: JOINING IBM OR SAM
Where do you live? As membership chairman of SAM Assembly 22, the
so-called Hollywood assembly, which meets in
Alhambra, I'll be happy to send you information on joining SAM.
Also, there are several active IBM members on the board, and I know
that they'll leave word for you. Welcome.
Msg #766 Dated 12:35:40 04-23-91 762 <-
From: DAVID LICHTMAN (Sysop)
To: MARVIN STERN (X)
Re: FAX
OK - hopefully I will be able to join you this Friday. But won't know
'til the "last minute."
Msg #768 Dated 12:49:57 04-23-91 -> 778
From: DAVID LICHTMAN (Sysop)
To: ALL
Re: MAGIC CASTLE SCHEDULE
Here is the Magic Castle schedule for the week of April 22 - 28, 1991:
Close-Up Early: Chuck Fayne
Close-Up Late: Mark Edward
Parlour Early: Berry Wellman
Parlour Late: Howard Jay
Palace: The Pendragons
Stan Allen
The Sunday lecturer is scheduled to be Vito Lupo.
Msg #769 Dated 16:05:04 04-23-91 726 <--> 779
From: MAX MAVEN
To: STEVE KUCERA (X)
Re: TAHOE SHOW
The show at Caesars Tahoe is one I directed. The star (whose name Pete
Biro can't remember) is Barclay Shaw, who does splendid marionette work
and also some terrific original magic -- including his levitation which
is arguably the best extant. The others in the show are Goldfinger &
Dove, and Jade. It will run until the end of May.
Also in Tahoe at the moment are Mark Kornhauser and Chipper Lowell
in the show at Harvey's, and Fielding West and Brett Daniels in the
show at the Horizon. The latter show is closing soon; I'm not sure how
much longer it will be there.
Regarding Japan, I can make no promises, but if you send me a
videotape of your work I may find an opportunity for you.
Msg #770 Dated 16:09:33 04-23-91 731 <--> 776
From: MAX MAVEN
To: PETE BIRO (X)
Re: MAGIC TRICK YOU CAN DO
Nice idea, Pete. For the record: the Slop Shuffle was invented by Sid
Lorraine. The basic premise of the mixed poker deal where all but the
performer's cards come out face-up is generally credited to Dr. Daley;
John Scarne had a notable version.
Msg #771 Dated 16:12:39 04-23-91 733 <--> 772
From: MAX MAVEN
To: PETE BIRO (X)
Re: MORE MAGIC FOR KAPS LTR!
You relize, of course, that without significant extra effort you can
retain the spectator's initials on the slate with the message...
Msg #772 Dated 16:13:21 04-23-91 753 <--> 780
From: MAX MAVEN
To: PETE BIRO (X)
Re: MORE MAGIC FOR KAPS LTR!
Msg #773 Dated 16:15:05 04-23-91 723 <--> 781
From: TABBY CRABB
To: PETE BIRO (X)
Re: GAFFED SILVER
Never had any Abalone but it sounds like it would be good
if you barbecue it with a little garlic and butter. I guess
you're eating good as the only baloney I've had lately was with
white bread and mustard instead of white wine and abalone. Isn't
the shell hard to digest?
Msg #776 Dated 16:20:04 04-23-91 760 <--> 777
From: PETE BIRO
To: STAN LAKE (X)
Re: MAGIC TRICK YOU CAN DO
Its kinda like 1-2-3 off the top (in overhand shuffle) and slip the
bottom card off with the 3th card. Depending on stack position. It is
in Erdnase and Revalations and am sure elsewhere. HOpe this SIMPLE
description does it for you.
Msg #777 Dated 16:21:19 04-23-91 770 <--> 786
From: PETE BIRO
To: MAX MAVEN (X)
Re: MAGIC TRICK YOU CAN DO
Hi Max! Nice to have you back. Just talked to Fanny and all is good in
Tahoe! I blew Barclay Shaw's name on previous message this AM, my brian
went blank on his name!!! How can one forget Barclay!
Be in touch, got to talk FISM with you later.... bye
Msg #778 Dated 16:22:51 04-23-91 768 <--> 785
From: PETE BIRO
To: DAVID LICHTMAN (SYSOP) (X)
Re: MAGIC CASTLE SCHEDULE
David, ask Vito if he wants to stay at my place when hye lectures in
Concord! I will be outa town Fri/Sat back Sun nite. He lectures up here
the 24th. If he is flying er what maybe can pick him up at airport.
Can't reach him at home, obviously, as he is on the road. Tell him big
bed, private bath no animals, good place, good food! No packet tricks!
Msg #779 Dated 16:24:53 04-23-91 769 <-
From: PETE BIRO
To: MAX MAVEN (X)
Re: TAHOE SHOW
You beat me to it... Barclay Shaw. Barclay Shaw. Barclay Shaw. Barc...
you get it... 100 times offline OK?
Msg #780 Dated 16:25:33 04-23-91 771 <-
From: PETE BIRO
To: MAX MAVEN (X)
Re: MORE MAGIC FOR KAPS LTR!
No, hey I am dumb in that area. Oh, someone asked about Corinda. Is he
still alive and well?
Msg #781 Dated 16:26:14 04-23-91 773 <-
From: PETE BIRO
To: TABBY CRABB (X)
Re: GAFFED SILVER
The shell can be used for several effects. Multiplying Abalone, you
name it. Baloney and Mustard is a splendid derivation. You just "strike
the Ab" ????
Msg #783 Dated 16:35:27 04-23-91 727 <-
From: TABBY CRABB
To: STEVE KUCERA (X)
Re: VIDEO E..
Steve,
I guess we do have some things in common. My address is
The Tabman
P.O. Box 590
Charlotte Hall, MD 20622
As far as the woodwork is concerned, I'm working ona
project which is gonna require that I steam or soak some 3/8"
walnut and bend around a 3" radius for curved table corners. I
don't have any experience with bending hardwood this thick (bent
some spruce before but it was 1/8" stock). Do ya'll do any of
this sort of work, if so How bout some tips?
I was several places in Urban Cowboy. Playing pool. Was a
Cotton Eyed Joe dancer. During the scene where Debra Winger
throws a beer bottle at Travolta I'm the cowboy that the bouncer
"Killer" pushes outa the way. Also thats me with his head stuck
in the piano when Taz (Charlie Daniel's Band piano man) played
his solo on "Devil Went Down To GA". Also you'll see me playing
steel guitar during a coupla scenes with straw 10 gallon pulled
down over my eyes. The dancing payed the best and I ended up with
a gig with Gilley and The Urban Cowboy Band for a coupla years so
all in all a good experience. Plus great Texas BBQ for lunch
everyday for four months during filming. Also played on "Best of"
album on Warner Bros. This was also my heyday for doing hand
magic as I used it as an ice breaker.
Interesting note> John Travolta had this voodoo routine
with a chicken down where you dance around a campfire and
"hypnotize" the bird and then bring it back "to life". Cowgirls
talked about this for days.
You're being smart by working on all aspects of your show
like the movement, music and lighting...any of which can make or
break you. Make sure when you copyright the music to cpr it as a
"work for hire" listing the composer as such but with you as
copyright owner and don't let your guy bs you into doing it
otherwise if you're paying him/her to do this. You may be sorry
if you don't. If you don't have copyrite forms lemme know and
I'll send the stuff out to you as it takes a few weeks from the
Library of Congress.
Later,
tabman
Msg #785 Dated 17:10:33 04-23-91 778 <-
From: DAVID LICHTMAN (Sysop)
To: PETE BIRO (X)
Re: MAGIC CASTLE SCHEDULE
OK - I'll pass your message on to Vito.
Msg #786 Dated 17:12:43 04-23-91 776 <--> 811
From: STAN LAKE
To: PETE BIRO (X)
Re: MAGIC TRICK YOU CAN DO
Thanks Pete- I've got that shuffle milkin' now!
Msg #788 Dated 18:13:13 04-23-91 470 <--> 838
From: BURT CARPENTER
To: EVAN KATZ (X)
Re: NOTHING TO DO WITH MAGIC
Congratulations! Have you set a date yet? I hope your wife is as great
as mine (11 Years in Sept). There _IS_ something magic about a good
marriage.
Msg #790 Dated 18:15:06 04-23-91 497 <--> 792
From: BURT CARPENTER
To: RICHARD HART (X)
Re: CARD ON TRAIN WINDOW...
Good observation to include the least liked as well. Thanks for your
"poll" Anybody else?
Msg #791 Dated 18:12:57 04-23-91 -> 810
From: SCOTT CRAM
To: ALL
Re: MAGIC TRIVIA
OK, As promised the answers!
1. Weiss ---------> Houdini
2. Fishbacher ------> Siegfried
3. Buton ---------> Harry Blackstone, Sr.
4. Horn ---------> Roy
5. Kotkin ---------> David Copperfield
6. Hikita ---------> Princess Tenko
Oh, and the effect in Tarbell contributed by David Copperfield? It's
Mento-Pen in Vol. 7, Chapter 84.
Ok, now back some serious discussion.....
Msg #792 Dated 18:15:35 04-23-91 500 <--> 795
From: BURT CARPENTER
To: MAX MAVEN (X)
Re: CARD ON TRAIN WINDOW...
Thanks for the "correction". My comment on bringing out my "Room For
Doubt" was meant as a tongue in cheek joke. We all know (or should)
that copying an effect just seen on national TV or doing something so
similar makes the copier lose credibility in the eyes of his audience.
Room For Doubt is similar enough to your effect on the special that it
would have much less impact on anyone who had seen the special, and in
fact it would give them even more cause to think it was only a
mathematical equation. In my opinion this would also dilute the feeling
of awe many of them remember feeling when they first viewed it. I was
not crediting Tony Spina with the original effect, only the marketed
version by him which was given to me 15 years ago. I appreciate the
more original references as I was not aware of Martin Gardiners
version. Most others on this bbs apparently were not aware of either
the Gardiner origination or the Spina version as it has been referred
here constantly as the "Mindgames" effect in reference to your video.
Thanks for clearing this up as I'm sure you do not want to be falsely
credited with somthing you did not invent. What would be the correct
name for this principle?
Msg #793 Dated 18:16:30 04-23-91 524 <--> 817
From: BURT CARPENTER
To: MICHAEL AMMAR (X)
Re: THREADS
Yep, Still interested in threads. I have not been able to find the
product that you suggested anywhere in California. There are other
items sold under that brand name but not that exact product. I've
checked all the stores you recommended and had my wife who is an avid
seamstress check her sources too. All of the "invisible" thread
available at these places was thick enough to use as fishing line.
TransMark address works as does: 23900 Ironwood #B126
Moreno Valley, CA 92388
Msg #794 Dated 18:17:23 04-23-91 525 <-
From: BURT CARPENTER
To: MICHAEL AMMAR (X)
Re: HOUDINI STAMP
Sounds great! would love you to fax a copy if you make a smaller
drawing fax # is (714)941-3619
Msg #795 Dated 18:17:01 04-23-91 620 <--> 797
From: SCOTT CRAM
To: DAVID LICHTMAN (SYSOP) (X)
Re: CARD ON TRAIN WINDOW...
Maybe if you learn a few basic effects, soom you'll get better in magic
(or MAGIC!)....just kidding. There are still a few of us who believe!
Msg #796 Dated 18:18:31 04-23-91 567 <-
From: BURT CARPENTER
To: EVAN KATZ (X)
Re: S
Sorry, no bucks available for bail right now, buta great book on
escapology and a Wheeler-Tanner catalog are on their way!
Msg #797 Dated 18:19:02 04-23-91 646 <--> 809
From: BURT CARPENTER
To: PETE BIRO (X)
Re: REAL MAGIC
Does he need a marketer?
Msg #798 Dated 18:19:36 04-23-91 625 <--> 799
From: SCOTT CRAM
To: DAVID LICHTMAN (SYSOP) (X)
Re: TRIVIA QUIZ!!
I just put the answers up, so it may be a lot of people. I didn't
really intend it to be a contest on MAGIC!, but just sort of a private
diversion. So, how'd you do?
Msg #799 Dated 18:21:06 04-23-91 647 <--> 800
From: SCOTT CRAM
To: PETE BIRO (X)
Re: TRIVIA QUIZ!!
What TRICK? I found two effects, Rising cards from envelope & No
lapping coins thru table, plus a nice Knife move. It blew me away when
I saw your name in there! (I only just recently picked up Tarb 7).
Msg #800 Dated 18:24:45 04-23-91 698 <--> 818
From: SCOTT CRAM
To: MAX MAVEN (X)
Re: TRIVIA QUIZ!!
Maybe Max Maven Sr., and Max Maven Jr.? Making you #3?
No, I can't guess! You've got me curious, who?
Msg #805 Dated 19:14:31 04-23-91 732 <--> 819
From: RICHARD HART
To: DAVID LICHTMAN (SYSOP) (X)
Re: BOOKS...
You guys do this with KEYBOARDS? Sheesh, what'll they think of next?
Msg #809 Dated 19:47:51 04-23-91 795 <--> 812
From: DAVID LICHTMAN (Sysop)
To: SCOTT CRAM (X)
Re: CARD ON TRAIN WINDOW...
Thanks for the inspiration and suggestions. I've gotten my TV Magic
deck out and will be able to do a great show soon.
Msg #810 Dated 19:49:14 04-23-91 791 <--> 839
From: DAVID LICHTMAN (Sysop)
To: SCOTT CRAM (X)
Re: MAGIC TRIVIA
Thanks for the puzzler, Scott. I didn't know that Princess Tenko's
name was Hikita. Very good.
Msg #811 Dated 19:49:50 04-23-91 786 <--> 929
From: PETE BIRO
To: STAN LAKE (X)
Re: MAGIC TRICK YOU CAN DO
It was from "The Far Side".... dig?
Msg #812 Dated 19:50:25 04-23-91 790 <--> 813
From: PETE BIRO
To: BURT CARPENTER (X)
Re: CARD ON TRAIN WINDOW...
Just found out that an electric charge in the window/mirror? might have
screened the card.
Msg #813 Dated 19:51:36 04-23-91 792 <--> 814
From: PETE BIRO
To: BURT CARPENTER (X)
Re: CARD ON TRAIN WINDOW...
Max... who put out the Magic Safari version? I know Ken Brooke sold it.
I remember helping him package toy animals for it, but can't recall the
author? Hmmm.
Msg #814 Dated 19:52:43 04-23-91 646 <--> 816
From: PETE BIRO
To: PETE BIRO (X)
Re: REAL MAGIC
I dunno. Call him. Paul Lamar, Lamar Micorcomputers in Redondo Beach,
Calif. on Artesia Blvd. Don't have the phone nr. but 555 1212
can tellya.
Msg #816 Dated 19:53:33 04-23-91 809 <--> 897
From: PETE BIRO
To: DAVID LICHTMAN (SYSOP) (X)
Re: CARD ON TRAIN WINDOW...
I remember Marshall Brodien taking me into a wherehouse in suberban
Chicago and showing me skids with about 2 Million decks of TV Magic
Cards piled up as far as I could see. I said, "Do you ever get the
feeling you might be overstocked?" He said, "NO, THIS IS ONLY PART OF
THE SHIPMENT!" And he sold em all, more than for a couple of years too!
Msg #817 Dated 19:55:52 04-23-91 793 <--> 848
From: PETE BIRO
To: BURT CARPENTER (X)
Re: THREADS
Don't know what you need but there is a French 1/4 fishline that is
flesh colored (used for Nemo Rising Cards) and Fred Kaps used to strip
Schapparelli stockings to get strands of fine thread. Joe Stevens sells
the Finn Jon stuff and I know other dealers advertise invisible thread.
Msg #818 Dated 19:57:50 04-23-91 799 <--> 1012
From: PETE BIRO
To: SCOTT CRAM (X)
Re: TRIVIA QUIZ!!
Gee I forgot about two of them, I will have to go back and re-read it.
Msg #819 Dated 19:56:29 04-23-91 805 <--> 827
From: DAVID LICHTMAN (Sysop)
To: RICHARD HART (X)
Re: BOOKS...
What's next is an extension of GUI's (Graphical User Interface).
Handheld computers with no keyboards - you use a stylus for graphic
symbol and limited alphanumeric entries. Also (seriously) Sharp is
expected to shortly begin selling a "Wizard" pocket unit with a modem
and built-in fax. Should make for some interesting times and maybe
even some magical effects.
Msg #822 Dated 20:10:26 04-23-91 -> 831
From: DENNIS PIERCE
To: ALL
Re: GENII MAGAZINES
Can anyone lead me to a source or individual that sells or trades past
issues of Genii magazine? I am looking to complete my collection. I am
particularly looking for pre 50's and early 70's. Please leve me a
note. Thanks.
Msg #823 Dated 20:15:06 04-23-91
From: PETE BIRO
To: ALL
Re: GREAT TRICK CONTEST
Don't know why I am such a TRICK mode... but here is another from
my deep, deep pile o' files! I will only BRIEFLY DESCRIBE.
To build. I use a wooden serving tray. From antique store. It is
about 12x20 with handles on the short ends. Get some 1/4-thick
cork sheeting. Cut a piece out big enuf to fit into the tray.
Tray is like a picture frame, with high sides.
Take two Jumbo Playing cards and lay on the tray on top of the
cork and draw pencil lines around the cards on the cork. Cut the
cork out and glue the playing card backs to the cork. Each card
is separate with cork back. Glue the rest of the cork down on the
tray (that was not on the cards) then lay the cards face down in
the holes in cork. It looks like an all cork tray. You can put
extra cut marks around to mask the card cuts.
Routine: Force the two duplicates, from a regular size deck, of
the two jumbo cards in the tray bottom.
Get the two spectators up to hold the tray. Dribble the cards
face down onto the tray and mix them around well. Tell them you
will find the cards in an unusual way.
Have the two guys hold the tray, one at each end. You stand
behind tray. So the three of you are pretty close together.
Bring out two Switchblade Knives. Flip them open and say you will
find the cards by stabbing the mixed up cards on the tray.
But.... to make it more difficult, will wear a blindfold. Put one
on.
You now stand between the two guys, blindfolded and hold the two
knives up like you are going to stab the cards.
"Wait... it is too easy. I will confuse myself." SPIN AROUND,
STOP AIMED RIGHT AT ONE GUY WITH KNIVES HELD UP. "One Two...."
Stop, take both knives in one hand, feel out in front of you,
touching one of the guys. "OOOOPS"
Spin again, stopping aimed at other guy. "One... Two.... I didn't
want you to feel left out!" You say to him, peeking out of under
blindfold.
"OK, this time it is for real. (Stand square to tray) ONE - TWO -
THREE...." Stab into the cards (actually you stab so one knife is
in EACH giant card -- backed with the cork).
Stop... pause, re-cap, ask for names of the cards. Then
dramatically lift the knives, letting the regular sized cards
fall away onto the tray... revealing the two jumbo cards facing
out toward audience!
There are dozens of bits of business possible here. It is up to
you to work out your own gags, etc. You can use ice picks if you
want. Kitchen knives. Ginseng knives like they advertise on TV
that will cut tin cans and tennis shoes... think about it.
Anybody with good ideas, let me know and you could be the big
prize winner.
Msg #827 Dated 22:10:02 04-23-91 819 <--> 830
From: RICHARD HART
To: DAVID LICHTMAN (SYSOP) (X)
Re: BOOKS...
Nah. GUI's out, and D.C.I. (Direct Cerebral Interface) is in. With
the advances in micro-surgery, it is possible to implant tiny
electrodes directly into the cerebral cortex, thus allowing the user to
plug directly in to the computer. With a few minor alterations (i.e.
plugging output directly into the optic nerve, it will be possible to
interface with a computer directly) the human being will be physically
brought into the computer age. Kinda puts being "wired" into a whole
new perspective, don't it?
Msg #830 Dated 22:15:47 04-23-91 827 <--> 840
From: DAVID LICHTMAN (Sysop)
To: RICHARD HART (X)
Re: BOOKS...
Kinda puts "WEIRD" in a whole new perspective! What'a ya' do when the
batteries die? Now, how we gonna use this effect in magic?
Msg #831 Dated 22:15:53 04-23-91 822 <--> 1207
From: RICHARD HART
To: DENNIS PIERCE (X)
Re: GENII MAGAZINES
Call the gang at Alladin Books in Anaheim (call directory assistance
for their phone no.) They carry an extensive line of used magic books
and magazines. If I'm not mistaken, their magic shop/annex should be
open now...
Msg #837 Dated 22:42:08 04-23-91
From: DAVID LICHTMAN (Sysop)
To: EVAN KATZ (X)
Re: CONTRIBUTION
Evan -
Received your generous contribution in support of MAGIC! today. Thank
you very much! Your Signed, Numbered Limited Edition MAGIC! Button and
Certificate will be on the way to you in just a few days.
Msg #838 Dated 22:41:08 04-23-91 788 <--> 845
From: EVAN KATZ
To: BURT CARPENTER (X)
Re: NOTHING TO DO WITH MAGIC
Yer right. Should have titled the string "another kind of magic."
Date'll probably be in October. We're in the process of deciding which
band of mauradering thieves to hand our money to (I'm talking about
caterers, photographers, etc...)
Thanks for the congrats! I have to admit to a _little_
male-queasiness. But, most of the guys I talk to recommend marriage
highly. I've yet to determine if this is because they're happy to be
with their wives, or merely want to coax others into joining their
misery!
Just kidding. Thanks!
Msg #839 Dated 22:45:40 04-23-91 791 <--> 1011
From: EVAN KATZ
To: SCOTT CRAM (X)
Re: MAGIC TRIVIA
Copperfield's real name is Kotkin! I love it!
Msg #840 Dated 22:47:51 04-23-91 819 <--> 843
From: EVAN KATZ
To: DAVID LICHTMAN (SYSOP) (X)
Re: BOOKS...
You really think these computers will sell? I can't see anyone wantin
to WRITE data in. Only advantage I can see is you can make a machine
smaller than a keyboard.
Msg #841 Dated 22:49:37 04-23-91 -> 849
From: EVAN KATZ
To: ALL
Re: SO MANY BOOKS...
Just wanted to float this open question into the ether and see if
anyone had any thoughts.
Are there many more high class magic books coming out on the market
now than ever before, or is it just my limited perspective?
It certainly seems that way, and was wondering what people thought the
REASON for it was. The desktop publishing phenomena explains some but
not all of the economics. Are there more magic fans out there?
(Doubt it). A better distribution network (doubt that, too). Are more
people willing to part with their secrets earlier in their careers?
It strikes me as a significant phenomena. Any thoughts?
Possible explanations?
Msg #843 Dated 23:23:30 04-23-91 840 <--> 847
From: DAVID LICHTMAN (Sysop)
To: EVAN KATZ (X)
Re: BOOKS...
The no keyboard computers are expected to be highly useful in order
taking, inventory, out on the shop floor, etc. In addition, while they
are not useful for writing, they can be used very well for editing,
etc. Also, coupled to a fax or modem, you could receive a contract,
sign it and send it back.
BUT our purpose here is magic. I suspect that these could be worked
into some kind of magic slate routine, card predictions, things of that
nature.
Msg #845 Dated 0:26:45 04-24-91 601 <--> 927
From: DOUGLAS LARSON
To: EVAN KATZ (X)
Re: NOTHING TO DO WITH MAGIC
What a Routine!
Msg #846 Dated 0:28:21 04-24-91 -> 876
From: DAVID LICHTMAN (Sysop)
To: ALL
Re: RENUMBERING
I am in the process of renumbering messages. Turns out that this is
going to be more work than I realized. So for right now don't be
surprised if the message numbers change from time to time. Once we
reach a stable numbering I will go ahead and create the MAGIC-21 file.
Msg #847 Dated 0:53:22 04-24-91 827 <--> 857
From: DOUGLAS LARSON
To: RICHARD HART (X)
Re: BOOKS...
Have you ever read a book written by Dean Koontz, I think it was
called Midnight. Some of the local people actually were directly wired
to the computers...Spookey stuff.
Msg #848 Dated 1:28:00 04-24-91 817 <--> 877
From: WAYNE POWERS
To: PETE BIRO (X)
Re: THREADS
Pete, do you use the purple dye on the thread as per the Nemo
instructions?
Msg #849 Dated 1:32:40 04-24-91 841 <--> 875
From: WAYNE POWERS
To: EVAN KATZ (X)
Re: SO MANY BOOKS...
I left a message to that effect a few weeks ago, Evan, and no one
responded. It seems to me that there have been more magic books
published in the last five years than in the last twenty! Hmmm.
Msg #850 Dated 1:34:37 04-24-91 -> 853
From: WAYNE POWERS
To: MAX MAVEN (X)
Re: DR. Q FIXIT
Max, I have to repair my Dr. Q spirit slates....one of them has lost
some of the black surface on one side, leaving an unsightly white
"smudge-like" mark. Any ideas on what I should use to duplicate the
"slate" surface and repair the damaged area?
Thanks.
Msg #851 Dated 1:36:58 04-24-91 364 <--> 1016
From: DANTE LARSEN
To: SCOTT CRAM (X)
Re: GENII SUBSCRIPTION
You should be receiving the April issue first.
If you don't, lemme know. Thanks.
Msg #852 Dated 1:38:12 04-24-91 699 <--> 854
From: DANTE LARSEN
To: MAX MAVEN (X)
Re: GENII
Okeh. I'll be a waiting for the column.
Msg #853 Dated 1:50:10 04-24-91 850 <--> 878
From: MAX MAVEN
To: WAYNE POWERS (X)
Re: DR. Q FIXIT
Get some slate paint at a hardware store; it's specifically made for
repairing marred slate surfaces.
Msg #854 Dated 1:50:54 04-24-91 852 <--> 880
From: MAX MAVEN
To: DANTE LARSEN
Re: GENII
Dropped it off at Suzanne's desk this evening. By the way, Bob Read
would like to get ahold of the Bush cup&ball cartoon you ran in Genii.
Any chance that the original is around somewhere? If so, he'd really
like to have it. As you may know, he collects cup&ball prints, mostly
antique stuff, and this would be a nice addition...
Msg #855 Dated 1:52:16 04-24-91 -> 856
From: MAX MAVEN
To: PETE BIRO (X)
Re: VOICE FROM ANOTHER
The "Magic Safari" version of Gardner's "planets" routine was, if
memory serves, marketed by Lee Noble. The voice on the tape was by Alan
Swift, long-time pro voice-over announcer who also does magic.
A question was asked regarding what the proper name for this type of
effect is (sorry, I lost the thread so I don't remember who asked). In
technical terms it is a parity effect; beyond that, there really is no
formal name for the genre. As noted above, I usually refer to it as the
planets routine, referencing its first commercial version, "Voice From
Another World" which was credited to Hal something (Newton?), released
by Gene Gordon.
Is it time for me to list the three well-known Goldsteins in magic,
or should I wait for guesses?
Msg #856 Dated 2:14:46 04-24-91 855 <--> 861
From: T A WATERS
To: MAX MAVEN (X)
Re: VOICE FROM ANOTHER
The version Ken Brooke marketed of the "Magic Safari" was created by
Roy Johnson; it is in one of Johnson's books and also on his audiotape
sold by Martin Breese.
Msg #857 Dated 2:16:24 04-24-91 847 <--> 869
From: T A WATERS
To: DOUGLAS LARSON (X)
Re: BOOKS...
Haven't read the Koontz book, but there are a couple of excellent ones
with the same premise -- NEUROMANCER and COUNT ZERO -- both by William
Gibson.
Msg #858 Dated 5:54:09 04-24-91 -> 937
From: CHARLIE RANDALL
To: MAX MAVEN (X)
Re: ALLAN SLAIGHT
Richard tells me Allan was in town for a day or two last week. I
assume the two of you were working on the James book. Next time you
talk with him tell him HI. He is one of my favorite people. Oh, David
Ben told me Allan has finally moved into his new, "little" house!
Charlie
Msg #861 Dated 6:18:56 04-24-91 855 <--> 881
From: TABBY CRABB
To: MAX MAVEN (X)
Re: VOICE FROM ANOTHER
Horace Goldin and David "Cardoni" Goldstein ??
Msg #862 Dated 6:23:36 04-24-91
From: TABBY CRABB
To: GARY OUELLET
Re: WELCOME
Gary,
Let me be among the first to welcome you to MAGIC! and
will send you a few tips for speedy on and off via the mails as
you're probably about as far from 818 as I am.
tabman
Msg #864 Dated 7:25:49 04-24-91
From: TABBY CRABB
To: PETE BIRO (X)
Re: FFFF
Aloha,
Looks like I might still be able to make that trip up to
FFFF, but won't know for sure til later today or early tomorrow.
It's a logistical thing, but moren likely I'll make it. I'll try
to report in at least once a day and let everybody know whats
going on. I understand that the current owners of the Forks Hotel
have already taken all the magic stuff off the walls, etc as
they're trying to sell it and it probably won't be magic anymore,
but we've all heard this story be4 and maybe Magic at the Forks
will survive.
Will let you know what I find out from Juice and if its
really so.
Aloha
Msg #869 Dated 9:23:31 04-24-91 827 <--> 870
From: PETE BIRO
To: RICHARD HART (X)
Re: BOOKS...
You could find a partner and transplant one eye to each other and see
what happens? Argggghhh
Msg #870 Dated 9:24:05 04-24-91 830 <--> 871
From: PETE BIRO
To: DAVID LICHTMAN (SYSOP) (X)
Re: BOOKS...
We hold little wakes fro our batteries.
Msg #871 Dated 9:24:30 04-24-91 840 <--> 872
From: PETE BIRO
To: EVAN KATZ (X)
Re: BOOKS...
Its called a phone. Great item. You can talk to people, hear the tone
of their voices, and with a paper and pencil can make a hard copy.
Msg #872 Dated 9:25:13 04-24-91 843 <--> 873
From: PETE BIRO
To: DAVID LICHTMAN (SYSOP) (X)
Re: BOOKS...
Chink a Chink with Chip a Chips?
Msg #873 Dated 9:25:41 04-24-91 857 <--> 919
From: PETE BIRO
To: T A WATERS (X)
Re: BOOKS...
Have yoiu heard of Count To Ten?
Msg #875 Dated 9:27:34 04-24-91 841 <--> 891
From: PETE BIRO
To: EVAN KATZ (X)
Re: SO MANY BOOKS...
It is one way for guys to make a living. In the early days the books
wre high quality. Then for several years they were soft cover, lousy
typesetting, cheap paper. Then a few guys, not sure if Kaufman was
first, but quality seemed to be IN AGAIN and the stuff was good.
It is a little like the 1000 monkey principle. Yes there are thousands
more doing magic and young, fertile minds, grinding away.
Much of the stuff is good, but a lot of it is rehash... It doesn't
matter. If you have to discover it via re-invention that's ok.
Msg #876 Dated 9:29:54 04-24-91 846 <-
From: PETE BIRO
To: DAVID LICHTMAN (SYSOP) (X)
Re: RENUMBERING
You're welcome
Msg #877 Dated 9:30:10 04-24-91 848 <--> 905
From: PETE BIRO
To: WAYNE POWERS (X)
Re: THREADS
I actually found using a purple (or even black) wide marking pen and
dyeing six inch sections, with six inch untouched, then six dyed, is
the killer way to do it. Having the thread color broken up, ala
camoflauge is the real secret.
I threw a party the other night for my old army buddies and told them
to all wear camoflauge. I had a great time, but don't know if any of
them showed up!
(credit steve wright)
Msg #878 Dated 9:32:05 04-24-91 850 <--> 879
From: PETE BIRO
To: WAYNE POWERS (X)
Re: DR. Q FIXIT
I, a believer in camoflauge would make the white smudge on the other
part! Just a thot. You could buy black flat slate paint in the spray
can and repaint all. I did that once.
Msg #879 Dated 9:33:00 04-24-91 853 <--> 900
From: PETE BIRO
To: MAX MAVEN (X)
Re: DR. Q FIXIT
Max, I read YOUR mind!
Msg #880 Dated 9:33:24 04-24-91 854 <-
From: PETE BIRO
To: MAX MAVEN
Re: GENII
That was a KILLER cartoon. And every effort should be made to get the
original to Bob Read! If it was in an LA newspaper (the times?) you can
probably find the artist! The least he could do is send a quality velox
print.
Msg #881 Dated 9:34:51 04-24-91 855 <--> 882
From: PETE BIRO
To: MAX MAVEN (X)
Re: VOICE FROM ANOTHER
Release em and see a message I am loading in a minute.
Msg #882 Dated 9:35:12 04-24-91 856 <--> 883
From: PETE BIRO
To: T A WATERS (X)
Re: VOICE FROM ANOTHER
Max is right about the voice guy, it was great! I will look in roy's
books.
Msg #883 Dated 9:35:44 04-24-91 861 <--> 936
From: PETE BIRO
To: TABBY CRABB (X)
Re: VOICE FROM ANOTHER
If you are right I am going to put a contract out on you.
Msg #884 Dated 9:38:43 04-24-91
From: PETE BIRO
To: ALL
Re: TRIVIA FOR BIG $-?
MO TRIVIA QUIZ PSEUDONYMS
Stage/Pen Name Real Name (Full, middle initial if you know)
Dante
Criticus
Hardeen
Selbit, P.T.
Mystic Craig
A. Bold Pincher
Henry Hay
Cardini
The Great Jasper
Will Goldston
Msg #886 Dated 9:44:23 04-24-91 -> 896
From: SKIP SANSOUCIE
To: ALL
Re: TRICK
QUICK TRICK
This is a quick and ease coin trick you can do, Walk
Around or just for that time when someone seas "do
a trick".
All you need is two coins and a business card.
Begin with one coin in finger rest,in your right hand
Bring out a business card with your left hand and place
it in you Right, loading the coin under it as you do.
Go into your pocket and take out a coin,tell your
spectators that you have one coin and one card .
The coin is placed in your left palm and the card with
coin underneath is placed on top < be careful not to let
the coins Talk>.Do a Pick Up Move with the card and coin
to give them one more look. Return the card to your palm
flipping the coin to your fingers so that you can lay the
card down onto your palm.
Pick up the coin with your left hand and close you hand
Into a fist . make a
tossing motion at the card. Extend your hand out
to your spectator and offer to let him or her to remove
the card. This gives you a chance to(dump)the coin in
classic palm. The coin has apparently traveled from one hand
to the other and penetrated the card.
Msg #891 Dated 10:01:37 04-24-91 849 <--> 892
From: EVAN KATZ
To: WAYNE POWERS (X)
Re: SO MANY BOOKS...
I _thought) someone else floated that thought, and I wasn't sure where.
What are your theories?
Msg #892 Dated 10:02:23 04-24-91 875 <--> 894
From: EVAN KATZ
To: PETE BIRO (X)
Re: SO MANY BOOKS...
Magic never seemed as popular to ME as that period in the seventies
when "THE MAGIC SHOW" was on B-way. I used to go to Tannens on a
Saturday afternoon and you could barely get in the DOOR.
Then, a couple years later, the trend faded, and THE MAGIC SHOW closed
(and Henning's other attempt failed), and there was less of a crowd at
Tannens. Maybe this trend is completely of my perceptions, but my Dad
confirms that there does seem to be an occasional reawakening of the
public to magic, filling our coffers with new fans.
As to the books -- the quality issue isn't so important as the sheer
NUMBERS.
Msg #894 Dated 10:14:18 04-24-91 875 <--> 903
From: DAVID LICHTMAN (Sysop)
To: EVAN KATZ (X)
Re: SO MANY BOOKS...
The new books may also represent a way to file a "claim" on effects.
Msg #896 Dated 10:19:50 04-24-91 886 <--> 906
From: DAVID LICHTMAN (Sysop)
To: SKIP SANSOUCIE
Re: TRICK
Nice! And a good way to get your business card handed out. Thanks for
taking the time and effort to write it up.
Msg #897 Dated 10:20:03 04-24-91 814 <--> 910
From: DARRELL MURPHY
To: PETE BIRO (X)
Re: REAL MAGIC
Pete How or why are you talking to yourself???????
Msg #900 Dated 13:07:56 04-24-91 853 <--> 901
From: WAYNE POWERS
To: MAX MAVEN (X)
Re: DR. Q FIXIT
Will do, Max. Thanx.
Msg #901 Dated 13:08:47 04-24-91 878 <--> 911
From: WAYNE POWERS
To: PETE BIRO (X)
Re: DR. Q FIXIT
I'm gonna repaint. The matching white smudge is a typically nice
touch, Pete, but it does interfere with the readability of the slate.
Msg #903 Dated 13:11:55 04-24-91 891 <--> 908
From: WAYNE POWERS
To: EVAN KATZ (X)
Re: SO MANY BOOKS...
I haven't formulated any theories, really, Evan. It was just an
observation and I was wondering if I was correct or suffering from the
usual twisted "Powers Perspective."
Msg #905 Dated 13:14:11 04-24-91 877 <-
From: WAYNE POWERS
To: PETE BIRO (X)
Re: THREADS
heheh!
A cheap way to throw a party is to buy nothing and tell the guests that
the refreshments are camouflaged!
Msg #906 Dated 13:52:02 04-24-91 886 <-
From: PETE BIRO
To: SKIP SANSOUCIE
Re: TRICK
Looks good to me... will give it a try....
Msg #908 Dated 13:53:15 04-24-91 892 <--> 928
From: PETE BIRO
To: EVAN KATZ (X)
Re: SO MANY BOOKS...
Maybe Tannen's is a bad example, as they are not the same as they were
in the old Lou and Irving days.... Flosso is gone too. Al, that is.
Msg #910 Dated 13:55:30 04-24-91 897 <--> 1010
From: PETE BIRO
To: DARRELL MURPHY (X)
Re: REAL MAGIC
I like me best of all.
Msg #911 Dated 13:55:52 04-24-91 901 <-
From: PETE BIRO
To: WAYNE POWERS (X)
Re: DR. Q FIXIT
Use yellow chalk? Blue? Use -- oh, you will know what to do. Like slate
magic. I have one I don't use for sale. Has three pocket books, and on
the slate something moves and you see all the info? Max can better
describe. Make an offer. Anyboyd wnt original Paul Fox Rising Cards,
with spare gaff, original instructins and a letter from Mrs. Fox? Make
offer. Lots of stuff going on the block. List in few days.
Msg #912 Dated 13:57:37 04-24-91
From: PETE BIRO
To: TABBY CRABB (X)
Re: MAN WHO INVENTED
Have finally gotten farther on the Man Who Invented the Linking Rings,
dug up some cool stuff. Will FAX you the opening stuff.
Also found Vernon did five ring routine first. McComb said he was
first, but Dai didn't add sixth ring until Harlequin act. Jay Marshall
actually was most famous of five ringers. Koran, three. Currently are
several guys doing less rings. Marcus Gabriel great with two. Richard
Ross with three. Am going to publish my four ring routine in the book.
Two keys, two singles. Also never before published stuff that was
between me and Kaps. The routine he did on British TV of mine will go
in the book. Arms, shouldes tired from all th writing, got to go
outside and get some excercise! Arrrrgggghhhhhh.
Msg #913 Dated 14:00:40 04-24-91 -> 985
From: PETE BIRO
To: ALL
Re: HELP FAST
Need an honest assesment/description of act called "Yours Mime and
Ours" were supposed to be on Rick Dees, but missed. Need quick please.
Msg #916 Dated 15:49:05 04-24-91 -> 917
From: ERIC RONNE
To: ALL
Re: BOOK REVIEW
In case anyone's interested in buying Dan Fleshman's "The Very Best,
Yet!" through Burt Carpenter, I'm about to upload my insignificant
thoughts (regarding the book) to the file area. "BEST YET.TXT" Hope you
don't mind, Burt.
Msg #917 Dated 16:03:48 04-24-91 916 <--> 930
From: DAVID LICHTMAN (Sysop)
To: ALL
Re: BOOK REVIEW
Eric's review of Dan Fleshman's "The Very Best, Yet!" is now in the
MAGIC! files area. BUT the name of the file is BEST_YET.TXT Notice
the _underline_ between BEST and YET. This is required because MS-DOS,
the operating system of the IBM-PC's and "compatibles," does not permit
a space within a file's name.
Msg #918 Dated 16:18:49 04-24-91 -> 926
From: GREGORY MCKAY
To: SYSOP
Re: HELLO
David, I enjoy having button No. 27 from your bulletin board.
Look forward to enjoying this BBS, and to seeing you again at the Magic
Castle soon. Coming for lunch Friday?
Best regard,
P.S. I am sending this from Marvin Stern's office.
Msg #919 Dated 16:49:56 04-24-91 847 <--> 920
From: RICHARD HART
To: DOUGLAS LARSON (X)
Re: BOOKS...
Yes, I'm familiar with the works of Koontz, as well as the whole
"Cyberpunk" genre that has so dominated S.F. literature as of late.
Me, I prefer to nose around those splendidly concocted fantasy stories
which spin tales of grand wizards and not-so-great magi. Always
looking for magic plots and patter...
Msg #920 Dated 16:55:30 04-24-91 869 <--> 923
From: RICHARD HART
To: PETE BIRO (X)
Re: BOOKS...
Kinda puts the term "double vision" in a whole new light, don't it
Pete?
Msg #923 Dated 17:17:53 04-24-91 920 <--> 968
From: PETE BIRO
To: RICHARD HART (X)
Re: BOOKS...
Best reply in ten years.
Msg #926 Dated 17:20:08 04-24-91 918 <-
From: DAVID LICHTMAN (Sysop)
To: GREGORY MCKAY
Re: HELLO
You DO show up in the oddest places, Gregory. Am seriously thinking
about Friday lunch and hope to be there. But I have some work with a
Friday deadline and here I am, dwadling on MAGIC! Guess I'll have to
work to eat.
Msg #927 Dated 17:31:09 04-24-91 838 <--> 955
From: BURT CARPENTER
To: EVAN KATZ (X)
Re: NOTHING TO DO WITH MAGIC
I too had serious stage fright after making the commitment but before
the final vows- clear up until the last minute. I have never regretted
it. I wish all could say the same. I would coax no one into misery. No
promises here on your life but it has sure worked for me. Hey,Petes a
photog. maybe if you rent a race car instead of a limo he would do the
pics.
Msg #928 Dated 16:58:54 04-24-91 841 <--> 938
From: RICHARD HART
To: EVAN KATZ (X)
Re: SO MANY BOOKS...
You certainly pose an interesting set of questions there, Evan.
Yup. I'm sitting here looking at my wall of magic books. Feeling
quite a bit guilty at the moment. Realizing that even with so many
books, I really can't do very much magic. You've made me think, Evan,
just what in hell am I DOING with so many books? Well, they certainly
don't go unread, so I can't say I use them for doorstops. I'd die
before I'd part with any of them, so you can't say I'm a rare book
speculator. There ARE quite a lot of 'em, so I guess I'm guilty of
being a collector...
But what DO I use them for? With all the talk from the "pros" here and
everywhere else in the magic world, I feel guilty as hell for actually
doing some of the routines exposed in the books. "Do your own thing!"
they shout. "Be original, and NEVER steal!" they cry.
Ah, if only I were like Biro, Maven, or Ammar. Able to assemble the
sleights into a new _killer_ effect. Able to invent a cute little
gimmick that Tenyo would rack-pack and sell in every magic shop in the
world.
But I'm not. And I can't. (At least not so far.) And I can't go
flying off all over the country and the world attending FFFF and IBM
and FISM and all the rest of the constellations in which shine magic's
superstars. I'm like a blind man looking at the Mona Lisa. I can't
see them perform. But entranced by magic (as are we all) I do the next
best thing, I READ THEM PERFORM. I take great delight in being "in the
know". I appreciate the elegance of a well-blocked set of sleights.
My mouth forms a tiny little "O" when reading through Bannon's cups and
balls routine. Saying to myself, "Max, you clever devil!" while
reposing, packet of cards in hand, Focus casually laid open on page 59.
I know why I buy these books. I'm a magic vampire. I suck the blood
and guts and sleights and patter and performance tips and do's and
don'ts out of them and then digest and sleep; dreaming, and (if I may be
so presumptious) even BEING their authors for a mere instant.
Heck, maybe some day I'll be done digesting, and be ready to put some
of what I've read to good use. I hope so.
But what of the authors themselves? Why do they write books in the
first place? And why, if your observations are correct Evan, are there
so many more "quality" books around these days?
Not being an author, I can't speak for myself here. Perhaps some of
Magic!'s authors in residence will clue us in.
Maybe writing books is just another way of "performing". And yet
again, perhaps books are just another added source of income, easy for
some, impossible for others. Some, undoubtedly, are labors of love.
And perhaps, just maybe, that because there's so many MORE of us around
this planet today, there are just THAT many more fine magicians who
know how to write.
Msg #929 Dated 17:47:29 04-24-91 811 <--> 959
From: STAN LAKE
To: PETE BIRO (X)
Re: MAGIC TRICK YOU CAN DO
You mean Gary Larson invented that shuffle?
Msg #930 Dated 18:14:27 04-24-91 916 <-
From: BURT CARPENTER
To: ERIC RONNE (X)
Re: BOOK REVIEW
Thanks for the review and the "plug" for the booksale. For those that
want to download it look for BEST_YET.TXT in the files area. I would
like to encourage everyone to write book reviews as Evan Katz and Wayne
Powers have said there are SOOOOO many books out there now. Its nice to
know from someone other than the advertisers whatis good and what is
JUNK so we don't waste money on the bad but can invest in the good.
Msg #934 Dated 18:46:56 04-24-91
From: STEVE BRYANT
To: ALL
Re: SEANCE
Scratch my recommendation that interested parties send
Scott Davis $6 for the current issue of SEANCE. I
spoke to Scott a couple of days ago, and the printer
didn't supply any extra copies.
Msg #935 Dated 18:47:42 04-24-91 -> 961
From: STEVE BRYANT
To: PETE BIRO (X)
Re: LINKING RINGS
Pete,
Long, long ago and far away (when my kids were
young, and I lived in the West), I used to do the rings
in kid shows as the next-to-closing effect. The
concern was that some kid (or magician) would cry,
"I've seen that!" To avoid that situation, I always
introduced them as follows. "Before I get to the last
effect on the program, which is one I think you'll
really like, I want to show you a classic of magic, a
trick that many of you may have seen before, perhaps in
live performance, perhaps on television, but never, I
think, in the manner I'm about to present it this
afternoon. Presenting . . . the Chinese linking
rings!" And only then did I show the rings. If they
WERE familiar with the trick, that recognition then
elicited a positive response rather than a negative
one.
I always loved the rings, and used to do Vernon's
routine in a sort of Jay Marshall vein (probably TOO
Jay Marshall). Played it for laughs, but went slowly
enough to fool them. The best part was watching the
parents' jaws drop as they thought, and often said,
"Hey, you can't be doing that." I'll look forward to a
fresh book on the subject.
Msg #936 Dated 18:54:35 04-24-91 861 <-
From: MAX MAVEN
To: TABBY CRABB (X)
Re: VOICE FROM ANOTHER
You're correct on Goldin. "Cardoni" was not my second answer -- sorry,
but I've never heard of him. There is a genuinely well known magician
as yet unmentioned who also had Goldstein as an original surname...
Msg #937 Dated 18:56:28 04-24-91 858 <-
From: MAX MAVEN
To: CHARLIE RANDALL (X)
Re: ALLAN SLAIGHT
Indeed, volume two of the James book is progressing, slowly but surely.
Allan is settled into his new house; now he's getting his library
organized. Not a simple task, as it's now twice as big as before (he
purchased Howard Lyons' estate), so he's hired someone to do it.
Msg #938 Dated 18:48:15 04-24-91 928 <--> 939
From: WAYNE POWERS
To: RICHARD HART (X)
Re: SO MANY BOOKS...
At the risk of starting the whole "UltraCervon Reserved Rights Notice"
argument again...let me say this, Richard:
You certainly should NOT feel at all guilty about using the information
in a magic book you've purchased...this is information you've BOUGHT
AND PAID FOR, Richard! Unless you are slimy enough to xerox somebody
else's copy of the book in question...or if the work is in public
domain...the author receives a royalty for the book you've purchased!
If it's not a per-unit royalty, the author made a lousy deal...but,
even so...a "buy-out" arrangement compensates an author for his or her
material. If the compensation isn't ample, the author should not make
the sale to the publisher.
That is not to say that you shouldn't come up with your own stuff...of
course you should. The material you use from magic books should also
be "customized" to make it "your own."
As far as collecting magic books is concerned, I really enjoy reading
about magic...even stuff that I'm unable to do or stuff that I'm not
interested in performing. The concepts, applications, personalities
, history and art of magic is fascinating stuff to read about. I read
some books cover-to-cover....work my way through others...pick and
choose my way through others...and use others as reference.
It always seems a shame when I come across a magic book collector who
doesn't read the books he collects! I don't understand this...as if he
can absorb the magic in the act of acquisition...by osmosis! I guess
it would be okay except when I think of the many young folks who can't
afford the expensive habit of magic book collecting...young folks who
hunger for the knowledge contained in these dear volumes. I guess
that's what the Magic Castle Library is for.
Msg #939 Dated 19:06:03 04-24-91 894 <--> 940
From: EVAN KATZ
To: DAVID LICHTMAN (SYSOP) (X)
Re: SO MANY BOOKS...
Ah-HAH!
Msg #940 Dated 19:07:08 04-24-91 903 <--> 941
From: EVAN KATZ
To: WAYNE POWERS (X)
Re: SO MANY BOOKS...
I definitely think there's a difference in output. Though I suppose
the right person to ask would be a dealer who's been in business for
some time.
Msg #941 Dated 19:07:56 04-24-91 908 <--> 943
From: EVAN KATZ
To: PETE BIRO (X)
Re: SO MANY BOOKS...
True. So you do or don't think there's an ebb and flow in magic's
popularity with the public?
Msg #943 Dated 19:17:20 04-24-91 892 <--> 945
From: MAX MAVEN
To: EVAN KATZ (X)
Re: SO MANY BOOKS...
It's hardly fair to state that "Henning's other [Broadway] attempt
failed." The "Merlin" show was problematic, and the reviewers were
generally harsh, but it had a healthy several-month run which, by the
Broadway standards of the past decade, defines it as a success.
Msg #944 Dated 19:18:50 04-24-91 -> 962
From: MAX MAVEN
To: PETE BIRO (X)
Re: FOR SALE
Among the items you're about to sell off, let me know if there is a
Paul Fox dye tube. I got a letter today from a kid in Fremont who is
desperate to get one, and who thinks that the omniscient Genii product
review columnist can effortlessly track one down...
Msg #945 Dated 19:24:55 04-24-91 943 <--> 956
From: EVAN KATZ
To: MAX MAVEN (X)
Re: SO MANY BOOKS...
Refresh my memory -- didn't it sell well for an extremely short time,
than eek along a while...
If not a failure, I wouldn't call it a success. I saw this without
glee, merely as a statement of facts.
Considering the economics of mounting a big show, if it closed anytime
within the first few months, it is a failure by definition ---- ut has
lost money for its investors.
Msg #948 Dated 20:10:33 04-24-91
From: MICHAEL AMMAR
To: BRUCE SANDERCOCK
Re: GREETINGS!
Hi Bruce - thanks for reminding me of the Tannen's thing! Won't be
able to see you on May 4th, sadly. I had no way of knowing if the cast
would still be on my arm, so I choose to come out a month later. Maybe
see you at the Swap Meet, if I can make it!
Msg #952 Dated 21:14:44 04-24-91 -> 963
From: MICHAEL AMMAR
To: PETE BIRO (X)
Re: KAPS!
Enjoyed the Kaps stuff!! Mental Karate sound like a great personality
piece, something a 'character' could really take someplace. The slate
force is very clever!
As for the stamp connection, wouldn't it be stunning if MAGIC! provided
the missing link both IBM and SAM have been looking for!
Msg #955 Dated 21:42:03 04-24-91 927 <--> 966
From: PETE BIRO
To: BURT CARPENTER (X)
Re: NOTHING TO DO WITH MAGIC
My price is $1,500 a day plus all first class expenses.
Msg #956 Dated 21:43:40 04-24-91 928 <--> 957
From: PETE BIRO
To: RICHARD HART (X)
Re: SO MANY BOOKS...
You sure look like a writer online. What you just wrote would be great
in someone's books. Maybe one of my series of 600 I am working on! Good
stuff. Real Magic.
Msg #957 Dated 21:45:08 04-24-91 938 <--> 958
From: PETE BIRO
To: WAYNE POWERS (X)
Re: SO MANY BOOKS...
Right. You don't have to invent anything. Just don't do what someone
else does the way they do it.
Milt Larsen, in a discussion about stealing tricks, once said, "It
doesn't matter if they do the same tricks, they should do like
MUSICIANS and work out different ARRANGEMENTS.... and presentations."
Veddy Intellesting....
Msg #958 Dated 21:46:43 04-24-91 941 <--> 967
From: PETE BIRO
To: EVAN KATZ (X)
Re: SO MANY BOOKS...
Everything goes up and down. The public isn't so much in charge as the
producers on TV letting it get on... then the rub off is (in
Copperfield's case) when he goes live in concert they show up because
they saw him, or heard of him, from TV. I have seen a phenomenon with
him that I have never seen with any other magician. When he started a
trick at the stage show in Caesars Palace the audience began to
applause when they saw the prop!!! Like a hit song in a star's
repertoire, when they start to sing it, the aud. claps like mad...
David, having done the stunt on TV got the same reaction, when he
started to do it on stage. Amazing.
Msg #959 Dated 21:49:42 04-24-91 929 <-
From: PETE BIRO
To: STAN LAKE (X)
Re: MAGIC TRICK YOU CAN DO
Wouldn't doubt it.
Msg #961 Dated 21:52:15 04-24-91 935 <--> 969
From: PETE BIRO
To: STEVE BRYANT (X)
Re: LINKING RINGS
It will be fresh. Keepin' 'em on ice until sold. We ( few really bright
friends ) have done some heavy research and have traced the ring tricks
origins back farther than anyone we know of in print!
Msg #962 Dated 21:53:33 04-24-91 944 <--> 973
From: PETE BIRO
To: MAX MAVEN (X)
Re: FOR SALE
I don't know what it is like. Can you describe? I doubt if I have one,
but one of those laying about could be the same?
Msg #963 Dated 21:54:24 04-24-91 952 <-
From: PETE BIRO
To: MICHAEL AMMAR (X)
Re: KAPS!
You got it. I didn't know the person on a stamp had to be deceased. I
guess they don't want to do PR for anybody. Heheh, the Post Office,
doing positive PR !!! Later.
Msg #966 Dated 22:02:03 04-24-91 955 <--> 977
From: DAVID LICHTMAN (Sysop)
To: BURT CARPENTER (X)
Re: NOTHING TO DO WITH MAGIC
In other words, he's available!
Msg #967 Dated 22:52:46 04-24-91 956 <--> 972
From: RICHARD HART
To: PETE BIRO (X)
Re: SO MANY BOOKS...
Many thanks for your words, Pete. But you know, I think I'd be willing
to trade all my verbs and nouns just to be able to do the pass...
Msg #968 Dated 0:24:09 04-25-91 873 <--> 979
From: T A WATERS
To: PETE BIRO (X)
Re: BOOKS...
The title doesn't ring a bell -- can you be more specific?
Msg #969 Dated 2:04:24 04-25-91 961 <--> 980
From: WAYNE POWERS
To: PETE BIRO (X)
Re: LINKING RINGS
Steve had a nice introductory touch there.
I'm not a linking rings fan...in fact, I think they're performed much
too often may too many magi of questionable skill.
HOWEVER...
There are those whose performance of the linking rings is always a
treat to watch...ALWAYS...
For example, tonight I saw Jonathan Penndragon's routine again...and
enjoyed every second of it...again...
Scott Cervine does a remarkably artful rendition of which I NEVER tire.
There are several others, too...
I think that it boils down to this...Classic routines must be performed
with even greater art and skill than the rest of a magus' act. If not,
that most feared "M" Word will spring to the lips of the audience...
(Mediocre!)
Msg #972 Dated 4:27:33 04-25-91 945 <--> 978
From: MAX MAVEN
To: EVAN KATZ (X)
Re: SO MANY BOOKS...
Lack of economic profit is hardly "failure by definition."
Msg #973 Dated 4:30:17 04-25-91 962 <--> 981
From: MAX MAVEN
To: PETE BIRO (X)
Re: FOR SALE
The kid's specific complaint was that the Johnson dye tube he was able
to get was too big. Frankly, I think he'll be happy with any tube which
is a bit smaller. If "one of those laying about" fits that description,
you probably have a sale.
Msg #975 Dated 6:20:26 04-25-91 -> 982
From: ERIC RONNE
To: ALL
Re: OLD HENNING SHOWS
Does anyone have a video of Doug's old TV specials?
Msg #977 Dated 8:08:47 04-25-91 966 <--> 989
From: PETE BIRO
To: DAVID LICHTMAN (SYSOP) (X)
Re: NOTHING TO DO WITH MAGIC
No, just expensive. after all, who can pay these phone charges?
Msg #978 Dated 8:09:13 04-25-91 967 <--> 994
From: PETE BIRO
To: RICHARD HART (X)
Re: SO MANY BOOKS...
I can't do the pass and wouldn't want to. It is un-natural. A
Koorwinder control or a short card, a crimp, you name it... all beat
the pass. Unless you are a quarterback.
Msg #979 Dated 8:10:14 04-25-91 873 <-
From: PETE BIRO
To: PETE BIRO
Re: BOOKS...
Count To Ten was a Hungarian Count, son of Count to Nine. Arrrggghhhh
Msg #980 Dated 8:11:18 04-25-91 969 <--> 991
From: PETE BIRO
To: WAYNE POWERS (X)
Re: LINKING RINGS
You hit it... PERFORMED as opposed to DID.....
Msg #981 Dated 8:12:02 04-25-91 973 <-
From: PETE BIRO
To: MAX MAVEN (X)
Re: FOR SALE
OK, but to one guy Big is still small? I will be lookin, but not for
few days, hittin the road to Seattle. Lunching with Menna, Harris
(Paul) and some other folk.... Wait 'til you read the research Tab did
for me on something special... will be awhile... but when it hits, will
flow a few minds. The guy is pure genius.
Msg #982 Dated 8:13:25 04-25-91 975 <--> 1125
From: PETE BIRO
To: ERIC RONNE (X)
Re: OLD HENNING SHOWS
I'm sure someone does. No, not being facitious. But mine were all
ruined, along with Cardini, Roy Benson, Flosso, etc. when RATS got into
the filing case they were stored in and DID THIER BUSINESS, WET AND
DRY, ALL OVER THEM..... TRIPLE ARRGGGGHHHHHH
Msg #984 Dated 8:52:02 04-25-91 -> 987
From: HARRISON CARROLL
To: FRANK ZAK
Re: THE DOCTOR
Hey Frank: How's it going? The Doctor is here.... (Doc Eason)... says
to say hello... other than that nothing new..... talk to you soon
Msg #985 Dated 9:03:11 04-25-91 913 <--> 992
From: DARRELL MURPHY
To: PETE BIRO (X)
Re: HELP FAST
They did there gun act at Ring 21 "-est" night competition and it was
GREAT!!!!!!
Msg #987 Dated 9:33:54 04-25-91 984 <--> 999
From: TABBY CRABB
To: HARRISON CARROLL
Re: THE DOCTOR
Leaving for your neck of the woods in about a half hour and will be at
the Sheraton tonight. See you there.
Msg #989 Dated 10:18:11 04-25-91 977 <--> 1004
From: DAVID LICHTMAN (Sysop)
To: PETE BIRO (X)
Re: NOTHING TO DO WITH MAGIC
Expensive is a relative term, Pete. When my wife and I became engaged
24 years ago a "friend of the family," Palm Beach society photographer
Mort Kaye did our engagement photos. A couple of black & whites for
the papers and six 5x7 color prints, at a considerable discount from
his normal fees, came to over $ 700. As a special favor to us, he
would have done the wedding for around 3-grand.
Instead, we asked one of the news cameramen from the television station
I was working at to do it, at prices considerably below that. He and
his wife both shot pics, only her camera jammed. Then, just as the
reception started he got a priority call from the station. The result?
We have very few pics of our wedding.
Msg #991 Dated 12:16:54 04-25-91 980 <-
From: WAYNE POWERS
To: PETE BIRO (X)
Re: LINKING RINGS
Yup.
Msg #992 Dated 12:26:47 04-25-91 913 <--> 1000
From: MARVIN STERN
To: PETE BIRO (X)
Re: HELP FAST
The short routine I saw was just OK and not enough for me to recommend.
However I see where Darrell Murphy really liked them, and he has been
in magic longer than I.
Don't they have a tape that they can send to you. Sorry I can't be
more helpful.
Msg #993 Dated 12:29:14 04-25-91 -> 995
From: MARVIN STERN
To: ALL
Re: HELP
I need a card trick or two, for a 7 year old. She already does the 7
cards is 3 rows, thast every kid knows. But I need help from you
older, wiser and more experienced guys, as to a couple of add'l tricks
to teach her.
Thanks much.
Msg #994 Dated 12:58:49 04-25-91 972 <--> 1026
From: EVAN KATZ
To: MAX MAVEN (X)
Re: SO MANY BOOKS...
Grumble, grumble, grumble. Have any thoughts on the questions posed?
Msg #995 Dated 13:25:11 04-25-91 993 <--> 998
From: MICHAEL OVERLY
To: MARVIN STERN (X)
Re: HELP
How about a simple cannible cards routine? Although most require an
ascanio spread (fairly easy even for a 7 year old), some are pretty
simple. How about something simple like an elementary force and then
having the kid pretend to read the person's mind.
Msg #996 Dated 14:06:33 04-25-91
From: DAVID LICHTMAN (Sysop)
To: MANNY WELTMAN (X)
Re: SEARCHING MESSAGES
Manny -
I found the messages regarding the Houdini postcard. Burt
Carpenter was the one who said "You may remember that several
years ago there was a Houdini postcard." Pete Biro said, "I have
a copy of the postcard with Houdini."
Turns out that those messages were on the subject of "Our Magic
Government," rather than "Houdini Stamp."
There is a way to "search" for active messages by author,
addressee, or a word in the topic. Here's how:
>From the Main Menu, Type R? (the letter R followed by a
question mark [?]) and press the ENTER key.
EXAMPLE:
Function :R?
Enter the number of the lowest message you wish to begin searching
at and press the ENTER key.
EXAMPLE:
Msg # (1 to 2151), *, elp ? 1
Enter the MAGIC! section number if prompted to do so. The MAGIC!
section number is 13 (a magic number) and press the ENTER key.
EXAMPLE:
Section #: 13
Enter the name or word that you are looking for and press the
ENTER key.
EXAMPLE:
Search String: GOVERNMENT
You will be shown all of the active messages, beginning with the
lowest message number that you selected, that include that name or
word in the From, To, or Re: portions of the message header.
Remember, only the header portions of the message are searched,
not the text of the message.
After each message you will be given an opportunity to reply or
perform other normal message activities. To go on to the next
message in the search, just press the ENTER key.
This same type of search can be done with the Scan and Quick Scan
functions. For Scan you would enter S? instead of R? and for
Quick Scan you would enter Q?
Enjoy!
Msg #998 Dated 15:46:30 04-25-91 995 <--> 1005
From: MARVIN STERN
To: MICHAEL OVERLY (X)
Re: HELP
Thanks much. Don't know why I didn't think of it. At the Friday
lunchs at the Castle, a few of us have this all set-up. That way, when
anyone brings a guest, if they give us the highsign, we swing into
action on this routine. The 7Diamonds is the card we use. Thanks
again.
Any more suggestions.
Msg #999 Dated 17:48:53 04-25-91 984 <--> 1025
From: PETE BIRO
To: HARRISON CARROLL
Re: THE DOCTOR
Where is here?
-- END OF MAGIC-22 ---