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2005 is done with. It's over. It's history.
Fortunately for us all, the great magic created in 2005 is still available
here at The SpookClub.
So we don't forget some of these gems, I have decided to make a Top 10 list
of the best effects of each year. Starting with 2005. I went through my collection
of magic that I carry and found my top picks for the last year. The items may
not be entirely new, but most were released, or re-released in 2005. I'll add,
that The SpookClub never carried these
until 2005. Now these aren't just books/DVDs/effects that I sell. Aside from
The Juice Deck, The Perfect Bend and The Superman Coin bender (all which I have
worked with), these are all items that I have in my own personal collection.
Without further ado…
| #1: |
The
Juice Deck |
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Priced: $35.99 for beginner deck / $44.99 for pro deck.
This deck has been around for quite some time. Though it was generally
used for cheating at card gambling. The decks themselves were very expensive
until we found a cheat that would make them for us to sell. Priced for
magicians, this deck is the ultimate marked deck. You can try a Boris
Wild Marked Deck, or you can mark your own but you will not find a
more deceptively marked deck out there.
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| #2: |
Squash:
The Vanishing Shot Glass |
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Priced: $5.99
I first read this effect in John
Scarne's book titled Scarne's
Magic Tricks and I loved it. But as all the real gems in magic, I
had forgotten about it. I later read Whit
Haydn reminiscing about it in his book titled Street
Magic. That was when I had fallen in love with Squash again. Imagine
my delight from finding Royal Magic's release of this. If you are ever
in a situation where you can vanish a shot glass, pick up one or two of
these.
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| #3: |
Silver
Copper Brass Transposition |
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Priced: $39.99
Add some worldly spice to your magic with this coin effect. You have
three coins from all over the world to perform magic with. And the gaffs
can be used for so many effects. Move over Copper/Silver, cause The Silver/Copper/Brass
Transposition goes the extra mile. I love playing with this set!
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| #4: |
Bruce
Kalver's Okito Voodoo Doll |
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Priced: $12.50
This little doll relies on a very simply, yet very deceptive principle
and is one of my favorite close-up effects. Very easily performed. So
you have to put on a very good show in return. This doll visibly rises
up on your palm, and there are no strings attached. This effect will impress
anyone.
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| #5: |
Manuel
Muerte's Done By Misdirection |
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Priced: $54.99
Wow! Manuel Muerte of The
Flicking Fingers is simply amazing. I loved the Fingers'
release Flicking
Fingers: The Movie and I was so impressed with Manuel, I got excited
when he released this DVD. He teaches you the fundamentals of misdirection
and this guy can misdirect. Not only that, but he teaches you a ton of
effects. The price seems a little high compared to most DVDs, but I assure
you that it is worth it.
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| #6: |
Gregory
Wilson's Double Take |
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Priced: $34.99
I think this is arguably Gregory
Wilson's finest release. This DVD covers plenty of double lifts,
and a number of Greg's
excellent routines. But the routines are really just the cherry on top,
because learning some good double lifts are important for the card worker,
and I think this DVD will help the beginner AND the experienced card handler
with their double lifts.
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| #7: |
Reginald
R. Scott's Discoverie of Witchcraft |
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Priced: $22.99
This is the oldest book on the subject of magic. Well, a reprint of it
anyhow. There IS a lot of boring read in this, as it was not so much a
magic book at the time, but a book detailing how witches do not exist.
However, I have found it to be a very excellent read and I am delighted
to have it in my library. I am sure it would certainly complement your
library as well.
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| #8: |
The
Superman Coin Bender |
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Priced: $49.50
Roy Kueppers came up with this amazing coin bending tool and I was happy
with the amount of thought that had gone into it. With this tool, you
can borrow a coin, VISUALLY bend it, and show your hands empty at the
end. I don't know of any other bender out there that can accomplish that.
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| #10: |
Peter
Shatalow's Street Theatre |
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Priced: $34.99
This one is highly underrated. And I will tell you why. Though it isn't
a magic DVD, it has a ton of street performances, and tips for those wishing
to perform on the street or "busk" as we call it. I am a busker
myself in the summer, so this DVD really appealed to me. Because it isn't
a best seller, and it isn't a magic release, and I still want it on my
Top 10 list for 2005, I'm going to place it at 10.
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And there you have it! Until next year,
Sincerely,
Wayne Stevenson
The SpookClub
See You In The Free SpookClub Magic Forums
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