Hello!!! Welcome back to the long awaited return of the Wand Street Journal. Your (somewhat) unbiased magic newspaper! It's been awhile, but after hearing about our top story I realized it was time for a return! So get ready for Great articles, New segments, improved segments, and even an Exclusive interview with the one and only Steven Bridges! So, without a further ado, let us dive into the new and improved WAND STREET JOURNAL!
November 12, 2013. Copperfield's Las Vegas show was going as normal. He began to perform a signature: "LUCKY 13". In which he threw 13 silver balls into the crowd to gain 13 random participants. He would place all 13 on a platform then proceed to make them vanish, and reappear on the other side. He's done it a THOUSAND times. No worries. But sadly this was the not one of those thousands.
One participant who caught the ball was a 53 year old British Tourist under the name: Gavin Cox. Gavin sat where he was supposed to, but when the vanish was supposed to take place, lets just say... it didn't work. Gavin suffered severe injuries including a claimed dislocated shoulder, and even a brain injury! (Due to Theory 11 forum rules and my respect for exposure, I will not be telling how the effect was accomplished, however if you have even just skimmed the "ILLUSION" section of Tarbell, or Wilson's Course you will most likely know how its done. So I will just assume you do.) The accident in question occurred when the participant "slipped" while trying to make it to the other side of the theater for the reappearance. Copperfield said this was out of his control, ergo no legal action should be taken against him.
However this is not the focus of this article. This event took place in 2013. So, Why are we talking about it now? Well, April 17, 2017 the judge of this case ordered more information. He wanted to know what truly happened. He needed to know how the vanish was accomplished. The Illusionist's lawyers argued it would hurt the income of "the highest paid magician of all time" to release such a secret to the public. Therefore no one revealed the secret.... until David's Consultant the well beloved Chris Kenner decided it would be best, and revealed how the effect was accomplished after agreeing with David. This was obviously to the dismay of many "anti-exposure" magicians, but to most it was for the best.
Now for the average magic Historian this is not the newest event in history. In 1902 Harry Houdini attempted to sue the German police, that claimed his escape act was "rigged" and used "dead locks". This lasted 3 trials in which all three Houdini won. In the first trial Houdini pulled the judge aside to show him how he actually escaped the cuffs. (once again forum rules, so the will not be reveal).The judge decided their was no more to discuss and ruled in favor of Harry. And years later it is believed the judge revealed what Houdini told him in that secret room.
There we have 2 different sides of a coin. Obviously some things are just more important than a trick, so it shouldn't come as a shocker that both Houdini and Copperfield revealed their secrets for the greater good. But they both accomplished it in 2 ways. Houdini told his in secret to a man under oath. However, it wasn't this simple for "the magician of the 21st century". Since his had more to do with what happened during the trick rather than Harry's which was the effect as a whole he was forced to tell everyone so they knew the whole story. 2 different sides but both seemed equally sufficient.
As Magic begins to evolve, so will exposure. Could this be the start of a new era? Could we see more "Secrets revealed in order of judge". Obviously if forced to, it should be an easy choice. Magic is magic. Somethings are just more important than secrets from a book.
Product of the week: Magic of Johnny Thompson 2 volume set
Quite possibly the most anticipated book of the year finally began its Shipment this week. The set in question is a multi-volume set including 78 of his cherished routines, as well as unpublished work from some absolute legends including Vernon, AND Marlo. So it is on the priceyer side, but seems completely worth it!!!
Cool find: lot of Michael Ammar lecture items
This find is set of 4 products from the mind of Michael Ammar. This includes
Coin in bottle cork
90 minute Michael Ammar live, dvd.
Coins thru silk
Leather show case wallet
This is one of the few times I've ever seen a Coin in bottle cork. I've read about it in The Magic Of Michael Ammarr, But have never seen one. Ergo that alone justifies the current price of $6.32. Not to mention the very high quality Leather Show Ca yese wallet, which by its self retails about $20. I expect the price to shoot up, so get your bids in while you still can!!!! (I do not have a connection to the seller, nor do I gain a profit from this)
Performance of the week:
This moving performance on BGT, not only gained him the first golden buzzer of the season, but also made tears come to the eyes of the judges. For those unaware that is not extremely common, especially when dealing with magic.
His usage of simple methods allowed for less stress on the performance allowing him to focus on his patter and presentation, making for one of the best in the show's history.
Weekly printout This week I have presented 4 differnt qr codes. All of which when scanned will reveal a high quality image of the K♥. The latest iPhone update (IOS11) now allows a qr reader straight from your camera. So simply print one out, and carry it around inside the cellophane of your deck of cards (or anywhere), and then when you are ready, force the king of hearts. So all you have to do is hold up your spectators camera app on their phone to scan the code. A link will pop up. Click the link and it will bring you to a high quality 1080p image of the king. In fact try it! Scan one of the codes below. Just go to your camera app and hold it over the code and click the link!
WORLD RENOWN ILLUSIONIST DAVID COPPERFIELD FORCED TO REVEAL METHOD IN COURT .
21 time Emmy award winning Magician David Copperfield is nothing shy of a legend. Beyond your typical house hold name. His Invisible man routine ,TNR of the most valuable base-ball card in history, and vanishing of the statue of liberty have made him the most well known illusionist of the 21st century. These closely guarded secrets have amazed the minds of not just your average laymen, but also some of the greatest magic critics, and even just magicians. However, due to an unfortunate event in 2013 one of his secrets is no longer...November 12, 2013. Copperfield's Las Vegas show was going as normal. He began to perform a signature: "LUCKY 13". In which he threw 13 silver balls into the crowd to gain 13 random participants. He would place all 13 on a platform then proceed to make them vanish, and reappear on the other side. He's done it a THOUSAND times. No worries. But sadly this was the not one of those thousands.
One participant who caught the ball was a 53 year old British Tourist under the name: Gavin Cox. Gavin sat where he was supposed to, but when the vanish was supposed to take place, lets just say... it didn't work. Gavin suffered severe injuries including a claimed dislocated shoulder, and even a brain injury! (Due to Theory 11 forum rules and my respect for exposure, I will not be telling how the effect was accomplished, however if you have even just skimmed the "ILLUSION" section of Tarbell, or Wilson's Course you will most likely know how its done. So I will just assume you do.) The accident in question occurred when the participant "slipped" while trying to make it to the other side of the theater for the reappearance. Copperfield said this was out of his control, ergo no legal action should be taken against him.
However this is not the focus of this article. This event took place in 2013. So, Why are we talking about it now? Well, April 17, 2017 the judge of this case ordered more information. He wanted to know what truly happened. He needed to know how the vanish was accomplished. The Illusionist's lawyers argued it would hurt the income of "the highest paid magician of all time" to release such a secret to the public. Therefore no one revealed the secret.... until David's Consultant the well beloved Chris Kenner decided it would be best, and revealed how the effect was accomplished after agreeing with David. This was obviously to the dismay of many "anti-exposure" magicians, but to most it was for the best.
Now for the average magic Historian this is not the newest event in history. In 1902 Harry Houdini attempted to sue the German police, that claimed his escape act was "rigged" and used "dead locks". This lasted 3 trials in which all three Houdini won. In the first trial Houdini pulled the judge aside to show him how he actually escaped the cuffs. (once again forum rules, so the will not be reveal).The judge decided their was no more to discuss and ruled in favor of Harry. And years later it is believed the judge revealed what Houdini told him in that secret room.
There we have 2 different sides of a coin. Obviously some things are just more important than a trick, so it shouldn't come as a shocker that both Houdini and Copperfield revealed their secrets for the greater good. But they both accomplished it in 2 ways. Houdini told his in secret to a man under oath. However, it wasn't this simple for "the magician of the 21st century". Since his had more to do with what happened during the trick rather than Harry's which was the effect as a whole he was forced to tell everyone so they knew the whole story. 2 different sides but both seemed equally sufficient.
As Magic begins to evolve, so will exposure. Could this be the start of a new era? Could we see more "Secrets revealed in order of judge". Obviously if forced to, it should be an easy choice. Magic is magic. Somethings are just more important than secrets from a book.
Product of the week: Magic of Johnny Thompson 2 volume set
Quite possibly the most anticipated book of the year finally began its Shipment this week. The set in question is a multi-volume set including 78 of his cherished routines, as well as unpublished work from some absolute legends including Vernon, AND Marlo. So it is on the priceyer side, but seems completely worth it!!!
Cool find: lot of Michael Ammar lecture items
This find is set of 4 products from the mind of Michael Ammar. This includes
Coin in bottle cork
90 minute Michael Ammar live, dvd.
Coins thru silk
Leather show case wallet
This is one of the few times I've ever seen a Coin in bottle cork. I've read about it in The Magic Of Michael Ammarr, But have never seen one. Ergo that alone justifies the current price of $6.32. Not to mention the very high quality Leather Show Ca yese wallet, which by its self retails about $20. I expect the price to shoot up, so get your bids in while you still can!!!! (I do not have a connection to the seller, nor do I gain a profit from this)
Performance of the week:
This moving performance on BGT, not only gained him the first golden buzzer of the season, but also made tears come to the eyes of the judges. For those unaware that is not extremely common, especially when dealing with magic.
His usage of simple methods allowed for less stress on the performance allowing him to focus on his patter and presentation, making for one of the best in the show's history.
Weekly printout This week I have presented 4 differnt qr codes. All of which when scanned will reveal a high quality image of the K♥. The latest iPhone update (IOS11) now allows a qr reader straight from your camera. So simply print one out, and carry it around inside the cellophane of your deck of cards (or anywhere), and then when you are ready, force the king of hearts. So all you have to do is hold up your spectators camera app on their phone to scan the code. A link will pop up. Click the link and it will bring you to a high quality 1080p image of the king. In fact try it! Scan one of the codes below. Just go to your camera app and hold it over the code and click the link!