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Can you say, "Shimada"?
There's a company making some terrific looking props that you should check out. Chinese and Asian products that are colorful and practical for performers. First is a Magic Parasol.
Magic Production Parasol folds flat and pops big! It could be produced through many methods. These parasol productions are used bymany Asian performers. Through body loads, a colorful array of parasols pop open magically on stage. The small parasol is the size of a dove and could be hidden in many props such as the change bag, dream bag, dove pan, and dove bag. The medium and large parasol could be hidden in a "This" silk production or through body loads.

Got a note from Angelo Stagnaro. He edits a free monthly international magician's resource e-zine entitled SMOKE & MIRRORS. It is sent out to 3500 magicians in 63 countries on six continents. So far, such luminaries of magic as Alain Nu, Jarle Leirpoll, Scott F. Guinn, Aaron Smith, Guillaume Singer, Carl Andrews, Ed Solomon, Mike Bornstein, Aldo Columbini, Doug Edwards, Larry White, Paul Gordon, Gene Poinc, Dondrake, Larry Becker and Peter Marucci among others have written for SMOKE & MIRRORS. Every month you'll receive two new original effects and be able to read articles on magic, keep up to date on magic happenings, learn about magic trivia and explore new magic links. Magic announcements will be e-mailed out on a weekly basis and the subscription is free. We checked it out. This could be good. Give it a shot...you could always unsubscribe if you're not satisfied.

Chazpro - a great place to visit for magic tricks and props. Check out their own line of items like The Raven, The Bat and Shamrock Cup. Don't miss their monthly sales. Fast service, these are really good guys.Fire Products - Rick Haslett has a terrific web site that is devoted entirely to props and tricks that use fire.

Magic Lanterns - Check out these handcrafted beautiful accent lighting shadow boxes, featuring turn of the century magic art, as well as early circus, pulp, film, and fruit crate label art. Hugh Hefner and Frank Sinatra Jr., now own two magic lanterns each, among others. Stylish mood lighting for any study, games room, wall or book shelf.

Kevin James' Imagination Unlimited - once again we mention Kevin James and a new item called Pop-N-Corn. This effect is great for comedy magicians, clowns, emcees and parole officers.

Final Exam - This is a totally new version of an old effect. A book test, with no stooges, forcing, sleights or electronics. Appears to be real mind reading. Priced high to keep it out of the hands of the merely curious.

epmagic - For magical entertainers that need assistance in getting more business, booking more shows and creating a better image, try this company.

Magic, Inc. is one of the oldest and most respected magic shops in America, located in Chicago. I lectured there in their wonderful theatre, with Jay Marshall watching from the back. We enjoyed dinner together afterward, and a tour of the place. You can now visit their website and check out their great selection of books and tricks.

Looking for plates trays and ornaments from the world of magic? The Golden Age of Magic has historical magicians and custom work available. Check this out.

The Magic Wand has tricks and supplies for amateur and professionals. Look at their new effect, "The Pharaoh's Stone", which is a great effect to carry around and show your friends and clients.

Dancing Spring Magic offers a perfect magic table for workers, check it out.

Where our magic becomes YOUR magic...it's Your Magic. A great selection of tricks and books for the magically inclined.

Magic Sets are made for all ages, and one of the finest magic sets is called the Legends of Magic, which contains great tricks, and a video with rare footage of Houdini, Blackstone, Slydini and others. Avaliable from Fantasma Magic.

Dollar-sized Chinese Coins are now available in eight colors, and matching shells, flipper coins, and folding coins to match are offered from Show-Biz Services. My old friend George Schindler has a winner with this line of coins. Check them out now.

Have you ever logged into the Magic Cafe? A cool chat site, open to all magic lovers, and a section of secrets that is restricted to those who have posted at least 50 times on the site.

Florida Magic has a neat sound system for your act. Weighs only 5 pounds, packs a wallup, all at an affordable price.

Check out the largest collection of playing cards for magicians at The Card Collection. Based in England, they ship all over the world.

One of my favorite books, purchased the day it came out, was Magician Nitely, the magic of Eddie Fechter. It is out of print, but Jerry Mentzer, the publisher, has made available Fechter, The Magic of Eddie Fechter, a new working of the original, with new stuff added. A hardbound book of excellent stories, advice, tricks and routines from the bar magic expert in the field. The world lost a magical genius when Eddie left us. His magic lives on, however, in this limited edition reprint. Check it out.

Hocus Pocus Magic continues to release cool things that performers will use. Their latest ads offer The Human Cigar, a great routine with great props. Very practical, and if you are a worker, this just might fit into your act.

First off, be sure and check out the two new video collections from Daryl. Encyclopedia of Card Sleights is an essential set of 8 videos, and Card Revelations is an unbelievable 5 video collection of card moves, routines, ideas, premises and foolers for every card magician and lover of the pasteboards.

My wife, Jan, has released her latest eBook called "MindBody TuneUp" which is guaranteed to improve your memory and enhance your health. Check this out now. You owe it to yourself, really. Honest.

One of the world's oldest magic shops, in name at least, is that of Davenports, known the world over and famous as makers of magic and publishers since 1898. They are based in London, but ship all over the world. They are now featuring a Classic Book Collection, which, among other titles, highlights "The Complete Walton" Volumes 1 and 2. You can own both of these great books by Roy Walton for just £35.00 (That's only £17.50 each). Both are hard cover, lavishly produced, 135 illustrations, highly ascclaimed. Get them while they are still available. They belong in every card magic enthusiast's library.

Speaking of card magic...The card magic of Paul Gordon is available in a number of titles, such as "Cause and Effect" "Professional Card Miracles", and "Protean Card Magic". This Englishman is one of the tops in the card worker pack, and when you check out these books, you will clearly see why. Available from Natzler Enterprises.

Posters make great gifts, so be sure to check out Norm Nielsen's great selection at Nielsen Magic. He has full size reproductions as well as smaller ones. Something for every desire and budget. His offerings are absolutely gorgeous.

Another place to see magic posters is at MagicGallery. They have a unique web-based gallery of vintage magic posters and related stuff. Check them out.

Here's a great effect, called Soft Shoelace. It involves a steel ring which is threaded onto a shoelace, penetrates and comes free several times, each time under more challenging conditions. Nearly self-working, you will love this. From Tannen's.

Collectors may want to have a look at Kenna Thompson's Magic. He's got a lot of neat stuff, like Eddy Taytelbaum goodies and more.

George Schindler finally gets into the Internet act with a website for Show-Biz Services. Check out his latest stuff, always practical, like the Rainbow Appearing Pole ($40.) or maybe the Bruce Martyn Chopped Walnuts, the greatest Three Shell Game set ever ($25.).

Want a great card trick you will enjoy performing? Try Lethal Tender by Steve Dusheck, Jr. available at Sasco Magic.

And did you have a look at these yet?

Chazpro - a great place to visit for magic tricks and props. Check out their own line of items like The Raven, The Bat and Shamrock Cup. Don't miss their monthly sales. Fast service, these are really good guys.

Fire Products - Rick Haslett has a terrific web site that is devoted entirely to props and tricks that use fire.

Magic Lanterns - Check out these handcrafted beautiful accent lighting shadow boxes, featuring turn of the century magic art, as well as early circus, pulp, film, and fruit crate label art. Hugh Hefner and Frank Sinatra Jr., now own two magic lanterns each, among others. Stylish mood lighting for any study, games room, wall or book shelf.

Final Exam - This is a totally new version of an old effect. A book test, with no stooges, forcing, sleights or electronics. Appears to be real mind reading. Priced high to keep it out of the hands of the merely curious.

More next month...any suggestions? Drop me a note.

MagicWebChannel is very excited to annouce that beginning next month. we will be hosting a monthly auction. We will also provide you with up to the minute information and links to other magic auctions on the Internet.