(Benny) Ben Harris

If you create, design, manufacture or retail products for the magic market you will find a lifetime of experience in this ebook.

The full product can be found here: Winning Products

37 pages

"A cool and animated levitation of a card or dollar bill... EASY TO MAKE!"

My goodness, this little effect created a shit-storm when it was released in 2000! I don't think the attacks had been so brutal since Cosmosis (in the mid 1980s). Anyway, this simple and effective idea was loved by some (see, for example, Richard Kaufman in Genii Magazine), and hated by others (see, for example, Michael Close in Magic Magazine). Ben relishes dividing opinion, and Alida certainly did that.

However, it was also a genuine stepping stone in the thought processes that would eventually lead to Enlightenment: The Ultimate Floating Card - which is way superior. So, controversial...

The best-seller from 1986 is back.

You predict in advance which card will be named! Easy and fun.

This and That was a big seller back in the mid 1980's when the "Oscar" and "Phil" craze were at their peaks.

A spectator names any card (free choice) and you display that your deck has marked backs. They are all marked like "THIS" you say as you display cards in the deck as having the word "THIS" written on it's back. That's every card, but one. The selected card, on the other hand, has the word "THAT" written on it's back. Proving you know "this from that!"

Super easy to make at home...

A flash back to 1987 and a "long lost" manuscript, seen by only ten: Jerry Andrus, David Britland, Jeff Busby, Dave Faulkner, David Harkey, Ed Marlo, Dan McArthy, Harvey Rosenthal, Jay Sankey and Mark Trudinger, made it's brief, and only appearance... then, it was gone!

So what is the 5th Corner? It's a splash of ideas and techniques with a single playing card and it's ripped corners. You are both "one ahead" and "two behind" at the SAME TIME. This charming but annoying attribute is what probably led to the stony silence heard by the author in 1987. Can YOU make head-way with this strange and bizarre single-card oddity? Why...

2002 and a small lecture tour. Harris needed an oddity that would contrast his card work. Some visual and aural distraction. TacTics was the answer. 150 units were assembled, fingers burned, and instructions written. The item was quite popular and did end up in an issue of Genii. Here is the original manuscript, re-edited and with clear photos. Ideas with color-changes, sound-based illusion and the "Milk Pitcher" application allowing you to vanish tictacs, half a container at a time, till they're ALL GONE!

1st edition 2002; 14 pages

Use any Russian Wedding Band (for example search 'Russian Wedding Ring' on Amazon)

Slink is a sleight of hand Linking Finger Ring Routine that is easily constructed by modifying any Russian Wedding Band. You can find these at your local markets or trinket store. This type of ring has three bands, linked together. You need to purchase one of them. It is suggested you start with the cheapest unit you can find, and then once familiar with the handling, you can purchase a heavier set in silver or gold.

In effect, you display two silver rings. These are held at the fingertips, and then with...

Imagine: You’ve just performed several stages in your “Ambitious Card” routine. For one final time you place the “magic card” in the middle of the deck. The deck is placed face-down in the middle of the table. You show your hands empty. With a snap of your fingers you gesture toward the deck. Now, by simply riffling upward gently on the tabled deck’s edges—and dribbling the cards back to the table—the signed selection instantly and visibly appears face-up, atop the deck!

You accept your well earned applause and feel cool that you’ve done this by mastering a simple and clever...

Full details of how this magnetic miracle works.

"Ben...what a beautiful thing you have created here. The moment that card breaks free from gravity in the spectator's hand is quite the joyous event." - Paul Harris

Enlightenment is a revolutionary way of using magnets to create the illusion of levitating a playing card or a dollar note.

This 100 page book gives you all of the details. Learn the back history, how a simple advertisement in a catalog inspired the idea. Learn how to operate the gimmick, how to install it in a deck of cards, and how to use it to make a dollar bill float. You'll still...

"A beautifully realized moment of astonishment ... the new gimmick is very clever indeed!" - Paul Harris

"A stunning vanishing deck that takes an original idea by Paul Harris and sends it to the moon." - Richard Kaufman

The remarkable effect shifts "the moment" in Paul Harris' amazing Vanishing Deck allowing for a card to be selected and signed.

This selected card is shuffled back into the deck which is then held in full view.

Upon command, the entire deck visually vanishes (that's right - it just blinks out of being) leaving only the chosen card as a poignant applause cue.

Exit 51 is...

Julio's Psychic Pizza is an easy to perform and completely self-working prediction that allows a spectator to predict a pizza style (Olives and Anchovies, Italian, Classic, Hawaiian, etc) and the appropriate base (thick or thin) and an accompanying beverage (Milkshake, Iced Tea, Cola, Orange juice, etc).

The performer introduces a colorful and glossy menu from Julio's Psychic Pizza Shop (est. 1971). Printed on the inside is a psychic circle of pizza styles representing what's available.The spectator thinks of any number between 1--1000 (no force) and counts around the circle (either clockwise...

The original work on elastic thread magic, first published in 1989. All the pro tips you need, along with six full routines to start performing right now.

You see so much information published about "Elastic Thread Magic" today—you'd think it all "brand new". Alas, such is not the case. If you look hard, you'll see much of today's gold is really the silver of yesteryear.

This manuscript contains original routines as well as important information that appeared in the original 1989 manuscript. Even the illustrations are the originals. Enjoy and impress...

Subjects covered:

• flashing ...

The odd scientific principle discovered by Harris in 1980 makes an amazing coin transposition possible!

Two coins are displayed. One is marked with a large cross with a permanent marker and a spectator confirms that the cross will not rub off the coin. In full view, the marked coin and the plain coin transpose through the back of a spectator’s own hand.

Fully examinable, easy to do. The scientific principle makes it all work.

• examinable
• use any currency
• easy to perform
• carry it everywhere

1st edition 1980; digital edition 2009; 14 pages.

"Something that's never been done before using a method that's never been used before - very cool." - Richard Kaufman

"...situational, astonishing and a devilishly clever piece of magic. The best effect I've seen in a long time!" - Joshua Jay

"Mind expanding magic in every sense..." - Michael Ammar

Hole in the Head created a furor when released to the general magic community. Originally worked up as a situational piece for a David Blaine TV special, the general market place would have nothing of something as esoteric. No, you had to be able to pull it out of a baggie and stumble through it for a street...

This effect appears described briefly, yet adequately, in the Singapore Lecture Notes. This is a more thorough description and is accompanied by clear photographs, making it easier to learn.

The routine uses four black cards, and four red cards. Interlaced three times, they always separate. The moves used are smooth and create a lovely illusion. It does not look like sleight of hand, it really looks quite convincing! Heavily based in Marlo's work.

1st edition 1985; 1st digital edition 2009; 18 pages.

Four subtle stunners that put the "PSI Sharpie pen" to stealth use. Includes the amazing Phone Call To Houdini.

Here is a collection of professional ideas and approaches with the PSI Sharpie Pen. If you are in agreement with the author that the advertised effect of making the pen spin 360 degrees is possibly "a bit over the top" then you'll love the subtle approaches here.

Harris teaches effects from his professional mentalism A-list. Learn to use the PSI Sharpie without appearing to use the pen! Also learn how to apparently transfer the PSI Sharpie powers to another sharpie! Use your...

This is one of Ben Harris's favorite effects. Released in 1987, it featured heavily in his lectures across the '87-89 period and was a total sell-out at the major magic conventions, or whenever demonstrated.

In effect, a small envelope is shown, signed on BOTH sides by a spectator, and then left IN FULL VIEW upon the table. A card is now FREELY selected from the deck, and also signed. The spectator pushes his card squarely into the deck and then counts the cards. Mysteriously, his card has vanished. There are now just 51 cards in the deck.

The envelope, which has been in FULL VIEW the...

Make a bottle of drink vanish by cracking it across your knee!

This is a reputation-maker. The magic just seems to come out of the blue as you pick up your drink bottle, cap it, and then crack it across your knee where it vanishes completely!

Three applications are taught. A formal handling with Topit, a tabled handling and a cheeky walk-around handling for parties when you are hanging with friends. For these latter two approaches, you need no Topit, just the bottle. You can even make a partly filled bottle vanish or pass through a table-top!

1st edition 2013, 14 pages.

Magic and science mix to create amazing possibilities with this special paper!

NCR paper is the carbonless paper used to make up receipt and invoice books. It allows impressions to be made on several sheets without the use of carbon paper. And, just like the chemically reactive magic that people have created with ATM paper and Frixion pens, NCR paper also has potential for magical use.

The author established it's use back in 1989 with an excited fax to Jeff Busby. (This document is included from the Harris archives.)

Ben then teaches two routines with the special paper. The first involves...

"The construction of the card is ingenious..." - Michael Close (Magic Magazine)

The famous and easy animated card that mysteriously moves away from your fingers—zooming across the table.

Examinable, before, during and after. This is one of the most devious uses of Elastic Thread ever created. Prior to releasing the idea to critical acclaim in 1999, Ben had been sitting on this for over ten years, using it privately for the most important occasions only. It is the perfect effect for Street Magic performances as it can be performed under the most stringent conditions—ANYWHERE!

As you and the...

Full details of how this magnetic miracle works.

"Ben...what a beautiful thing you have created here. The moment that card breaks free from gravity in the spectator's hand is quite the joyous event." - Paul Harris

Enlightenment is a revolutionary way of using magnets to create the illusion of levitating a playing card or a dollar note.

This 100 page ebook gives you all of the details. Learn the back history, how a simple advertisement in a catalog inspired the idea. Learn how to operate the gimmick, how to install it in a deck of cards, and how to use it to make a dollar bill float. You'll still...