(Benny) Ben Harris

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

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...

If bought together with Run Silent Run Deep you will receive an instant $5 bundle discount.

Note: There are two softcover editions. The more expensive one is the Limited Delux edition. This was limited to 100 copies. It has two additional semi-transparent sheets compared to the regular edition. The first page has Ben's signature, date and running number. And the second additional page has a bonus called Lucky Number Ploy. The cheaper one is the regular edition.

"This is so much more than just an effect. It is a powerful subtlety that is a must have for your mentalist toolbox." - Banachek (USA)

"Crystal...

"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...

Here's the follow-up to the best-selling CrossRoads Deck. An amazing variety of material!

This detailed ebook looks at expanding the "CrossRoads revelations phase" in a variety of ways. "Compression" is what the author calls it, and here he squeezes the "outs" into Double Faced and "multi-index" configurations. The full instructions for the commercially available D/F SET and DEVIL'S PEEK SET are included, along with additional photographs. By fully exploring the possibilities in print, with this ebook, you can then decide if the special card sets would be worthwhile additions to your tool box.

Further...

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...

"Ben's Band Book is some of the best band and card magic ever. Some could be plucked out and used as single trick downloads. As with every Ben Harris ebook of wonder, it's beautifully laid out with lots of photos to help you along. Highly recommended. ***** 5/5 Stars" - Jamie Daws

The opening trick in this gorgeous ebook is just cool. A mini bet in which 2 bands are shown around the card case width ways. One will win the spectator $100 and the other one will win the magician $100. One is selected by the spectator without equivoque. Of course it's just a normal band. The other is removed and there...

Released in 1985, Fandango became a cornerstone for a variety of card "printing" and "sandwich" routines that would later be developed by the author. Here is the original manuscript with original photographs teaching this instant and highly visual sandwich concept.

In effect, a signed card instantly appears between two Jokers. Classic "Sandwich Plot," but the method is what differentiates this. Fandango allows you to propel the selected card into position between the Jokers.

It's instant and visual. Both the original gimmicked and non-gimmicked handlings are explained and illustrated. ...

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.

Ben Harris' first set of lecture notes from his first ever lecture in 1985— re-written, re-photographed...

These notes have been re-written and re-photographed. The material is bright, crisp and hard-hitting. Mostly cards, including a wonderful multi-phase OIL AND WATER routine that's a joy to perform. PYRAMID CARDS is an easy and visual stunt revelation that was originally created by Jay Sankey. Here are a couple of cool variations. COMING TOGETHER AGAIN is a real killer item based on a Sadowitz piece from Almanac (see demo video below).

The real highlight is the closer Ben used on both nights in Singapore....

"This is going to fry a lot of people..." - Richard Kaufman

"...the Crossroads Deck; a devious conception and one of the most interesting to hit the magic scene in recent times..." - Peter Duffie (from the foreword)

"The Crossroads technique alone, which we really like, will be seen as food for thought by many. As mentalists, our variation would be to use no deck at all. Just a single, thought-of card in the pocket. The solution will dawn on you after reading the text..." - Richard Busch & Larry Becker

A SPECIFICALLY SELECTED CARD VANISHES FROM A SEALED DECK YOU'VE NEVER TOUCHED! And then... RE-APPEARS WHEREVER YOU WANT,...

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...

"...at last, the originator explains his classic micro-levitation in complete detail — a digital first..."

Invented in 1986, and marketed as Cosmosis by Ben Harris, this effect has become one of the most pirated close-up creations in magic's recent history. It truly has become a "classic." Even today, twenty-three years after its debut, unscrupulous individuals and manufacturers in many countries market it without any due respect for its heritage or compensation for its creator. From street stalls in India and across Asia, to the high streets of London and Paris, you'll find this effect...

"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...

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.

"I highly recommend this to all of you who are interested in learning a devilishly clever approach to TORN & RESTORED CARD" - Danny Orleans (Genii Magazine)

Hoodwink is based on the author's own effect, "Prime Hole Card" from 1983. It became a best-seller when re-released in 1999. Everyone was concentrating so hard on complex quarter-at-a-time restorations, that Hoodwink, with it's stunning flash restoration, seemed like a breath of fresh air.

Hoodwink is not designed to replace, or to in any way compete with, the fine crop of "quarter by quarter" restorations that are making the rounds. Instead,...

"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...

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 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...