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Sam Dalal

Sam Dalal

#3 Balls, Eggs, Dice & Cups author

(4th March 1946 - )

Became interested in magic in his pre-teens, and paid his way through an engineering degree with magic performances. Unaware of magic dealers in those years, he "created" and made most of the magic props he used with effects culled from a Douglas Magicland Catalog he got through an ad in Popular Science. Some of these were just "reinventing the wheel", and some were original, as he found out years later.

When he got better acquainted with the whole big magic fraternity in the late 60s, he started contributing his "ideas" for various magic magazines, like the Magigram, New Pentagram, Abra, and several others.

Inspired by the Jinx, he started his own magic monthly - Swami and subsequently Mantra which ran for over 5 years till 1975. It had contributions from some of the best magical creators of the period, and descriptions of Indian fakir magic (geek magic) that differentiated it from the usual magic magazines.

Around the same time he phased out of performing, and started his own magic manufacturing business (Funtime Innovations). Today some 35+ years later this business is one of the largest in the world, for making items (not just selling them) with a few 100 people working full time on magic props distributed around the world. To date his company has made more than 2000 varieties of props for Magicians.

He has created several magic effects, and written a dozen odd books, edited several others and authored 1000s of instruction sheets and manuals for the props he supplies around the world.

Coauthors: E. W. Bud Morris

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Sam Dalal
Psychic Dominoes (used) by Sam Dalal

Softcover stapled booklet in good condition. For the content see the digital edition.

$10
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Sam Dalal
Getting the Best of your Himber Wallet (used) by Sam Dalal

Softcover stapled booklet in good condition. For the content see the digital edition.

$8
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Sam Dalal
Chinese Linking Rings (used) by Sam Dalal

Small format stapled softcover booklet in good condition. For the content see the digital edition.

$3
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Sam Dalal
Magic with Thimbles: Nested Thimble Outfit (used) by Sam Dalal

Small format stapled softcover booklet in good condition. For the content see the digital edition.

$3
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Sam Dalal
Indian Cups and Balls Primer by Sam Dalal

Like the Billiard Balls, and Linking Rings the Indian Cups and Balls have become a classic of Magic. The apparatus is "designed" exclusively for Magic... (like the Linking rings), one does not come across such things in everyday life. While this may not find favour with many performers, whose idea of magic is to perform miracles with "everyday" objects,...their very design makes possible miracles of a type not possible with many other objects. For unlike Silk Cabbies, and Ghost Tubes, there is nothing fake about the apparatus itself...but their shape and construction make possible a surprising...

$8
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Sam Dalal
Magic From India Catalog by Sam Dalal

Partial catalog of Electro Fun, Calcutta, India.

This is not a catalog of our entire range of products, but a pictorial representation of our wide variety and range. It is the next best thing I can offer you to a personal visit to our showroom.

We have been creating and making props for magicians around the world for over 25 years. Our products are available through hundreds of magic shops all over the globe. This "Catalog" will enable magicians to get a better idea of the products than a mere name in a price list.

Most of the props we supply are accompanied by detailed instructions...

$0
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Sam Dalal
Sam's Scrapbook 4 by Sam Dalal

When I compiled volume 3 of these "Scrapbooks" I had mentioned it would be the last, unless I found some of my material in Abra and other periodicals I had no access to, along with a few of my earlier contributions and creations. Just two days after the publication of Volume 3, I received an email from Andy Martin, complete with all the Abra articles, and in subsequent emails a couple of my Magick contributions, and all the date and issue references.

I had forgotten since my Swami/Mantra days just how helpful a fellow "magic addict" can be in helping a complete stranger since I had no correspondence...

$12
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Sam Dalal
Sam's Scrapbook 3 by Sam Dalal

This is my third Scrapbook composed in this month (March 2023). Even though when I mull over my commercial effects and magazine contributions from the decades gone by, the volume of material seems ample for a few more.

But everything I wrote or created is not worth recording or re-publishing in this collection. I found two big files chock-a-block full of the magazine articles I wrote for most of the magic magazines in the 1970's and 80's. About 2/3rds of these are not worth republishing, being my ideas on some dealer prop I purchased, or another magazine article. They would serve no purpose...

$12
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Sam Dalal
Sam's Scrapbook 2 by Sam Dalal

Over 50 years, I have run a Magician's service, producing and supplying several hundreds of thousands of pieces of over 2500 varieties of props to magic dealers and magicians worldwide, with retail sale value exceeding a million dollars a year over several years, so I figure we have been doing something right!

Many were "classic props" - my favorite sources being books like Hoffman's Modern, More and Later Magic, the many excellent magical secrets series and other illusion books by Will Goldston, and of more modern times, the World of Magic trilogy by Jack Hughes - with an effort to some times modify the props and their use to present...

$12
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Sam Dalal
Sam's Scrapbook 1 by Sam Dalal

This "Scrapbook" is a small, haphazard collection of some of my contributions to the Art of Magic, over the past 50 years. Since the late 1960's I have contributed hundreds of my ideas to over a dozen national and international magic magazines, run a magician's service producing over 2000 magic items, (some hundreds of which were my own creations and which sold over a million Dollars worth a year around the world at one time), and for which I wrote over 2000 "instruction sheets." Many of these instructions had "ideas" for the use of the props that enabled our customers to get the maximum mileage...

$12
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Sam Dalal
Incredible Instant Insanity Prediction by Sam Dalal

An exceedingly clever use of Max Maven's Bonsai Force. Predict the free and random arrangement of four colored blocks.

Excerpt from the introduction by Max Maven:

But there is yet another benefit which is perhaps the rarest of all, when another creative spirit decides to explore something you've devised, and comes up with a new and different approach which expands your idea in ways you had not considered.

Sam Dalal, I'm delighted to say, has once again provided me with just such a situation. He has taken a principle I devised several years ago, and adapted it in an ingenious way which...

★★★★ $6
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Sam Dalal
Menta Color by Sam Dalal

A collection of self-working tricks based on a simple mathematical principle with multi-colored chips.

You will need to make the 5 chips yourself. Each chip has a color on the front and back. These chips can be easily made with stickers or permanent makers.

1st edition 1975, PDF 11 pages.

★★★★★ $3
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Sam Dalal
X-Ray Eyes by Sam Dalal

Methods and presentations for blindfolds, or 'sightless vision'.

Amongst the most sensational of magical effects, is the ability of the magician to do things blindfolded, which would normally require the use of his full vision. Like escapes, a blindfold drive is an excellent publicity stunt, in which you can involve the police department, the local medical and municipal authorities, the town council, the local newspapers and TV, and half the town people. It is one effect that can be performed under any conditions, drawing room, stage, club, arena, or across a town or state. And it is probably...

★★★★★ $6
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Sam Dalal
Psychic Dominoes by Sam Dalal

Perform some amazing close-up routines with 15 dominoes with ESP symbols. These dominoes are not included with the ebook but they are fairly simple to make yourself.

This manuscript gives you the basic principles and presentations for a variety of possible effects. The principles involved are self-working in nature, and have been explained in sufficient detail to enable you to create your own amazing routines with these attractive and intriguing props.

  • The Psychic Dominoes
  • Psychic Stacking
  • Choice or Fate
  • Unique Match
  • Desire and Destiny

1st edition 2004, 16 pages; PDF 15 pages.

★★★★★ $8
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Sam Dalal
Getting the Best of your Himber Wallet by Sam Dalal

Techniques and routines for the Himber Wallet.

The Himber Wallet is a change device for flat card and paper items, like currency notes or bills, playing or visiting cards, pay envelopes, paper slips etc., which is an understatement, like saying "The Rolls Royce is just an automobile". When the Himber Wallet is correctly handled, it is far superior to other change wallets, card boxes, or devices that serve the same function.

Some wallets allow one to subtly prove no change has been made, when in fact it has. The contents of one side of the wallet can change, while the contents of the opposite...

★★★★ $6
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Sam Dalal
Magic with Thimbles: Nested Thimble Outfit by Sam Dalal

This ebook explains some routines, that will teach you the standard moves with ordinary thimbles, and also the handling of the nested pair.

No thimbles are included with this PDF. Regular thimbles can be bought in any sewing shop. For the nested thimbles check any well-stocked magic shop.

  • Nested Thimble Magic Outfit
  • Magic with Ordinary thimbles
    • Thimble vanish and production
    • See through vanish
    • Finger Switch Color Change
  • Routines Using the Nested Thimbles
    • Thimble Penetration
    • The Roll Over Finger palm
    • Multiplying Thimbles
    • Nested Color Changing Thimble

1st edition 2004;...

$3
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Sam Dalal
Chinese Linking Rings by Sam Dalal

No one knows the originator of this mysterious effect. Linking Rings were introduced into Europe about a century ago by a troupe of Chinese Magicians, and have been named the "Chinese Linking Rings" ever since.

The basic effect is that a number of solid metal rings that have been examined by the audience magically link and un-link at the magicians' command. The rings are linked into chains and designs comprising of two to eight rings. The effect is capable of infinite variations, and the routine can be as short or long as you like. It can be performed silently to music, or with a patter...

★★★★★ $3
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Sam Dalal
The Swami Gimmick (used) by Sam Dalal

Stapled booklet in good condition. For details on the contents see the digital edition.

$5
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Sam Dalal
Learn the Secrets of Magic by Sam Dalal

This ebook will teach you how to be a magician. Some of the lessons cover the techniques of performing magic, while others cover magic tricks, for you to perform a magic show at a party or any informal gathering.

The descriptions of the tricks are generally divided into four parts - the Effect, the Requirements and Preparation, Performance or Presentation, and Additional Notes. There are more than 75 effects explained, and over 100 illustrations are included to make everything easy to understand.

  • Introduction
  • The Real Secrets of Magic
  • One Way Handkerchief
  • Waterproof Fingers
  • Impossible...
★★★★★ $5
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Sam Dalal
Cabaret Capers Volume 1 by Sam Dalal

This was Sam Dalal's first publication. It was written for the cabaret artist, the magician who is called on to give a "Spot Show" of about 10 to 15 minutes duration. Every item is applause tested, simple in execution, and lends itself to an amusing theme.

  • In The Beginning
  • The Impossible Peek Deck!
  • The Sla-Test Color Gag
  • Colour - Me!!!
  • "Turn It Round"
  • Brain Wave Bonus
  • The New Whispering Queen
  • Habit Bound!
  • Old Wine In New Funnels
  • "Pop Up" Gag
  • Jackpot -- Almost
  • Russian Roulette
  • 'Knockout'
  • Shell Craft
  • In Conclusion

1st edition ~1970, 20 pages; PDF 23 pages.

★★★★ $7
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Sam Dalal
The Swami Gimmick by Sam Dalal

This booklet is included with every sale of a swami gimmick at Sam's Funtime shop. With this digital edition you will of course not receive any swami gimmicks. But you will receive all the information about how to use one, with routine ideas and other important information of how to practice and care for your gimmick.

  • Introduction
  • The Swami Gimmick
  • Fixing the Lead in the Gimmick
  • Learning to use the Swami Gimmick
  • Presentation Angles
  • Choosing a Spectator and making a Prediction
  • Writing the Visible Prediction
  • The "Secret" Writing
  • Other Considerations
  • Prediction Ideas
  • Easy Predictions ...
★★★★★ $2
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E. W. Bud Morris & Sam Dalal
Magic in the Morris Manor by E. W. Bud Morris & Sam Dalal
  • What happened to that pretty girl in Boggart's Inn?
  • Why is a novel discovery of a forced card the ultimate in magical entertainment?
  • Who was responsible for the bad vibes emanating from that little box?
  • When can an ordinary spectator predict the past, present and future?
  • How does the confidential message always get to the correct secret agent?
  • Where does Kung-Fu; King of Karate, go after his mission is accomplished?
For the answer to these and other diverse dilemmas, buy this ebook.

1st edition 1974, 128 pages; 1st digital edition 2013, 109 pages.

Table of Contents

  1. Foreword ...
★★★★★ $7
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Sam Dalal
Sound Mentalism by Sam Dalal

This manuscript describes how you can use sound covertly for mentalism and magic. With a bit of practice you can make it as useful as a nail writer. This is a unique method that gets little mention in the mentalism literature. Here you have a complete course that will show you how to practice and how to turn it into an entire act.

1st edition 1970, 1st digital edition 2012.

★★★★ $4
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Sam Dalal
Mentalismo Sonoro by Sam Dalal

Un principio unico nel mentalismo che ti permetterà di fare cose impossibili. Grazie a queste informazioni introvabili in Italiano e di difficile reperibilità anche nella lingua originale , potrai avere tra le mani questo capolavoro di ingegno che ti metterà in grado di fare cose apparentemente impossibili.

LEGGI CON ATTENZIONE

Si può riuscire bendati a indovinare il numero scritto da una persona non complice, mentre si è con le spalle voltate e non si vede veramente nulla ? Si può riuscire a riprodurre un disegno liberamente scelto o una parola mentre si è bendati genuinamente...

★★★★★ $10
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Sam Dalal
All you wanted to know about Change Bags and 101 Tricks you can do with them by Sam Dalal

To the average magician, a Change bag is a device like a collection bag, that changes a couple of silks, ribbons, rope or other similar items. Well, there are several varieties of those, with short handles for one hand operation, and longer ones for two hand operation, with single and double compartments (for a double change), with zippers to poke your hand through - Sam Dalal has made over a dozen varieties of this for his Magic service. But there are many other types of "change bags" like draw string bags and ladies' purses, paper "pop bags", mesh shopping bags and crystal clear bags, some...

★★★★★ $4
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Sam Dalal
42 Amazing Tricks and Stunts with Rope by Sam Dalal

You can carry a piece (or more) of rope in your pocket, and use it to perform some amazing magic for an intimate audience of a couple of spectators, or on a stage for an audience of hundreds. There are hundreds of tricks you can perform with a piece of rope. The most famous of these is the Cut & Restored Rope trick, where a piece of rope is cut into two or more pieces, and magically restored.

But there are many others, where knots magically appear or vanish from a length of rope, rings or handkerchiefs penetrate through a length of rope, or a rope penetrates through your knee or neck. There...

★★★★★ $3
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Sam Dalal
Magic with a Marked Deck by Sam Dalal

From the introduction:

Most magicians have at some time or the other resorted to faked or trick decks to bring about some miracle or the other. And yet these same performers, who will pull out a Stripper or a Svengali deck at the drop of a pin shy away from a marked deck, presumably under the impression that everybody knows a Marked Deck.

That is, of course, a ridiculous notion. The truth of the matter is that not one spectator in a thousand can detect a good marked deck, and most of them are unaware of their very existence. For that matter, a number of demonstrations in our studios have...

★★★★★ $4
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Sam Dalal
Magic with an ESP Deck by Sam Dalal

The original Magic With An ESP Deck was written in 1972 as an “instruction manual” to go with an ESP Deck marketed as a magic prop. The mimeographed manuscript contained a hand full of good self working effects with an ESP Deck, written and produced over a couple of days. Sam Dalal thought no more of this than the hundreds of similar manuscripts and instruction sheets he has written over the years for commercial magic items.

He was delighted when he found the book had achieved the status of a reference book on the subject. Republished by Micky Hades, references to this manuscript popped...

★★★★ $5
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Sam Dalal
Patterns of Perfection Revisited by Sam Dalal

An easy approach to the perfect Magic Square.

This is a completely new, and easier method for compiling a 4x4 (16 cell) Magic square that totals to any number called by the audience in 52 different ways.

The original method from which this has evolved was first published in 1993. You can master this with just a few trials in less than an hour, and use it for a lifetime - with nothing to buy, nothing to replace!

With most magic square effects the method has two components. One component is memorization, the other calculation. For example, you memorize one particular magic square and...

★★★★★ $4.75
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Sam Dalal
Swami and Mantra by Sam Dalal

A treasure trove for bizarrists and mentalists alike. You will find weird fakir stunts juxtaposed with western style magic effects.

★★★★ $19.95
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Sam Dalal
Mantra by Sam Dalal

Mantra continues where Swami left off with fascinating mix of traditional Indian magic and western style magic. Sam Dalal writes in his introduction:

...One of the reasons for the popularity of these magazines is that much of it is devoted to a branch of bizarre or geek magic, not normally covered in the regular magic publications....

I am delighted with the way Chris Wasshuber (Lybrary.com) has produced this electronic version of the Swami and Mantra magazines. When Chris Wasshuber asked me just a few weeks ago if he could produce the magazines as an e-book for circulation through his Lybrary.com,...

★★★★★ $11.50
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Sam Dalal
Swami by Sam Dalal

Swami is a fascinating mix of traditional Indian magic and contributions by international masters. Sam Dalal writes in his introduction:

...One of the reasons for the popularity of these magazines is that much of it is devoted to a branch of bizarre or geek magic, not normally covered in the regular magic publications....

I am delighted with the way Chris Wasshuber (Lybrary.com) has produced this electronic version of the Swami and Mantra magazines. When Chris Wasshuber asked me just a few weeks ago if he could produce the magazines as an e-book for circulation through his Lybrary.com,...

★★★★★ $13.50
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