Reviews: Read What Others Are Saying: page 8
216 ★★★★★ reviews
150 ★★★★★ reviews
93 ★★★★★ reviews
138 ★★★★★ reviews
Day One
Overall customer rating: ★★★★★reviewed by jordan Byrd (confirmed purchase)
Rating: ★★★★★ (Date Added: Friday 14 February, 2025)
Still requires a bit of math and memory, but a lot less than others. May be worth it, but I’m still looking for something simpler.
A Call To Palms
Overall customer rating: ★★★★★reviewed by jordan Byrd (confirmed purchase)
Rating: ★★★★★ (Date Added: Friday 14 February, 2025)
Beautifully written. Worth the read. RIP
The Elusive Canary
Overall customer rating: ★★★★★reviewed by David Nethery (confirmed purchase)
Rating: ★★★★★ (Date Added: Tuesday 11 February, 2025)
This book, The Elusive Canary - (The Vanishing Bird Cage) The Last Word In Cages by Mystic Craig (with assistance from Jean Hugard) has long been somewhat elusive itself. The book was originally self-published in 1936 and sold for $2.00. Today in 2025 it is not unusual to see a copy going for $65 or more. Many thanks to Lybrary.com for making it available. Mystic Craig's real name was William M. Vagell.
Those magicians who have a particular interest in the classic effect, The Vanishing Bird Cage, will be the primary audience for this book. I for one am glad to have access to this rare book as an e-book edition through Lybrary.com. For what it is as a historical piece , I'm rating this book 5-stars, but potential buyers should be aware that it is a slender volume (23 pages) and the subtitle: “The Last Word On Cages” is a bit of an exaggeration on the part of the author. It is not a comprehensive treatment on all the various methods and types of vanishing bird cages that had been used from the time of Buatier De Kolta (the inventor of the effect) to the time when the book came out (in 1936). It is mostly the author's own particular handling for the effect and a few novel ideas he had for enhancing the effect. Although, at the time (and in the years since then) you could almost say it was the ONLY word on the vanishing bird cage, as very little detailed information has ever been put into print on this delightful, but difficult to perform feat of magic. Most information on performing the vanishing bird cage effect -- the 'real work' on the cage -- has been passed along in person from magician to magician or in the occasional article published in magazines such as Linking Ring or M-U-M. In the present day I would say “the last word on cages” is to be found in John Carney’s outstanding book Sleights and Insights in his chapter on 'The Vanishing Bird Cage Revisioned', which at 27 pages is longer than The Elusive Canary. John Carney also covers much of the same material from his book Sleights and Insights in a video tutorial which is also titled 'The Vanishing Bird Cage Revisioned'. (Available to purchase from John Carney on his website)
At any rate, I appreciate Mystic Craig’s book The Elusive Canary , even if it falls a bit short of being “THE Last Word On Cages”. It contains some valuable information on the vanishing bird cage, so for the vanishing bird cage aficionado I would recommend it as a historical curiosity worth reading. It is rumored that master craftsman James P. Riser (whose vanishing bird cages are regarded as among the best ever made) has a book in the works about The Vanishing Bird Cage, which, if he ever publishes it, may likely be The Last Word On Cages.
Darwin's Aces
Overall customer rating: ★★★★★reviewed by Vincent Mepstead (confirmed purchase)
Rating: ★★★★★ (Date Added: Sunday 09 February, 2025)
Darwin Ortiz mastered great control with a deck of cards. He was renowned for casino-type card magic showing great control in a normal deck of cards as this trick shows. He will be sorely missed.
Empty Multiple Out Envelope
Overall customer rating: ★★★★★reviewed by Karsten Meyerhoff (confirmed purchase)
Rating: ★★★★★ (Date Added: Monday 03 February, 2025)
As far as the facts are concerned, there is nothing much to add to the ad-copy: The thing is what the text claims it is and it works the way it is described. What I really like about this envelope is that you can take a wide variety of envelopes and make it into a multiple out envelope. There are a few very minor restrictions ("this has to be straight-edged as opposed to round, this works better with a pattern" - that sort of thing) but nothing you can't easily work around. I would imagine, though, that envelopes that have the flap on the narrower side (think: pay envelope) are a bit more difficult to handle since you have to reach inside the envelope to show it empty.
That means: You can have your own envelopes that look like absolutely normal envelopes in your country or region of the world - with respect to size, aspect ratio, colours and all. Believe you me: It does make a difference, if audiences do not immediately suspect an envelope to be a prop. Even if they don't exactly know, how it works: A perceived prop is a perceived prop is a perceived prop.
Moreover, the envelopes are dirt-cheap, since you really just use ordinary envelopes from your local super-market or stationary store. That may even shine a different light on the price some may consider to be a bit stiff.
Although this applies to most of the envelopes I know, make sure you buy envelopes where even one layer of paper is completely opaque, even against the light. Most envelopes are produced that way, of course, since it's the very purpose of an envelope to conceal what's inside. Well, just saying ...
As far as the size of the compartments is concerned: They are almost as large as the envelope and if we talk billets or banknotes or playing cards, you can easily fit a few of them in each of the compartments. The absolute size of the envelope doesn't matter, neither does the aspect ratio, so you can produce ones that are good for close-up as well as larger ones for parlour-type settings. The only (theoretical) restriction I can think of, is: You want to open the envelope to show it's empty at some point, so, anything larger than 2 by 3 meters may feel a little awkward ;-)
You need no sticky stuff (neither for assembly nor for operation), so each envelope will last you as long as an envelope lasts. I am sure, you make envelopes out of Tyvek, if that is a concern to you. As far as DIY is concerned: You can handle a pair of scissors? You're good, you'll make a new envelope from two regular envelopes in under a minute.
The instructions are crystal clear and easy to follow, what more can you say about them? Even if you don't speak English well, I guess you could follow from just watching.
Unknown Mentalist Product Guide 1
Overall customer rating: ★★★★★reviewed by Brad Smithart (confirmed purchase)
Rating: ★★★★★ (Date Added: Thursday 30 January, 2025)
I don't know who he is, but the Unknown Mentalist has published a large number of products on lybrary.com, so it's good to have a checklist to keep track of everything.
Miniature Card Magic
Overall customer rating: ★★★★★reviewed by Brad Smithart (confirmed purchase)
Rating: ★★★★★ (Date Added: Thursday 30 January, 2025)
This updated edition of “Miniature Card Magic,” by “Hen” Fetsch from 1943 contains a short selection of novelty effects with these cards.
It also contains suggested forces and false cuts that can be used with miniature cards.
It even includes a few printable miniature cards if you don't currently own any.
I do wish there were a few more tricks included.
Hints and Tips 3
Overall customer rating: ★★★★★reviewed by Brad Smithart (confirmed purchase)
Rating: ★★★★★ (Date Added: Thursday 30 January, 2025)
The third volume of this collection contains a plethora of small, yet helpful suggestions, including various DIY holdouts for bills and billets. I'll definitely be using one or more of Larry's ideas.
Abraca-Poof August 2018
Overall customer rating: ★★★★★reviewed by Brad Smithart (confirmed purchase)
Rating: ★★★★★ (Date Added: Thursday 30 January, 2025)
Another collection of useful hints for the working magician. There's nothing really exciting in this issue, but Brian deals with OCR scanning magic magazines, etc., keeping props in good shape, and making use of the local library for magic learning, among others.
4 Thoughts
Overall customer rating: ★★★★★reviewed by Brad Smithart (confirmed purchase)
Rating: ★★★★★ (Date Added: Thursday 30 January, 2025)
A nice little mentalism trick released in honor of the late Max Maven.
Edward Marlo's Compleat Devilish Miracle
Overall customer rating: ★★★★★reviewed by Frank Machniak (confirmed purchase)
Rating: ★★★★★ (Date Added: Tuesday 28 January, 2025)
Jon goes to great lengths to add detail to this classic. Gave me a lot to think about and use. It’s great the younger generations will be able to study these and move the art forward. Great value for the price.
The Svengali Fooler
Overall customer rating: ★★★★★reviewed by Joe Libby (confirmed purchase)
Rating: ★★★★★ (Date Added: Sunday 26 January, 2025)
I'm a bit obsessed with Svengali decks, so I'm always on the lookout for tricks that use the deck. This is an excellent mental effect using a specially prepared deck that you can make up in a few minutes. It should prove to be a real baffler. You can't go wrong for only $3.00!
The Complete Guide to Billet Switching
Overall customer rating: ★★★★★reviewed by jordan Byrd (confirmed purchase)
Rating: ★★★★★ (Date Added: Saturday 25 January, 2025)
Great info on billets, some unique methods not seen in more common publications.
Mind Divination
Overall customer rating: ★★★★★reviewed by ENRIQUE PARTIDA BUSH (confirmed purchase)
Rating: ★★★★★ (Date Added: Wednesday 22 January, 2025)
Not practical.
Unknown Mentalist Product Guide 1
Overall customer rating: ★★★★★reviewed by jordan Byrd (confirmed purchase)
Rating: ★★★★★ (Date Added: Friday 17 January, 2025)
Just getting into this sort of work, seems like a quick guide to pick up.
How to Create Your Own Cardbox
Overall customer rating: ★★★★★reviewed by JONATHAN MAY (confirmed purchase)
Rating: ★★★★★ (Date Added: Thursday 16 January, 2025)
Very helpful! Saved me a lot of time trying to start from scratch with the basic files. I am already having a lot of fun "playing" with these files. Thanks for such great info at such a great price! Although most of my decks are RED, I'd like to have the option to do the same things with BLUE. Can I purchase a BLUE box template, as well?
Thank you!
Order in Chaos
Overall customer rating: ★★★★★reviewed by Abdullah Al-Antari (confirmed purchase)
Rating: ★★★★★ (Date Added: Tuesday 14 January, 2025)
The principle behind this effect is clearly explained. You'll learn a trick that's incredibly easy to perform, and rest assured, all the conditions mentioned hold true. By the end of the trick, the deck will be in a chaotic state, yet you'll still be able to identify the selected card. If you're seeking something simple to execute that will also deceive magicians, I highly recommend adding this to your collection.
Jinx
Overall customer rating: ★★★★★reviewed by Steve Christian (confirmed purchase)
Rating: ★★★★★ (Date Added: Sunday 12 January, 2025)
I'd like to expand on my earlier review. I just took a look at Chris Washuber's new Jinx index. I also read about the history and inclusion of Walter Gibson's Popular Card Tricks. There is no better version of the Jinx—a voluminous riddle of the Sphinx—than this one.
Thank you Chris for all your hard work!
Fragmented Thoughts
Overall customer rating: ★★★★★reviewed by Michael Mercier (confirmed purchase)
Rating: ★★★★★ (Date Added: Sunday 12 January, 2025)
I like it, I've used it. I lost it, I bought it again. Give it a try.
Jinx
Overall customer rating: ★★★★★reviewed by Steve Christian (confirmed purchase)
Rating: ★★★★★ (Date Added: Sunday 12 January, 2025)
The Jinx has been widely praised, dissected, and vaunted. It’s doubtful my opinion would lend any more insight to the prospective buyer. In that light, I’d like to use this space to show my appreciation for Lybrary.com. Quite like the Jinx—The Lybrary is rich with hidden treasures, one-offs from magic stars, and long-forgotten creators. How fortunate we are to have such a resource.
Slydini Fan Steal
Overall customer rating: ★★★★★reviewed by FRANCESCO BALDUINI (confirmed purchase)
Rating: ★★★★★ (Date Added: Sunday 12 January, 2025)
1 minute video with small explanations. I would expect a little more info and tips.
Think Link
Overall customer rating: ★★★★★reviewed by Matthew Whiteley (confirmed purchase)
Rating: ★★★★★ (Date Added: Friday 10 January, 2025)
I've been burnt by this guy a few times now and should have learned my lesson. Very limited and obvious method. I won't be getting anything from him again and neither should you.
Magic with an ESP Deck
Overall customer rating: ★★★★★reviewed by Javier De La Hera (confirmed purchase)
Rating: ★★★★★ (Date Added: Wednesday 08 January, 2025)
Instant classic! Good effects and all of them very easy to do. What I liked most is that the methods can be adapted to make my own effects not using ESP cards. No fluff, no wasted pages here. Recommended!
Metal Bending: the real work
Overall customer rating: ★★★★★reviewed by Ghyslain Dufresne (confirmed purchase)
Rating: ★★★★★ (Date Added: Monday 06 January, 2025)
I have been interested in magic for several years and I have had the chance to see Patrik Kuffs in show a few times; he is a good performer and his metal bending numbers are excellent.
For my part, as a magician, I consider myself a novice. This course on metal bending is really complete. It allows you to learn a multitude of bending techniques. You can see that the recording was made several years ago and that Patrik Kuffs' mother tongue is not English, but if you want to understand the inner workings of metal bending, this course will definitely suit you.
Order in Chaos
Overall customer rating: ★★★★★reviewed by Unnamed Magician
Rating: ★★★★★ (Date Added: Monday 06 January, 2025)
While I didn’t purchase this effect, the owner shared the method with me.
It’s an interesting take on a well-known principle, and worth knowing about and performing. In this day and age, there are many impossible card locations and so it can be hard to decide which to buy and which to skip. This is one that should be bought, IMO. I, for one, will be performing it.