(Lincoln, England: 30th September 1943 - )
Inspired at age 5 seeing first magician. Pro childrens and close-up magician since 1966. Worked as pitchman from 1968-77. Edited New Inside Info 1969. 1972 Magic Circle Close-Up Competition winner. Edited Pabular 1978-81. Freelance editor of Repro Magic's house organ, Club 71, since 1984.
Coauthors: Paul Cooke
Extract from the preface:
It was in 1972 that Fred Snook first drew my attention to the "Cannibal Cards". A little later, I was lucky enough to see Matt Corin performing his version of the trick. He told me that he had published it in "Kabbala" a few months previously and that the original idea stemmed from an effect by Lyn Searles. I was able, shortly afterwards, to obtain a copy of the Corin routine.
Earlier on, in 1966 I had purchased a copy of Harry Lorayne's "Close-Up Card Magic" and had, for some time, used the Jay Ose version of the Garcia "Apex Ace", described in that excellent book. When I began to work on...
Excerpt from the introduction:
It was way back in the early 1960's that I first heard the name Roger Crosthwaite. He had a series of articles running in the Gen magazine and Lewis Ganson and others of note, were frequently singing his praises. I remember reading several of his pocket picking routines and, although I never attempted to do any of them, for some reason the name of Roger Crosthwaite stuck in my mind. It was not for another ten years that I saw or heard any more of him.
In the early seventies, I was working full time in Hamley's magic department in Regent Street, London, when a clergyman, who had been watching...
Everything I raved about for Four Professional Card Tricks from the Repertoire of Walt Lees is true for this one, too. Four great routines, explained in minute detail so that you do not only know what to do, but also how to do it, and biting self-deprecating humor that it is a joy to read. One other benefit this ebook has is that the photos are of much better quality.
1st edition 1981, 37 pages; 1st digital edition 2018, 60 pages.
I consider this among the very best card books ever written - and I have read an awful lot of card books. You might ask why a rather thin work from the 1980s would qualify for that high praise? There are three very good reasons for it.
One, Walt Lees has selected four absolute gems of card magic. He could have added fifteen other ok routines to make it look a lot more, but he has refused to pad his work with mediocre material. Good for him. There is already enough mediocre material published. It makes it a lot easier for the reader. You do not have to look for the gems. They are already right...
This ebook holds extremely valuable information for anybody who would like to become a pitchman or grafter who sells Svengali decks and other items. Even if you do not sell as a pitchman, but perform on the street or other public venues you will learn quite a bit from Walt Lees.
Some of the points discussed are:
This recording contains excellent card effects with every detail carefully explained. The highlight is perhaps Walt's own Astrology/Mentalism routines actually used professionally by him for a number of years.
Originally released in the Martin Breese Magicassette series.
runtime 1 hour 20 minutes
Jack Delvin is on the cover.
January 2010; 32 pages.
Dynamo is on the cover.
December 2009; 32 pages.
Max Somerset is on the cover.
November 2009; 32 pages.
This recording gives all the secrets of grafting or pitching. Walt reveals the secrets that enabled him to earn a handsome living pitching such items as Svengali decks, the coin and glass, three card trick, and other tricks of the grafter's trade. You will find everything from the grafter's own language and terminology, to the pitches, and how to make the products.
Walt Lees is a born pitchman. His voice draws you in. It plays with your mind, you are getting interested, intrigued, fascinated, excited, until you can't hold it anymore - you must have this trick - you buy it, and the pitchman...