talkmagic.co.uk

by **Mandrake** » Jan 5th, '07, 17:01

Bob Ostin - "A Lifetime of Magical Inventions"

Compiled, written and partly illustrated by Stephen Tucker

Was £44.95, now £10.00 plus P&P

Available from http://www.alkazam.co.uk

Not so much a Review as that would take weeks but more of a strong hint to get a copy before they all sell out!

An e-mailed flyer arrived yesterday from the supplier indicating the new low price and I thought it worth a tenner - I wasn't wrong! This is a wonderful book with something over 130 separate tricks, routines and ideas, many gleaned from Bob's contributions to magazines such as The Conjuror, The New Phoenix, New Pentagram, Abracadabra, Magic Magazine, Talon, Discoverie and several more with contributions, handlings and endorsements from Max Maven, Jerry Sadowitz, Stephen Tucker, and many others.

The contents date from recent years back to the early 1970s and are fully detailed in terms of setup, performance and manufacture. Yes, that's right - this book tells you what to make and how to make it so it's firmly based on props and gizmos. The range covers cards, dice, coins, billets, nuts, bolts, rope, torches, thimbles, cigar bands - just about the whole gamut of magic paraphernalia. Some effects need only pencil and paper, others need more extensive construction work but they're all feasible even to the ham fisted amateur.

I'll be working my way through this for the sheer delight of reading about the effects and I'll certainly be making up some of the suggested ideas. For the price involved, this is a real gem and a superb bargain for all those interested in traditional magic.

10/10

by **Marvell** » Jan 5th, '07, 18:00

I do like the recent uses of the terms "traditional" and "classical"

by **ouch-kabibble** » Jan 5th, '07, 18:10

Strange, I was just thinking of writing a (p)review of this as I clicked the link... as I ordered it about 5 minutes ago before reading this post. Wow.
But its on its way, so I am greatly looking forward to reading through it.

by **Mage Tyler** » Jan 6th, '07, 07:50

Looks like I'm not on all the right lists

The price seems to be back up to £44.95, close to $90 after overseas shipping.

by **StevieJ** » Jan 6th, '07, 10:44

Yeah me too Mage, I've seen it at £65 in some places so for £10 it would be a bargain and a half.

Please enlighten us further Mandrake?

by **seige** » Jan 6th, '07, 12:32

The selling price must have been a VERY special offer, as the wholesale price of this from two suppliers is still high.

If it goes to £10 again, grab a copy. It really is a great book demonstrating that magic doesn't always have to follow the 'usual rules', and will hopeful bring more people to recognise the name of one of magic's best kept underground secret creative brains.

I've only skimmed the book, but it's absolutely cram-packed, and very well presented.

I think this is an Alakazam production, which possibly explains their huge (if short lived) discount.

by **Mandrake** » Jan 6th, '07, 18:12

For all those who seek enlightenment, glasshopper, the website still shows full price but the e-mail flyer was all about New Year reductions - sadly I deleted the message but I'm sure Alakazam would have sent it to loadsa people.

As siege says, it's an Alakazam exclusive and just to be on the safe side re the price differences, rather than order on line I called the shop and ordered by phone just to make sure the price was as advertised - it was! The order Hotline is 01233 663636 alternatively the website says:

If you would like to check the availability of any item before you order please email: feedback@Alakazam.co.uk You may order by phone on: +(44) 01233 637888 or fax +(44) 01233 637999 just leave your name, address, phone number, credit card number, expiry date, valid from date, the name that appears on the credit card and the items you require!

Best of luck!!