talkmagic.co.uk

I appreciate the point that the letter needs adapting. I also think the photograph can benefit from some attention. If you can scan it into photosphop I have a lovely overlay which will give the picture a much more aged appearance by blending it into the original. If anyone would like more info please PM me.

Hi there,

I've just got hold of Heirloom and really looking forward to using it. However, after reading info on this site I wondered if anyone had come up with some good aging methods?

I've scanned and re-printed the photos - someone mentioned putting them in the oven for a bit?

Any tips?

Thanks!!

Good way of aging paper, i soaking it in a weak tea sollution, then letting it dry, but jsybefore its completley dry flick some coffee granualls, not too many on it then shake them off.. this will stain the paper further..

Hi there,

Thanks for the tips Andy. I did that with the letter, and dried it out on a radiator - looks and feels great now. The coffee - tea mixture, and the fact it's kept in my Heirloom Wallet - has created a very strange smell - almost musty which has really added to it! I was thinking of placing the props in the loft for a bit - between some old books.

Anyway, here's my next question!

I haven't used the trick yet, as I've still got to 'age' the photos and brush up on the storyline.

One thing i've noticed is that there seems to be a contradiction in the instructions about when to say "I have his photo in my wallet" and then place the wallet on the table.

I'm wondering when the get out the wallet, and when to say "I have his photo here".

Right at the start, after saying how I found it in the loft, or at the end when the spec names the card?

Also, when I first tell them about the photo, I wondered if it best not to tell them it has a card on it. Won't this trigger a "ah, this is a trick where he forces a card to match the one in the photo " type reaction?

Looking forward to hearing what all you Heirloom users have to say on this!

Once again, many thanks,

There's no reason why you can't table the wallet right at the start, as though casually placing it there on one side before telling your assembled spectators a strange and wonderful story. When it comes time to hear which card your volunteer thinks it might be, just look amazed, point at the wallet to emphasise that it's been there since before your started and then say, what a strange co-incidence…an otherwise empty wallet.....etc. When they look at the photo they will see the card so there's no need to prepare them for that aspect, let them discover it for themselves. If they don't spot it you can always draw attention to the lucky card - Uncle Charlie wouldn't even have his photo taken without it. Whilst they're looking at the photo and the revelation contained in it, you can be getting the letter if it's required or putting the wallet away if it isn’t.

Hi Mandrake,

Thanks for the advice. I've been running through the routine with myself (it's a lonely game at times this magic thing isn't it!) and have one final query which I'd like advice on.

I bought the Heirloom wallet at the same time, and I'm just wondering when / how to show that the wallet is empty?

Does the "here is the photo (take photo out, then tip wallet and show that it's empty and say) look, there's nothing else in here" work? Or would that put the thought into the specs head that there 'might' be something else in there. How about tipping and showing the wallet, but remain silent?

Should I also put folded money in those compartments, or receipts and so on - or is it best to leave it empty?

I did wonder about only showing the wallet empty if asked, or if someone shouts out 'you've got 52 cards in there' ?!

Actually, I'm curious to know if people do challenge the magician with that comment?

I'm looking forward to hearing what all you fellow Heirloom Wallet users have to say!

John

You're so right - this is the lonely part of magic, all those hours when you're thinking through the effect and trying to act as though you're performing to people, guessing the reactions, trying out variations and ways to deal with problems etc. If anyone were watching you'd be certified and locked up within minutes! It can also be a rewarding part because you may discover other options and bits of business which enhance or personalise a routine and those are usually the methods and alternatives you never forget.

Personally I prefer this aspect to be done with as few words as possible. Pick up the wallet, take out the photo and drop it in front of the spec perhaps face down so they have to pick it up and turn it over thus giving you a little extra time when their eyes are focussed on the card. At this point you can open the wallet to show that it's clearly empty then turn it upside down and shake it to show that nothing is going to fall out. Totally unnecessary of course as they've just looked right into it but if it's done as a low key background action it will just serve as additional assurance that it's empty. The letter can be kept in the little pocket at the front so it's there if needed but not on show as such. I wouldn't keep anything else in the wallet as it just seems to me to take away the strange and eerie emptiness of it all if there's a wide selection of storecards, credit cards and cash on view!

On the flip side to Mandrake's sugestion, I use my Heirloom wallet every day as a standard wallet, with my cash, credit cards and even my driving licence (I tuck it under the letter) in.

I do however, make sure there are no receipts, as people sometimes (and only SOMETIMES, on the odd occasion that they DO want another glimpse in the wallet) think I'm hiding photos under receipts.

With regards to pointing out that the wallet has no more photos in, don't do it. There's no need, as the specs will glance as you open it up anyway.

Putting the photo on the table face down is also a stroke of genius.

I'm so excited for you not having performed this yet. The first reaction I got was "How did you make me say that?"

Pointing out that they had simply got UC's card correct, they didn't know what to do with themselves!

On a slight aside, I use my Stealth Wallet for everyday use - as per the suggestions from Peter Nardi - and it's an excellent idea for keeping credit cards etc in a small space. The downside is that this daily use completely destroyed the 'attractive qualities' of the wallet (they came away and dropped off somewhere) and I had to buy another one for performing! I still use the knack, er, worn one every day and the quality is so good that it stands up to such use very well indeed. The Heirloom wallet is tougher and larger than that so everyday use seems to be even more OK .

Re the face down bit, it's pure theatre. At that stage, of course if you haven't mentioned it, the spec won't know that it's a photo so you should get a double gasp of surprise when they see what it is and what's depicted on it. This is the part of the routine where all your dramatic presentation and scene setting pays off and you actually say and do nothing - the spec does all his/her own amazement. I'm sure you could go and cook a plate of bacon sarnies during this point and they won’t notice you've gone so you can certainly do any other bits of jiggery pokery which may be required with complete confidence. By the way, if you're 'treating' your photos as suggested, make sure you treat the back as well. A nice clean white back would look very out of order on such an ancient photo!

Mandrake, I too use the Stealth Wallet as my everyday wallet. I've also run into the issue you mention. To fix it, i just went to an office supply store and bought a package of them for business cards and cut them to size. Eazy Peazy.

One other question, i don't own Heirloom yet, but could the Stealth Wallet work with it?

Thanks,

Stevo

stevo4 wrote:Mandrake, I too use the Stealth Wallet as my everyday wallet. I've also run into the issue you mention. To fix it, i just went to an office supply store and bought a package of them for business cards and cut them to size. Eazy Peazy.

One other question, i don't own Heirloom yet, but could the Stealth Wallet work with it?

Thanks,

Stevo

SAW will not work for Heirloom....

I too have Heirloom, but have not performed it yet as I haven't aquired a suitable wallet.
I am seriously considering the actual Heirloom wallet as it's specifically designed for this effect. Does it have any other features rendering it useful for other effects?
Heirloom is a great concept and original twist on KK.

Thanks Dr. Todd

I was hoping SAW would work. So, I'm assuming that it doesn't seem weird or suspicious to spectators (and some of them will be people i know and may know what my regular wallet looks like) that i pull out this separate wallet and put it on the table?

stve

stevo4 wrote:Thanks Dr. Todd

I was hoping SAW would work. So, I'm assuming that it doesn't seem weird or suspicious to spectators (and some of them will be people i know and may know what my regular wallet looks like) that i pull out this separate wallet and put it on the table?

stve

I would advise against using two different wallets in the same performance, unless one is simply a business card holder like the Outlaw Wallet, or equivalent.