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I recently fired off an email to The Fifth Column about their Third Man effect (review here http://www.talkmagic.co.uk/ftopic35026-0-asc-0.php) and whether they intended to re-release it as it's been unavailable for some time.

The good news is that there are plans to reissue the original. The better news is that there may be a possibility of other versions to suit bizarre performers and a wallet sized effect.

The effect's creator, Simon Edwards, says he's toying with the idea of using Victorian carte de visite (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carte_de_visite) which should present plenty of opportunities for bizarre performances. Personally, I always fancied the idea of a WWI version.

Either way, I'm certainly looking forward to the chance of getting hold of a copy.

Any thoughts from those who already use the effect, or those who might consider buying it?

Yay! This is the effect that impressed Banachek. I know. I was there!

Ladies and gentlemen,

I am proud to announce the official 'public' re-launch of The Third Man.

Those who have subscribed to my mailing list have known for a little while, and my initial re-printed copies have sold out. Today the main set of books has arrived and I am glad to be able to make this effect available once more.

When I first launched the effect the book and other 'things' were met pretty well. There are some reviews knocking around, including one here at TalkMagic. There are other reviews on my site.

One thing that people asked me about, in the intervening year-and-a-half between selling the 100th limited edition and now, was the possibility of producing a bizarre version. Some people also wanted a very compact, wallet-sized version. I thought about it, researched it and decided that the current kit gives you everything you need to create your own.

I could cash in and produce Victorian versions and a version that uses business cards - but instead I will sell just the standard kit and provide free advice on how to produce your own custom versions. Some of that advice is included in the book anyway. But if you buy it and want to produce something unusual you just need to drop me an email and I'll reply.

Just remember this: you can use your own images. So if you don't like those supplied don't fret. And if you don't have the time and ability to print your own, I can do that for you too (although it will cost you more than taking a DIY approach).

Thanks for your support over the previous few years. It's been a real pleasure dealing with all of you.

T.

Just placed my order. looking forward to using it.

Got mine a few days ago and I'm really impressed. The principle will work for a number of applications and as mentioned above I'm probably going to do a Victorian murder set for a more bizarre approach.

Could you explain how a limited edition can be re-launched?

Hi Todd,

I guess it depends on your definition of 'limited'. Some people limit their effects to a one-off 'print-run'. I understand that sometimes they later renege on this deal and re-issue anyway, which upsets those who bought the original on the understanding that there would be no more releases.

When I first released The Third Man I had hoped that I'd made it clear that the first 100 customers would gain exclusivity (barring second-hand sales, which I cannot control) for at least a year from the point when the 100th copy was sold. The effect was, therefore, limited to 100 people for at least one year. Here's what I wrote on my website at the time:

06/05/2010: We are proud to announce that The Third Man is now available. We have produced only 100 sets.

Once these are sold we promise not to produce any more for one full year.

It has been 15-16 (actually, nearer 17) months since the 100th copy was sent out. I could have re-released in August, as I mention on my site:

01/08/2010: The Third Man is now Sold Out. The earliest possible re-release is 01/08/2011.

A full set of updates, made during the initial launch period, are available here: http://mind.hak.me/products/ttm/updates.php.

Best wishes,
Simon

Ted wrote:When I first released The Third Man I had hoped that I'd made it clear that the first 100 customers would gain exclusivity (barring second-hand sales, which I cannot control) for at least a year from the point when the 100th copy was sold. The effect was, therefore, limited to 100 people for at least one year.

That's how I recall it. It wasn't "there will only ever be 100 sets ever", but "there are 100 sets now, definitely no more for at least a year and possibly no more ever".

I followed the release of the product quite avidly as I had, at a similar time, happened upon a method in a famous text and was using it to great success. Somebody had mentioned bringing out my new ideas and additions as a product when Ted released The Third Man.

The reason I did not release my idea is because I thought it wasn't particularly sporting to take a method, update the props and publish it. That was then...given further research and chatting to several people I realised that whilst the method of The Third Man is the same as the one I read, the additions, the props, the thinking and the re-working of the effect makes it seem like an excellent investment. Not one that I will purchase, because I already have my own version, but one that seems extremely well thought out and well produced.

I would say however, that it was make extremely clear right from the very outset that it would be a one year exclsusivity time period for the first 100 buyers. It was made very clear that it could and probably would be re-released then.

Whatever your thoughts are on the system, it makes no real difference. Ted stuck to his work, sold 100 copies and waited the full year before offering them again.

Ted wrote:Hi Todd,

I guess it depends on your definition of 'limited'. Some people limit their effects to a one-off 'print-run'. I understand that sometimes they later renege on this deal and re-issue anyway, which upsets those who bought the original on the understanding that there would be no more releases.

When I first released The Third Man I had hoped that I'd made it clear that the first 100 customers would gain exclusivity (barring second-hand sales, which I cannot control) for at least a year from the point when the 100th copy was sold. The effect was, therefore, limited to 100 people for at least one year. Here's what I wrote on my website at the time:

06/05/2010: We are proud to announce that The Third Man is now available. We have produced only 100 sets.

Once these are sold we promise not to produce any more for one full year.

It has been 15-16 (actually, nearer 17) months since the 100th copy was sent out. I could have re-released in August, as I mention on my site:

01/08/2010: The Third Man is now Sold Out. The earliest possible re-release is 01/08/2011.

A full set of updates, made during the initial launch period, are available here: http://mind.hak.me/products/ttm/updates.php" target="_blank.

Best wishes,
Simon

Thanks, that clears that up then.

Cheers

Todd

Received mine today and i am loving it! More commercial than a Boyband and stronger as the incredible Hulk after he has had his weetabix On a serious note, this is a professional and commercial effect that i will use in my table set.