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As requested.

Richard Osterlind’s Transparent Forces

The Effect

A clear plastic wallet is shown with a number of objects in it. It’s quite large, but I haven’t measured it. It might be A3 sized, but is definitely bigger than A4. The objects could be cards, slips of paper, coins, or even silks. They are shown to be different and, in fact, may be clearly (sorry) different, as the folder is transparent. The spectator is invited to take one item at random. The performer may then divine the selected object, or may reveal a prediction. In fact, it is possible to use this and have more than one selection made.

Four routines are included. The first is an old one that utilised a similar prop from Tannen’s Magic. It involves slightly unusual objects, such as silks and coins. The next (‘The Phantom Artist’) involves celebrity names and has a nice finish, where the performer cuts a piece of paper to form an image of the chosen person. Richard has also included his famous ‘Seafire Sequence’ (a book test) and the final effect involves the use of an ungimmicked dictionary. The last of these effects was previously discussed in one of Richard’s booklets, but here you get a dictionary with the bag, plus three templates for use in the celebrity effect. I don’t think it would be too hard to create your own templates, if you work from these as examples. It would also be very easy to come up with many different routines using this utility item.

Cost

£47.99 (but I’ve seen somewhere selling it for £39.99)

I should point out that there are transparent/translucent bags that sell for double the money and arguably are worse, because they look more like props. Richard’s bag is simply a ticket holder made from hardwearing plastic. He originally got the idea when he was helping at his father’s tool-making business and found just such a folder there.

Difficulty
(1=easy to do, 2=No sleights, but not so easy, 3=Some sleights used,
4=Advanced sleights used, 5=Suitable for experienced magicians only)

I suppose this is a 1 for method, unless you are pretty hopeless.

Review

I haven’t used it yet. It’s really a stage/parlour item, so I don’t know when I will, but I must say that it looks great. I have seen Richard Osterlind using this in his ‘Easy to Master’ DVDs and it works a treat. If you perform in that kind of environment, then this is a winner. If, like me, you don’t, then it’s still a great thing to have on stand-by and the dictionary idea can be used elsewhere. It’s not cheap, so think carefully about whether you would actually make use of this, or if something else should benefit from your next attack of C.U.P.S.

Overall

For the job it does, I’d give it 10/10. It’s plain-looking, completely clear, except for the reinforcing round the edges, tough, relatively inexpensive compared to other options and comes with four good routines, plus the possibility of creating many, many more.

Thanks for the review !

This is one of Osterlind's pieces that seems to get less attention ?

Best,

Piers.

I believe he has a new ebook comng out, today I think ...

Piers.

Great many thanks Part-Timer... excellent review and has influenced me to hang back on getting this but will likely return to it in the future.

As Pier says, it does seem to be one of the few Osterlind products that hasnt got much feedback.

Piers, his new book 'Principles of Magic' is available as of today as an e-book and Sept in hard copy. Will eagerly await reviews for it or maybe get and review myself.

Thanks again

P