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Presto Printo - Daryl
Price: £20.00 from most online retailers

Difficulty: 3/5
(1=A gifted lemon could do it, 2=No sleights - but not so easy, 3=Some sleights used,
4=Advanced sleights used, 5=Suitable for experienced magicians only)

Description
The magi shows a deck of cards, regular cards. The spectator selects a card from the NORMAL deck. The magi then shows a small wallet, containing some blank cards. They've no backs, no fronts. He counts out 8 blanks, and puts the rest away quickly, explaining they're photosensitive.

He then proceeds to clone the chosen card onto the blanks - with some amusing results. At the end of the trick, the 8 blank cards are now printed - but with a little twist!

The magi says - "So, you think I did that with fake cards? Somebody hand me some money, a £5 note? A £10 note?". They really do have a free choice.

One of the spectators hand over a note... another blank piece of 'film' is taken from the wallet, and reproduces the chosen note!

Review
Daryl's great. I love his magic. He's brilliant, funny, and frequently unexpected.
His natural approach to magic shines in all the effects he produces, and this is no exception.

The handling seems a little clumsy when you first read it, and even when you're trying it with the cards, it seems a little weird. But, persevere, and it just suddenly becomes blatantly clear! As if by magic, the trick just works. In fact, it is almost entirely self-working, with the exception of a few well-timed sleights.

The effect arrives with ALL necessary cards on Bicycle stock (mine was Red), plus some double-blanks, for creating your own 'miracle' ending (the "choose a banknote" example in the description above is my own personal handling, and is NOT included with the effect - although it is a doddle to do, after a visit to your local Staples store!).

This is not strictly a card trick ? it is a mini-closeup illusion - and timed well, it produces some laughs. It's not just your run of the mill 'one-hit' packet trick either - this is a whole routine, to which you can add your own patter and really go to town on the performance.

It's one of those rare tricks in magic that, once the initial minute or two is over and the 8 blank cards are on the table, you can relax - and the next few minutes is just pure showmanship - with 8 little mini revelations waiting to happen right there in front of you - you are ahead of the audience almost all the way.

The final 'kicker' is optional - because the actual effect itself is quite strong. If the trick gets a real smile, forget the ending. There's really no need. But if you feel you've left them flat and it almost feels like an off-beat when you turn the 8th card, try it. It works. And as a final comedy moment, hand the spectator the copied note, and put their real one in the wallet!

Overall
The initial teething troubles are worth the final effect. A spectacular packet effect.
I already had a similar effect by Jay Sankey, and there are other similar effects around ? but this one is the best I?ve seen.
I?d seen it performed in Blackpool, to quite a small group, and I was a bystander ? I was amazed. Usually, I see a trick and know the sleights and start breaking it down, and yet, although I could work this one out, there was something magical enough about it to draw me in.

Rating: Effect/item: 10/10, Quality of goods: 10/10, Value for money: 10/10
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The bottom line...
Go for it - if comedy magic is your thing, this is great! It?s a very relaxed trick, and perfect as a filler. It resets pretty easily, and it grabs peoples attention. There are no criticisms whatsoever from me here ? the specially printed cards are of great quality, the instructions are good. And armed with a spare deck of double blanks and some imagination, you can create ?hand-out? souvenirs of this trick, too.
Highly recommended ? for anyone ? not just card junkies!!!

hmmm do goldfish sleep???

OK, you got me there.

Edited - totally on your behalf, Mog.

I don't know - there's no pleasing some people

Oi - some of my best friends are lemons!

Seige, do the blank cards need to be replaced after awhile, or can the trick be performed ad infinitum?

As for the great Cat, Aardvark, Lemon debate. Maybe the easiest level of difficulty should be described as one that even a Maginner or Magovice could perform. (Begician? Novician?).

No, the cards don't need replacing. I can see where you're coming from, though.

The gaffed cards will last forever - no R&S or moving parts.

They're as sturdy and robust as regular Bikes.

PS... I like Begician! And it will stop upsetting Mog, too!