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I got a svengeli deck but it only works when I am flipping through the cards. Is there a different one to buy because I want to be able to fan them out. The first time I saw someone use one they were fanning out cards which is highly impressive, you have the opportunity to show the back of the cards where I've found with flipping through them, everyone just thinks you have two sided cards. lol even though you dont when they grab for a card to look at the back of they usually end up grabbing one of the copy cards which kind of gives the trick away anyhow

thats something I really hate, when I'm doing a trick and then whoever I'm doing it for just grabs the deck out of my hand to inspect it. I've had a couple people catch me with trick decks but it still pees me off its like give me a break people its obvious its not real magic.... just enjoy the illusion

Errr.... can I suggest "The Long And Short Of It - The Greatest Svengali Routine In Existence" by Mark Lewis, available at www.nothingupmysleeve.co.uk ?

I don't own, or want a svengali deck, but the routine was brilliant. Apparently in his book he also teaches you how to fan to show all different cards, how to ribbon spread to show all different cards, how to ribbon spread to show all the same cards etc

I did a review of 101 tricks with a Svengali deck today in the review section, see if that helps

Alex

The Mark Lewis booklet is an excellent suggestion.

You can also check into a Mirage deck - which is a svengali deck that can be spread to show the fronts and backs.

Seconded - I find the Mirage Deck to make the Svengali principle a lot more versatile and convincing - although Mark will probably come on and tell us all just to practice harder, or buy his book...

Practice harder and buy my book.
Besides the mirage deck is pathetic.

My book can be purchased at www.marklewisentertainment.com/formagicians only

And any book that is purchased from me is naturally autographed.

i understand Mark's book to be truely exceptional. however since i find it easier to source from the US i will most likely buy mine from Ellusionist... it wont be signed by the author but it will be the real deal.

i am sure Mark is happy to share some of his profit with Brad...

also, suggest you take a moment to fish around Mr Lewis' web site, in particular the video of his Svengali routine.

i would like to say it's brilliant but then Mr Lewis' head would swell beyond safe propotions so i just suggest you take a look and decide for yourself.

I have hidden the video from sight since I have a cynical mind that lots of daft people will think that once they view it they will not have to buy the book.

They will be wrong because first it will not be easy to learn the routine by simply looking at the video. Second there are descriptions of extra sleights in the book that are not on the videoclip. Third there are extra tricks with the svengali deck which are not on the clip. Fourth there are amusing anecdotes in the book which are not recounted on the videoclip and fifth if you purchase the book you can get an autographed copy.

Which reminds me. I do not think Australians have much of a sense of geograpy. I live in Canada and the book would be sent from Canada. I don't know if Bobby Cat realises it but Canada is just as close to Australia as America is. Furthermore it is also part of the British Commonwealth. I can see no earthly reason why it is easier to ship from the US than it is from Canada. Besides I have the book in stock NOW whereas I have only just sent them to Brad. He won't have them yet.

As for sharing my profit with Brad he has enough money pouring out of his ears already. Still you can get them from whoever you want. I sell them to Murphys Magic who distribute them all over the place so for all I know there may be a magic dealer in Australia already who stocks them.

I have the trump card though. I can autograph them. And I will pay the postage. Unless the dealer does what I used to do when I had a magic shop. Just autograph the book myself under the author's name. The punter would never know the difference.......................

actually... seeing the video made me realise how necessary the book must be... not how unnecessary.

re my sourcing channel, i hv a couple other items in my Ellusionist basket you see. just waiting for the Bicycle card clips come back in stock so i can ship all together which i find offers better rates and safer arrival.

should i find Ellusionist's price to be of lesser value then naturally i will seek alternative sources.

I really don't mind who you buy them from.........................

It occurs to me that in addition to purchasing my most excellent svengali book you might as well let me deprive of you of more money. My most wondrous book on Marmaduke the Wonder Mouse is out and can be seen here:
http://www.marklewisentertainment.com/h ... cians.html

Furthermore I am delighted to inform BobbyCat that Brad Christian doesn't stock this one so there! Na na nanana!

Now that is a classic i have not seen performed for years

It has hardly been seen in the UK. Far more prevalent in the US. In Britain you will see the squirmle otherwise known as the "worm". However the worm has just started to make itself known in North America.

I first saw the mouse done by Joe Stuthard at the Daily Mail Schoolboys and Girls Exhibition when I was 14 years old. It was incredible! Then the only other time I saw it in England was an old derelict doing it outside a department store in Blackpool. It was a fairly pathetic demonstration. He used a chalk mouse. Horrible messy bloody thing. I had chalk all over me when I was silly enough to buy one.

In my book I describe the mechanics of the worm as well as the mouse although the mouse gets star billing. Also described is the Spooky Pencil which is one hell of a trick on its own. I like to do it as part of the mouse routine though. I also make a coin wander over my hand too.

The mouse is a great trick and people love it.

having seen the name Joe Stuthard reminds me. Try and get hold of Joe's booklet on the Svengali. He specialised in it in the 50's. Mike Shepherd (Castle Magic, Yorks) had copies.
Mark Lewis. Are you the originator of that brillianr children's idea, 'The Letter', which I've been using for umpteen years. Originally in Blackpool? then the USA or Canada?
Allen Tipton

Good God! Did you actually buy "The Letter" when I sold it so many years ago? You don't actually have a copy do you? I don't have a copy of my own manuscript.

You send me a photocopy (it won't take long since it was only a few pages) and I will send you a free mouse or svengali book. How about that as a deal? Of course if you no longer have "The Letter" then don't worry about it.

As for Blackpool I spent years and years there.

I think I will post the Letter routine here anyway. Not as elaborate a description as the manuscript of the seventies but it will give the bare essentials.

As for Joe Stuthard I was entranced when I first saw him and think he was the greatest card magician I have ever seen and all he did was the svengali deck!