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sobrien Loyal user 248 Posts |
Anyone know of him? How would you rate the quality of the items he made?
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MDS Special user USA 528 Posts |
Walter was a fantastic magic builder, performer and dear friend. He is a huge loss to the magic community.
Matthew |
Chezaday Inner circle Naperville, IL 1673 Posts |
Walter was one of my closest friends, he taught me how to build his way. No one put as much time and care into there props .. no one. From time to time you'll see one of his pieces on ebay and you can bet it's going to be beautiful. Most of the props wound up on the shelves of collectors. I have quite a few of his pieces from over the years, they are like my text books .. I look to them when I get stuck on a project.
He was always as close as my phone .. he changed my life. I'll never forget him .. he was one of a kind ... Steve |
Magic1962 New user 57 Posts |
I know that this is REALLY late, but I new Walt Sheppard very well. I have MANY of his platform illusions... doves to bunny, square circle, where'd the bunny go , balloon to dove and dove vanish. He was a FANTASTIC builder and a FANTASTIC friend! We really lost someone when he passed away last year...
Magically, Dave |
Crispy Loyal user Louisville, KY 207 Posts |
Joining this late also. I new Walt and have many of his props (niteclub table, square circle, dove to rabbit, where does the dunny go, doves in balloon, bunny in balloon. There will never be another Walt.
Cris |
Crispy Loyal user Louisville, KY 207 Posts |
Sorry for the typos. I'm performing the "Where does the Bunny Go?" in my avatar to the left. You can also see the Square Circle beind me. Both built by Walt.
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donsmagic Loyal user 258 Posts |
The American Museum of Magic in Marshall Michigan has a number of Walters pieces. I knew him too. I remember him taking his Balloon to Doves and throwing it over my van to show how solid it was built. He also built a number of Mongoose cages for me. Everyone I showed it to wanted one. Wish I would of kept mine!
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Crispy Loyal user Louisville, KY 207 Posts |
Walt had told me the story about throwing the prop over his van at Abbott's !
Cris |
Chezaday Inner circle Naperville, IL 1673 Posts |
Funny .. I heard that one too. To demonstrate how tough his props were he threw one of his "Balloon to Bunny" boxes over the top of his suburban. Apparently it landed without a scratch. I'm not sure how much of that I believe .. but, I'm sure he would have done that.
Back in the day people would sell stuff right out of the back of their cars at Abbott's. It was a fun time .. but, it drove Greg nuts. Understandably he wanted you to buy props in the showroom. These days there are yard sales up and down curiously many contain tables filled with magic apparatus. Go figure .. Steve |
Chezaday Inner circle Naperville, IL 1673 Posts |
I just got off the phone with Mrs. Sheppard and sure enough it's a true story. She said he wanted to prove a point .. and he did. She told him never to do that again!
You see they worked as a team on and off stage. During the school year they would perform throughout Ohio. During the summer months Walter would build his elaborate props in the shop. Mrs. Sheppard would choose the colors and apply the decals to the finished product. She also did any of the sewing that was required. Their work was unmatched ... just amazing. When she lost Walter .. she not only lost her husband, she lost her best friend. Steve |
chmara Inner circle Tucson, AZ 1911 Posts |
I have one of the stage square circle rigs that Walt built -- and besides regular show use -- it is a decorative piece in my living room I am sorry I will have to sell to make med & House payments.
At first I thought that $800 would be too much for an elementary prop -- BUT it is worth much more as an example of beauty, portability and elegance. Walt's decorations were impeccable and hardy -- not quite as detailed as Okito-Nielsen but just as beautiful. Each piece was practical too --- often using common (replaceable) hardware for hinges and locks. He and his work are missed -- and no one has taken his place in the mix of quality finish and rugged design.
Gregg (C. H. Mara) Chmara
Commercial Operations, LLC Tucson, AZ C. H. Mara Illusion & Psychic Entertainments |
benny boy New user 3 Posts |
Yep hang on to the Walter Sheppard pieces. I have the Jimmy King Illusion going with my collection of 45 years in magic. But no one seems to care and or are broke. I still buy magic but after 45 years of doing and buying magic not much excites me anymore. I can't wait until I hit 50 post is what I think the rules are. To share my one of a kind book collection to the magic fraternity. Most out of print first edition and signed by Dia Vernon, Marlo, Ross Bertram, Frank Garcia, and all the greats. Everyone will hit the Café for this one of a kind collection. No waste everything hand picked from going to all the lectures. New most have not been read just collected and put on the shelf.This would be for the heavy card and coin man.Plus all the basic knowledge needed in our love for magic.
Walter Sheppard explained his procedure the whole 9 yards on what paint he used,etc. Being with the Woodworkers Guild, Woodcarvers, and the National Guild of Decoupage. Soon to be with the SAPFM Society of American Period Furniture makers. His work will be missed. God Bless. -ben |
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