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runawayjag Inner circle 1085 Posts |
The Mystery of the Pyramids, sold by U.F. Grant decades ago, has always been a big mystery to me. The mystery is that magicians seem enaamored with the prop and effect, even though it is really more of a puzzle without an ending than a magic effect. And, I must admit, I am guilty of the same craziness for this prop, buying almost every one I see come up. And, then I end up selling them and there never seems to be a lack of demand for it.
One of the real weaknesses of the trick is that you could not remove all the checkers to show them solid and separate. You could only remove the top two. Not much of a mystery. Well, Wellington Enterprises has outdone the old classic and removed that weakness. The effect is that you have a set of five big "checkers" on a spindle. The bottom one is 4" in diameter and they diminish in size as you go to the top ending with a top checker not quite 1" in diameter. They are all 1-1/2" thick. You remove all five checkers and show them solid and separate and then re-stack them on the spindle. Now, you cover the stack with a handsome metal cover and then you turn the entire assembly upside down. When you remove the cover, the checkers are still stacked with the big one on bottom and small one on top. Somehow, they have mysteriously righted themselves! But the killer comes when you now unstack the checkers, all five of them, and show them solid and separate. Believe me, this will fool those familiar with the old method and everyone else! The method is simple engineering genius and perfect workmanship. You literally need do nothing different that with the old model. That is, you simply turn the tube over and uncover the stack and it works. Only now, as mentioned, you can unstack the checkers with no further worries. At first, you will do the unstacking and re-stacking very slowly until you get accustomed to the method. But, even that only makes it appear that you are trying to be utterly fair. After a brief time with it when you fully understand how it work, you'll just unstack and re-stack them without thought. The workmanship is exquisite as you might expect from Wellington Enterprises. This is #4 of their Signature Series, which puts it in good company, the other three of the Series being The Wellington Switchboard, Guardian of the Grave and Newton's Nightmare. At $495.00 this is not cheap but if you're one of the many magicians, like myself, who love this interesting effect and wonderful prop, you will be more than delighted with your purchase. If I had to rate this on a 1 to 10 basis, 10 being best, this would get: Instructions: 10 Workmanship: 10 Method: 10 Value: 10 |
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runawayjag Inner circle 1085 Posts |
I should have mentioned, you can immediately repeat the effect stacking and unstacking the checkers each time, if you wish. There is no re-set; just do it again and it works.
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rowdymagi5 Inner circle Virginia 3615 Posts |
I didn't see this on their website. Where is it available from?
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runawayjag Inner circle 1085 Posts |
You have to order it directly from Bill at Wellington Enterprises. It's kind of like his Wizzy Dizzy Milk, in that he doesn't seem to ever advertise it. You can get them, but you have to contact him directly. That Wizzy Dizzy, by the way, is another of his pieces that REALLY deserves your attention. It is unbelievable.
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Julie Inner circle 3936 Posts |
For the record: The Pyramid Trick was originated by Don Potts who gave U.F. Grant permission to manufacture/sell it. Wellington has improved the method.
Don Potts had very interesting approaches to a variety of effects. I wonder if anyone owns "the rights" to his creations or are they public domain providing he hadn't legally protected them via patent or...? Julie |
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tomtweed New user 14 Posts |
Thank you for the kind comments on our new release, The Mystery of the Pyramids OUTDONE. We introduced it at the MAGIC Live convention. Both the instruction booklet and the ad we have prepared, credit Don Potts for his clever creation, marketed by U.F. Grant in the early 60's. I feel strongly about offering proper credit. Although Don Potts' version was certainly the inspiration, our version is significantly enhanced.
I, apparently like many others was always fascinated by this effect. While the original effect was very clever and certainly served as the inspiration for my version, I wanted to improve the method to allow the checkers to be unstacked and displayed individually. This was impossible with the original method. Several years ago I happened to mentioned this to Carl Williams, who told me that he had actually made one that did just that. Carl was kind enough to show me his work and encouraged me to continue working on it. I continued to work at it on and off over several years and then most recently in earnest. The version we are currently marketing resulted from our third prototype. Each of the previous methods solved one problem but created others. I found that if there was any noise when the tube was turned over, the mystery was gone. People simply figured that the checkers somehow turned inside out and weren't impressed. Although my two previous attempts were ultimately unsuccessful, they did lead to the method used in our final version which has no sliding checkers and makes no noise. So we were finally able to market an enhanced version. We will have photos on our website shortly. Thanks, Bill Schmeelk |
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runawayjag Inner circle 1085 Posts |
It's a GREAT item and my original post did not claim U.F. Grant invented it; it simply said it was, "...sold by U.F. Grant...." I specifically stated that because I knew someone named Don had created it, but I could not remember his last name and I didn't think to re-read the Wellington instruction booklet which indeed does credit Don Potts.
If you can afford this, you will be delighted with the purchase. |
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Chance Wolf Inner circle 2425 Posts |
I happen to be one of those guys who have always been fascinated by the trick/puzzle. The original version was fun enough to play with however Bill has taken it to a level of perfection!
I had seen this at Magic LIVE and simply LOVED his method/mechanical solution. I wish I would have thought of it but I never would have! The craftsmanship is top notch, as you would expect. I plan to add it to my collection soon. TWO THUMBS UP from Wolfs Magic! Great thinking Bill! Chance
Creator of Wacky Wolf Productions & Fine Collectibles
A DECADE of building Magic and we're just getting started! http://www.wolfsmagic.com |
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tdowell Inner circle 1050 Posts |
Sounds great. I would like to see a picture.
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illusiontech Loyal user Las Vegas 210 Posts |
I purchased this at Magic Live and in the right hands will be a killer piece. Whether you get one for the shelf to show special guests, or decide to perform it, the craftsmanship is fabulous the method is diabolical.
Snatch this one up, due to the complexity and attention to detail, Billy won't be making too many, which is just fine for me!! Vinny Giordano Theater and Magic/Illusion Technician Las Vegas |
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sthielman Regular user North Carolina 129 Posts |
When will photos be on the website?
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Stevethomas Inner circle Southern U.S.A. 3728 Posts |
I believe I saw a great, colorful ad for this effect in a magic magazine last week. Looks FANTASTIC. Used to own all 3 of the other Wellington series, but stupidly sold my Guardian of the Grave. Guess I have to buy another one AND this!
Steve |
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Kjellstrom Inner circle Sweden, Scandinavia, Europe 5203 Posts |
Quote:
On 2009-09-05 20:31, rowdymagi5 wrote: Nothing here?? http://www.wellingtonent.com/products.html |
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algebraic Inner circle 1008 Posts |
There's a full page ad for this item on page 10 of the November issue of MAGIC magazine.
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Max Krause V.I.P. I should be creating magic with my 1188 Posts |
I had a chance to see not only the finished product at Magic Live, but also all of the prototypes Bill made to get there. This is really a beautiful and unusual prop that should last a lifetime. As always it is made using the highest standards. Wellington never dissapoints.
Max
ESP Woody's now available in Stage Size!
Max's Magic Shop is now open for business! Come experience a whole new way to buy your magic. Menta-List - Now with a killer new marketing feature! Mental Killer 4.5 is Live! |
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sthielman Regular user North Carolina 129 Posts |
How would you use this in a show, though? Seems more like a puzzle.
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michaelstellman New user Los Angeles 76 Posts |
A good friend of mine purchased one and demoed it for me at his home. I have to say, it fooled me - the effect is really devastating especially when those checkers are all removed!!
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sthielman Regular user North Carolina 129 Posts |
Well, I'd love to see it. Hope an online demo clip will be put up some time.
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runawayjag Inner circle 1085 Posts |
I just tried to upload a video I made of it for a friend who was considering buying one (and did,) but the size of the file exceeded my allotment for my upload site, so sorry.
But, in answer to your earlier question, yes, it is more of a puzzle, but can be presented well with a little imagination. The classic Pom Pom Pole, for example, is more of a puzzle than a big mystery, but many performers successfully present it as a mystery with a good presentation. The same applies to another very popular Wellington item, the Wellington Switchboard with the four colored lights. As I stated in my first post, it is a puzzler that, for some reason, many magicians, including myself, really seem to like. The old version is always an instant seller when they come up on auctions and used lists and Wellington's is such a superior model that I think anyone who owns the original or has always wanted one, will be ecstatic with this one. |
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Joe Mauro Inner circle 1133 Posts |
I guess this is for Pro's that perform for a living.
No wonder Pro's were mad at David Blaine for getting a million dollars for his first special performing the cig through quarter trick! lol.
~Joe
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