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minty
Regular user
Rugby, Warwickshire
154 Posts
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Posted: May 27, 2012 3:46pm
I recently received a parcel from Prof BC and Dan at Lebanon Circle. As an owner of Prof BC's PHANTOMS and DarkSpell, I thought I had a pretty good idea of what to expect. However, when I unwrapped the contents, I was pretty much blown away. The book purports to be a first edition of a famous collection of ghost stories. A quick Google suggests that it does indeed look pretty much identical to the original.
Click here to view attached image.
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minty
Regular user
Rugby, Warwickshire
154 Posts
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Posted: May 27, 2012 3:47pm
The book is larger than either PHANTOMS or DarkSpell, and has a clothbound feel to it. The ageing is absolutely awesome, and the pages have a wonderful patina to them. It was difficult to believe that this was anything other than an antique.
Click here to view attached image.
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minty
Regular user
Rugby, Warwickshire
154 Posts
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Posted: May 27, 2012 3:54pm
The parcel included an ambrotype with a portrait of the author M R James. Curious. There were no instructions in the parcel, so I just sat down and started reading the book. As I continued reading I became increasingly worried. I'd read a number of the stories before, and this book simply seemed to be a compilation of them. I had been hoping for something a little more. (PHANTOMS owners will note that the typeface used in GH*ST is substantially larger than that of its predecessor, and no doubt in keeping with the first edition).
Click here to view attached image.
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minty
Regular user
Rugby, Warwickshire
154 Posts
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Posted: May 27, 2012 4:15pm
Having now had a chance to glance through Prof BC's 112-page Performance Manual, I have to say that there is much more to this book than meets the eye. I haven't yet had the opportunity to read through it all, and don't want to give too much away. However, my first impression is that the book features fewer hits than PHANTOMS (which is hardly surprising as PHANTOMS was crammed to the rafters with them), but is pretty much bombproof and features a real book which audiences may already be vaguely familiar with. The fact that I had already read a number of the stories previously, and still couldn't tip the method, shows how subtle the hits are.
The book and ambrotype are wonderful props, beautifully made. Equally impressive though, is Prof BC's Performance Manual. It suggests ideas for choosing pages within the book (absolutely no forces are necessary, as any full-text page can be chosen), as well as ideas for developing or riffing a whole routine and building to a climax. Where GH*ST has fewer hits per page than PHANTOMS, GH*ST allows you to extend the routine using numerous pages, developing a story as you go.
My journey with GH*ST is just beginning.
PHANTOMS, DarkSpell and (top right) GH*ST:
Click here to view attached image.
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minty
Regular user
Rugby, Warwickshire
154 Posts
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Posted: May 27, 2012 4:44pm
It took me less than half an hour to memorise the workings of the book. To present a convincing performance will take longer. This isn't simply a b***t**t, and needs to be approached with more subtlety.
I love it. What it loses in the number of hits, it gains in the invisibility of its workings and the ability to keep jumping from page to page to page. Prof BC's Performance Manual (as always) contains loads of ideas and advice, and is a wonderful resource. I'm really looking forward to spending time working with GH*ST. If you missed out on PHANTOMS, you may want to grab this. Those who already own PHANTOMS or DarkSpell, know how good Prof BC's work is.
Click here to view attached image.
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Bedford
Veteran user
Louisville, KY
393 Posts
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Posted: May 27, 2012 4:53pm
I just ordered something from Dan, but didn't see this on his site. I also have Phantoms & Darkspell, wondering where this is available?
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gothicmagic
Loyal user
The Kingdom of Vladmania
204 Posts
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Posted: May 27, 2012 6:02pm
I didn't see anything on Outlaw or Lebanon either?
so who put this interesting item out?
Vlad ^0^
www.Gothicmagic.com
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Christopher Gould
Special user
No one is to read my
655 Posts
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Posted: May 27, 2012 7:25pm
The Prof showcased this at Doomsday. As a big M.R.james fan, I was utterly enthrawled. I am not sure about the methodology, as it was the Proff's first test of it. However, I did get a good look at the props and they are everything that everyone is saying, and the pictures here speak for themselves. The thing is simply stunning. I will be getting one myself as soon as I get the time. It's the sort of thing that you could use in a performance without actually doing any trick at all, the props the premise and the setting are simply interesting enough in their own right. I think Lebanon circle are putting this one out, although I am not sure. All I can say is that Dan had a box of them on his table at Doomsday.
Great stuff Proffessor!
www.alchemy-moon.co.uk
What's brewing? Keep up to date.
http://alchemymoon.wordpress.com
THE way to get directly in contact:
TalkMoon@outlook.com
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TH1
Veteran user
Zombies beware! I have your heads on
313 Posts
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Posted: May 27, 2012 7:40pm
Quote:
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On 2012-05-27 16:53, Bedford wrote:
I just ordered something from Dan, but didn't see this on his site. I also have Phantoms & Darkspell, wondering where this is available?
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Quote:
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On 2012-05-27 18:02, gothicmagic wrote:
I didn't see anything on Outlaw or Lebanon either?
so who put this interesting item out?
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Spirit! I demand you reveal yourself!
Beware of evil spirits...and depleted batteries! 
TheHauntedOne.com
Assembly11.com
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PROF BC
Special user
614 Posts
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Posted: May 27, 2012 8:15pm
Quote:
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On 2012-05-27 16:44, minty wrote:
It took me less than half an hour to memorise the workings of the book. To present a convincing performance will take longer. This isn't simply a b***t**t, and needs to be approached with more subtlety.
I love it. What it loses in the number of hits, it gains in the invisibility of its workings and the ability to keep jumping from page to page to page. Prof BC's Performance Manual (as always) contains loads of ideas and advice, and is a wonderful resource. I'm really looking forward to spending time working with GH*ST. If you missed out on PHANTOMS, you may want to grab this. Those who already own PHANTOMS or DarkSpell, know how good Prof BC's work is.
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Thank you, Minty, for the kind words.
Actually, there are potentially more hits in GH*ST than there were in PHANTOMS because of your ability to combine page hits together. PHANTOMS allows as many as 16-18 hits on a single page, but if you wanted to work your way completely through GH*ST there are actually a total of some 33 hits across the entire book. You won't want to use them all in a single performance, of course, because the premise of GH*ST is very different than PHANTOMS. Nevertheless, the combination of hits (mathematically something over 100,000 different combinations) guarantees that your performance will never be the same twice. Completely different messages & conversations will emerge with each show.
GH*ST is a nearly exact facsimile of the first edition of MRJ's 1904 Gh*st St*ries of an Antiqu*ry (from now on referred to as GSOAA to keep it google proof). Compare Minty's photos with this advert for a genuine first edition copy: http://www.rookebooks.com/product?prod_id=19813 (also note the price of an original--nearly 1,500 pounds sterling!) As you can see, you'll have a hard time telling GH*ST from the real thing even side-by-side.
The premise of GH*ST is that you own this (very rare) antique book (I used my own personal first edition copy for my model--and yes I paid a lot for it) and, with it and the equally rare ambrotype photo of the author, you can communicate with the spirit world. Page by page, hit by hit, a whole conversation evolves between the sitters and the spirit world. It is less a b**k t**t and more like a full-conversation Ouija board performance wherein you, the performer, receive messages through the ambrotype that are then confirmed in the book (being held by a spec across the room).
Moreover, your hits spin out into full phrases, sentences, and sometimes even an entire page may become relevant to the conversation you are holding with the other world.
GH*ST may also be played as a one-off b**k t**t (look at a page, I'll tell you a word), but it is meant to evolve into a full seance-style communication using a book that actually can be read cover-to-cover without tipping the method.
And, as Chris mentions, the props (antique book and glass photograph trimmed in aged copper) are items that you can use simply for atmosphere for your show.
Dan will be posting pictures and a full description of GH*ST on the Lebanon site soon. The first batch of 30 books is aged and ready to ship with no waiting.
GH*ST is (again) limited to a total of 100 copies and will never be reprinted or reissued once those have sold.
I'm happy to answer any questions you may have about GH*ST, and thank you again, Minty, for the kind words.
Best,
BC
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Eddie Garland
Inner circle
Hells Kitchen, New York City
3315 Posts
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Posted: May 27, 2012 9:36pm
I do love the concept of this antique ghost book! Fantastic work Professor!
Clandestine Dark Arts Media
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Mind illusionist
Special user
Australia
734 Posts
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Posted: May 27, 2012 9:41pm
I too am a great admirer of your work Prof, and look forward to this release. Would also love to see how this plays out as a stand alone bizarre piece outside the seance room.
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JAlenS
Inner circle
Oklahoma
1213 Posts
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Posted: May 27, 2012 9:52pm
CRAZY CRAZY. Fine work once again Prof.
http://www.dark-breeze.com/
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Godzilla
Inner circle
Tied & Untied Witches on
2851 Posts
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Posted: May 27, 2012 9:58pm
Looks Great,Prof BC!
If purchased,will it be sent from you in the states,or will it come from,Dan?
Gary
"If you watch Godzilla backwards,it's about a big ass lizard who helps rebuild a half burnt-down city, then moonwalks back into the ocean"
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Slim King
Eternal Order
Orlando
13024 Posts
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Posted: May 27, 2012 10:10pm
Sounds like something very interesting. I've never purchased anything from LC but perhaps this would be a start.
THE MAN THE SKEPTICS REFUSE TO TEST FOR ONE MILLION DOLLARS
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MagiChrisMitch
Elite user
471 Posts
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Posted: May 27, 2012 10:36pm
Waiting for the ordering instructions..........
CHRIS
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Slim King
Eternal Order
Orlando
13024 Posts
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Posted: May 27, 2012 11:06pm
Will it be like $225 or something?
THE MAN THE SKEPTICS REFUSE TO TEST FOR ONE MILLION DOLLARS
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Godzilla
Inner circle
Tied & Untied Witches on
2851 Posts
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Posted: May 27, 2012 11:09pm
Hey Slim!,clean up your PM box! She is full...
"If you watch Godzilla backwards,it's about a big ass lizard who helps rebuild a half burnt-down city, then moonwalks back into the ocean"
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Mind illusionist
Special user
Australia
734 Posts
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Posted: May 27, 2012 11:50pm
Quote:
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On 2012-05-27 23:06, Slim King wrote:
Will it be like $225 or something?
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I would predict such a price as that. Perhaps maybe in british pounds converted.
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afinemesh
Inner circle
In Sebastopol, Ca. on a fence built with
1522 Posts
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Posted: May 28, 2012 1:14am
Quote:
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On 2012-05-27 23:50, Mind illusionist wrote:
Quote:
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On 2012-05-27 23:06, Slim King wrote:
Will it be like $225 or something?
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I would predict such a price as that. Perhaps maybe in british pounds converted.
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Wouldn't surprise me a bit, but I'd still get it. . .Prof BC's work is worth it!
"I've always been mental, I'm sure of it" Boris Pocus 
"Someday we'll look back on this and it will all seem funny". . .Bruce Springsteen
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minty
Regular user
Rugby, Warwickshire
154 Posts
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Posted: May 28, 2012 2:09am
Quote:
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On 2012-05-27 22:10, Slim King wrote:
Sounds like something very interesting. I've never purchased anything from LC but perhaps this would be a start.
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This was my first purchase from Dan. Really nice guy to deal with. I had the parcel in my hands the next morning.
Quote:
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On 2012-05-27 23:06, Slim King wrote:
Will it be like $225 or something?
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I paid in UK pounds, but it was certainly in that ballpark. Maybe slightly more. I honestly feel, given the quality of the book and ambrotype, plus the comprehensive Performance Manual, that it's easily worth that much. I still find its level of authenticity amazing.
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PROF BC
Special user
614 Posts
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Posted: May 28, 2012 7:14am
Quote:
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On 2012-05-27 21:58, Godzilla wrote:
Looks Great,Prof BC!
If purchased,will it be sent from you in the states,or will it come from,Dan?
Gary
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Gary, always the right question. Thanks for asking, this is important to know: I have currently aged 30 of the 100 books I have (and will be completing the rest over the summer). Of those 30, 20 are in London with Dan and 10 are in the states with me. I'll post to the Americas while Dan posts to the EU so we can avoid the customs costs and delays on both fronts.
Those who know, please advise if mailing to Australia, New Zealand, and Asia is better coming from the US or UK in terms of customs and routing.
I believe the price will be 150 pounds, which is (depending upon currency fluctuation) in the same ballpark as PHANTOMS and DarkSpell (Wall Street would say 'no price rise since 2010!') In fact, this is a much larger book (288 pages compared to PHANTOMS 144 and DarkSpell's 208) and is, in essence, a wholly faithful reproduction of the original 1904 printing.
I think also you are going to love the ambrotype. It simply looks haunted. Real etched glass framed in real copper (aged to a fine green patina) and housed in its own wooden case.
PM me for a full description.
Regards,
BC
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steven-gibson
Veteran user
382 Posts
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Posted: May 28, 2012 7:59am
OMG, this sounds so cool!
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Mind illusionist
Special user
Australia
734 Posts
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Posted: May 28, 2012 9:45am
Hi Prof, from my dealings in the past, I believe shipping comes faster to Australia from UK rather than from USA. Will send you a PM.
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Joshua J
Elite user
428 Posts
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Posted: May 28, 2012 1:54pm
Seeing the prop at doomsday it certainly looked nice. When it was introduced as an early edition I could see a number of eyes glinting with delight. People were interested in the prop and were leaning into get a closer look. Prof BC set the scene perfectly talking about MR James. I went home and the Sunday and reread several of my favourite stories.
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necroloid
Special user
Kadar knows all and sees all of my
855 Posts
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Posted: May 28, 2012 1:56pm
Prof BC could make a sponge bunny routine, and I would buy it!
The M1nutes of the Ever1astin6 C1u8 is the best Book test out there!
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minty
Regular user
Rugby, Warwickshire
154 Posts
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Posted: May 28, 2012 2:48pm
Quote:
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The M1nutes of the Ever1astin6 C1u8 is the best Book test out there!
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+1
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Christopher Gould
Special user
No one is to read my
655 Posts
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Posted: May 28, 2012 6:10pm
The prof did actually perform a sponge bunny routine that he was working on, privately in the bar at Whitby. However, I had drank quite a bit, so perhaps my memory cannot be fully relied on. One thing is for sure, it did not grab my attention in the same way that this one did. It really is a thing of beauty. As soon as I get these ferkin bailiffs away from the front door I am getting one of these.
www.alchemy-moon.co.uk
What's brewing? Keep up to date.
http://alchemymoon.wordpress.com
THE way to get directly in contact:
TalkMoon@outlook.com
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PROF BC
Special user
614 Posts
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Posted: May 28, 2012 8:34pm
. . . that wasn't sponge . . .
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piyuyu
Regular user
115 Posts
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Posted: May 29, 2012 2:16am
Nice nice nice!
Can't wait for it to be released. US shipping to asia is slightly cheaper compare to UK.
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