Hello peapole in rice volume 2 page 954 there is a 20th century silk effect labeled assistany 20th century. The effect seems amazing but requires a lot of special silks there is also an reapeat 20th century silk on page 953 both of these seem interesting to me. Especially the first one. So where can I buy the materials for this effect? If I can not buy the materials anymore then can the effect be customized whith other more standard silks so that I can perfrom any one of these? So basically any guidence about the effect or personal experiance is appreciated VERY much. Anything that can help me get closer to me actually peforming this uniuqe miracle. Thanck you

Check with your local magic shop to see if any of the silks needed are in stock or can be ordered. Check with local sewing shops for the snaps needed to sew onto the silks. An alternative these days is to use Velcro tabs OR strong neodymium magnets sewn into a corner of the silk.

If the silks you want aren't readily available to you, go to Dharma Trading company on-line ( https://www.dharmatrading.com/ ) and order the silks in white, then order the dyes you need to transform them into the color silks you want. Sew on snaps, Velcro, or magnets and be proud of your new skills.

I remember the late Tony Marx, doing a "20th C Silks routine, back in the early '70s. He had produced "extra" silks, but he worked alone. It was pretty, but IMO, he had much better stuff. He worked solo. It got laughs.

I looked up the trick in Harold's Encyclopedia. I think that it's a lot of setup.

Tony Marks (note the spelling) did a great version of the repeat 20th century and ended up with a chain of silks. He used his table to hold one end (there was a tiny ring on one end of the silks that looped over a projecting nailhead) and he held the other. With the right music , this could still be a knockout. in fact, I am thinking of doing his version as explained in the Bev Bergeron book myself!

And Dick is correct, there is a bit of setup and a bundle switch as well.

Jonathan Neal

Right Jonathan! I only saw Tony once, in a night club in Wichita,Kansas, in 1975. I had forgotten a few details!

In his thimble routine, he tossed the produced thimbles into his box, one at a time. He missed with one or two. He adlibbed: "I must get a bigger box!

Perhaps, being an old school show guy, always thinking about set up time, I was a bit too "quick" to "dismiss" his repeat 20C!

Tony and I, after the show, spent a couple hours over an "early" breakfast! Thanks for the correct spelling of his name.

I had heard about his act (from DORNY) and made a special effort to see him. THAT rabbit was wonderful (production AND VANISH!).

Dick

Ii know what you are saying about detail! And Tony’s act was all about detail!

I never saw the act, but I admired it just from reading the book. If you have any more tidbits about his act... please share?

I like the I need a bigger box line

The book is great.

It's so long ago, and, as you've said, Tony's act was so detailed, that I've forgotten many of those details! Howsomever (!) if I "suddenly" remember anything, I'll certainly write!

Dick:

You left your US Navy Ballcap here on Monday!

Aha! I'll PM you.....