Nice couple coin routines by Mike Runenstein and Mike Gallo in Feb,09 new issue. Just an FYI in case you missed it!

In the March, 2009, issue of MAGIC, there is an article on "The American Zig-Zag Scandal." I was at that show when I was 14 years old when Jim Sommers presented his "brand new" "The Impossible"- an exact copy of Harbin's Zig-Zag Girl. His version at Abbott's if I remember right had a silver metallic finish to it, and was the only trick that he did. He quite frankly was lying about his doing the trick as an original "new" illusion. It did floor everybody there at the time, the first time most of us had ever seen a Zig-Zag. After that, it was proformed dozens of times over the years at Abbott's by just about every illusionist for years to come. I had a simular reaction when a magician at Abbott's did one trick only- THE ECLIPSE. This is where a huge, round steel plate disappeared slowly and reappeared on the other side of the stage visably behind a paper frame. Just a fantastic thing to watch at the time...

How was he revealed

Jim Sommers was "found out" through a series of protests- see the March issue of MAGIC. Just a fascinating story where ethics in magic actually won out- and magicians rallied around when it was clear Harbin's original Zig-Zag girl was stolen without permission. I am not sure if this would happen today, even if a masked magician revealed how David Copperfield flies. I love MAGIC history, and this is one of the few instances where I can say I was there when it happened.

I do not have the magazine in front of me but it should be noted that Bill Larsen was so furious about the theft; he refused to mention the offender by name. And he never did mention his name again.

Try to get that done today.

Richard

Very interesting story!
Harbin was a genius by all accounts.