On Jan 16, 2019, jimgerrish wrote:
"Greater Magic" by John Northern Hilliard is the book you want, but you may not recognize the trick as it is shown in the video because the original version, invented by Al Baker, was "Cherchez La Femme" (or "Find the Woman") and involved two Jacks and a Queen. It is easily made from cardboard instead of wood, in any size you wish. But if you think about it, it's just "The Hippity Hop Rabbits" with CLASS, so I perform it without the wood covers right in the hands of spectators

On Jan 16, 2019, Bill Hegbli wrote:
Jitterbug, sorry you have been duped by the information you have gathered so far. I first seen this effect in the 1960's as P & L Magic wad slowing down and going out of business. They made fine metal products, and indeed fine magic props. The version was a pedestal holding up a frame with 3 holes and sectioned holders for cards. As Jim mentions in his two card version.

From the fine wood holders in the video, I would say this is a "collector's" product. Not really made for performing but to put on a shelf and dust off once a week. If you do a lot of home entertaining, it can be a conversation piece to show when someone ask about it.

The wood frames have nothing to do with the effect, except to hold the playing cards. I am sure the price is for the fine wood used in making the stands, and not for the magic effect. I think you will be very disappointed when you learn the secret, as I was all those years ago. Luckily I was in a magic shop and could look at the prop.

Greater Magic is a very old book and can be found in used magic sales and auctions. I believe it has been reprinted some years back, and sells for high dollars. I did a simple search and found the book on Amazon asking price $1,000.00 for an original copy. If you use Google and enter: Greater Magic book or Greater Magic John Northern Hilliard you should be able to find a copy at varying prices.

My suggestion is to contact Viking Magic and talk to the owner George. Sometimes he has stock that he did not know he has in the warehouse. I did that once and got what I was looking for. Also being Magic Tao said in the video they had them made, why not email them and ask if thy have any remaining stock. Magic dealers do not keep their stock up to date, they are not all computer and inventory geniuses. Magic is not a high volume sale item, thus they do not spend the money for a high end inventory program. Just a suggestion if you are truly interested in finding this prop.