Effect wherein you unfold and count thru a stack of bill-sized rectangles cut from old magazines, then VOILA! you're holding real money, and then VIOLA! back to worthless again.

Can anyone advise on what you think is the best version of this oft-copied effect, i.e. the best instructions for making up my own set?

Many thanks.

This has several names such as
Fred Kaps' Currency, found in a manuscript edited and published and edited by Anthony Brahams

There is another one called Foreign exchange, I am not sure who the rightful owner is of this version.

Also on A Michael Ammar video is another one using coupon store money utilizing a z fold.

It is funny, this is one of my favorite effects, I do this every night in my walk around. I have recently developed a way to do a tripple change, without ever going to the pockets.

I can also hand the bills out for examination at the end of the effect. However, it is not necessary because the presentation lends itself to your audience, that you really did what you said you can.

I have discovered that many people never ask to see the money. They just sit there in a mind trance trying to reconsruct what they just witnessed, it definitely was not a puzzle in their mind.

This is the exact reason why I searched for a way to change the bills a third time. I always felt it was a clever puzzle, in the spectators mind. By using the three principal, I have taken it from a puzzle to an incredble feat of ledgerdermain in the spectators mind. Play with it and you to will discover something very special about this piece of magic and the power it has over your audiences. Good luck

I know that John Greene of Portland has a routine with Foreign Exchange--don't know if it's his "creation," though. But it's quite good.

Is this a marketed effect or is it in a book or video? I'm having trouble finding it.

Like the “Professor’s Nightmare” this is another of those oft ripped-off tricks. It is simply too easy to make up and sell to not rip it off.

I believe it is original to Patrick Page and was on one of his “ Trick-A-Tapes” (one trick tape with props) way back when. It can be found on “Patrick Page The Magic of Paper” video.

Harry Anderson did a nice version of this on his "Tricks of His Trade" TV special a few years back.

However, I don't know if it's a published or marketed routine...

I use a single sheet of paper and change it to a fake million dollar bill on the back of their hand. Would you rather I print words or money?
I just glue the appropriate corners together and carry it in my wallet. Short and sweet.

It certainly goes way back when, I bought it as Krazy Kash in 1968 at the Blackpool convention, not realizing that it was a rip on Pat Page's Easy Money routine.

I still use it in walk around, have two different presentations of it. I actually prefer this early version to the later Kaps flash change. It happens slowly and changes back slowly as you patter. Also more impressive than the one piece of paper change that became popular.

As for making it up, as someone said, it is on one of the Page videotapes, though Davenports probably sells it, Pat Page used to be a demonstrator for them. (Then you make it up with REAL money)

Paul Hallas

Bill Severn's money magic book (which is probably in your local public library or can be purchased used very cheaply on-line) contains instructions to the trick you're referring to. He calls it "The Traveling Millionaire". Mark Wilson also explains it in volume five of his "Video Course in Magic". This is one of my favorite tricks and I perform it all the time. The only thing I do differently is to change $1 bills into $100 bills instead of paper into money. I find that's better because it's easy to accidentally flash the pieces of paper.

Pat Page's Easy Money. Fred Kaps made a minor change and improved the handling. IMHO there is none better. Why? Because it is simple, the plot is easy to understand and it is uncluttered with moves... and IT WAS GOOD ENOUGH FOR KAPS!

3D Cash would be a good method.

Fred Kap's Flash Bills does the trick perfectly!

Anyone use Richard Sanders' Slow Burn?

Sander's Slow Burn has a visual change reminiscent of an Erdnase Colour Change - ie you wipe your hand over the paper & it changes to the bill. The other major difference is the gimmick costs more to make!

Ian

PS - "Fred Kaps Currency" mentioned in Reed's post is not the same as Easy Money/Flash Cash/Flash Bills - it's his version of the Edward Victor 11 card trick using bank notes. Another great Kaps trick, but different.