|
|
MagicMan1957 Inner circle 1445 Posts |
I recently saw John Carney perform the Diminishing Cards and it looked GREAT! Does anyone know what version he uses?
By the way, this guy kills. What a great set he did, very funny and very good magic, EXCELLENT, this guy is a real pro. |
owen.daniel Inner circle England 1048 Posts |
MagicMan1957,
I agree John Carney is great. I saw him in England a couple of years ago and had the chance to be the spectator who is used in his Just a Cigar routine. I was only 12 at the time and this had a lasting impression on me. The version he does is the Al Baker version. This is described in The Secret Ways of Al Baker (all of his books in one) but I can't remember which book it was published in. It might be a bit expensive to get the whole book for this trick. Reading the description I can't really understand how to make the gimmick anyway, and I think it is quite a fiddle. But that's the routine. owen |
MerlH Loyal user Carolina Shores, N.C. 272 Posts |
Al Baker's Diminishing Cards are sold by Viking and presently advertised in Magic, Genii, and Linking Ring. Costs $25 and worth every penny. Blair Best is also a very good set. I don't know who sells Blairs Best.
Mine wore out so bought Bakers. Bakers is a little harder to use than Blairs best BUT it is easier to reset. The fans are riveted together. The base is made of brass. Don't see how they sell it for $25.
Merl Hamen Old dog-- New tricks
|
blindbo Special user Bucks County, PA 790 Posts |
In 25 years, I'm on my second Baker set. I think it may have been $20 the first time and the first piece of magic I ever bought over $10.
I would say it's one of the most fun routines I have ever done for both the spectators and me. |
shane079 New user ga 33 Posts |
How about Diminishing Returns by Mike Powers, I believe is his name. How is the set there?
|
Pete Biro 1933 - 2018 18558 Posts |
U.F. Grant really made a beautiful set, very simple, maybe the simplest ever... but that was what was so good about it.
I have a version based on the Edward Victor deck where the full deck gets smaller and there are NO LOOSE PIECES.
STAY TOONED... @ www.pete-biro.com
|
Thoughtreader Inner circle Calgary, Alberta, Canada 1565 Posts |
I know the version Pete and truthfully, it is THE best since there is no major "moves" just a squeeze and a fan of the cards to show them smaller. Is there nothing that you do not know?!?!?! ;-)
PSIncerely Yours, Paul Alberstat |
Larry Davidson Inner circle Boynton Beach, FL 5270 Posts |
Tommy Wonder has a great version in my opinion.
I don't know that I'd categorize "Diminishing Returns" by Mike Powers as a typical "diminishing cards" type of effect since in Mike's effect the cards shrink only once versus multiple times as in other "diminishing cards" effects. Regardless, I think Mike's effect is fantastic. Larry D. |
Vogler Special user Greece 710 Posts |
Is there any other routine for the al bakers diminishing cards ? I don't like the instructions routine in which ypu “compare” the small deck with a normal card. I have the gimmick but never used it because I didn't liked the handling...
|
jim ferguson Veteran user Ayrshire, Scotland 386 Posts |
I remember having this as a teen. I'm not sure whos version it was, but it used the brass rivets mentioned above. It was a neat little routine.
Ali Cook did a nice version on UK television some years ago. It was quick and to the point - a fan of cards seemed to get visibly smaller and smaller, until it vanished all together. The sleight of hand/stripper deck idea could be very nice, and is something I've always thought about working on. I never seem to get around to it though. Jim |
Poof-Daddy Inner circle Considering Stopping At Exactly 5313 Posts |
Could it be you are just not wearing the right hat?
I used to do Mike Powers' "Diminishing Returns" but it doesn't go near as small as Al Baker's routine if I recall. Although I think the Powers routine is "just enough" ie no overkill.
Cancer Sux - It is time to find a Cure
Don't spend so much time trying not to die that you forget how to live - H's wife to H on CSI Miami (paraphrased). |
clars Regular user Folsom Ca 116 Posts |
I purchased Tommy Wonder's "shrinking card fan" (correct name?) at a convention back in the mid 90's. He stated that it would not go to market. It has a lot of craftsmanship in it, that took hours to make one. He only had a few of them. No instructions. It has been sealed up and put away all these years. I have always wondered what it would be worth. He performed it, and blew everyone away. Fan shrank away slowly, until it vanished. He was such a genius.
|
Merc Man Inner circle NUNEATON, Warwickshire 2538 Posts |
I've got a mint set of Jim Hooper's Nemo Diminishing Cards, sold via Ken Brooke back in the 70's.
What's so creative about this version is that the cards diminish whilst simply held in one hand. I don't think there's any version as clean.
Barry Allen
Over 15 years have now passed - and still missing Abra Magazine arriving every Saturday morning. |
Rupert Pupkin Inner circle 1452 Posts |
Quote:
On Apr 22, 2018, Merc Man wrote: https://youtu.be/ogFcwW-imaM |
bobrus New user 5 Posts |
Anyone know where I can buy Al Baker's Diminishing Cards in UK?
|
Vogler Special user Greece 710 Posts |
I have the vikings set but I never performed it , I feel that it is obvious that you always steal something ...And the comparison with the regular size card it feels unnatural to me. Maybe I'm thinking as a magician? Are the reactions good for this effect?
|
reese Inner circle of Hell 1332 Posts |
My opinion: Jim Steinmeyer has the very best solution to this effect.
|
Vogler Special user Greece 710 Posts |
And where this is published?
|
The Magic Cafe Forum Index » » The workers » » Diminishing cards (2 Likes) |
[ Top of Page ] |
All content & postings Copyright © 2001-2024 Steve Brooks. All Rights Reserved. This page was created in 0.02 seconds requiring 5 database queries. |
The views and comments expressed on The Magic Café are not necessarily those of The Magic Café, Steve Brooks, or Steve Brooks Magic. > Privacy Statement < |