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The Phoenix: Volume 1 Number 7
Number 7, dated April 17, 1947, marks the first submission by Shaman to the Phoenix. He’d made contributions to the Jinx in the past but this was his first here. While there’s evidence that Annemann, Gibson, and Elliott all contributed magic under the name, there was a performer who went by the name Shaman. Dennis… Continue reading
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Book Notes: Bringer of Dust
Bringer of Dust is the second book in the Talents trilogy by J.M. Miro, the pseudonym for Steven Price. Ordinary Monsters, the first in the series, was the first book I read in 2024 and a delightful surprise. I was a little hesitant about the second book because, well, it’s a second book and second… Continue reading
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The Phoenix: Volume 1 Number 6
Number 6 was a free issue and also dated April 5, 1942. The opening effect is a cut and restored by Walter Gibson using a paper tape measure. I don’t know how readily available they are today as the last time I saw them was at the IKEA store a few years ago. It would… Continue reading
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Toni Forster on Magic Books
Until recently I had not heard of Dr. Forster. I purchased Ted Lesley’s Paramiracles published by Hermetic Press book from a second hand dealer. It had come out about 30 years ago and, for some reason, hadn’t shown up on my radar screen. Dr. Forster was a friend and confidant of Lesley’s and, for a… Continue reading
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The Phoenix: Volume 1 Number 5
April 5, 1942 is the date of the fifth edition of the Phoenix. It begins with a gambling card effect by Elliott that leverages the jog shuffle work from Erdnase. Ann Y. Mous’ Slide-less is a marked coin in sealed boxes effect that would be appreciated by the magic club crowd. The fact that it… Continue reading
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Book Notes: Dark Wire
I’m not certain where I first learned of Joseph Cox’s book, Dark Wire, but I am grateful. It’s a delightful read that’s full of characters that seem fictional however they’re all too real. Dark Wire is the story of the longest sting operation in history of law enforcement. It involves multiple countries and numerous local… Continue reading
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The Phoenix: Volume 1 Number 4
Walter Gibson’s billiard ball routine is the feature in the March 20th edition. It’s an appearance and vanish of four balls. Gibson states that he has an entire billiard ball book planned however it doesn’t seem like he published it. Alvin R. Plough’s Rehydration is a clever science trick using the theme of WWII conservation… Continue reading