Volumes One & Two

By Tommy Wonder & Stephen Minch

Price: $90.00 to $100, depending on where you shop.

Six hundred and sixty-nine pages (not counting the well-wrought introductions by Max Maven and Eugene Burger), illustrated by Kelly Lyles, 7″ x 10″ cloth hardbound with a elegant dust-jacket. Clearly typeset and well laid-out.

Every time I look at this set of books I am filled with wonder. Tommy Wonder. And what an ecstatic pleasure, no—make that honor, it is. These books are quite simply the most important tomes published on magic. Perhaps you think I'm making an overstatement. In reality, I've probably made an understatement….

These books were created with passion, published with passion, and will inspire passion in every thinking magician who studies them. About half of each volume consists of magic: effects; routines; moves; and utilities. The other half is theory. That's about three hundred and fifty pages of magical thoughts, musings, philosophies, chastisements and inspirations!

First, I'll cover the magic. Magic indeed. The effects are vibrant. The methods are ingenious. The designs (both mechanical and artistic) are exquisite. [Read more…]

The short review:

Fast shipping from Ireland to California (shipped on the 7th, arrived on the 11th). Quality design, manufactured extremely well. If you want to place a uniform breather crimp in a perfectly precise position on every card, this is your holy grail. You can adjust the crimp from fine to heavy (and anywhere in-between) as you prefer. Using it makes me feel like James Bond, with Eoin being “Q.”

Tiny complaint: I wish there was a case, like the one supplied with the Stripper Jig. That quibble aside, the Breather Jig has my highest recomendation.

You can order one from Eoin here.