Michael Kras
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Great Scott, It's Coin Magic! by Scott F. GuinnGREAT SCOTT, IT'S COIN MAGIC!
This book by Scott F. Guinn contains some creative, unique coin effects.
REVIEW: Well, when I first bought this book, I tucked it away after reading only a few pages, as I have never been into coin magic very much. Recently, I took another look, and BOY it is great! A bunch of fantastic, original coin effects by Scott Guinn that are truly my style. Funny, I don't like coin magic but I can honestly say I will use this material quite a bit.
The book is around 80 pages long but is full of awesome coin magic. To start off, there is a humorous Introduction by Aldo Colombini that is quite fun to read, and really got things started.
The layout of the book is neat and really kept me reading and learning. If it were printed the old fashioned way I would most likely give it a brief glance then throw it away regardless of how great the material is. Scott knows how to make things fun, and the effects in this book reflect that.
After Colombini's Introduction, Scott says a few words in regards to his coin magic with his views on coin magic in general as well as outlining what his coin effects should bring and what to expect. This is a great lead-in to...
A Preface... On Misdirection. I quite enjoyed reading this as well as it is very thought provoking and informative, but I couldn't help but wonder if the next article would be a Foreward. Never fear, the magic is finally here! Let's get into it, shall we?
CHAPTER ONE discusses magic using only the coins in your pocket. The effects are as follows:
I Gotta Hand It To Ya: This is a fantastic Coins Across effect that is totally impromptu and allows the coins to travel from the magician's hand to the spectators! I love this routine and it is just simply great for any venue, especially if you don't have any cards on you. *****
Ess-Gee 2-Coin Production: Coins are continuously plucked from the air and put into the magician's pocket, with a nice finish involving TWO coins suddenly appearing! This is a sleek, visual quickie that hits hard! *****
Invisible Coins: This is an effect by Aldo Colombini in which two coins vanish and reappear one at a time! This is quite nice, very visual, andv fairly easy to do. ****
None Of The Above: This is probably my favourite effect in the book. This is a fantastic bare-handed coin vanish with a nice patterline that makes it a full effect. The vanish is ingenious and I love the thinking behind the "hustler" patterline. *****
CHAPTER TWO: Magic With Cards And Coins- This chapter goes over four different Matrix effects with some very nice visual additions such as a sleek Jumbo Coin production, as well as a lightning fast Matrix. To be honest, I only skimmed this chapter as I am not a fan of Coin Matrix, but I will outline the effects anyway:
Matrix Four-Play: After the magician fails to locate the four aces, Four Half Dollars suddenly appear on the table underneath the four wrong cards! A quick Matrix routine is executed with a surprise Jumbo Coin production, and then the four cards used are revealed to have transformed into the four aces! Even though I am not a Matriz fan I might just try this. *****
Repeat Four Play: Basically, a table hopping version of Matrix Four Play that allows for many performances in a short time.
Copper Four A Change: After a Matrix routine using four Half Dollars, the Hlf Dollars are magically transormed into English Pennies underneath their respective cards! This looks killer and would be very startling. ****
The World's Fastest Coin Trick: Basically, and ultra-fast finish to a Matrix routine. This requires the purchase of a gimmick but appears to be well worth it. ***
CHAPTER THREE: Magic With Coins and Stuff- This chapter outlines effects using coins as well as miscellaneous objects. The effects are as follows:
Great Scott's Flurry: A very nice Flurry effect with a surprise kicker ending. This is very nice. ****
Glass Action Suit: A slick Coins Across To Glass effect with a surprise kicker ending that is fantastic. ****
Magic Western Union: After a quick Coins Across effect, the spectator squeezes all six coins inside her fist. However, the magician makes an invisible coin disappear and supposedly reappear in the spectator's hand! This is proven to be true when the spectator opens her hand to reveal an extra quarter. This coin is then stretched into a Jumbo Coin in the spectator's hands! This is fantastic and relatively easy to do. *****
Sucker Trick: A multi-phased effect in which a borrowed dime penetrates the cellophane on a Sucker multiple times in very entertaining ways. This effect is great for children and adults alike and would make for a great souvenir. ****
CHAPTER 4: Magic With Coins and Secret Stuff- This chapter contains effects using different hidden gaffs and gimmicks.
Struck, Packed, and Pitched: A cool Coin in Bottle effect utilizing a common coin gaff and some other fun stuff in as well. ****
In Tin-Tin: A very nice Nesting Boxes effect with a great presentation that is very enjoyable to spectators. ***
Pouched CSB: A fantastic and visual routine using the CSB gaffs. ****
Silverdusted: This is excellent. A great routine using silver dust from a saltshaker, the impossible production of a coin and some more great coin work just before the coin is squeezed into silver dust! *****
Sheepish Thieves: A cool adaptation of the classic Sheep and Thieves trick.. This is very nice. ****
APPENDIX: In the Appendix, Scott goes over some bonus card sleights including his famous Guinn Utility Backslip as well as the Spread Turnover Switch. Both fantastic moves that I will definitely work on.
Overall, this book is very well done, and you can be assured that each effect is painstakingly explained over a number of pages each. Every effect is very good, and they are all worth checking out. However, I recommend you focus more on Chapter One as that is where the real worker's pieces are. I give this book an 8/10 and a high recommendation.
Michael Kras
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