Price$30.00
Media TypeTrick
CategoryClose Up
Date AddedMar 26, 2019

Phantom Pin

TCC Presents

(Based on 1 review)
"I never invented new magic, but I am committed to improving old tricks."
- Fred Kaps (1926-1980)

The Phantom Safety Pin, a nearly 100-year-old magic trick, appeared in the third volume of the Tarbell Course in Magic by Harlan Tarbell in 1928 as well as in Juggling Act in 1983. However, it only taught the method, but did not mention the origin of this trick.

This seems to be a mystery, an old and elegant mystery.

Today, we have incorporated this ancient and elegant mystery into the matching instruments.

Workers must first sharpen their tools if they want to do their best. In order to make more people clearly see and feel the elegant soul of the needles and handkerchiefs in close-up and parlor performances, we have searched for different kinds of pins and various sizes of handkerchiefs.

Finally, the Phantom Pin ghost pin has been created, an incredibly detailed product that embellishes the mysterious soul from the past. We can't wait for you to use and love it.

Fall in love with its interesting soul and history.

Effect: The magician invites a volunteer to stick the pin into the handkerchief and fasten it.

Then, the magician tears the handkerchief and removes the pin. Just when everyone thinks that the handkerchief could not possibly be restored, the magician makes a magical gesture and unfolds the handkerchief.

It is intact, back in perfect condition!

The magician then lets the volunteer buckle the pin in one of the corners of the handkerchief and point to any position along the edge.

The magician pulls the pin to the position specified by the audience. The pin moves like a ghost on the handkerchief, and finally stops at the position indicated by the volunteer. The handkerchief is still intact! Centennial classical magic Easy to carry No need to prepare in advance, you can perform at any time Design of handkerchief is vintage and beautiful Can be examined by the audience before and after the performance Suitable for close-up performances and parlor interaction No angle limitations

Reviews

Stephan Sloan

Official Reviewer

May 11, 2023

Overview

In a section called Intimate Magic of book three of Tarbell’s, nestled amongst two dozen other mini mysteries there is a quick trick called The Phantom Pin. The trick languished in obscurity until the incomparable magician Paul Vigil took this small demonstration and catapulted it into a show piece. In Paul Vigil’s book Doors of Deception, he shared this multi-phase routine with a general magic population. With Paul Vigil’s permission TCC Presents brings to us their version of The Phantom Pin is no other way than TCC can.

Effect

As explained in Tarbell, The Phantom Pin amounted to just a quick puzzle. A safety pin is pushed through an article of clothing, typically a shirt, and pulled through the material several inches through the cloth leaving no mark or tear much to the surprise of the spectators. In Phantom Pin by TCC presents, with the permission of Paul Vigil, the what was once a short demonstration of a mere curiosity, it turned into a multi-phase routine. Using a Vintage style men’s handkerchief, a safety pin is shown to be able to pierce and penetrate the cloth leaving no mark, tear or “scathe” as Vigil says. The pin actually travels from one side of the cloth to the other and is removed in a clean, magical manner. Several phases of this wonder are demonstrated each one more amazing than the next.

Method

The “magic” primarily involves two major components, the shape of the pin and the proper material used in the cloth. Due to the construction of the pin, the pin can “slide” through the material as it appears to be pinned through said material. The cloth itself also has to be the correct fabric as well, to allow for this to occur. Being that this is primarily a self-working trick, it will depend on the presentational skills of the performer not only to create a plausible routine but carry that routine through with his presentational skills.

Product Quality

The articles provided is a men’s handkerchief woven of the proper material and a safety pin. A download link is provided for the instructions. The head of the safety pin has to be of a particular type. Although they all may appear the same, not every safety pin can work. The design of the head of the pin has to allow for the smooth flow of the material as it passes through. The handkerchief provided is 16 ½” square. It is the proper material and thickness for the effect but is very elegant as well. The pattern is reminiscent of a Victorian Paisley pattern which will look very sophisticated no matter what the venue. The instructional video is well done and the lighting, sound and set quality is superb. True to TCC style, the setting is beautiful with attractive props all around. The instructional is a scant six minutes long and covers all what is needed, but it is dubbed in English.

Ad Copy Integrity

TCC Presents always delivers as advertised. I have never received a product that was less that stated. In fact, I had always been pleasantly surprised with the quality of the product as well as the packaging.

Suggestions

Why stop at Phantom Pin? You have a pin and a handkerchief. Maybe carry other items to use as well. A multi-phase linking pin routine and coin and card through handkerchief will fit very nicely with the Phantom Pin routine.
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