Price$3.50
Media TypeTrick
CategoryClose Up
Date AddedMar 16, 2003
Buddha Money Mystery
(Based on 1 review)
Reviews
(Top ▲)
A magician friend/demo guy, recently talked about some of the items in his shop, which he thought were strong. His TOP trick, was 'Crystal Coin Case'. Along side of that was the Buddha Money Mystery. Both of these, are low priced items, which are traditionally sold and targeted towards young begginer magicians. I'll add that my friend, Ryan, is a highly talented performer, and handles playing cards like the master he is. So, to hear him speak in such high terms about the two trick I just mentioned, is based on his experience as a performer and salesman.
Of course, I've had Buddha money mystery for years. These days it's done up in paper that one can find in any copy or office supply store-bright, commercial, and eye catching. As a visual artist, I am well aware of how many kinds of beautiful, handmade papers can be found in specialty shops-papers from Asia, East India, the Middle East-and also this country. I so love the simplicity and mystery of this old trick, that I naturally purchased some high quality paper, and made a version of my own. Doing so, to me, lifts this effect up to a work of art-and also connects it more closely to the title. The working of these papers is so clever, that I felt it deserved a presentation more classic looking than the cheaper papers offer.
The effects that can be used with these wonderful papers, seem nearly as varied as Tommy Windsor's Popcorn Box. The papers, which have had various names over the years, all 'mystical' or, Eastern flavored, were once sold in fairgrounds, circuses, and carnivals. They must have sold like hotcakes to many young children, as they cost nearly nothing to produce. That they have been around for so long, places them in the same category as the chain, three shell game, the purse swindle-and a few other former con games turned magical tricks. They are mentioned in Bobo's Modern Coin magic, and undoubtedly elswhere in more serious 'grown up' magical literature.
As some of my favorite effects use exotic looking props, the coins I sometimes use with the papers are antique Chinese ones, found in a flea market. A favorite effect (from the Bobo book), is to have a coin sandwiched between two larger ones-have it vanish, and reappear inside of the papers. Still another, is for me to produce from these papers, a larger Chinese coin,which then changes color three times. Many uses and applications.
It's too easy to overlook an item like this-but to own it, research it and use it, is to tap into a piece of magic with a solid, rich history. One that I can say from experience, continues to mystify people-alone, or worked into a longer routine.
Of course, I've had Buddha money mystery for years. These days it's done up in paper that one can find in any copy or office supply store-bright, commercial, and eye catching. As a visual artist, I am well aware of how many kinds of beautiful, handmade papers can be found in specialty shops-papers from Asia, East India, the Middle East-and also this country. I so love the simplicity and mystery of this old trick, that I naturally purchased some high quality paper, and made a version of my own. Doing so, to me, lifts this effect up to a work of art-and also connects it more closely to the title. The working of these papers is so clever, that I felt it deserved a presentation more classic looking than the cheaper papers offer.
The effects that can be used with these wonderful papers, seem nearly as varied as Tommy Windsor's Popcorn Box. The papers, which have had various names over the years, all 'mystical' or, Eastern flavored, were once sold in fairgrounds, circuses, and carnivals. They must have sold like hotcakes to many young children, as they cost nearly nothing to produce. That they have been around for so long, places them in the same category as the chain, three shell game, the purse swindle-and a few other former con games turned magical tricks. They are mentioned in Bobo's Modern Coin magic, and undoubtedly elswhere in more serious 'grown up' magical literature.
As some of my favorite effects use exotic looking props, the coins I sometimes use with the papers are antique Chinese ones, found in a flea market. A favorite effect (from the Bobo book), is to have a coin sandwiched between two larger ones-have it vanish, and reappear inside of the papers. Still another, is for me to produce from these papers, a larger Chinese coin,which then changes color three times. Many uses and applications.
It's too easy to overlook an item like this-but to own it, research it and use it, is to tap into a piece of magic with a solid, rich history. One that I can say from experience, continues to mystify people-alone, or worked into a longer routine.