Magical Block

Type: Close-up

Skill Level:

Retail Price: $5

Effect: Place a penny on the spectator's hand. Touch the magical block to the penny and the penny changes to a dime.

Performance Time: 30 seconds to 2 minutes

Reset Time: Less than 1 minute

Angles:

Quality: This very inexpensive pocket trick is as old as dirt. It is made by Adams and often found on the novelty rack in toy stores along with the black soap and snake cans. In spite of the low cost and "toy" quality packaging, Magical Block is pretty well made, i.e. the penny is machined to work but looks innocent and the magic block looks like genuine plastic.

Mike Maione: This is a wonderful little trick especially for the novice. It is super simple to perform and for those who have not seen it, it's a pretty powerful little effect... instantly a penny turns to a dime. Of course, like any good trick, how you present it really makes it magic. If you use it right out of the package it's okay but somewhat ho-hum. You see sometimes spectators think you managed to get the dime out of the plastic block and the penny into the block and they want to open the block to find out how. That's because the block is not a very innocent looking prop. It reeks of something fishy.

Well, here's a great idea I picked up from the late Bob McCallister. Make a magical block out of an ordinary match book, or some other everyday item like a pen, using a tiny rare earth magnet. McCallister used to sell these, but you can get them at most Radio Shack stores. (Of course, unless you have a machine shop, you'll have to use the penny supplied with the trick.) The trick is much stronger when something a little more innocent is used to change the penny to a dime.

Also, don't miss the opportunity to do it in the hand of the spectator. Magic that happens in the spectator's hand is much much more powerful than magic that happens in the magician's hand or on a close-up mat.

From time to time I work behind the magic counter in a small store in town. I love to have the Magical Block to sell. It's absolutely perfect for the six-year old budding magician. (One of the few that this age group can quickly master and fool mom and dad with.) So, If you're looking for a great stocking stuffer... this is it.

Dr. Mitch: When I was 6 years old, my grandfather placed a penny on the back of my fist. He covered it with a little red block and had me say a magic word. When he lifted the block, the penny had changed into a dime !!! A dime which I got to keep !!!! My grandfather then gave me my first magic trick. Adam's Magical Block. He'd then take me into Manhatten once a month to Flosso's Magic Shop on 34th Street and buy me another trick. I still have that original magic trick. My very first one.

This is more than just a simple trick to me, it is a wonderful piece of my history. It conjures memories of wonder and love. Buy this trick either for yourself or for some young child whose world of magic you can open.

[Mitch, did you write this or did David Copperfield? I almost expect to hear you say you grew up on Long Island and never saw snow... MM)

M&M Magic Review © 1998