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tabman Inner circle USA 5946 Posts |
Hi Jay, Im fascinated by your history with James Swoger. I have some history with Pittsburgh magic and knowboth you and James Swoger were there too. I hope you still plan to put out a book or dvd on his correspondence and this is something Im very interested in. Could you shed some light on this project if you don't mind.
-=tabman
...Your professional woodworking and "tender" loving care in the products you make, make the wait worthwhile. Thanks for all you do...
http://Sefalaljia.com |
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jay leslie V.I.P. Southern California 9498 Posts |
Thank you my friend
I have a hundred photos of the House Of Enchantment when it was in Somerset PA (mostly) I don't have ant from the original Wilkinsburg location or at 711 Penn avenue PGH or from Plainview Avenue PGH but I wish I did. The other elements I'm missing are good photos of all of the items that Jim Swoger made over the years. I have some of them, in physical form but when Jim was moving from Somerset to California the truck that was transporting his empire had a head-on collision in Tennessee and the contents ended up in a landfill. imagine a 50 foot by 100 foot warehouse full of stuff that ended up in a landfill. Of the photos I have, they have been scanned, as I have time, and are good enough to "tell the tale" but what makes the entire project overwhelming are the thousands of letters of correspondence I have that not only tell about Jim's business but about the magic business, in whole. If I can figure out how to publish and cross reference thousands of letters, advertising and assorted articles, then it would make very interesting reading for anyone interested in not only the House Of Enchantment but the magic business itself.
Jay Leslie
www.TheHouseOfEnchantment.com |
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cds2095 New user 3 Posts |
Hey, Jay,
Chuck Smith here. I know what a tremendous job that book would be. I remember visiting you in California and we waded through some of the collection that you had...at least a bit of the history was recorded on ENIGMA,THE DVD. I see you are putting out a Himber Card Deck Change device....When will that be ready for the magic fraternity? DID YOU COME BY ED MELLON'S MATERIAL THROUGH SWOGER??? My suggestion is to start with an easier book release like a reprint bouNd version of Mental-Wise...you and I are probably two of the few that have complete copies of that sheet. Chuck STYLESMITH Smith |
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JamesTong Eternal Order Malaysia 11213 Posts |
That would not only be an interesting read, Jay, but will also be very educational. Especially about the magic business. Looking forward to the completion of the project.
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jay leslie V.I.P. Southern California 9498 Posts |
Quote:
On 2009-07-21 17:51, cds2095 wrote: The Himber Doulette Houlette is already made, it's nice. All the Ed Mellon rights were given to Jim by Eds wife. Ed only lived till he was 60. He was a chemist for an oil company for his day job, which was supposed to be a secret, Why? I don't know, so this may be the first time that fact was revealed.
Jay Leslie
www.TheHouseOfEnchantment.com |
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tabman Inner circle USA 5946 Posts |
I'm interested in Ed Mellon too. It was maybe 20 years ago Max Maven got me to make up an effect similar to Mellon's Quantimental. He faxed me a drawing of it. I'd love to know more and about the original if that's possible.
-=-tabman
...Your professional woodworking and "tender" loving care in the products you make, make the wait worthwhile. Thanks for all you do...
http://Sefalaljia.com |
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jay leslie V.I.P. Southern California 9498 Posts |
Ed came to Jim with the idea. As Jim explained the work he put into it, he rolled his eyes and spoke of the over 50 attempts before he got a good model. There are a lot of complicated angles inside that must have been fun to make using 50 year old equipment. Where others have put out unauthorized copies of of similar build, they used metal balls that were painted. Eventually the paint comes off. I still have dozens of the balls that jim found. They are glass. Just try finding small glass balls today. With the child safety consumer products mantra that no items under Half an inch, be sold. Anyway, occasionally someone has an issue with the noise the balls make when they land, which is always settled by the angle the device is seated. It's similar to a pin ball machine in that respect and whenever I've performed it, all I've done is to level (or unlevel) the table and... no problem. For a non-electrical device, it's pretty good.
Jay Leslie
www.TheHouseOfEnchantment.com |
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tabman Inner circle USA 5946 Posts |
I found some plastic marbles that had small magnets in them and used them for the balls rolling on a strip of suede. I'd love to see an original. I guess Max Maven owes you a royalty unless the statue of limitations has run out.
-=tabman
...Your professional woodworking and "tender" loving care in the products you make, make the wait worthwhile. Thanks for all you do...
http://Sefalaljia.com |
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cds2095 New user 3 Posts |
Hey, Jay in California,
Are you still involved in the ESCAPE WORLD? Didn't you make some giant locks our of wood? Chuck STYLESMITH Smith in Florida |
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jay leslie V.I.P. Southern California 9498 Posts |
Tabman, seeing as Max and jim go way back I don't think Jim would have minded if Max made a few for himself.
Chuck. Yes I can still get out of rope, cuffs and jackets. We're coming up on another Escape Artist convention and I'm also the videographer, Spotlight man, ticket checker, Curtain provider and where ever else I can help but my bones are getting old before their time so any more Milk Can Escapes are probably out of the question. For several years there was a Milk Can sitting in a crate in the back of Swoger's Warehouse. He never mentioned it. 10 years later I found out he was storing it for Randi and it was Houdini's.... What I would have given for a picture with that can.
Jay Leslie
www.TheHouseOfEnchantment.com |
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tabman Inner circle USA 5946 Posts |
Quote:
On 2009-07-21 19:42, jay leslie wrote: We just made the one that I know of. I imagine Max still has it. So any word on progress on the big Swoger book?? -=tabman
...Your professional woodworking and "tender" loving care in the products you make, make the wait worthwhile. Thanks for all you do...
http://Sefalaljia.com |
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jay leslie V.I.P. Southern California 9498 Posts |
I really don't know where to start
Help I need people that are smarter ten me to take a look at all this stuff and tell me what to do. There are 5 = 5 drawer file cabinets FILLED with stuff, not to mention the 15 loose-leaf books of you name it. Anyone in the area who publishes, give me a call, 714 847 5311
Jay Leslie
www.TheHouseOfEnchantment.com |
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tabman Inner circle USA 5946 Posts |
Im across the USA or Id like to help out with it. First off Id say it sounds like theres a lot more than one book sittign there. Maybe those letters you talked about would be a good starting place.
-=tabman
...Your professional woodworking and "tender" loving care in the products you make, make the wait worthwhile. Thanks for all you do...
http://Sefalaljia.com |
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jay leslie V.I.P. Southern California 9498 Posts |
It's overwhelming.
I keep reading everything and my head explodes. (which might just be a good illusion to work on)
Jay Leslie
www.TheHouseOfEnchantment.com |
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tabman Inner circle USA 5946 Posts |
Sounds like its an incredible resource. I know it will be worth waiting for when you can get to it. I spent six months writing Tabman MAGIC so I can imagine what you must be facing with Swoger's files and career.
Good luck with it and keep us posted. -=tab
...Your professional woodworking and "tender" loving care in the products you make, make the wait worthwhile. Thanks for all you do...
http://Sefalaljia.com |
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jay leslie V.I.P. Southern California 9498 Posts |
Here is a photo from the collection.
Who is the young man in the photo? Click here to view attached image.
Jay Leslie
www.TheHouseOfEnchantment.com |
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tabman Inner circle USA 5946 Posts |
Wow. What a great picture. Looks kind of like Harry Potter!!??
-=tabman
...Your professional woodworking and "tender" loving care in the products you make, make the wait worthwhile. Thanks for all you do...
http://Sefalaljia.com |
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jay leslie V.I.P. Southern California 9498 Posts |
Try again... It's T. O.
Jay Leslie
www.TheHouseOfEnchantment.com |
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tabman Inner circle USA 5946 Posts |
At first I thought it might be Jay Leslie. Did you move to California with Swoger House of Enchantment or is that coincidence??
And yes, I am writing a book! -=tabman
...Your professional woodworking and "tender" loving care in the products you make, make the wait worthwhile. Thanks for all you do...
http://Sefalaljia.com |
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jay leslie V.I.P. Southern California 9498 Posts |
I moved here then Jim followed me
The man in the picture is none other then Tom Ogden standing outside the Somerset location of Jims Shop. I have ton's more photos of the shop and people who came to it.
Jay Leslie
www.TheHouseOfEnchantment.com |
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