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Shane Wiker Inner circle Las Vegas 1199 Posts |
Hi,
At the Magic Live convention, I saw a magician by the name of Tim Conover perform an amazing routine, where a quarter continuously travels to underneath a salt and pepper shaker. While I knew the basics of the effect, it was so amazing, I had to ask him where I could learn it. He told he it was a routine by Albert Goshman, so after some searching, I found that it is in an out-of-print book called Magic By Gosh. I found the book for $30, and plan to get it tomorrow. Before I do, I wanted to know if anyone who has it could offer a review or at least an opinion on the material in the book. Thanks, Shane Wiker |
sethb Inner circle The Jersey Shore 2719 Posts |
"Magic By Gosh" is a fine book of coin magic, with some sponge ball work, too. It does contain Mr. Goshman's famous "salt shaker" routine and has some excellent advice on presentation, misdirection and technique. There are also a number of other good coin sleights and routines. For $30, it's a good value.
The "salt shaker" effect is actually pretty old (like most good tricks), and was first popularized in the early 1900's by T. Nelson Downs as "The Unlimited Coinage of Silver." You can also read about the effect in Bobo's Modern Coin Magic. I think the necessary sleight is very similar to a certain Cups & Balls move, which is where it may have come from, but who really knows? I had the privilege of seeing Mr. Goshman perform this effect in the 1960's, and it was one of the most mysterious things I ever saw, and also one of the funniest, because we could never figure out how the coins kept getting under the salt shaker. It's one of the few tricks that is enhanced by repetition; I guess the Ambitious Card is another exception to the rule that you shouldn't repeat a trick. Anyway, get the book, see how Mr. Goshman did it, then make it your own and you will have a fine effect. SETH
"Watch the Professor!!" -- Al Flosso (1895-1976)
"The better you are, the closer they watch" -- Darwin Ortiz, STRONG MAGIC |
Shane Wiker Inner circle Las Vegas 1199 Posts |
Thanks SethB!
I saw Tim Conover perform the salt and pepper shaker routine (I'm not sure if the routine in Magic By Gosh is the same or different), and that's why I'm getting the book. I looked in Modern Coin Magic, and couldn't find the routine. Is the routine only mentioned or taught in Modern Coin Magic? Is that routine the same as the one in Magic By Gosh? That's the main reason I'm getting the book, but if it's the exact same routine, I'm not sure if I'd still get it. Thanks, Shane Wiker |
Larry Davidson Inner circle Boynton Beach, FL 5270 Posts |
I don't know of anything that Tim does exactly as published.
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Turk Inner circle Portland, OR 3546 Posts |
Shane,
There is also an Albert Goshman VHS tape of his act where he performs the Salt and Pepper Shaker routine and a number of other effects AND he then goes through and explains them all. This would be a good companion to the book you are buying tomorrow. Sorry, but I don't know who put this tape out or whether or not it is OOP. Mike
Magic is a vanishing Art.
This must not be Kansas anymore, Toto. Eschew obfuscation. |
sethb Inner circle The Jersey Shore 2719 Posts |
Shane, Bobo only contains an explanation of the "salt shaker" move, it does not have a complete routine. It also doesn't have the additional tips and insights that the Goshman book does. So if you're interested in this effect, the Goshman book is still a good buy and doesn't duplicate anything in Bobo.
I'm not sure why you can't find the "Unlimited Coinage of Silver" reference in Bobo. My only thought is that you may have the Dover Books edition, which is shorter than the Magic, Inc. revised edition. I'll check my copy tonight and give you a page reference. Meanwhile, work on your classic palm -- you'll need it for this routine! SETH
"Watch the Professor!!" -- Al Flosso (1895-1976)
"The better you are, the closer they watch" -- Darwin Ortiz, STRONG MAGIC |
sethb Inner circle The Jersey Shore 2719 Posts |
Shane -- well, I discovered why you probably couldn't find this in Bobo. It's actually called "The Free & Unlimited Coinage of Silver," so if you were looking under "U" for "Unlimited" in the index, you wouldn't have found it. My error, sorry!
It's on page 213, and it definitely is not the same handling or routine as Goshman's. But even Bobo credits the basic move to the Cups & Balls, so I was right about that. In any event, hope you enjoy the trick. SETH
"Watch the Professor!!" -- Al Flosso (1895-1976)
"The better you are, the closer they watch" -- Darwin Ortiz, STRONG MAGIC |
Shane Wiker Inner circle Las Vegas 1199 Posts |
Thanks everyone. Since I live in Vegas, and ordered from Penguin Magic, I just picked it up. I got the book about an hour ago, and have read the salt and pepper trick. It seems like a very good routine.
However, I do have a question. When doing this, about how long does it take, the way the book describes it? Also, do you think this routine would still be good if I had to cut it off, since it would be in a restaurant setting and nobody knows when the food will come? If I did that, it wouldn't really have an ending, and I wouldn't be able to do the copper/silver routine that it is designed to be a prelude to. :hmm: Shane Wiker |
dogwood86 Regular user Vancouver 124 Posts |
Shane,
You made a good buy. I am the same age as you( or around there) and I bought the book last year. I haven't learned the routine and won't bother too. It's not designed to be performed in a restaurant setting but in a formal close-up show. There is much to learn from this book, the best way in a way is to learn the routines and practice them...which contridicts my statement in the above paragraph What I mean is, to learn the misdirection techniques that Goshman was legend for is to go through the routines, you don't need to bother buying three purse frames etc... that he all uses in the act. If you want some general close-up you have that as well. Copper/Silver, Bowl Routine, Chink a Chink And his toss vanish is a wonderful thing. Nathan Nathan |
DVA Regular user 142 Posts |
The routine could be chopped up if you needed to.
Congats on a good buy. |
Michael Bilkis Special user 728 Posts |
Now go get the goshman video. I saw Goshman perform about15 years ago. He was brillant. I do the toss vanish all the time. The salt an pepper routine is actually several routines strung togther. It is easy to creae a short routine for the needed situations. By the way, play with the coin under the glass routine, It is very strong magic and misdirection.
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Richard Evans Inner circle 1379 Posts |
Quote:
On 2004-08-26 01:21, Turk wrote: This is the DVD/video produced & sold by International Magic in London. Recently reviewed in Genii. Richard
I have six locks on my door all in a row. When I go out, I only lock every other one. I figure no matter how long somebody stands there picking the locks, they are always locking three. Elayne Boosler
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foolsnobody Special user Buffalo, NY 843 Posts |
The Free and Unlimited Coinage of Silver is also in the Dai Vernon Book of Magic. Might give you a different slant on the possibilities of the effect. I kind of prefer the presentational idea of Vernon's version and the impromptu nature of it. That is probably where Goshman first got the idea that became the thematic routine of the salt and pepper shakers in his act, which was timed and choreographed to the Nth degree. I saw Goshman perform it at the Magic Castle.
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Bill Hegbli Eternal Order Fort Wayne, Indiana 22797 Posts |
Goshman produces the video. His son has taken over the sponge ball business and sells this video and book. You got an excellent price for the book. I think Steven's magic can get the video for you. It is only in VHS tape format.
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