I have owned Owen's Blue Phantom as well as several other versions. This was always one of my favorite effects. A few years back at a convention I picked up a unique version called The Green Zephyr....never found out who is the builder. Attached is a brief video of me performing it:

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=Ua597lMT1VQ

Chuck

It's been a week since I placed my order for Andy Hurst's Blue Phantom. Still no reply to my emails or even an order confirmation from Andy. An email sent prior to my order being placed was replied to within 24 hours. Since placing the order, crickets.

I don't expect the product to magically appear on my doorstep. But after giving Andy $351 of my money, I *do* expect the courtesy of a reply to emails and a reasonable estimate on when the Blue Phantom might ship. That email prior to placing the order stated that it would take 2 days to have the Blue Phantom ready. I relied on that information when I placed the order.

Still, I'm going to give it a few more days because I'd like to own the product. But I won't wait weeks in the total absence of communication.

Mark

Andy finally replied. He said my previous emails apparently went to spam. He said my Blue Phantom is ready to ship and he will send the tracking (he didn't state WHEN). He replied at 1:05pm UK time and it's now 4:11pm UK time, fingers crossed I'll get the tracking number today.

He also said that he doesn't charge VAT because he's not registered to collect it. He knows the statement about VAT being included in his prices is misleading and he apologized for that.

Mark

Hooray, I finally have a tracking number! Andy shipped it via UPS and apparently used a 3rd party service for the shipment. Based on an email I received from Parcel2Go, I don't think it's going to start moving until Monday. But, at least it's on its way (sort of).

Mark

I guess Andy shipped via an express method because the package tracking started showing movement earlier today and UPS is now estimating that my Blue Phantom will be delivered on Monday. Nice!

I have a custom close-up pad from PropDog in the UK being delivered the same day. Then the local IBM Ring meeting that night. Show and tell!

Mark

My Andy Hurst Blue Phantom was delivered today and Eric is absolutely right, it was worth the wait. The quality is excellent and the gimmicks (there are more than one) work beautifully. It's a thing of beauty. And the quality of the one gimmick is strong enough that this can be performed as a close-up effect.

I'm very pleased with my purchase.

My PropDog close-up pad arrived today too. Red Thistle Suede and it looks fantastic. Card spreads are a treat on this surface!

Mark

Glad you like your Blue Phantom Mark. They really are beautiful
Eric.

Our local IBM Ring meeting was tonight. I brought along the Blue Phantom and showed it to some friends and fellow members when we met at Denny's after the meeting. Everyone was impressed with the quality of Andy's version and I think a couple of them are going to order one to call their own.

Mark

The original post also mentioned "The Architect's Nightmare." It was a version of the Blue Phantom with square blocks instead of checkers. They had "architectural details" painted on them. I don't know who made them, but they are scarce. I suppose it was because they looked rather strange.

This is one of those cases of a trick that faded into obscurity because it really didn't connect with people.

Thanks Bill for the info. I love the effect

I think "The Architect's Nightmare" was a Thayer item (not certain).

Julie

Looks like it was Thayer.

https://auctions.potterauctions.com/lot-8904.aspx

I inherited this Blue Phantom. Can anyone tell me the maker?

Thanks;

Ron

Click here to view attached image.