Saw a magic special the other day and the magician had 4 huge silks. He tied 2 together and put them on a platform to his left and did the same for the the other two silks, placing them on the platform to the right. When he goes back to the one on the left silks they are untied, same with the right. Then he only ties the right ones together. He then goes to the left and they are in fact magically tied and the ones from the right (that you just saw him tie) are now untied. He does this multiple times and in different ways that was extremely entertaining. I believe it had a type of 20th Century Silks ending where they were all tied together.

Does anybody know where I can learn this effect?

Without seeing the video it is hard to say, but the 2 silk Sympathetic Silks is credited to a couple of magicians, Al Baker and Charlie Miller.

I never seen the repeat version, so not being able to see what the magician was actually doing it is hard to say. I am sure he did more then what you described.

Check the Rice Encyclopedia of Silk Magic and Al Baker's book. As these books are out of print, you best option is to get the Rice's Selected Sympathetic Silks Routines booklet.

http://www.silkkingmagic.com/Rices%20Sel......ines.htm

While you are there, you should pick up the silks you will need for the trick, these are the best available for this trick. They also sell the trick, but with 6 silks for the Rice classic version.

As Bill has mentioned the trick is called "Sympathetic Silks". It is sometimes called the "flying knot".

Bill also lists some good sources.

The two silk version can be found in a number of places.

It is a sequence in Slydini's silk act and instructions for the complete routine (self-untying knots and sympathetic silks/flying knot) can be found in Carl Fulves book (two volume set), "The magical world of Slydini". It is sold on Amazon as well as most well stocked magic stores.

You can also get the whole routine taught to you on DVD by one of Slydini's students Tony Clark.
http://www.tonyclarkmagic.com/magicshop/......ct_id=55

A nice version is in one of Ron Bauer's Private Studies Series "Four Squares & a knot" (probably the most complete and inexpensive version in print and a best buy in my opinion).
http://www.thinklikeaconjurer.com/all24r......ndex.htm

You can find the Paul Potassy version (six silks, three to a side) on his DVDs, "The World Renowned Magic of Paul Potassy" put out by L&L and found with most magic dealers.
http://www.llpub.com/zenshop/index.php?m......_id=2379

Supreme Magic put out a whole booklet on the Sympathetic Silks written by Louis Ganson back in the day. It can still be found but you have to search high and low. The booklet is included in the L&L publication "The Complete Ganson Teach-In Series". By the way the Potassy routine is right out of the Supreme booklet.
http://www.llpub.com/zenshop/index.php?m......_id=2691

There are literally dozens of resources and magicians that have done work on this trick. It is pretty much a classic of silk magic.

You guys are awesome. Thanks! The routine this guy put together was very inspiring. It was in french on TV5 "Magi Du Monde Europe" or something. He made a silk come to life, grow hands, feet and walk around too. Ive searched high and low on youtube and can not find it. Just happened to be up at 2:00am and it was on. I will be sifting through all the resources provided. I have a new found love for silks. I love it when you see something and it makes you feel like your 8 years old seeing your first magic act again. Also will be visiting Abbotts silks for all my needs because, well, they simply look amazing.

Thanks again,

Jeff

I just dug out a dvd I haven't seen in years and I found a great source. "Magic of Paul Potassey" (L&L). The first effect on volume # 1 is the sympathetic silks and its stunning. Im tickled pink that I dug this out as I also want to learn his razor blade routine.

If you find the link I'd love to see the performance.

You can check out Levent's great version:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WyQCJ2ffvSY

And Paul Pottassy's smooth version:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2uXWeFBHFw8

Isn't it funny that you already had the secret to the trick on hand and didn't know it? I suspect because the performer made the trick look different. Same effect, same methods, but in the minds eye totally different.

I forgot to mention that Al Baker's version with 4 Silks is in the Rice Booklet.

Charlie Miller's was sold separately by Magic Inc. way back in the early 1970's. No longer available.

Note: The Al Baker and Charlie Miller knotting is different then the standard knotting procedure give for this trick.

I know. I bought the set some time ago for a few effects in some other volumes. Must've stuck it in the DVD library and forgot about it. I very much enjoy his "storytelling" at the end of vol. 1. He talks about how he had a gun to his head by a German soldier during the war so he began doing card productions from the air, his ears, his mouth, etc. (An act he says he never prepared for in his life and had zero structure.) The soldier smiled and invited others over to enjoy the entertainment. Magic "literally" saved his life. I also love how he displays his knowledge of 6 different languages throughout his show. He's the master of minimalism and its extremely entertaining.

Thought I'd post this just for fun.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2uXWeFBHFw8

Yep a good one. I had posted it above too! Still it bears repeating!!!