We have already cast our eyes over the Collected Card Magic of Mark Leveridge Volume One and enjoyed it very much. Here are our thoughts on the next volume in the series. And do read to the end where you will find a special deal on both books exclusively for readers of Bicycle-Cards.co.uk.
Volume Two includes a smaller number of routines, but some of them are much meatier routines resulting in a slightly larger book than the first (this one rocks in at 80 pages). Don’t be alarmed by the picture – the actual printed volume is a more subdued shade of blue!
As before space means I will only comment on some of the routines but will try to describe the effects of them all.
The Routines
1-2-3 Jumbo Cards Across – I have to confess that I have come up with my own version of this effect which I am very happy with, but Mark’s version has many strengths of its own. He has a number of helpful observations about the shape of the effect and his routine is easily adaptable for an audience of adults or children. Some clever gaffs do most of the work for you leaving you to concentrate on the presentation.
The Blankety-Blank Pack – three cards are chosen from a double blank deck. Almost immediately the deck becomes fully printed and the selections develop faces.
Diary of a Nobody – like Mark I have long had a soft spot for the diary trick and have played around with a number of different routines over the years. I have one in my current working set, but here’s another version from ML. The strength of this version is the extra kicker where your own ‘birthday card’ (with a different coloured back) is shown to match the spectator’s freely chosen card. But for me, the use of the dealing procedure in the selection process makes it a less elegant solution than some on the market.
Corrector – this is similar in effect to Switchback in volume one but uses a different (and very old) kind of switching envelope to achieve its effect.
Seeing is believing – this is a nice little packet trick which I actually bought from Mark many years ago. Two handlings are provided for this effect where four blank faced cards become printed.
The Free Selection Collectors – this is a massive routine (originally published as one of Mark’s Master Routine Series). It has several phases. A card is selected and signed by a spectator. It is inserted into the ribbon spread deck and finds its mate. These two cards then manage to find a third matching value card and the fourth of the set appears in your pocket. The signed card is then placed in the card box and its mates are inserted into the deck at various points. These instantly turn into Aces – as does the card in the box. And the original signed card is discovered reversed in the middle of the deck. This is a really nicely constructed routine and is full of magic. It is the most complex routine in terms of handling skills but I would say is still accessible to the intermediate level magician. There are some clever touches in the routining and the whole thing is very clearly explained and illustrated. Well worth spending some time on.
It Pays to be a Lady – is an unusual twist on the three card trick and utilises jumbo cards. Unlike many similar tricks, the lady is consistently found, but each time real bank notes are discovered underneath with an extra gag finish. You will need to spend a bit of time with your craft knife to make this one up but it is a novel effect which is worth the effort.
007 – a spy theme (can you guess which spy?!) provides the motivation for this coin on card effect. There are a number of subtleties in this routine which appeal to me and the theme seems timelessly relevant. I like this one a lot.
The Modest Card – this is a sort of Card Warp variation utilising a cardboard ‘sleeve’ and incorporating a colour-changing back kicker.
Transparent Switch – this effect feels like it is just here to illustrate another kind of a switch wallet (the effect is materially the same as Corrector). There is something about using a transparent wallet which makes this seem very fair – so you may well find your own uses for the principle.
Conclusion
Another good variety of effects here. As ever they won’t all suit everyone, but for the price of the book, if you only get one or two routines then it is still good value. Available direct from Mark Leveridge for only £15.
Exclusive offer for readers of Bicycle-Cards.co.uk
Mark is offering a special deal exclusively for readers of this site. The normal price is £15 each volume, but he is offering us the two volumes together for £20. This special deal is valid until the end of June 2013. To get the deal, you need to order direct from Mark Leveridge Magic and put ‘Bicycle Cards’ in the ‘Additional Comments’ box at the foot of the checkout page. You will initially pay the full price and then Mark will refund to your payment card £10.
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