Merlin Unmasked

This is one of those books that you will either be awed and amazed about, or you will just shrug your shoulders at- and it is a very special release.

Those of you who know the late great Eugene Poinc will be very interested to hear about this reprint of his very last book.

Those who do NOT know of Eugene, can probably stop reading.

The last book the Gene published did not contain one trick, or effect, and had maybe two paragraphs of text.

It was entitled Merlin Unmasked - The Most Important Book of This Century Or Of any Other and was simply a collection of Gene's original cartoon style pen and ink drawings.

It was subtitled "A Shocking Expose' ".

The book was published in 2001 by BSM books as a soft cover comb bound book. The publisher David released it in the only form feasible at the time.

Gene however always intended that the book be released as a hard backed coffee table style book, something that on the outside would appear to be dignified and high class, and the inside was simply silliness of over 70 black and white ink sketches created by the hand of the author.

Although there was no animosity, it had always been Gene's wish that the book be released as he intended. At the prompting of two of Gene's good friends, and with the permission, support and agreement of the original publisher David, we are making ready to re-release Merlin Unmasked as intended!

This book will be a 8.5 X 11 Hardcover book, printed in full black. A few of Gene's friends and fans have also contributed thoughts and anecdotes that we have added to the original publications. It is something to leave upon your coffee table as tribute and prank for those who open it expecting something serious!

BUT there is more.... This book will be limited to 125 printed copies, each numbered, and with only 100 to be sold.

The other 25 will be reserved as gifts to several of the people who have helped get this project off the ground, and supported it from the start.

But there is more..... IN Addition to the hardcover book, you will receive prints of each of the pieces of art, suitable for framing! As this is a limited production, the cost is high, and we are offering it to you now in a split payment format, also to make sure that there is a committed interest in the project.

We are also making plans to use part of the proceeds as a tribute to Gene the details of which will come forth later.

So, if you are a fan of Planet Poinc, and want this final book the way he intended it, now is your chance.

The numbered Hardcover book, plus the separate prints will be $100.

If you would like to pre-reserve your copy now, you can do so for $50, and when the book is ready to ship (Expected Mid January) we will contact you about the balance due. If you have changed your mind at that time, you can always apply the deposit as a credit toward another purchase instead.

NOTE- Due to the extreme limited nature of this book, although we WILL allow list subscribers to use their discount on the DEPOSIT ONLY; the remaining balance will be $50 with no discounts applicable.

You will have the option to pre-pay for the entire thing NOW and use your discount if you prefer.

Merlin Unmasked Includes hardcover book and prints of each pen and ink sketch suitable for framing. Place Deposit For Merlin Unmasked $50 Check Out Pay For Merlin Unmasked In Full $100

And, as an added something special from KOTAH- our bizarre brother Ron Dayton and friend of Gene.... If you knew Gene and the Shadow Network, then you are undoubtedly familiar with The Strange Eyed Twins.

STRANGE EYED TWINS Collage Print

Gene Poinc ( pronounced 'points') is an individual whom Ron never actually met in person. He was a man of true intellect and endearing charm, one of the most creatve people imaginable. Our paths crossed by chance as we were both members of Carl Herron and Bruce Barnett's Shadow Network. An online forum for magicians and magic thinkers.

Gene and Ron became friends. He was known as the NLT , National Living Treasure.

It was widly accepted common knowledge that Gene lived on Mt. Olympus, or possibly on another planet. Gene was the one who dubbed Ron KOTAH, King Of The Ant Hill.

Gene created many characters to interact in dialog with other members of the Shadow group.

Two young twin girls soon became the most beloved and feared.

They never used a capital letter and their full title was The Strange Eyed twins.

These were two little girls who did nasty things and insulted all races, creeds and religions. They made several enemies on the Show Network who did not understand the parody Gene was creating. By insulting everyone he was showing the foolishness of insulting anyone. Those who read transcripts of the twins postings through unbiased eyes will quickly appreciate this fact and enjoy the humor of the situations Gene placed the twins in.

Woe betide anyone who upset the 'twins' (which seemed quite easy to do), their name was entered into a Red Book the twins kept up to date (a regular threat) or worse still, they would tell of the misdemeanor to "their friend who visited them in their dreams".

Who were the twins? Not real people at all. They were based on an engraving Gene had of two strange looking young girls.

Gene was generous and giving to a fault. He sent Ron many of his original drawings and prints. He sent sculptures he had created as well. On another occasion, he had the twins send a picture of themselves with a personalized message to Ron and his wife Sue.

The message said, " mr ron and mrs ron. here is our picture. why do you roll on the floor laughing at us. that is mean. do not make us mad. " the twins.

The ' picture' was of course a copy of the engraving, mentioned earlier.

Using additional copies and colored construction paper, Ron created colored collage of the twins, placed it in a frame and sent it off to Gene as a gift from us to him. He really liked it and it sat on his desk up to his last days.

In honor of this Merlin Unmasked re-release, Kotah is offering this Limited edition (Limited to 125- Just like the book) numbered signed print of Kotah's re-imagined collage of the Strange Eyed Twins- Based on the original Wood Cut.

These are 11 X 17 on 100 LB cover stock, and will be sent in a tube. It will be very suitable for framing. IF you reserve a copy of the book, AND order today, we will make sure that your book and print are of the same number in the series.

These prints will ship at the same time as the books. Around New years Eve. $35

Yes you may use your discount if you are a list subscriber.

Strange Eyed Twins Numbered Print Ships Dec 31 Strange Eyed Twins Print $35 Check Out

 

 

In this book, Howard has created 66 self working packet effects using 6 cards each. (thus the title, get it, 666 Mentalism?) Each effect is explained in Howard’s straight forward, no-nonsense and to the point fashion and we have left them as he wrote them word for word. You can read a sample here.

Howard Adams has been around for a LONG time, and his specialty is self working and mathematical magic and mentalism effects. I have no idea how his mind can generate these kinds of effect with this much variety, but create he does.

Tractare A new book of close-up theatre from R. Shane, Author of Pentalogy and Automata.  This book is a MASTER CLASS in taking several germs of ideas and combining them. Not only do you get multiple full close-up routines which require NO complicated sleights, but you will learn where they came from, and how Shane constructed each routine. One entire section is like a master class in Cups and Balls (Or containers and things)  and ALL of it features Shane's unique narrative tone of voice!

 

Scrolls Bizarre magic, storytelling magic- call it what you will... This book has it all!   Santiago shares NOT ONLY many complete routines and theatrical vignettes, but his philosophical approach to the PROCESS of making your magic MAGICAL!

Devil Of A Bar And Pub Winner of two linking ring awards, the author, known only as Scribe (And who's true identity is revealed for the first time in this book) this hard cover collector's item of a book chronicles the mysterious goings on of this Pub in Boston and the characters who frequent it.

Brainstorm In My Pajamas One of the most amazing idea books by one of the most prolific creators or magic, Former MUM columnists Ronald J Dayton.  This book includes HUNDREDS of ideas, routines, tricks as well as an autobiography AND a preprint of the long unavailable Dayton Razor Blade Miracle- a version of the classic razor swallowing trick which uses NO switch, NOTHING hidden in the mouth at the start or finish, and ONLY ONE SET of blades!

Theatrical Magic By John Pyka, this book is about making your magic into theatre.  For the new comer, it takes you backstage and presents some of the basics of stage craft, character development and more- as they relate to magic.  For the seasoned pro, Big Daddy shares scripts, routines and thinking from his actual performances, as well as some food for thought!  This books is a MUST for those serious about performing entertainment, NOT just doing tricks!

Cipher Speak By R. T. Stark.  Long kept hidden and secretive, and later released as an extra bonus to those who purchased out STark Grimoire, now released in print and E format.  This two person code system blazes new trails in that it uses SOUNDS not words to code information in a two person telepathy act. This allows the performer to use ANY WORDS they choose in keeping with the phonic system, and to CHANGE those words each time they speak.  The code is practically impossible to detect.

Automata Self working magic, with a touch of humanity! Already getting good reviews!

By Darkness Influenced  More food for your bizarre mood, by Ron Dayton's alter ego, KOTAH. Sequel to Darker Light!

Carney Pitchman Indian Chief   If you read Brother Shadow's column "Shadowland" in MUM magazine, then you MUSt read this- his autobiography. No magic tricks, but lots of real life magic in the form of stories and tales of days gone by!

Pentalogy 480 Pages of R. Shane's most powerful yet easy to do close up work. Not just magic... but emotionally gripping close up THEATRE! Some bizarre, some funny, ALL commercial and doable

The Stark Collection A two volume set of bizarre magic in a unique format that is as interesting as the material itself

Palm Reading Plain And Simple.  NO MAGIC, but if you do mentalism or bizarre magic, this book is a good introduction to palm reading.

The Ogham And The Universal Truth Of The Trees NO MAGIC, but if you do mentalism or bizarre magic, this book is a good introduction to a form of divination based on the Druid Tree Alphabet. Great for setting a mood!

Magic, Tricks, Illusions Etc....

Click titles or images to see complete descriptions and free previews

Dayton Razor Miracle E book  Long out of print, available for a limited time in E book format,  The Dayton Razor Miracle is unique in the world of magic in that there is NO SWITCH of the razors or thread, and nothing is hidden in the mouth at the beginning or the end!  Only one set of razors is used.  NOT FOR MINORS!