Review by George Guerra for Gillyman, The

Delightful New Warner Magic!

This is one clever and ingenious piece from Alan. The method is so diabolical and the craftsmanship is impeccable, as one expects from this master craftsman. Beautiful effect and all so nicely stored in an elegant case. This is one where examining all the (secret) components of the appartus makes you appreciate what value you are getting than from simply seeing the images from this review.

Owning many of Alan’s magic, I thought he couldn’t surprise me (well, I have witnessed great magic from this man) but I felt like a child on Christmas Day when I took this out from the parcel. This will definitely be on the list of my favorite Warner pieces, if that is possible to have favorites.

Thanks again, Alan, for another beauty and a most welcome addition to my collection.

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Review by George Guerra for Egyptian Mini-Magic Collection

The Wonders of Egypt – Warner Style

This boxed collection is a fantastic follow-up to the Millennium Collection released for the year 2000. This time the occasion is the celebration of Alan’s 70th birthday. This is definitely his most involved project and most expensive release to date, but what a final product! The craftsmanship is, as usual, impeccable. Alan really outdid himself with conveying an Egyptian theme to the entire Collection. The box itself is gorgeous, especially with what he did with the Horus Falcon on the lid. You can tell he spent a great deal of time on every single piece in that collection.

You need to see this to believe it, so…for more details and images visit my SITE

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Review by George Guerra for Siamese Ribbon

Incredible illusion packed into a tiny chest!

For some time Andy has been telling me to get this item for my collection. Well, it’s easier said than done as this item was long ago discontinued and practically impossible to find on sale.

Fortunately, Alan’s wife recently found several mint painted mini-magic items stored away for years and long forgotten in a storage area of their home. Now, that is one true treasure find! I was most fortunate to get a chance to acquire these items and now that I own this particular piece, I can see why Andy was so excited about it.

It’s a clean cut and restored ribbbon effect, but what beautiful and ingenious little chest to accomplish the effect. The workmanship is superb and the method so clever that, when I first unwrapped the item from the parcel I took a good amount of time to just marvel at the construction and mechanics. One observation I need to mention is that the cute dragon design on the chest is NOT a decal, but actually entirely HAND-PAINTED! Thanks Andy for a great recommendation and to Alan for the great magic.

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Review by George Guerra for Alphabet Antics

Colourful Props and Great Routine!

Well, this is my third long discontinued children effect built by Alan to be added to my collection. It’s quite a handful of props, but a beautful apparatus overall, and it has everything for a great colourful, clever, and easy to perform effect that will have the kiddies participating extensively in the magic to follow.

These are large props; the ABC block itself measures 3 1/2 inches. His children effects sure take up a lot of space, especially if your collecting interest lies mostly on close-up or mini-magic apparatus, but I wouldn’t hesitate to add more if possible. Alan never fails to impress me with his magic, despite quite a collection, and Alphabet Antics left me with more admiration of his inventive mind and outstanding craftsmanship.

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Review by George Guerra for The Chinese Money Box

Chinese Change on Steroids!

WOW! Is this one BIG apparatus! Mine is actually a little bigger than the dimensions quoted in the description. It’s ironic that I became interested in Alan’s magic because of the small, or "mini", sizes to his apparatus. But as I endeavor into his now discontinued $link(nd=childrens, Children’s Magic), the sizes take on a huge leap up in dimensions.

This is a very, very large version of his painted mini-magic release, the Chinese Change, with one big exception. It has a mechanism built into the box under complete control of the performer to allow a large silver coin to appear stuck in the middle of the box as it’s viewed in the left side. It’s a nice comical touch for the kids, and the adults, in the audience. One thing about Alan’s Children effects is that they really pack a great deal of entertainment value.

The construction and paint finish of the box is of high quality, considering the age (Alan stopped making his Children effects in the late 1980’s, I believe). Both Alan, as builder, and the previous owner(s), as caretaker(s), of this old prop are to be commended. The Chinese characters on the doors are not just simply painted, but actual black lacquered wood cut-outs set in relief. The huge coins are solid wood and painted. An extra silver coin is included for a re-appeartance option and my purchase came with a silvery fabric change bag that I don’t think was included in the original sale.

Overall, a great prop and I thought I would never buy any huge magic apparatus, again, but it is a Warner!

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Review by George Guerra for Block-Buster

A clear FAVORITE of the painted Warner pieces

When I received this piece, I immediately knew I would like it a lot. The construction of the apparatus and the glossy red colour stood out prominently. After reading the instructions, I knew this would be my favorite of the painted Mini-Magic pieces I already owned.

I have always liked the block penetration effects. Mel Babcock made me a “mini” version of the classic method in gorgeous Australian Lacewood that I cherish, but this truly mini-magic piece from Alan is a winner. The twists in this little version is commendable. First, the block doesn’t just penetrate the obstacle, it becomes impaled in it. Second, the tube is cleverly and visually one tube, yet composed of two joining halves. And finally, because of the size of this apparatus, doing that something at the end to finish “clean” is not that difficult, thus allowing the entire apparatus to be examinable, if one desires.

I am so glad I was able to find this now discontinued and rather rare item from Alan’s past for my collection.

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Review by George Guerra for Silhouette Sorcery

Simply Incredible Early Warner Magic

I have been a collector of Alan’s mini-magic since my first piece in December 2001. I never looked into his early children effects simply because they were big props and I have never been interested in children’s magic. This apparatus came up for sale and I hesitated buying it, so it sold quickly to another buyer. Fortunately the new owner later offered it to me and, after some long thinking, I finally gave in to buy it. I am glad I did.

First, it’s large compared to Alan’s current line and the method later incorporated into Kryptic Keys. The card houlette is 4-5 times bigger than the teak one used in Kryptic Keys. Overall, the apparatus provided is simply beautiful. The cards are plastic but the painted designs are actually wood cuts perfectly glued onto the white plastic cards. It looks gorgeous. The paint job is first class, reminiscent of the Milson-Worth apparatus..and that’s a bold statement.

The effect is most entertaining with a strong patter, clever method, and again, fantastic props. The story centers on Shamus, the rabbit of an Irish magician, who loves doing his own magic. First, the full silhouette of the rabbit is seen and hidden behind the house, laid on a black easel which provides support. Attention is then turned to his colored hats in the houlette. The red hat card is chosen by the day of the week and the stack of colored hats held by a child. Shamus scampers off to his hats and makes his magical appearance on the selected hat. But has Shamus really left the house? His silhouette is then discovered to now be a cut out of a rabbit. What a Shamus!

Alan is truly a master craftsman with brilliant ideas behind all his magic. I am most fortunate to add this beautiful apparatus to my collection.

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Review by George Guerra for Colour Vision Box

What a surprised find!

When I first head of this item on sale, I just thought that it must be some unknown painted Warner item from the past. The shock came when I saw the first images of the item and realized it was teak. Now, I was perplexed as I thought I knew all of Alan’s teak releases. I didn’t hesitate to buy it and it turned out it’s one of those very lucky finds for a Warner collector. It’s the only one ever made!

Now, it’s not the clever gimmicked teak construction that Alan is well known, but it is still a beautiful piece that has acquired a gorgeous patina over the years. The effect is a classic. The best one I have owned was an Owen, but I really love this one. The Owen color box was long ago given away as a gift.

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Review by George Guerra for Spirit Cabinet

I am one happy guy!!

I received this gem from Andy today and it’s a beautiful item. Under Andy’s loving care, the teak has developed a gorgeous patina…what richness the wood takes in appearance with time. I now look forward to all my Warner pieces to do the same in the years to come. Well, I am very happy as this piece now completes my teak Warner collection and what a finish with this special item.

The workmanship on this piece is impeccable… but that is why Alan’s magic is in such great demand by discriminating collectors. He is no doubt the Taytelbaum of teak mini-magic. Thanks Alan for bringing such Art to magic and thanks Andy for selling me such a precious piece from your collection.

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