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"Lord of the Envelopes" by Harish Jose
Suggested Retail USD$6.00
Available from newmagicsecrets.com
In a Blink: 8 Out of 10

First off, the manuscript is delivered in e-book format as a DOS/Windows executable file (.EXE); There does not appear to be a version for the Macintosh. The effect uses five envelopes but do not think of Ted Annemann too much beyond this point. Mr. Jose has the spectator freely mix the sealed envelopes, choose one (no forcing), and set it aside on the table. The magician then gives the spectator a deck of cards and asks her to shuffle the pasteboards to her heart's content, then give the deck back to the magician. The spectator is asked to think of a number and tell it to the magician. The magician deals that many cards on the table.

The card at the position the spectator chose is kept aside by the spectator herself. She then opens the selected sealed envelope which contains only one card. This card is of the same suit and value as the card that was just dealt. The spectator may (will) open the other envelopes and see that they contain different cards or, in a suggested alternate handling, blank cards. Both the envelopes and the deck - which can be borrowed - are fully examinable.

Without tipping the secret, the method requires a rather cunning force and one beginner/intermediate-level sleight which is used twice. This move is rather easy to master owing to the fact that only a few cards are involved. The e-book even contains a clickable image which shows the sleight in action, albeit as a rather small-sized and fairly brisk animation.

To the spectator, the effect is impressive whilst requiring relatively little work on the magician's part. That's good. Even this conservative (paranoid) reviewer was not caught with what he considers somewhat bold moves. That's good too.

What is very good is that you get a more than respectable effect for a more than reasonable price. There are a few limitations, such as requiring a table and some very slight angle problems, not to mention the preparation, but none of these are actually problematic, given the nature of the trick. No impromptu street magic here, but a fine parlor piece.

"Lord of the Envelopes" by Harish Jose
In a Blink: 8 Out of 10

Material: 8
This effect can be played as a feat of mentalism, an experiment in probabilities, or straight, standard card prestidigitation, depending on your presentation. The climax is strong enough to leave the spectator well entertained - which is the main point - and likely scratching her head.

Quality: 9
The product is available in e-book format as an executable file under DOS/Windows. The text is mercifully almost free of typos with several high-quality photographs which are well positioned within the text for easy learning. The embedded link to the demonstration of a crucial sleight takes you (via an Internet connection) to a short video displayed in a rather small format and which seems to be meant to demonstrate the extent to which the move is not easily detectable, as opposed to teaching you how to do it. That's all right, though, since the photographs explain it impeccably.

Illustrations: 10
The illustrations consist of 19 high-quality photographs showing exposed views as well as what the audience sees. Mr. Jose thoughtfully employed what should be common-but-underused artifices (such as showing a face-up card which is actually face down) in the exposed views to clearly illustrate what the magician should be doing.

Presentation: 8
The manuscript contains numerous presentational hints judiciously interspersed in the text, including alternative versions and sleights. I personally find that the psychological part is not as well addressed as it could be, but this does not diminish the presentation hints all that much. There is a sufficient basis to give you a starting point and make the effect your own.

Originality: 9
The author independently reinvented a very good force and, upon his discovery of prior art, he dutifully credits the person (Barrie Richardson) who had come up with a similar, yet not identical version. As for the effect itself, once the spectators get past the well-worn envelopes-and-cards premise, the trick takes off on a new tangent. Even though "Lord of the Envelopes" is technically original, your presentation of it is truly the factor to set it apart from countless similar effects.

Guy Isabel