I just got back from the Blackpool Convention in the UK.  I went there with my friends David Blaine and his right hand man Doug McKenzie.  This obviously created quite a stir but David tried to be very accessible and sign autographs, take pictures, etc.  The convention was spectacular as usual and we will have some wonderful new items. 

A few highlights of Blackpool that you should watch for: Coinvex 2.0, Pentacle, new Big Blind Media releases, upcoming Michael Vincent DVDs by Alakazam (wait until you see these), Athos by Paolo Cavalli and Titanas, Fresh Mint DVD by Cameron Francis and Dave Forrest, Surefire DVD (the guy who gave us Shoet), Devil's Mark, Dan Garcia lecture notes, some upcoming GREAT new releases by my buddy Mark Mason, French Connection by James Chadier and Mathieu Bich, OCL by Ben Williams, an upcoming DVD by Paul Gordon, a wonderful new coin effect by Wayne Dobson, etc.

I leave Sunday for The World Magic Seminar in Las Vegas which should be a great convention as well.

I leave for Blackpool mid next week.  There will be some huge surprises there that are very exciting. Blackpool is always a fabulous convention with some of the top talent, dealers, and vendors from around the world.   If anyone is attending with new ideas they are thinking of releasing please ask around for me.  We are always interested in distributing great new magic. While at Blackpool I hope to send in a few blog entries for convention updates.

A few notes on True Astonishments.  In talking to Paul Harris it looks like he will be keeping the wooden box for the box sets but his costs have increased so the boxed set of TA may be going up to $325 retail in a month or so.  Thus I would recommend getting your sets now to get in on the savings.  We have experienced a very small fraction of a percentage of bad disks. If you or your customer gets any bad disks contact your Murphy's representative and we will correct the problem by getting new replacements out to you immediately. The raves continue to roll from all over the world about True Astonishments.

Tim Trono

I head off to Blackpool for the Blackpool Magic Convention February 18, 2009.  This is a superb convention. I look forward to attending each year and seeing friends from around the world, all the while looking for the newest items to bring to Murphy's. My friend, Danny Garcia, will be lecturing and performing there. (I just spoke to Danny today. Murphy's will be distributing his new book that will be shown for the first time at Blackpool.) Watch for this and other new releases from Blackpool by the end of February.  One item I am particularly excited about is Coinvex 2.0.  If you purchased Coinvex and liked it you will love this.  It's quite good and a great way to bend a borrowed, signed coin openly.  In my opinion, Coinvex 2.0 and Quantum Bender 2.0 are the best ways to openly bend a borrowed, signed coin.  This effect is VERY strong.  My friend, David Blaine, has been using this effect with much success in his daily performances. 

Speaking of David, Murphy's Magic Supplies, Inc. was honored to work with David and his crew (Dan White, Doug McKenzie, Danny Garcia, etc.) on the last special.  It was loaded with great magic.  We will soon be starting work on the next special so if you have material that should be considered please contact me in complete confidence as we are always looking for new ideas, effects, etc. 

Tim Trono