Collectability, or, Black Ghost Decks and Me.
April 21, 2008
With the release of the much heralded Second Edition Black Ghost Deck now less than 24 hours away, I’ve been thinking about collectability vs function, about just what it is that sets the Black Ghost Deck apart from it’s every rival.
Is it that untill very recently, they’ve never been officially offered for sale? Is it due to the extremely small quanitity ever produced? Or, is it maybe that the deck itself was just *right*?
When I was asked to be the guest blogger for this post, I realised that the timing was perfect for my sphere of knowledge, you see, I’m a collector. I’ve been collecting various things for most of my life (from Autographs to Star Wars Figures, from Trading Cards to Movie Props), and I’m now almost able to tell whether something’s going to take off in a big way, or be resigned to the broken toy shop in the sky.
Or at least, I thought I did.
That all changed with the release of the original Black Ghost Deck Giveaway, back some 3 Christmases ago.
I remember now, reading the forum post that laid out the rules. “If you spend $350 or more, we’ll give you a brand new, extremely limited edition Steel Case Enclosed Black Ghost Deck” was the essence of the post, and I don’t mind admitting that I was a little dubious at the time.
I’d not ordered anything for a while though, and at the time, seeing that I was using the regular Ghost Deck, and wanted to replenish a few other items, by the time I’d finished adding everything up - I wasn’t too far off the target.
Now, the other thing about me is, that if you tell me something’s free - but I have to spend another $50 to get it, I most likely will do. I know it sounds strange, but I’ve got to have it, whether I need it or not.
Order placed, I waited for my parcel to arrive.
Between Christmas and the New Year, it finally did, and I unpacked everything excitedly, unable to contain my joy at managing to get all the giveaway prizes that year.
Any and every concern I had regarding the point of the Black Ghost Deck vanished when I saw it sat nestled in it’s steel frame. It almost sat there winking with a certain gleeful malevolence, just daring me to open it up and take a look.
Honestly, it didn’t take me long to do just that - despite having promised myself that I wouldn’t. After all, there was only ever 5000 of these decks made, surely it had to be worth something one day!
(I wasn’t too far wrong with that, as the decks have sold on ebay for… well, take a look)
I removed the deck from it’s box and sat there agog as I spread through the cards. These were literally only the reverse of the cards I was currently using, but that’s like saying that a Ferrari is only a couple of buckets of parts.
There was just something about the deck that captured me, some part of it’s essence embedded itself within my psyche.
I reluctantly replaced the deck back in the box, replaced the box in the steel frame, and sat the frame on top of my book case in my office. In fact, it’s there now - just 8 feet behind me and to my left. (Please, don’t believe for a second that it remains untouched since then, although I may be able to count on my fingers the times I’ve unboxed it, there’s some certain amount of joy that spreading through that deck brings me - almost like a cocoa on a winter’s day)
Fast forward to near the end of last year, and news surfaces that there *may* be a Second Edition Black Ghost Deck on the horizon.
I didn’t know how to feel.
All in one, I felt elated - that I’d be able to get hold of more of these cards, and I felt upset - that now just *anyone* could own them.
Fast forward a little bit more, to a few mere weeks ago, and I managed to catch a glimpse of the gallery for the Second Edition.
I don’t mind telling you, I’m as excited now, as I was the first time I held the Black Ghosts in my hands three years ago.
For the very first time (in my personal opinion), the Jokers are just *perfect* to the vibe of the deck.
Why though? Simple. They show the Black Ghost himself - the dark phantom who’s power seems to purvade the very fibers of the cards, the apparition who maybe even called the cards into being, and the all powerful mage who’s able to project the name of a spectator’s card into his hands*
The same quality artwork, the same love and care that goes into every deck, and the same awesome quality card stock and finish that goes into every Ellusionist deck is gracing these Second Edition decks too, meaning that I’m even closer to the edge of my seat waiting for tomorrow.
I don’t know how you feel about the new alternative coloured and styled playing cards that seem to hit the markets with an alarming frequency these days, but there’s one thing *I* know.
If it doesn’t say Ellusionist on the box, it doesn’t go in my cart.
Brendon Selley.
*Take a look at the jokers, you’ll see what I mean…
All views in this blog entry are the opinion of the author, and may not necessarily represent the views of Ellusionist or any of it’s employees or subsidiaries.
Celebracadabra Theme Tune…
April 21, 2008
What a wonderful place the internet is… A quick trawl through the regular sites pointed me to this file - The theme tune for the upcoming VH1 show Celebracadabra!
The lyrics (possibly penned by, and certainly rapped by Chris “Kid” Reid, one of the hopeful celebrities appearing on the show) are:
So amazing, it’ll make you slap yo mamma
First up, the king of the drama
Add to the mix a wonderful songbird
A voice guaranteed to calm nerves
But strong words come from the mouth of the actor
Magic even got clout with a legendary rapper
And a beautiful lady who brings laughter
Question, would you take a chance and risk it all
And go head to head with a Pussycat Doll?
Even a man with Soul in his past, gotta find a new role for the cash…
Celebracadabra!
source www.itricks.com
Celebracadabra, Exclusive News and New Pictures…
April 17, 2008
We can now exclusively reveal just which magician will be mentoring which celebrity, on the upcoming VH1 Reality Show…
Celebracadabra
Carnie Wilson will be mentored by Simon Lovell
Ant will be mentored by Asi Wind
C. Thomas Howell will be mentored by David Regal
Hal Sparks will be mentored by Rocco Silano
Lisa Ann Walter will be mentored by Silly Billy
Chris “Kid” Reid will be mentored by Derek Hughes
and finally, Kim Wyatt will be mentored by the lucky lucky Murray SawChuck.
Pussycat Doll Kim Wyatt caught inbetween filming.
Hal Sparks showing his latest deck throwing technique (?!) to Brad Christian.
Lisa Ann Walter filming on the streets with Silly Billy.
And finally…
Hal Sparks showing off the goods!
UltrGaff RE-LAUNCH: WEDNESDAY APRIL 16th at 1PM Pacific / 4PM Eastern
April 15, 2008
Due to an overwhelming response and sheer volume of orders, the Ultragaff launch only lasted for 15 frantic and order packed minutes.
We wholeheartedly apologize for this, and ask our faithful customers to bare with us for a short while whilst we put things right.
All orders placed in the 15 minute window that included the three dvds *will* include the FREE Ultragaff Deck, whether it was shown on the order screen or not.
All orders placed within the first 15 minutes *will* also be entered into the prize drawing for the 50 signed Ultragaff Decks and 5 signed Ultragaff Uncut Sheets, as will all orders from the first 45 minutes of the re-launch.
The re-launch will be: WEDNESDAY APRIL 16th at 1PM Pacific / 4PM Eastern
For more news on this, please check HERE
Ultragaff release offer and Giveaway reminder…
April 15, 2008
At 12pm PST today, the Ultragaff deck and training DVD’s will *finally* hit the Ellusionist Store.
As mentioned in our previous blog entry ,50 random orders from the first hour of sales will be chosen to receive a 2nd FREE Ultragaff deck, signed by both Wayne Houchin and Daniel Garcia, and 5 lucky lucky customers will each receive an impossible to get hold of and extremely rare Ultragaff Uncut Sheet - again, signed by both Wayne Houchin and Daniel Garcia
As if that wasn’t enough though, we’re giving you the deck in the first place!
All you have to do is add all three Ultragaff Training DVD’s to your cart and we’ll send you the deck (which is also on sale for $29.95) ABSOLUTELY FREE!
Set your watches, midday is drawing ever closer…
Penn offers guided tour on ebay…
April 15, 2008
Not content with stealing the limelight on the first few episodes of Dancing With the Stars, Penn Jillette (of Penn&Teller) has hit headlines again, this time as he auctions off a tour of his home “The Slammer”, followed by lunch with him.
According to the ebay auction (which you can find here), highlights of the tour include…
- A framed tattoo on real human skin!
- A koi pond shaped like a Goldfish cracker!
- Stunning artwork by Chicago artist Tony Fitzpatrick!
- See a unique sculpture by avant garde artist Jose Alvarez!
- A real fire pole!
- Secret rooms in his home which Penn will reveal to you!
- Liza Minnelli’s panties!
- And more!
After the tour, the lucky winner will then have lunch with Penn, over which Penn will divulge stories of his time in Showbiz (and, undoubtedly remain his quiet and understated self…)
At the time of writing this article, the auction stands at $1,201 - a mere snip for this once in a lifetime experience…
Taken from http://itricks.com/news/?p=3582
UltraGaff release date: April 15th & Exclusive Giveaways
April 11, 2008
RELEASE DATE: Tuesday April 15th, 2008 12PM PST
Gifts only available the first hour - Don’t miss out. learn more >
Here’s your one-time chance to grab one of the following:
** 5 Authentic USPC UltraGaff Uncut Sheets
signed by Daniel Garcia and Wayne Houchin
** 50 UltraGaff Decks signed by Daniel Garcia and Wayne Houchin
I have to get my hands on one of these free gifts! How do I get one of them?
Easy. Web orders placed during the first hour after the release time that contain the 3 UltraGaff DVD set (with free UltraGaff deck) combo will be eligible to receive one of the promotion gifts. Promotional gifts are limited and will be distributed randomly based on the first hour’s orders. After the first hour, you will still get a FREE UltraGaff deck with your order of the Ultragaff 3 DVD set. Yes, some orders within the first hour could have 2 free UltraGaff decks (1 deck free with the 3 DVD set AND 1 signed deck (or sheet) as a free gift).
David Regal’s insider comments on Celebracadabra
April 2, 2008
Illusion & Reality
by David Regal
“Celebracadabra.” Say it three times fast. It still sounds kind of funny, doesn’t it. It’s the kind of coined word that sounds patently silly, but once it’s in your head it just won’t leave. Easy to make fun of, yes, but the word ‘prestidigitator’ has a similar Frankensteinian birthright.
At any rate, the word ‘Celebracadabra’ did not exist on the day I first met Chris Martin and Karla Hidalgo, producers of a proposed magic-themed reality show pilot for VH1 that was to be shot in the Los Angeles area. We met at a tony West Side hotel far from my suburban home in Burbank. Chris, a bearded wry young man with an amateur’s enthusiasm for magic, and Karla, a beautiful and businesslike young woman, greeted me with the kind of drawn weathered faces that can only have been preceded by meeting hundreds of other magicians. And what was exactly the case. As we sat and they explained their project to me, it became clear they they had already met every magician I knew, heard of, or saw in photographic form as I flicked through The Magic Castle’s complete file of Genii. I think they even met with Vernon.
Their idea was, on the surface, simple. To my mind it sounded like Dancing with the Stars, but with magic. In other words, several ‘magic coaches’ would train an equal number of celebrities in our mystical art, with eliminations and winners in the manner of any number of reality shows. We talked about the show, my background in television and magic, their vision, and then something happened that I can’t explain. It has happened before, but always without warning, catching me by surprise as much as those around me and affecting my livelihood in both positive and negative ways.
I was suddenly, inexplicably honest.
There’s more where that came from, but in order to read it you’ll need to own a copy of the April 2008 issue of Genii to finish part 1, and May 2008 to finish the article.
Excerpt reprinted with permission from Genii Magazine (Copyright 2008 The Genii Corporation)
Original article written by David Regal
Celebracadabra meets the Magic Castle
April 2, 2008
In a little over 20 days, seven people are going to trade in their title of celebrity for magician. Along with the guidance from world class magic coaches, it will be up to them whether they sink or swim out performing.
Whether on a stage for many people, or out on the streets of Los Angeles performing one on one for strangers, there is no doubt that they have some tricks up their sleeves. Be sure to catch the premier episode to see for yourself, April 27th on VH1!
Seen here standing in front of the prestigious Magic Castle are the seven contestants of Celebracadabra - cards and coins in hands. Yet only one will have the opportunity to perform at this famous magic landmark, and to walk away with the hefty $100,000 grand prize.
VH1 Celebracadabra Stars & Magic Coaches Exclusive Pics
April 2, 2008
Celebracadabra sponsor Ellusionist is providing exclusive behind-the-scenes photos of the cast on set. Who will win the $100,000 grand prize? Tune in and see – coming April 27.
Magician/Coach Murray Sawchuck and Pussycat Doll Kim Wyatt
What do you get when you have an avid poker player, comedian, actor, and television host all rolled into one? You get ANT, one of the contestants on Celebracadabra. While often found in the position of judging on such shows as “Last Comic Standing”, the tables are now turned. He’s on the competitor’s end of things, and competition is fierce.
Magician / Coach David Regal and Comedian ANT - Doesn’t ANT know David Regal can’t be killed by conventional weapons? 
Fear not. No black leather belts were harmed when this picture was taken.
Magician/Coach Rocco Silano and Comedian/Actor Hal Sparks
Among the list of celebrities vying to win VH1’s Celebracadabra is Carnie Wilson. Through these exclusive behind the scenes photos, you can get a sneak peek at this singer-gone-magician’s talent. Not new to VH1 after being on the fourth season of Celebrity Fit Club, she’s back on TV again to try to prove herself worthy of the title “Best Celebrity Magician”.
Magician/Coach Silly Billy and Singer/TV personality Carnie Wilson
Magician/Coach David Regal and film & tv actor C. Thomas Howell
