A Guided Tour

Many of you have requested photos of the inside of Hocus Pocus. So this week, by popular demand, we've decided to give you a guided tour. Below, you'll find several photos (that you can click to enlarge) of just what you'd see if you paid us a visit. Hope you enjoy all of them.


Inside warehouse hallway to Betty's office


Sideshow posters and magicians' caricatures


One view of the warehouse, Karen's view


Another shot of the warehouse


Sideshow banners circle the warehouse walls


More warehouse and sideshow banners


More sideshow banners


Rare and original Johnny Meah sideshow banners


More sideshow banners and an old Hocus Pocus sign


More sideshow banners


And even more sideshow banners


Magician automaton in the showroom


FeeJee Mermaid inside my office (thanks, Doug Higley)


Baby Chupacabra


Shelves of used magic in the showroom


Just one view of illusions in the showroom


Spirit Cabinet with a surprise inside


Posters and collectibles


A view from Mike's office


Betty's office


Disneyland's Haunted Mansion Growing Portraits inside Betty's office


Pinhead and his victim greets you as you enter the showroom


Antique Punch & Judy and antique magic adorn the showroom floors


Performance stage for lectures, shows, and events


More props along with Harry Blackston Jr's tuxedo and Mark and Nani Wilson's Allakazam Hat


Outside my office with hundreds of autographed 8X10 photos of our friends


Ken's office with more autographed photos and caricatures


Inside my office with many collectibles, including Mark and Nani Wilson's original Lester Lake guillotine


Corner view from my office


The opposite corner view of my office with more collectibles and original Doug Henning costumes


Wall of various collectibles, including my now-famous and ever-growing ball and vase collection on the top shelf


Vintage magic sets adorn my office, including those I grew up with


More vintage magic sets and characters


Across from my office with more collectibles


Another view of the collectible shelves


More illusions, including Mark and Nani Wilson's Magic Dancing Doll illusion


Lots of magic everywhere you look


One last look from the showroom floor


I'm lucky to be surrounded every day by all this great stuff

Believe it or not, there is more than what we've shown you here today. Hopefully, you've got an idea of what it's like here at Hocus Pocus.

Magic University Update

Magic University is rapidly filling up with founding members. This exciting venture with Mark and Nani Wilson is the first of its kind ever offered. Mark has generously offered the following free lesson for your viewing pleasure. This will give you an idea of the quality and the ease of instruction you can look forward to once you join Magic University! Remember, your chance to become a Founding Member and receive all the extra benefits of doing so is an offer available for a limited time. See our web site for details.

You are cordially invited to an Afternoon of Allakazam!



Last week, we told you about an exciting event happening here at Hocus Pocus on Saturday, April 4th. Mark and Nani Wilson will be here to host an Afternoon of Allakazam. From 1:00-4:00 PM, you'll be able to hear how it all began. Then Mark and Nani will teach you several effects that you can perform instantly and all the supplies necessary will be provided at the door. I personally can't think of two better people to teach magic than these two! Mark and Nani will be available for all questions and answers for what we guarantee will be an afternoon that you'll never forget. And, did we mention, this is a FREE event? That's right; it won't cost you a dime! I've been talking to Mark, almost daily, and he is very excited about coming here and has several special surprises for all in attendance. Seating for this special event is limited to only 100 people, and you must make reservations in advance. You can do so by phone at 800-407-4040 or 559-266-5150 or via email at sales@hocus-pocus.com. As of today's date, we are almost 50% full, so don't delay! We look forward to seeing you here for this very special and momentous occasion.

Until next time,

Paul

Arachnophobia!

arachnophobia - a·rach·no·pho·bi·a (ə-rāk'nə-fō'bē-ə, -nō-)
n. An abnormal fear of spiders.

That's what everyone has here at Hocus Pocus! Not really. Tarantula is the magic word around here. Ever since we announced the pre-orders for this brand new effect, the orders have been pouring in! Late yesterday afternoon, the wait was over as hundreds of Tarantulas arrived in our warehouse! All morning long, it's been pack and ship, pack and ship, Tarantula, Tarantula, Tarantula. Not since Jim Rosenbaum's Gecko, last year's and still one of this year's best-sellers have I seen such a frenzy for a new product. I must say that after checking it out today, Tarantula is a very ingenious secret weapon/gimmick that once mastered, you'll carry with you all the time. If you are one of the few who is not familiar with what Tarantula is, do yourself a favor and check it out HERE as well as the online video! Not only can you get it at a great discount right now, you can also get a free package of Mesika's Invisible Thread Loops. Now that's a pretty cool deal!


Tarantulas, tarantulas everywhere!


Just one side of the shipping table with boxes ready to ship Tarantula

An Afternoon of Allakazam



What if you could spend an afternoon with Mark and Nani Wilson? What if, during that afternoon, you could reminisce about their early days on the TV show, The Magic Land of Allakazam? What if you could see them perform again? What if you could take a few private lessons with these legends of magic? What about a Question and Answer session? And more! Wonder no more; on Saturday, April 4th Hocus Pocus will host an Afternoon of Allakazam! What better way to learn about our art than from magic's most beloved magic couple! No one has contributed more in their career in the art of magic than Mark and Nani Wilson. Imagine the historical significance of an event like this and to be able to sit, talk with, share, and learn from them. There will be something here for everyone that day, and I guarantee that this event will be something you'll never forget! And the best part? This event will be absolutely free to attend, and any materials needed for the lessons taught will be supplied. However, seating will be limited to only 100. For more details and to reserve your seat now, contact me directly at sales@hocus-pocus.com or call me toll-free 800-407-4040 or 559-266-5150! I hope to see you here. More information will be posted on the web site later in the week.

Now, it's back to Tarantulas. So many to ship, so little time. But have no fear; they'll ALL go out this afternoon.

Until next week,

Paul

All Magic, All The Time!

Kozmo

All Magic, All The Time! That's our motto here at Hocus Pocus. The week started off with a bang with the Kozmo lecture on Monday with a record attendance of 65 local magicians. Kozmo is a seasoned street/close-up performer and also the creator and distributor of Reel Magic Quarterly. His lecture began as a show that you would see him perform on the streets. Rather than having everyone seated, he had them stand around as they would in that venue. This created a unique atmosphere as he performed his best material for a solid 25 minutes. After the performance, everyone took their seats as he described in detail and taught what they had just seen. Everyone had a great time, and I urge you to see Kozmo if you have the opportunity; you won't be disappointed. Not only is he a great performer, both he and his wife are terrific people.

Distances Traveled


Hildevert comes to the USA to visit Hocus Pocus

We've had several out-of-town visitors this week at Hocus Pocus, from England to the Caribbean. I love when we get visitors, especially visitors from exotic places and other countries. So it was a great surprise to meet and spend time with one of our customers from the Caribbean, Hildevert Lorsold. Imagine our surprise when a taxi cab pulled up this morning and a very tall and exotic-spoken Hildevert stepped out, walked inside, and introduced himself. Talk about long distance! He spent most of his day with us, marveling at both the showroom and warehouse. Of course, he left here with several boxes filled with Hocus Pocus goodies that he'll be taking back home with him next week. Remember, if you are ever in our area, no matter what part of the world you are from, we would love to meet you!

All That Razamatazz


Rabbit Rampage

Boy, am I excited! Last year, my good friend, Wayne McEwen gave me a tip about a new company in England called Razamatazz Magic. I immediately went to their web site and marveled at the line of magic I saw. Always being on the lookout for new and exciting products to bring to Hocus Pocus, I immediately contacted Andy and Sue, the owners of Razamatazz Magic. I'm now excited to say that they have granted Hocus Pocus exclusive USA distribution of their product line. The first offering is called Rabbit Rampage. When you check it out on the web site, you'll see exactly why I was so excited to obtain this line. Andy and Sue are professional children's' entertainers and know what works. The quality, graphic design, and workmanship is all top-notch and fills a huge void in the children's/family entertainers marketplace. I can't thank Andy and Sue enough for allowing Hocus Pocus to partner with them in this exciting new venture. Check out Rabbit Rampage HERE!

Other exclusives obtained this week that you should definitely check out are:

Movie Time by Floyd Collins and Robert Haas
Thoughts Transmitter 2000 by Floyd Collins and Robert Haas
Flicker by Michael Paul
Automatic Silk to Ball by Alan Wong
New Animated Card Box by Diamond Jim Tyler

All of them are exciting new products, and we are honored that the creators chose us to be the exclusive dealer to carry their items!



Hit the Books!

Well, not really. The response to the new Mark Wilson Magic University project has been fantastic! So many of you have already jumped on the bandwagon to become Founding Members of this new magic venture! Because of his immense knowledge of magic and illusion, Mark Wilson is perhaps the most uniquely qualified person in the world to be your instructor at the Magic University. In addition to teaching you the essential principles of the art and how to perform many powerful magic effects, Mark will also instruct you on some of the unique, amazing magic he has collected in performances around the globe.

A unique feature for all Founding Members is The Magic University Library! All instructions taught will be recorded in the Magic University Library under the subscriber's name and secret password. Those lessons may be accessed at any time, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. This means that, if a subscriber doesn't watch any lessons for one week, or one month, or for a year, they shouldn't worry--- because those tricks are all waiting to be watched and learned at the subscribers convenience in the Magic University Library!

Think of the possibilities of this course, whether you are looking to become a student of magic or whether your children or grandchildren are interested in prestidigitation -- what better way to learn than from the master himself, Mark Wilson! If you're like me, and I know many of you are, your first introduction to the world of magic was watching Mark and Nani Wilson on their nationally televised, weekly series "The Magic Land of Allakazam." Now, you'll be able to give that same gift to your children and/or grandchildren and have them live that same experience. There is something in this course for everyone as well, whether you are a beginner, intermediate or pro. The quality of the video lessons you will receive is of the highest caliber, and it all works out to be around $1.60 per lesson if you are a Founding Member. So do yourself a favor and learn more about becoming a Founding Member of Mark Wilson's Magic University HERE!

So there you go. It really is All Magic, All the Time here at Hocus Pocus. I hope you have a great weekend.

Until next time,

Paul

The Best Teachers

Imagine being able to learn from Vincent Van Gough if you wanted to learn to paint. Imagine being able to learn from Tiger Woods if you wanted to learn to golf. Imagine being able to learn from Beethoven if you wanted to learn to play music. There's no doubt that these are probably the best teachers in their fields. Unfortunately, the opportunity to do so is at least impossible, but imagine being able to learn from Mark Wilson if you wanted to learn magic. Well, imagine no longer!



It's finally happening! Over a year and a half ago, Mark Wilson began work on what can be considered his largest contribution to the art of magic to date! The revolution of learning and making magic has begun! Hocus Pocus, in partnership with Mark and Nani Wilson, are excited to announce this exciting new concept to the magic community!

Mark Wilson long ago achieved his dream of presenting the first magic series ever on network television. Now, he invites you to share in his dream to expand the worldwide popularity of magic, as a hobby and as a profession, to a level never before possible. This is your opportunity to join him as a Founding Member on this truly magical journey.

Most magicians have heard the name Mark Wilson, even if only from his monumental volume of magic education, The Mark Wilson Complete Course in Magic. Published in six languages around the world, more than 850,000 readers have learned magic from Marks best-selling book. Now just imagine:

• What if Mark Wilson was available to give you personal instruction anywhere, any time?
  
• What if Mark's instructions were easy to follow in full color moving video images?
  
• What if, instead of having to shift attention from text to picture, Mark personally spoke to you, teaching you every move, every sleight, every detail?
  

Just think about it - in the past magic instruction has only been available in books, on videotapes and DVDs, or, for the lucky few, by personal instruction from an expert magician. Now Mark Wilson, through the Internet, has made possible a revolutionary new way of learning. It's easier, faster, and available instantly, at any time, anywhere in the world, from the world's most renowned magic instructor!

That's why Mark Wilson created the Magic University, to teach eager students throughout the world, how to perform high-impact, professional quality magic.

There are hundreds of web sites that merely demonstrate tricks or shamelessly expose magic's secrets to the simply curious. The Magic University is designed to stimulate untapped interest in the art, providing step-by-step, real time instructions from the world's foremost magic educator, Mark Wilson.

Quite honestly, there has never been an education program of this scope and magnitude in the history of the magical arts. And it is a perfect culmination of the goals that magic pioneers Mark and Nani Wilson have strived for throughout their honored careers as magical entertainers and educators.

The initial roll-out of the Magic University will be through Founding Memberships only, for which the fee is $250.00.

Founding Members will receive:

• 12 magic lessons per month (3 lessons per week) sent to you via your personal email
  
• Founding Member Identification Card, newly designed and signed by Mark Wilson and Nani Darnell Wilson
  
• Magic University Founding Member Certificate, specially printed with Founding Member's name, suitable for framing, signed by Mark Wilson and Nani Darnell Wilson
  
• Perpetual listing on the Magic University Founding Member's web page
  
• 8x10 publicity photograph of Mark and Nani personally autographed to the Founding Member

There are many additional student benefits including an internet chat room, continued updates on previously taught tricks and of important developments in the art, notification of magic events worldwide, interviews and articles from successful magicians on trick selection, performance and routining, all of which will be covered in the Magic University newsletter.

This is your opportunity to participate as a Founding Member in the revolutionary creation of the history-making Mark Wilson Magic University, which will change the future of the art of magic worldwide.

This special Founding Membership offer is good for a limited time only; when the goal is reached, Founding Memberships will never be offered again.

Please note that this is a pre-paid, "pre-application" offer. Actual delivery of three lessons per week will begin April 30. The opportunity to become a Founding Member will end on April 30.

As a special bonus, the first 40 people to become Founding Members will receive the Sorcerer's Apprentice Kit, Volume 1 by Mark Wilson, absolutely free so you can get started right away!

For an advanced preview of Mark Wilson's Magic University and the opportunity to become a Founding Member, please click HERE!

So this is your opportunity to become a founding member in what I believe is a monumental landmark in teaching magic. No one that I can think of has given more to the art of magic than Mark and Nani Wilson. So join us on this incredible new venture as we break ground and cut the ceremonial ribbon.

Until next time,

Paul