THE BLURB:
The Becker Coin Purses are among the finest utility devices
ever created for magicians and mentalists. This versatile
set of miracle workers is custom crafted in fully lined fine
leather, each purse featuring invisible stitching,
completely covered brass springs, and a new slightly larger
size. All of the entertaining routines described in Larry
Becker's epic book, Stunners, are included to put them at
your fingertips. You receive not only printed instructions
but a comprehensive DVD as well, teaching every subtle
handling learned from years of real-world performing. Here's
a bird's eye view of just a few of the exciting and
entertaining routines:
* Reveal the serial number on a borrowed bill in
lightning quick fashion!
* Predict the name of the wild animal being thought of
during an imaginary audience safari!
* Present a mystifying, surprise filled mini-version of
TV's popular "Survivor" show!
* Delight your audience with laugh-filled "Just Chance"
routine with a killer climax - and no sting!
* Offer a gutsy instant pseudo psychometry routine that
almost works itself.
And to top it off, the Becker Coin Purses are perfect for
walk-around, close-up, and stage. Working professionals will
appreciate the fine quality and simplicity of performance;
part time pros will delight in how easy they are to use. You
get five identical, high quality coin purses (each one 31/2
inches square) that will serve you well for many years.
MY COMMENTS:
Warning! This may sound biased because I'm wild about
well-crafted and extremely versatile utility items. I'm
also a great fan of Larry Becker's wallet and purses, and I
regularly use quite a few of them. So it shouldn't come to
any surprise that I would most heartily recommend this coin
purse set. In fact, all of Larry's wallets/purses are
useful and wise investments and this is no exception.
If you have Stunners Plus, then you have the instructions
and know how these coin purses work. (aka Improved
Universal Coin Purse) But this new updated package comes
with handlings and presentations developed since the
original purses came out. Not only that, I have an original
set and I can tell you that these purses are so much better.
The original set was quite useable but not nearly as nice as
this set for the reasons cited in the blurb and, if I recall
correctly, this set is only slightly more expensive than the
original. Also, in the original set, Larry had numbers on
four of the five purses. For this new edition, the numbers
are not there and it is up to you to put numbers on them,
should you choose to and to choose what kind of numbers
you'd like.
As to the routines, Spectral Safari and Serial Number
Divination were printed in Stunners Plus, though the
presentations have been improved. Phive Bill Psychometry is
definitely my favorite and I love the climax, which uses
"The Trick that Fooled Einstein."
Now let's talk about the DVD. Most of it consists of Lee
explaining many of the uses of the purses. He gives quite a
lecture on mentalism in general and the purses,
specifically, as he explains the five routines that are also
contained in the printed instructions. Larry appears
somewhat briefly to demo two of the routines (Spectral
Safari, $100 Bill Challenge) using his lovely wife, April
(who pretty much steals the show!) As usual, the production
values are low, but it doesn't need to be better.
Everything's clear and visible. Also, I have trouble playing
the DVD on my office computer, but not my laptop nor the
family DVD player. But that's minor, as the instructions
and the purses are really all you need.
Even if you have the originals, this magnificently crafted,
updated set of versatile props is a must-have for mentalists
as it can be used in any type of venue and a limitless
variety of miraculous routines. I'm not sure how long Larry
will have these available, so get them now while you can.
