CHINCA CHINCA - Tommy Van Rhee - Joe Stevens Estate
Someone let me know the correct name for Mr. van Rhee! Review George Guerra – February 26, 2006 Unusual props for a popular effect. This is quite a collectible, but only because it’s an Anverdi. I have always been interested in the matrix assembly effect and these Oriental "stones" are an offbeat set of props to perform this trick. One problem I have with these small stones lies in their handling throughout the effect. A semi-close fist is recommended in the instructions for that special move and that looks suspicious to me. I would prefer a more flat hand approach but it’s difficult with these small cylinders. It could be just me but clearly plenty of practice and skill is needed; certainly not an apparatus for beginners. I do like the clever "locking" feature in the main gimmick so the "stones" can be passed out for examination at the end.
Availability: In stock
Collection: All Products, Antiques/Estate, Close-Up Magic, Effects, Exclusives, Ken Brooke, Stevens Estate, Tricks, What's New
Fabricated in Holland. In reviewing the instructions that come with it the name listed is Tonny van Rhee. In researching the effect it is stated that Anverdi was the one that came up with the routine. The face that Ken Brooke sold it, I'm sure caused a fervor for my late father Joe Stevens to do the same - being he admired and befriended Ken so strongly.
What made this version of "Chick-a-Chink" in high demand was to the inclusion of locking shell to one of the four Chinca's. Now this item has been inducted into the "collectability" market, I think because it's appearance is so exotic, the additional manufacturing feature and the fact that it's micro magic that holds its value well.
The idea of a craftsman fabricating and then turning it over to a worker is certainly not new. I remember this being a standard in the industry from when Buma Jr (Mark Burger) would often create unique applications of effects and then put them into the hands of performers such as Eugene Burger to come up with the routine. I remember a lifetime ago when it was originally featured in our "mag-a-logs" (image attached). I remember speaking with Ali Bongo at the Desert Magic Seminar when he told me in a comical way, that only an "American" could come up with such a term as a "Mag-a-Log," or "Cat-a-Zine." I know I'm digressing here but Ali was the best at educating me in my youth in the art of magic. What an incredible talent he had for communicating in such a way that never felt belittling to me, but at the same point successfully educating me and getting his message in.
Back to the mystery of the different names Tonny VS Tommy. Perhaps the spelling on the instructions is incorrect or what comes to mind is Bob Driebeek, which his last name was morphed to Driebeck.
At any rate this type of effect has been incorporated in the art of magic for many years. Years later Auke Van Dokkum came up with a wonderful similar version that Tommy Wonder used titled I believe Chimes. But I digress yet again...
Details: The item comes with a four page instructions with several diagrams. While the instructions state this is the perfect item to carry in your pocket on the go, I certainly wouldn't suggest doing so at collector pricing. Item will require a signature for secure delivery along with declared value insurance.
Special Thanks to Andy Martin of Martin's Magic for allowing us to use his website as a reference and including the review from his site. Go to www.martinsmagic.com
