I started my first long run of the year this week. It’s a 10 day gig in Indio, CA. I flew into Fresno, CA, rented a car and then drove 5 hours to Indio. The nice thing about flying into Fresno is that I got to swing by Hocus Pocus and dig through the boxes of magic there!
![](https://www.magicshow.tips/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/2024-02-14-14.15.32-1024x768.jpg)
I’m also always on the hunt for old Cincinnati stock cards from the US Playing Card Company, and found a ton of them
![old stock bicycle playing cards](http://www.magicshow.tips/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/2024-02-14-14.14.46-1024x768.jpg)
One of the things I picked up is this shell game set (maker unknown) and it will make a great addition to my three shell game collection!
![three shell game](https://www.magicshow.tips/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/2024-02-14-22.31.29-1024x768.jpg)
![three shell game](https://www.magicshow.tips/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/2024-02-14-22.31.43-1024x768.jpg)
They had some oddities (mostly gaffs) there and that’s something that I’m into! Here are a couple that are for sale on their website:
![oddity gaff](https://www.magicshow.tips/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/2024-02-14-13.31.58-1024x768.jpg)
![oddity gaff](https://www.magicshow.tips/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/2024-02-14-13.31.56-1024x768.jpg)
While I was there I put a two things for my collection. The first is a “snapping turtle” which is an alligator in a turtle shell:
![snapping turtle gaff](https://www.magicshow.tips/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/2024-02-14-11.57.54-1024x768.jpg)
And the other is what a side show would call a mummified devil or mummified alien.
![mummified devil](https://www.magicshow.tips/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/2024-02-15-09.48.57-768x1024.jpg)
If you’re ever in Fresno, there’s a ton of magic there (and some oddities!) and it’s totally with the trip!
-Louie