Visiting Hocus Pocus!

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!

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

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!

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:

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

And the other is what a side show would call a mummified devil or mummified alien.

mummified devil

If you’re ever in Fresno, there’s a ton of magic there (and some oddities!) and it’s totally with the trip!

-Louie

The Flea Pitch

For years I have done the “flea pitch” after my show. This is where I offer to show people a giant flea for a small payment. I use one of Doug Higley’s fleas, and I love it!

Here’s the box I’ve kept the flea in forever:

I was never a huge fan of the box, and had been thinking of replacing it for years. I finally found a box that would work for it, and that fits the story in my pitch.

This box held an old electrical thermometer, but I removed that, it’s perfect for the flea! I can’t wait to try it out!

-Louie