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http://www.penguinmagic.com/p/S13951It’s been 30 years since the initial release of Revelations, the monumental video set that immortalized the life and work of perhaps one of the greatest magicians who ever lived – the Professor himself – Dai Vernon.In celebration, L&L Publishing is releasing the Revelations 30th Anniversary Box Set which features all 17 volumes of Revelations digitally remastered on 8 DVDs. Also included are three bonus DVDs that contain extremely rare footage of Vernon lectures from the 1970’s – almost six hours of material that almost no one has ever seen before. Included also are four audio CDs of Vernon lectures from the 1960s and two commemorative booklets. The first is a facsimile of the original Videonics Revelations catalog with comprehensive commentary on each volume by Sid Lorraine while the second contains Dr. Gene Matsuura’s original notes made at Dai Vernon’s farewell lecture in 1976. Everything is packaged in a full color slipcase that is sure to make this set one of the most desirable magic keepsakes ever released.David Ben’s introduction that appears in the beginning of Gene Matsuura’s notes booklet:”Will wonders never cease?When it comes to Dai Vernon, apparently not.This celebration of the 30th anniversary of Revelations, the series produced originally in 1982 by Hans Zahn in Newfoundland, attests to that amazing legacy and it provides yet another generation of magicians – old and new – the chance to experience Dai Vernon and his magic.This compilation is much more than just a repackaging of the original discs. With additional footage from the celebrated $1,000 Lecture Tour in the mid-1970s, private videos shot by Bill “The Prez” Larsen at The Magic Castle, and supporting documentation and ephemera, magic aficionados and historians now have an accurate portrayal of perhaps the most celebrated thinker and performer in magic during his “Late Period.”Start with Vernon’s lecture at the Washington Press Club in August 1973, courtesy of Arthur Emerson. (Still images of Arthur Emerson and Vernon were inserted for the first minute or so because the initial quality of the video was suspect. Your patience, however, will be rewarded.) Vernon is 79 years old at the time. That’s right, 79! It is Late Vernon, Second Wave.Next, screen the October 9, 1976, lecture at The Magic Castle. Here Vernon is reprising the content of the $1,000 Lecture Tour. He is now 82. Again, it is Late Vernon, Second Wave.Take a break and turn to the notes provided by Dr. Gene Matsuura. Dr. Matsuura was a confidant of many of the most esteemed sleight-of-hand magicians of the 20th century. He is a real student of magic and, in particular, the magic of Vernon. He is also renowned for the quality of his observations and notes. We thank Dr. Matsuura for agreeing to release his personal notes on Vernon’s $1,000 Lecture Tour appearance in Sacramento. His observations are astute, and the nuance he flags worth studying.Next up: the April 1977 presentations filmed at The Magic Castle. Shot by and because of Bill Larsen, they represent yet another extraordinary gift of the Larsen family to the magic community. In fact, it is hard to imagine what magic would be like today without the Larsens – Genii magazine, The Magic Castle, the Academy of the Magical Arts, and now this. The family, in its fourth generation in magic, continues to contribute to the growth of magic and the preservation of magic history. Vernon, by the way, would soon turn 84! It is the tail end of the Second Wave of the Late Period.Only then, it is time to revisit the monumental series that is Revelations. Recorded in 1982, when Vernon was 88, it is the Late Period, Third Wave. Here, Vernon provides more coaching and commentary than actual performance. Michael Ammar, Gary Ouellet and Steve Freeman are there to assist, performing and demonstrating magic, and to spark the conversation. We see how things are meant to be done, and how not. The breadth of material is staggering. Fortunately, this commemorative package of discs and other material includes a reproduction of a booklet that provides a detailed description of each section so that viewers can zero in on their particular area of interest.If I can offer one final word of advice, it is to heed what Vernon said to a young Albert Goshman: take one trick and learn to do it better than anybody else. Goshman did exactly that, and built his initial reputation with “Spellbound.”With this 30th anniversary celebration of Revelations, you have that same opportunity.I look forward to seeing your magic.”- David Ben, TorontoVERNON”S LECTURES:The Academy of Magical Arts has graciously opened their members-only video vault and allowed L&L to publish one of their rare private videos. This is your chance to watch vintage lectures by Dai Vernon taped at the world-famous Magic Castle by Bill “The Prez” Larsen who had the foresight to preserve Vernon’s genius for posterity. These videos are also valuable for their historic importance as they are among the first lectures ever videotaped at the Magic Castle. Lecture DVD 1 – April 1, 1977 Lecture:Wand Spin VanishRetention of Vision Coin VanishCard HandlingPull-Through Shuffle”Dad” Stevens ShuffleErdnase Top PalmHofzinser Palm ControlTop ChangesTop PalmElmsley Count/Twisting the AcesLarry Jennings’ Ambitious ClassicHamman’s Pinochle TrickDeal Controls/Stop TrickReversesColor Changes (Leipzig, Malini, Tenkai)Spectator CueingPush-Through and Block ShuffleHenry Christ’s Off the Table ShuffleDiagonal Palm Shift and Card TransferAction PalmCover for Erdnase ShiftDouble Lift Get ReadyThe Trick That Fooled MarloDouble Lift-Handling and ApplicationThe Trick Without a NameCoin Under GlassThree-Card MonteCards Up The SleeveGeneral AdviceCard SwitchesVernon’s Mental Card MiracleLecture DVD 2 – April 15, 1977 Lecture:Five Coins and a GlassLeipzig’s Slow Motion Coin VanishThe Tale of the Treasury-WormThe Daivergent SilkThe Peripatetic WalnutsBalls in the NetThe Cups and BallsThe Linking RingsCut and Restored RopeKnot in Rope Bar StuntJoe Berg KnotUpsetting a Square KnotBall Handling/Wand Spin VanishAlso featured are Vernon’s anecdotes including how he first came to the Magic Castle, early Castle memories, and his infamous X-rated Japan story. October 9, 1976 Lecture:Introduction by Bill “The Prez” LarsenVernon’s Introductory RemarksThe Cups and BallsThe Peripatetic WalnutsFive Coins and a GlassRetention of Vision Coin VanishHan Ping ChienWand Spin VanishThe Daivergent SilkLecture DVD 3In August of 1973, Dai Vernon lectured for a large and extremely enthusiastic audience at the Press Club in Washington D.C. and host Arthur Emerson was prescient enough to have a video camera on hand for the occasion. Contents include: The Cups and BallsCoins Through The TableRetention of Vision Coin VanishFive Coins and a GlassThe Linking RingsThe Cylinder and CoinsMatching the CardsLarry Jennings’ Ambitious ClassicColor Change (Tenkai)Top ChangesCards Up The Sleeve Advice VINTAGE VERNON VOLUMES 1-4 (AUDIO CDs)On April 9, 1963, a very select group assembled at the newly-formed Magic Castle to hear Dai Vernon lecture. This was a historic moment because it was on the strength of this presentation that Vernon was asked to become the Castle’s resident magician – and now, through the magic of audio recording, you can be there, too, almost 50 years later. Volumes 3-4 record another lecture on December 6, 1964. Vernon was performing regularly at the time; his methods were brilliant and his timing perfect. CD 1 (1 hour)1. Introduction2. Five Coins and a Glass3. Cups and Balls4. The Daivergent Silk5. John Ramsey Cylinder and CoinsCD 2 (1 hour)1. McDonald’s Hundred Dollar Ace Trick2. Penetration of Thought3. Top Change4. Bottom Change5. Ambitious Card6. Tips7. Conus Aces8. Erdnase Bottom Palm9. Hofzinser Bottom Palm10. Mental Card Miracle11. The Travelers12. PalmingCD 3 (1 hour)1. Introduction2. General Comments3. Jerry Andrus and Lies4. Conversational Approach5. Double Lift6. The Pass7. Getting a Card to the Top8. A Trick with a Double-Faced Card9. Aces Up or Down10. Color Changing DeckCD 4 (1 hour)1. Coin and Glass2. IOU3. Brain Weave by Alex Elmsley4. Four Pair Solitaire by Henry Christ5. Spelling Trick (using a cull)6. Thought of Card Trick7. Silk from Bill TrickNOTES ON DAI VERNON’S FAREWELL LECTURE BY DR. GENE MATSUURA In this booklet, you’ll find comprehensive notes by Dr. Gene Matsuura, a lifelong student of sleight-of-hand magic – particularly Dai Vernon – who was in attendance at what was billed as Dai Vernon’s farewell lecture in Sacramento, California in March of 1976. Matsuura’s keen observations of the material that Vernon presented at that lecture provides invaluable insights into many of the routines performed on the lecture DVDs in this set. Covered are the Cups and Balls, Five Coins and a Glass, The Tale of the Treasury-Worm, The Daivergent Silk, The Peripatetic Walnuts, Twisting the Aces, the Linking Rings, many, many effects and ideas from Erdnase, and much, much more. Coupled with a scholarly introduction by David Ben, Dr. Matsuura’s notes are a snapshot of a historic occasion – Dai Vernon presenting his life’s work one final time. 1983 VIDEONICS CATALOG FACSIMILE This booklet is an exact reproduction of the Videonics catalog that was issued in June of 1983 which featured the Revelations series. We’ve included this to provide Revelations viewers with the historical context of the series in addition to other valuable insights. You’ll find an introduction by Michael Ammar, one of the co-hosts of the series, where he describes the filming of Revelations in addition to offering some interesting perspectives on how the project was developed and realized. In addition, Sid Lorraine contributed comprehensive reviews on each of the 18 volumes, providing viewers with a “blow by blow” description of the vast and rich material covered in Revelations.Vernon Revelations – Volumes 1-17 (on 8 DVDs):History was made September 2-6, 1982 in a filming studio in St. John’s, Newfoundland, Canada, as the life and magic of Dai Vernon was permanently recorded for future generations. Inspired by Bill Larsen, the project was undertaken by Videonics, owned and operated by Hans Zahn. The co-hosts of the filming project were Michael Ammar, Gary Ouellet and Steve Freeman.The format is that of a jam session, with Vernon discussing his tricks, moves and routines, and generally holding court. All the moves, techniques, routines, tips and handlings discussed are actually performed by Vernon or one of the co-hosts, along with a complete explanation. Roughly half of the subjects covered relate to the published record; half the material was new and disclosed for the first time (at the time of the video shoot). You’ll learn important new techniques regarding the Vernon classics and important revelations about the Erdnase techniques, which Vernon has spent a lifetime studying. There’s a lifetime of magic study in these eight discs.DISC 1:Volume 1Gary Ouellet IntroThe Story Behind the Stars of Magic SeriesVernon on Think-of-a-Card, Dunninger,Brainwave DeckVernon on EffectsTriumph-the Vernon Triumph Shuffle and the Proper PresentationStory of the Vernon False ShufflePractice & Improve Your MagicKeeping Notes on Your MagicCutting the Aces-Another Vernon Card ClassicVernon on Passes, False CutsIrv Weiner’s Opening to Cutting the AcesThe Story is the Entertaining Part of the TrickStory of the Ambitious CardVernon Performs the Ambitious CardVernon Explains an Ambitious Card MoveVolume 2Gary Ouellet IntroThe Vernon Double LiftThe Fingerprint Card TrickVernon Double Lift ReplacementOn the Strike Double LiftVernon’s First Intro to the PassSpellboundStory of the Purse PalmVernon Demonstrates the Purse Palm & Spellbound MoveVernon on Coin VanishesThe Ring and the WandSlow Motion Aces Performance (Steve Freeman)Story Behind Slow-Motion AcesThe Slow Motion Card VanishStory of the Last Card (Tent Vanish)Freeman Demonstrates Last Card VanishVernon Explains Slow Motion Aces Lay Down & RoutineThe Force with No NameSlow Motion Aces for MagiciansDISC 2:Volume 3Gary Ouellet IntroThe Travellers (Michael Ammar performance)Explanation of the TravellersVernon on Malini’s Method of Marking the CardsProper Way to Turn the Top Card OverWhy Vernon has the Cards SignedThe Kangaroo Coins (Gary Ouellet performance)Kangaroo Coins ExplanationVernon Talks About LappingThe Balls in the Net (Steve Freeman performance)Vernon’s Story about The Balls in The NetVernon Explains the Moves for The Balls in The NetHan Ping Chein with BallVernon Explains What Makes a Good TrickJumping JacksThe Tenkai Palm SwitchVernon Explains How He Got the Name “Professor”Volume 4Gary Ouellet IntroThe Tenkai Switch – The Pivot MoveStory Behind the Symphony of the RingsVernon Tells a Silhouette StoryVernon Performs the Symphony of the RingsExplanation of Ring Routine – Counting the RingsFirst LinkSpinning the RingUnlinking the RingCrash LinkChain of ThreeLinking Three & Unlinking ThreeThe Continuous LinkingThe Falling RingThe Interlocked RingsThe FiguresThe Long ChainUnlinking a Solid RingUnlinking All the RingsThe Symphony of the Rings – Vernon Performs for Live AudienceThe Coins and Champagne Glass – A Vernon ClassicThe Secret to a Good Coin VanishMore Coins & Champagne Glass ExplanationDISC 3:Volume 5Gary Ouellett IntroVernon Talks About Fred KapsVernon Explains Coins & Silk RoutineVernon Explains Coin TransferAmmar Teaches Chanin Classic Palm Coin ProductionsAmmar Introduces the Cups & BallsVernon Tells How He Got His CupsVernon Demonstrates the Opening to the Cups & BallsAmmar Demonstrates Jay Marshall’s Bit with CupsExplanation of Depth IllusionVernon’s Story About the Cups & Balls at the Magic CastleVernon and Ammar Walk Through Cups & Balls RoutineVernon’s Advice On What To Do After Palming SomethingExplanation of Phase Two & ThreeLoading SequenceLarge Ball & Wand VanishWand SpinVernon Explains Ball Under Cup VanishVernon Explains Coins & Purse SwindleMalini’s VersionVernon’s Purse Palm VanishLeipzig’s Coin on KneeVolume 6Gary Ouellett IntroColor Change Section Intro (Freeman)History of Color ChangeErdnase’s First Method with the Vernon ImprovementThe Erdnase Pivot Color ChangeThe Malini HandlingPicking Off the PipLeipzig’s HandlingLeipzig’s Side Slip and Vernon’s VariationHandling the Sucker GagSteve Freeman’s Tips on the Color Change” Softy” Color ChangeVernon Passes on Good AdviceThe No Palm Color ChangeThe Time Vernon Cheated the CheatsThe Greek CrimpThe Gambler’s PeekThe Back CrimpThe Suit PeekThe Corner Crimp/Cutting to a CrimpStory About Larry GreyThe Snap Crimp StoryThe Snap CrimpMexican Joe CrimpBest Way to Reverse a CardThe Breather CrimpDISC 4:Volume 7Gary Ouellett IntroAn Unpublished Linking Ring MoveThe Vernon No Key Linking The Five-Card Mental ForceSome Thoughts on the Stop TrickTaking Advantage of Good BreaksThe Trick That Cannot Be ExplainedThe Cutting TrickHow to Practice the Trick That Cannot Be ExplainedVernon Talks About Card PalmingThe Hofzinser Bottom PalmThe Diagonal Palm Shift and the Vernon ImprovementThe Hofzinser Bottom Palm TransferVolume 8Gary Ouellett IntroThe Diagonal Palm Shift-a detailed descriptionThe Hand Washing MoveThe Gambling PalmThe Vernon Gambling Palm TransferTopping the DeckThe Erdnase Top PalmSeveral Methods of Replacing the Palmed Card onto the DeckSkinning the Hand, Version 1Vernon Color ChangeThe Tenkai Palm Color ChangeSkinning the Hand Version #2The French PassTwo Technical Descriptions of Bottom PalmsCovering the Side SlipDramatizing RevelationsThe Loewy PalmSome Moves for Cards Up the SleeveThe Vernon Card SwitchesA New Top PalmThe Card to Jacket PocketThe Palm ChangeStory of the Mysterious KidVernon Talks About ShinersDISC 5:Volume 9Gary Ouellet IntroThe Berg MoveExplanation of Berg MoveStory of the Trick That Fooled HoudiniExplanation of the Trick That Fooled HoudiniVernon Tells Horwitz StoryVernon Explains the Boat TrickVernon Performs Three Card Monte for Live AudienceExplanation of Three Card MontePreparing the CardsBent CornerTips on the Hype MoveSucker PloyExplanation of Hype MoveThe Torn CardThe Broad Worker’s StoryThe Double FlashRemoving the Bent CornerBobby Fischer StoryVolume 10Gary Ouellet IntroThe Vernon Cone and Ball RoutineBasic Move for Cone & BallThe Ball and SilkHand to Hand Ball TransferVernon on the Dye Tube / Color Changing SilksLoading the SilkPalming the TubeStart of RoutineSteal of the TubeRoutine Taught from BehindThe Chopstick Double LiftValuable Tip from Erdnase (Double Lift)The Overhand Shuffle TechniqueThe Pinky CountThe Greek BreakBottom to Top TransferVernon’s Simple Double Peek ControlTriple and Multiple Peek HandlingThe Fan ForceDISC 6:Volume 11Gary Ouellet IntroThe International Gambler’s CodeThe Zanzig CodeThe SpreadThe Miami Brothers PloyThe Vernon Card SwitchThe Gambler’s Hole Card SwitchThe SnatchThe Verbal Code (Vernon)Teaching Method for Verbal Code (Memorized Cards)How to Memorize the Cards (Vernon Method)Vernon Tells the Story of BennyVernon Tells the Names of Each Card in his CodeVernon Short CardCorner ShortFreeman Demonstrates Short Card ControlVolume 12Gary Ouellet introFreeman Quotes ErdnaseThe Erdnase Bottom DealThe Elliott Bottom DealThe Artanis Bottom DealGambling vs. MagicThe Second Deal – The Erdnase MethodsThe Johnny Thompson MethodVernon’s Trick for Second DealVernon Gives Tips on Second DealThe Vernon New Theory Second DealThe Big Lie about the Strike SecondThe Elliott Million Dollar SecretMexican Joe’s ShiftThe Side ShiftCovering the One-Handed ShiftThe S.W.E. ShiftThe Kennedy Center Deal (The Real Work)Bad Habits Center DealDISC 7:Volume 13Gary Ouellet IntroThe Drunken MittHow to Tell Backs from Fronts by Feel AloneTips on the Overhand ShuffleThe Erdnase Full-Deck ControlThe Vernon Full-Deck ControlThe Charlier False ShuffleThe Push Through ShuffleThe Strip Out ShuffleVernon Gives Tips on the Push-Through ShuffleThe Kid Royal ShuffleThe Up the Ladder False CutUp the Ladder used in TriumphVolume 14Vernon – Three Card MonteAmmar – Beanie Wienie, Cards to PocketOuellet – Three Shell GameFreeman – Time Machine, Cutting the Aces, Slow Motion Ace AssemblyAmmar – The $2 Bill Tear, The Yeast Card, Card on CeilingOuellet – Kiss Trick, Ring on RopeAmmar – Coins & SilkOuellet – Silver PassageAmmar – Roll-Over AcesOuellet – The Two GobletsVernon – Symphony of the RingsVolume 15Gary Ouellet IntroWhy Vernon Changed his NameHow he Got the Name “Professor”Interest in Magic Since a Young BoyEnjoyed Watching GamblersTalks About ErdnaseVernon’s Favorite Book: ErdnaseSchool Magic ShowNo Use of the Word Damn or Egg BagGreat Weakness of MagicianMeeting Cliff GreenProducing a Card in the Shower First Time Seeing Max MaliniMalini Egg Bag – Russia StoryMalini at the GM partyMalini Card StabAntique Table StoryAdvice from MaliniMalini’s Best Tricks Were Never Performed Malini’s Vanishing TobaccoMalini’s OpenerMalini at Buckingham PalaceDISC 8:Volume 16Gary Ouellet IntroCutting SilhouettesThe Harlequin ActHow Vernon Met Frances Rockefeller KingMagician Spies on VernonJ. K. L. M.Dr. Daley’s NotebookThe Book, “Our Magic”CardiniThe FrogmanCardini’s Talking ActCardini’s TailsAl BakerThe History of SilhouettesColorado SpringsWorld’s FairVernon Cuts a SilhouetteTwenty Dollar Gold PieceVolume 17Gary Ouellet IntroKing of KoinsThe GimmickEmil JarrowJarrow Plays LondonClosing of his ActPartner in his ActWarren KeaneMalini Block of IceFred Keating Canary StoryPaul RosiniHerbert BrooksThe Manner In Which Tricks are PresentedLarry Grey Follows HobosHigh School DanceLance Burton at the Body ShopGarrick Spencer / Academy of MagicAllen Kennedy Center DealTeaching John Scarne the Center DealVernon Takes Ted to See Allen KennedyMrs. Vernon Meets Mexican JoeThe Greek GamblerThe Hold-Up StoryJack Benny JokeDr. RossMeeting Dan Cummings at RestaurantTakes the Touch of a Billiard PlayerFrank Tobey / Vernon Sees Faro Shuffle for the First TimeOne Arm MacDonald – The Diamond Ring$100 Ace TrickDavis the Miracle Man