J. Burke Whittaker is a highly respected figure in the magic community, known for his innovative contributions to close-up magic, particularly in coin and card magic. With over 40 years of experience, he has established himself as a creative force through his platform, The Magicians’ Underground, which serves as a hub for magicians of all skill levels. Here’s a detailed overview based on available information:
Background and Expertise
Career Span: Whittaker has been active in magic for over four decades, earning a reputation as an underground magician who shares closely guarded secrets and original techniques.

Specialization: He is renowned for his work with coin boxes (e.g., Okito, Boston, and Slot boxes), card magic, and the Three Shell Game, blending traditional methods with modern, practical approaches. His routines often emphasize portability and repeatability, making them ideal for strolling or street performances.

Philosophy: Whittaker focuses on making magic accessible and affordable, offering unique routines that stand out from mainstream “trick of the week” trends. He emphasizes creativity, practicality, and audience engagement, often incorporating the “magician in peril” theme to add humor and relatability.

The Magicians’ Underground
Overview: Launched via The Hands of Magic (thehandsofmagic.com), The Magicians’ Underground is a subscription-based platform offering tutorials, PDFs, mini-lectures, and exclusive content. It caters to beginners, intermediate magicians, and professionals, providing resources to build complete acts or refine existing ones.

Content: Includes original sleights, routines, and tips for:
Coin Box Magic: Notable routines like Benson Meets Okito (a pocket-sized Benson Bowl routine) and Star Triple Transpo. Whittaker’s Coin Box Concepts is a comprehensive, nearly four-hour course on coin magic, covering Okito box techniques and general coin sleights.

Card Magic: Features routines like Daley’s Aces and a magical take on the Three Card Monte, with innovative sleights and audience-tested finishes.

Three Shell Game: His manuscript on this is considered a modern classic, shifting the focus from gambling to magical performance with new sleights and routines.

Pendulum Magic: Whittaker’s work on pendulum-based mentalism teaches techniques for divining hidden thoughts or objects, leveraging the pendulum’s mystique for magical effects.

Accessibility: The platform offers a 50% discount for new members during promotional periods, providing lifelong access to a growing library of content.

Community: Described as one of the fastest-growing magic communities, it fosters collaboration and learning among magicians worldwide.

Notable Works and Contributions
Coin Box Concepts: A landmark project, this two-volume set (available for free at times) is one of the most extensive works on Okito box magic in 40 years. It includes practical routines, new sleights, and tips for creating original coin box acts.

The Silver Dollar System: A complete strolling coin routine, available as a PDF, designed for walk-around performances.

Throw Back Assembly and Re-Boot: Patreon items sold through Funnystore, showcasing his knack for creative, affordable magic.

Spellbound Box: A specialized coin box product offered at a discount through Coin Box Concepts, highlighting his innovative prop design.

The J. Burke Whittaker Project: A collection of his eBooks, compiling his lifetime of magical creations, though not currently for sale.

Online Presence
Website: thehandsofmagic.com is the primary hub for his work, hosting The Magicians’ Underground and related content.

Social Media: Whittaker is active on Facebook (The Hands of Magic page with 2,650 likes), where he shares routines like a coin box effect created for Hank Moorehouse. He engages with the community, responding to feedback and offering tips.

Other Platforms: Content is available on Gumroad (thehandsofmagic.gumroad.com) and Funnystore, with some routines reviewed on YouTube (e.g., a 2023 live review of The Magicians’ Underground).

Reputation and Impact
Whittaker is celebrated for his originality and willingness to share secrets that have been “whispered about by the greatest magicians” but kept from the public. His work is practical, requiring minimal setup, and is designed to fool both lay audiences and fellow magicians.

His Three Shell Game manuscript is considered influential, inspiring performers decades after its release.

Coin Box Concepts has become a standard resource for coin magicians, praised for its depth and versatility.

Community feedback, such as comments on his Facebook posts, highlights the usability and creativity of his routines, with magicians like Reg Coppicus noting their adaptability.

Rick Holcombe is a highly respected magician based in North Carolina, renowned for his expertise in contemporary coin magic. He is a prolific creator, celebrated for simplifying complex sleights while maintaining their impact, making his routines both accessible and deceptive. His work emphasizes portability, practicality, and visual appeal, often using minimal props like three coins and no gimmicks.
Key Contributions and Works:
Sly Palm: Holcombe’s debut release, Sly Palm, introduced a versatile new sleight that’s easier than the classic palm but just as effective. It’s taught in a comprehensive project with routines that require practice but are designed to be clean and deceptive. The sleight has been praised for its innovative approach and adaptability.

Trilogy: This includes three notable routines:
Silver Suspension: A modern take on David Roth’s “Hanging Coins,” where coins appear to suspend in a beam of light from a spectator’s phone, avoiding edge grip for broader appeal.

Compression: A visually striking routine where three coins compress to two, then one, and finally a speck, before re-expanding.

Saturn’s Return: A three-phase routine with a surprising coin production and a unique coins-across sequence.

Recoil: A routine that transforms metal in a visually engaging way, noted for minimal pocket space and simple sleights, though it’s currently out of stock at Penguin Magic.

Calico: A recent release (March 2025) featuring refined, modern coin routines designed to challenge stereotypes about coin magic being dull.

Trip: A coin magic book discussed in magic forums, showcasing his ability to create accessible yet sophisticated effects.

Background and Philosophy:
Holcombe is a stay-at-home father, which has influenced his approach to magic, focusing on practical, portable effects that fit into everyday life. His philosophy centers on “great thinking” to advance the art, making complex moves feel effortless without compromising deception. He’s known for clear teaching, often including detailed video tutorials and eBooks, and credits other creators generously.

Community Involvement:
Holcombe is likely involved with the Raleigh Magic Club, a chartered chapter of the International Brotherhood of Magicians (I.B.M.) and Society of American Magicians (S.A.M.), given his prominence in North Carolina’s magic scene. The club offers workshops and performance critiques, aligning with his focus on teaching and innovation.

He’s active in online magic communities, with a YouTube channel dedicated to coin magic tutorials, theory, and performances, and has been featured in podcasts like Of Sleights and Men, where he discussed his creative process and fatherhood.

Recognition:
His work has been published in Genii magazine (September 2019), a prestigious platform for magicians.

He’s a leading authority in coin magic, with routines praised for their creativity and practicality, earning him reverence among peers and enthusiasts

CAPSTONE’S fascination with magic began at the age of eight when he discovered an old trunk of magician’s props in his uncle’s attic. ​CAPSTONE has been mentored by many fine magicians over the years. Of particular influence were the years he lived in England where he was privileged to attend meetings of London’s famous Magic Circle magicians’ club. CAPSTONE’S performances feature classic magic that offers a unique experience for today’s audiences.

In addition to performing, CAPSTONE has created, manufactured and marketed products that sell in magic shops worldwide. He also provides professional services to magicians including consulting, prop design and fabrication, and lectures for magicians’ clubs. ​CAPSTONE also owns a valuable collection of classic magician’s props and antique magic books and offers assistance in the liquidation of magicians’ estates. He lives in Tulsa, Oklahoma with his wife Cathy. They have four children and two grandchildren and a bunny named Buster.

Hal Saxon is a world-class professional close-up magician, prolific magic creator, author, and teacher with nearly five decades of experience in performing and teaching magic. He specializes in close-up and impromptu magic, focusing on classic props like thumb tips, dye tubes, coins, cards, and silks, which can be carried in a pocket and performed spontaneously. His work emphasizes engaging, angle-proof, and emotionally impactful magic that captivates audiences and leaves a lasting impression.

Key Contributions and Expertise
Thumb Tip and Dye Tube Magic:
Hal Saxon is renowned for his innovative handling of thumb tips and dye tubes, introducing techniques that even seasoned magicians find novel. His presentations and lectures break down complex techniques into clear, concise explanations, making them accessible to beginners and advanced magicians alike.

He has developed practical modifications to classic props, enhancing their versatility and enabling performances that are visually stunning and angle-proof. For example, his advanced silk vanish technique, using a dual rotation steal with a thumb tip, is noted for being deceptive even to magicians.

Sanada Gimmick Training:
Saxon has filled a gap in beginner-level training for the Sanada gimmick, offering workshops and tutorials that teach creative routines like the “wormhole” and “faux hypnosis” tricks. His teaching is praised for its clarity and down-to-earth style, making it a valuable resource for magicians.

Swami Writing and Mentalism:
He offers beginner-friendly tutorials like Swami Theory 101, a workshop-style course on swami writing, a classic mentalism technique where magicians appear to predict or reveal thoughts (e.g., numbers or words). His guidance helps newcomers navigate the overwhelming array of options in this field.

Books and Courses:
Saxon has authored 28 magic books and training courses, sold in 65 countries and all 50 U.S. states. These resources cover close-up magic techniques, mentalism, and innovative uses of classic props, available as instant digital downloads on his website.

Corporate and Motivational Speaking:
Beyond performing, Saxon is a seminar keynote speaker who combines magic with motivational storytelling to deliver messages about personal and professional growth. He also performs at corporate events, civic gatherings, festivals, and private functions, weaving organizational themes like teamwork and vision into his acts. His 40+ years of corporate executive management experience make him uniquely qualified to tailor performances to corporate audiences.

Teaching and Philosophy
Teaching Style: Saxon’s instructional materials, including videos and eBooks, are praised for their thoroughness and clarity. He emphasizes practical, applicable techniques that improve performances and engage audiences psychologically, enhancing the emotional impact of magic.

Philosophy: He believes magic should be fun, thought-provoking, and surprising, aiming to elicit strong emotional responses from spectators. Saxon focuses on mastering a few techniques deeply rather than collecting numerous tricks, a lesson he learned after hand injuries forced him to refine his approach.

Performance Style
Close-Up Magic: Saxon excels in close-up settings, performing for small groups at tables or in strolling/walk-around scenarios. His performances are interactive, relying on sleight of hand, quick wit, and audience engagement.

Stage and Parlor Magic: He also performs on stage or in parlor settings, delivering professional, classy magic without gimmicks like clown noses or fire-eating, focusing on mesmerizing illusions and audience participation.

Impromptu Magic: His love for “Every Day Carry” (EDC) magic shines in effects like the Gimmick-Less Bank Vault Vanish, a fast, angle-proof, and beginner-friendly trick that stuns audiences.

Online Presence and Offerings
Website: Hal Saxon runs halsaxonmagic.com, where he sells digital products, including courses, eBooks, and videos. He offers an “All You Can Eat Annual Pass” for access to all digital content at a single price, with plans to transition to a subscription model.

Community Engagement: Saxon is active in magic communities, sharing content on platforms like The Magician’s Forum, where his unlimited pass offer was highlighted as a valuable opportunity for magicians to reconnect with thumb tip magic.

Testimonials and Impact
Magicians praise Saxon’s teaching for its innovation and accessibility. For instance, a student noted that his silk vanish technique improved their performance “1000%” due to smoother, more natural handling.

Seasoned magicians, like one with 24 years of experience, appreciate his Sanada training for filling a void in beginner resources.

Keith Raleigh began his life in magic at the age of eight years old during the summer of 1969 soon after it was weekend trips to The Gemagic House Of Magic located in Dayton, Ohio. Keith performed amateur magic shows as a young teenager and performed professionally from 1986 – 2016 . Keith has been an avid collector of magic for the past 40 years and spends his days , buying, selling & trading magic collectibles and creating videos of the great magic of yesteryear.

Watch some of Keith’s Videos here

From Grok:
Dan Stapleton is a seasoned magician with a career spanning decades, known for captivating audiences worldwide. Originally from Wisconsin, he began performing at Disney World in 1973, demonstrating tricks in their magic shops. His career took him to cruise ships for 23 years, where he entertained globally, including at the Bellagio in Las Vegas, the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, and the Nanjing Festival in China.

Stapleton has appeared on television shows like The Love Boat and competed on America’s Got Talent Season 3, though he was eliminated in the audition round. He owned the Theatre of Illusions at Circus World, where he met his wife, a former elephant trainer. A respected figure in the magic community, he’s a life member of the Society of American Magicians, an IBM Order of Merlin member, and former president of the Florida Magicians Association (1995). He’s also organized magic conventions and cruises, designed magic sets, and performed at corporate events, trade shows, and children’s parties, tailoring his acts to diverse audiences. Stapleton lives in Orlando with his wife, Faryln, and their twin daughters, Amber and Ashley

Steve Hart is a seasoned comedy magician based in Palm Bay, Florida, with over 30 years of professional experience bringing joy and laughter to audiences of all ages. Born in Muncie, Indiana, in 1953, Steve’s passion for magic ignited at age 10 after a magician’s performance at his school left a lasting impression. By 14, he won first place in an International Young Magician’s stage contest, setting the stage for a remarkable career.
Known as the “BIG Fun Guy” at 6’5”, Steve captivates with his original comedy routines, audience participation, and skillful sleight of hand. He has performed over 1,000 shows across the U.S., from New York City to Hollywood and Miami to Seattle, entertaining at birthday parties, corporate events, fairs, festivals, cruise ships, and even his own TV show in Indiana. His warm humor, influenced by comedy legends like Johnny Carson and Red Skelton, ensures both kids and adults leave his shows smiling.
Steve’s accolades include the 2001 International Comedy Excellence Award and the 2009 Order of Merlin from the International Brotherhood of Magicians, where he has served as a board member. He is also an innovator, creating and selling original magic tricks, lecturing to fellow magicians, and running dollarstoremagictricks.com to make magic accessible.
Based on Florida’s Space Coast, Steve specializes in family and senior audiences, offering close-up magic, stage shows, and balloon twisting. His performances are flexible, dependable, and affordable, earning rave reviews like, “One word to describe Steve… Amazing!!” from parents. Whether at a child’s birthday or a corporate event, Steve Hart guarantees a memorable, laughter-filled experience.

After the first magic set I got for Christmas, I was hooked!  However, I am NOT a magician – I fancy myself as a Magic Hobbyist.  I started the United States Magic Company in 2015.  Over the years, The Fat Magician has purchased several brick and mortar inventory remnants and numerous vintage magician estate auction lots to create the Vintage Etsy Magic Shop .  With the success of the Vintage Etsy Magic Shop – The Fat Magician then created a second Etsy shop featuring rare and highly collectible TENYO Magic Tricks only.  Recently, I have started uploading content to social platforms like Rumble.  I have no desire to be well known and no illusions that I will become rich on social media or from these magic endeavors – it is ALL for fun!  I am a fortunate Magician!
~ Fat Magician

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