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.