"3D Paradox" by Steve Shufton
Suggested Retail USD$25.00
Available from your favorite dealer
In a Blink: 9 Out of 10

"3D Paradox" is the latest from Steve Shufton and it is one of the best, easiest, and attractive "impossible location" tricks to hit the market in a long time. To call it "different" is an understatement -- this is good, fun stuff!

The effect is simple enough: it's an impossible location plot. But that's only the bare bones of the story here. The spectator is given a sealed envelope. A playing card is freely selected from an ungimmicked deck. This card is signed and shuffled back into the deck. The envelope is opened to reveal a colorful illustrated greeting card. It's opened and shows itself to be a 3D pop-up greeting card where a small envelope is part of the scene. The spectator reaches into this smaller envelope and removes the contents, which, of course, is her signed card.

Okay, I should state here and now that I love Steve Shufton's work. I've been in love with his stuff ever since I saw his take on Cosmosis ("The Ultimate Floating Match"). Shufton makes the best, most practical magic with the simplest, most workable solutions to absolutely floor spectators. "3D Paradox" just continues to keep me a fan of his.

"3D Paradox" doesn't require complicated sleights (forget palming, which I'm more than pleased to do). There is no folding of things, forcing of things, switching of things, or most of the usual ploys you would associate with the "impossible location" plot. You can also forget about the usual things related to magic like set-ups, resets and angles. "3D Paradox" keeps things so simple all you need is the greeting card, a deck of cards, and a spectator -- and your talented self with a good presentation.

And as far as I'm concerned, that makes "3D Paradox" a keeper. It's small enough to carry with ease, simple enough to do with just common sleight work, and it can play as a stand alone effect or as a powerful end to an existing routine.

It also comes in two styles -- Magician and Wizard -- to suit your own personality and style. That's what I call thinking ahead.

Let's look at some details. First, there are sleights involved, but nothing major (nothing explained as well; not that these really basic moves need to be explained to anyone who's been around for more than a minute or two with a good card book). This is typical Shufton: the mechanics are in the prop and some sneaky work here and there. Second, the greeting card can't be examined more than abruptly and casually. Not a big deal here, since it seems the spectators are more taken with the effect than the greeting card; no one's ever asked to examine the it and I think the fact everything is so open and the spectator removes their card from the small envelope pretty much seals the deal.

No matter how you look at it, this is a great piece of work. If you're looking for a great, compact, and painless impossible location for a signed playing card, you don't have to look any further than "3D Paradox".

"3D Paradox" by Steve Shufton
In a Blink: 9 Out of 10

Practicality: 10
This one is loaded with reasons to do it: it packs small (and flat), no reset, no set-up, no angle problems... this is definitely one you can and will carry with you. It can't be examined, but that's no drawback; no one seems to want to anyway because of the surprise built into this one.

Workmanship: 10
"3D Paradox is beautifully made and, with proper care, should last a good, long time.

Documentation: 8
The documentation is what you'd expect: it's certainly enough to get you through the basic effect and to get all the handlings and nuances down pat.

Effect: 10
Good "impossible location" plots always play big; with this idea, it plays much better than you could rightfully expect.

Presentation: 10
It's all about the plot and the prop, both of which are out-and-out winners.


Shane