Mr. Fingers - The Magic of Irv Weiner by Scott Martell
Mr. Fingers - The Magic of Irv Weiner by Scott Martell
Couldn't load pickup availability
The secrets of the incredibly influential Irv Weiner are finally shared in this definitive work. Master magician and pioneer of college shows, this beautiful collection is packed with polished tricks.
Full Description
Irv Weiner was a force to be reckoned with in the North American Magic scene. He’s influenced some of the most influential magicians of the twentieth century. Magicians like Michael Ammar, Christopher Carter, and David Regal. Irv Weiner’s show was a powerhouse on college campuses. Not only will you learn incredible tricks, but this book is filled with essays, private scrapbooks, Irv’s lecture notes, and a complete walk-through of his legendary stage set. With over 80 tricks and sleights, this book covers everything from magic with cards, coins, napkins, rope, cigarettes, eggs, sponges, mentalism, cups & balls, and includes tricks for close-up and stage. Even some of Irv’s legendary effects, like his Red Tape Thumb Tie is covered in loving detail.
Foil-Stamped Cloth Hardcover w/ Dust Jacket
8.5 x 11 Trim Size
338 Pages
B&W and Color Photos
This is the definitive work of a legend who performed thousands of shows all over the country. The book isn’t just a reprint of his private journals. It includes contributions from his friends and contemporaries so that you can gain a deep understanding of this incredible performer. It’s packed with performance theory and historical context so that you can get a real sense for the magic in the age it was developed and performed in. It also includes a detailed account of his life. You are about to learn so much about one of the most underrated master magicians. One of the most sought-after acts in the 70’s and 80’s now has all his secrets shared with you.
Also included with this beautiful book is exclusive video of Irv Weiner Performing. There is an introduction from the man himself, a recording of the full Mr. Fingers Show, clips from different venues, and a video of his live lecture. This is more than two hours of content, so you can see the incredible work as presented by the master who created it.
What You Get
Foil-Stamped Cloth Hardcover w/ Dust Jacket
8.5 x 11 Trim Size
338 Pages
B&W and Color Photos
What the Pros Say
“I saw Irv Weiner when I was a kid, and he made an immense impression on me. The tricks were amazing, but even more than that, he was incredibly engaging. This book captures that perfectly. The magic is stupendous and clearly explained, but it also tells Irv’s story. I love books like this—where you get to know the performer as well as the tricks—and Mr. Fingers does that beautifully.”-Mac King
“Irv Weiner probably had more influence on my magic than anyone. In the seventies, he was the first person I ever saw walk onto a stage of over a thousand people and perform close-up magic out of a briefcase. That single idea shaped my entire career. He could open for fifteen hundred people with a torn cigarette paper and get a standing ovation—just by being himself. He didn’t need big illusions; he just talked to people, shared who he was, and amazed them with his hands. For decades, I never saw anyone else do what Irv did. I’m grateful that his magic is finally being preserved. This is a book of solid gold, celebrating a true legend: Mr. Fingers.”-Michael Ammar
"Mr. Fingers is a richly detailed tribute to Irv Weiner’s work and character. The routines are smart, practical and clearly taught, the biographical sections vivid and full of insight. It’s rare to see a book that balances technical depth with such a strong sense of personality. The result is something that feels valuable on every level: a source of strong material, a record of a life in magic, and a guide to what it means to perform with purpose. As a long-time fan of Irv's material, I will read, study and treasure this book for many years to come."-Mark Elsdon
"I was fortunate to spend ten days with Irv Weiner in 1979. I saw him perform impromptu magic daily for laymen, routines for other magicians at the local shop and a convention, and perform for a college audience of about 1200. I saw him perform nearly every item in this volume and I became a lifetime fan. This is his life story and his life’s work — over 300 pages that ooze practical material from the magician Newsweek called one of the ten most sought-after Novelty-Variety College Entertainments in America. Isn’t it about time you get your hands on the magic of Mr. Fingers?"-Steve Beam
“Irv Weiner changed my life. I first encountered him in New York in the late seventies, after hearing about the standing ovations he was receiving all over the country. He was remarkable—creative, honest, and deeply human. My own piece, The Phoenix, was born directly from his work. Irv gave so much of himself through his talent, his performances, and his caring. This book is a beautiful and true tribute to a wonderful, complicated man and the magic he brought into the world.”-Peter Samelson
“Irv Weiner’s name has been spoken with respect for as long as I’ve been a professional magician. He was the kind of performer who could walk onto a stage with just a deck of cards and a few coins and create magic for hundreds of people that was as entertaining and as meaningful as anything they’d ever seen. For years, magicians have searched for his manuscripts. Now everything is here—his life, his thinking, his marketing, and his magic. This isn’t material for impressing other magicians at a convention. This is real-world magic for people who want to make a living doing real magic for real people.”-Brad Henderson
“When I started working the college market over thirty years ago, one name kept coming up again and again: Mr. Fingers, Irv Weiner. He may have been small in stature, but as a magician, he was a giant. For years his material was almost impossible to find—and when I finally did, I discovered pure gold. His magic is subtle, direct, and simple in the very best way. Irv Weiner’s material transformed everything I do on stage. Now it’s all in one place. This book offers a rare look into a brilliant mind—and if you study it, it will transform your work too. This is a no-brainer. You must get this book.”-Christopher Carter
“I first encountered Irv Weiner through his manuscripts, then through old footage of this ebullient man performing immaculate close-up magic on a stage. Time and again I’d see a wonderful effect—like the Red Tape Thumb Tie—and realize it was by the same magician. Irv Weiner did something remarkable: in his fifties, he created a two-hour show that became a sensation with college audiences. What kind of person can do that? This book gives you the answer. Mr. Fingers is filled with Irv’s brilliant magical thinking and offers a fascinating look at Irv Weiner, the man.”-David Regal
“Irv Weiner was a genius when it came to magic. He was a pioneer of the college circuit and a wonderful all-round performer—equally brilliant with magic, mentalism, and people. His work has been scattered and hard to find for years, and now it’s finally been gathered in one place. What you’ll find here is professional material: clever thinking, beautiful structure, and routines that are tried, tested, and honed through thousands of performances. Irv was truly ahead of his time, and this book is packed with miracles.”-Marc Paul
“I am genuinely delighted that this book exists. Irv Weiner was one of the most successful working professionals of his era on the college circuit—an older man playing to younger audiences in often impossible conditions, walking in with a small case and delivering a two-hour show that routinely earned multiple standing ovations. He was far ahead of his time. The material in this book is practical, commercial, and deeply intelligent—card magic, close-up and platform mentalism, and book tests that you can open to any page and start using. Along with a wonderful biography, this book preserves the work and the legacy of a truly great working professional—one of the most unique and significant performers our art has known. This is a fantastic resource, and I’m thrilled that we have it.”-Jamy Ian Swiss
More Videos
Quick Links
Contact Us
At Penguin Magic, we believe in real magic—and that starts with real people helping you. Our friendly support team is made up of passionate magicians who understand your needs and are here to help every step of the way.
Whether you're placing your first order or you're a seasoned pro with a tricky question, you're never just a number to us—we’ve got your back!
💬 Talk to a Real Human
Need help? Have a question? Just want to say hi?
Our support team is quick, kind, and genuinely excited to connect with fellow magic lovers.
Email us anytime:
📧 support@penguinmagic.com
We respond fast—usually within one business day or sooner!
☎️ Give Us a Call
We’re always happy to chat magic.
Toll-Free (U.S.): 800-880-2592
International: +1 707-317-6733
Please leave a message with your name, order number (if applicable), and callback number. We’ll return your call within 24 business hours.
🕒 Hours of Availability
Our team is based in California and available:
Monday – Friday
🕗 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM (Pacific Time)
📦 Mailing Address
For returns, mail orders, or fan mail:
Penguin Magic
3299 Monier Circle, Unit A
Rancho Cordova, CA 95742
United States
🪄 We're Here For You
No bots. No scripts. Just real people who love magic as much as you do.
Got a question? A shipping hiccup? A product suggestion? We’d love to hear from you.
Reach out—we’re always happy to help. 💙
Want to partner with Penguin Magic?
Partnering with Penguin Magic offers creators a unique opportunity to showcase their magic tricks on one of the world's largest magic platforms. By joining the Penguin Partner Program, you can:
- Earn Generous Royalties: Receive a 50% royalty for exclusive products, with Penguin handling order fulfillment, credit card processing, and shipping.
- Engage Directly with Customers: Utilize a private FAQ section to interact with your audience, answer questions, and provide updates or improvements to your products.
- Monitor Real-Time Sales: Access daily sales tracking tools to evaluate the impact of your marketing efforts and understand customer feedback through reviews.
- Benefit from Free Order Fulfillment: Avoid additional fees as Penguin manages the storage and shipping of your products from their California warehouse.
To become a partner, sign up for a partner account and email partner@penguinmagic.com to express your interest. Your submission will be reviewed by Penguin's team to ensure it aligns with their quality standards and community ethics.
For more details, visit the Penguin Partner Program page.
About Us
Welcome to Penguin Magic – Where Magic Begins.
At Penguin Magic, we believe in the power of wonder. Since 2002, we’ve been on a mission to inspire, teach, and connect magicians around the world—whether you're a seasoned professional or just picking up your first deck of cards.
We’re more than just a magic shop. We're a global community of creators, performers, and dreamers who share a passion for the art of astonishment. From exclusive, cutting-edge tricks to timeless classics, we curate the best magic in the world—and make it accessible to everyone.
What We Do
- Unmatched Selection: Our massive online catalog features thousands of tricks, props, and accessories—meticulously selected by magicians, for magicians.
- Exclusive Content: We produce high-quality tutorials and performances with some of the biggest names in magic. Only at Penguin will you find original, mind-blowing effects you won’t see anywhere else.
- Community & Support: We're proud to support one of the most active and welcoming communities of magicians online. Need help or advice? Our team is here for you every step of the way.
Why Penguin?
Because we love magic. Every member of our team is a magician, and that passion drives everything we do—from hand-packing your order to filming the next blockbuster tutorial. We’re committed to helping you grow your skills, build your act, and perform with confidence.
Whether you're performing on stage, up close, or online, Penguin Magic is your partner in magic.
Thank you for letting us be part of your journey.
Stay magical,
The Penguin Magic Team 🐧✨
Return Policy
At Penguin Magic, your satisfaction is our top priority. We want you to feel confident with every purchase. While magic is full of surprises, your order shouldn’t be one of them.
🧾 General Return Guidelines
Because of the secretive nature of magic, many items are non-returnable once opened. However, we’ll always do our best to make things right.
Here’s how our return policy works:
- Unopened Physical Products: You may return new, unused, and unopened items within 30 days of delivery for a full refund or store credit.
- Defective or Damaged Items: If a product arrives damaged or doesn’t work as expected, we’ll replace it or refund you—no hassle.
- Digital Downloads: All instant downloads, streaming videos, and digital content are non-refundable once purchased.
- Opened Tricks or Props: Due to the exposure of magical methods, we cannot accept returns on opened or used magic effects (unless defective).
📦 How to Start a Return
1. Contact our support team at support@penguinmagic.com with:
- Your order number
- A brief explanation of the issue
- Photos if there’s damage or a defect
2. We’ll respond within 1 business day to help you out.
3. If approved, we’ll provide return instructions. Once we receive the item, we’ll process your refund or store credit within 3–5 business days.
❗Important Notes
- Return shipping is the responsibility of the customer unless the item was defective or sent in error.
- All refunds are issued to the original payment method or as store credit.
- Items marked Final Sale or Non-Returnable cannot be returned.
Still Have Questions?
We're here to help. Email us at support@penguinmagic.com — our customer happiness team is standing by.
🪄 Thanks for shopping with Penguin Magic. We appreciate your trust—and we’ll always work to make your experience magical.
Shipping Options
At Penguin Magic, we're committed to delivering your magical products promptly and reliably. Below is our comprehensive shipping policy to guide you through our shipping processes.
📦 Order Processing & Fulfillment
- Same-Day Shipping: Orders placed before 4 PM Eastern Time (1 PM Pacific), Monday through Friday, are typically shipped the same day. Orders placed after this cutoff will ship the next business day.
- Shipping Origin: All orders are shipped from our warehouse located in Rancho Cordova, California.
US Domestic Shipping (U.S. Orders)
- Free Standard Shipping: We offer free standard shipping on all orders over $100. For orders under $100, a $5 flat-rate shipping fee applies.
-
Shipping Methods: Depending on the weight and destination, we utilize the following carriers:
- USPS: First-Class Mail, Priority Mail, Media Mail, Parcel Select Ground
- FedEx: Ground, Overnight, 2-Day
- UPS: Ground, Overnight Saver
- ePacket (for certain items)
Delivery Times:
- USPS First-Class Mail: 2–7 business days
- USPS Priority Mail: 1–3 business days
- FedEx Ground: 1–7 business days
- FedEx Overnight: Next business day
- FedEx 2-Day: 2 business days
- UPS Ground: 1–7 business days
- UPS Overnight Saver: Next business day by 3 PM
Note: Delivery times are estimates and may vary based on location and carrier.
🌍 International Shipping
- Flat-Rate Shipping: For international orders, a $10 flat-rate shipping fee applies.
-
Shipping Methods:
- FedEx International: 2–6 business days with tracking
- FedEx Connect Plus: 4–8 business days with tracking
- ePacket: 2–6 weeks (tracking availability varies)
- UPS Mail Innovations: 2–6 weeks (tracking availability varies)
Note: Delivery times are estimates and may vary based on destination and customs processing.
📌 Important Shipping Information
- Business Days: All shipping timeframes are based on normal business days (Monday–Friday).
- PO Boxes: FedEx and UPS cannot deliver to PO Boxes. Please provide a physical address for these shipping methods.
- Customs & Duties: International shipments require a Customs Declaration Form detailing the contents and value. Import duties, taxes, and fees are the responsibility of the customer. In some cases, carriers may pay these fees in advance and bill the recipient an advancement fee. Please research your country's customs procedures before placing an order.
- APO/FPO Addresses: Orders to APO/FPO addresses will be shipped via U.S. Mail.
- Holiday Delays: Please anticipate potential delays during peak holiday seasons.
📦 Tracking Your Order
Once your order ships, you'll receive a confirmation email with tracking information. You can also track your order by logging into your Penguin Magic account.
❓ Need Assistance?
If you have any questions or concerns about your shipment, please contact our Customer Support team:
- Email: support@penguinmagic.com
-
Phone:
- Toll-Free (U.S.): 800-880-2592
- International: +1 707-317-6733
- Please leave a message with your name, order number (if applicable), and callback number. We’ll return your call within 24 business hours.
Thank you for choosing Penguin Magic. We're dedicated to ensuring your magical journey begins with a seamless delivery experience.
Price Match Guarantee
At Penguin Magic, we're committed to offering you the best prices in the magic community. If you find a lower price on an identical item at a reputable magic shop—even during sales or members-only promotions—we'll match it without hesitation.
How It Works
- Place Your Order: Shop as usual on PenguinMagic.com and complete your purchase.
-
Submit Your Price Match Request: Before your order ships, email us at support@penguinmagic.com with:
- Your order number
- A link or copy of the competitor's promotion or sale flyer
- Relax and Enjoy: We'll review your request promptly and adjust your order accordingly.
Important Details
- Timing: Price match requests must be made after placing your order but before it ships
- Eligible Competitors: We match prices from reputable magic shops.
-
Exclusions:
- No additional discounts can be applied with a price match.
- If the competitor doesn't offer free shipping and you've chosen free shipping with us, we'll deduct our shipping cost from the price match amount.
- We cannot match generic products without a brand name, as quality and pricing can vary significantly.
Example
If you find an item for $12 less at another shop, and our shipping cost is $3.42:
- With Free Shipping: You'll receive a refund of $8.58.
- If You Paid for Shipping: You'll receive the full $12 refund.
Our shipping costs are based on actual rates from the courier, with no added fees.
Questions?
We're here to help! Contact us at support@penguinmagic.com or call us at 800-880-2592 (International: +1 707-317-6733).
Shop with confidence knowing you're getting the best deal at Penguin Magic!