DVF crossword scarf! and the Superb Owl
And another brand new crossword!
Conjuring and conundrum lovers!
In this newsletter:
DVF crossword scarf!
Magic history: T. Nelson Downs
Superb Owl!
A brand new crossword! Superb Owl!
DVF crossword scarf!
Back in October, I mentioned that DVF and I had collaborated on a special project to honor the 50th anniversary of the wrap dress. I’m so excited to finally be able to share this with you. This is a silk scarf from her Wrap 50 capsule collection. Each scarf comes with special packaging that contains the puzzle and clues.
It was a challenging construction. Not only did I manage to feature six “DVF phrases” (blue), but I also included 26 words, A-Z, from her book Own It (green). I explain a little more about the process of everything coming together here on TikTok:
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My favorite thing about this whole crossword-palooza is that the homepage of DVF.com featured crosswords all week! Here are all the wonderful designs from this collection.
I hope you’ll pick up a scarf for the cruciverbalist in your life!
Magic History: T. Nelson Downs
T. Nelson Downs is widely considered the one of the most influential coin magicians in the allied arts. Known as the “King of Koins,” Downs was particularly famous for his invention of the “Downs Palm,” a technique in which the magician conceals a coin behind … never mind I’ve said too much.
Timothy Nelson Downs (1867–1938) was born in Marshalltown, Iowa. He was self-taught and became proficient at sleight of hand at an early age. But at age 17 he took a job as a railway telegrapher. The solitude of that vocation afforded him the practice time to become a master.
Remarkably, there’s video of Downs here! I couldn’t find the exact year that it was filmed, but it must be in the late 1930s given the years of his life.
Downs was most known for his trick “The Miser’s Dream.” Imagine a magician reaching up and plucking a shiny coin out of thin air. He tosses it into a bucket: “Clink.” He does it again. “Clink.” And again and again and again. “Clink, clink, clink!” He produces dozens and dozens of coins, entire fistfuls of them, the coins shimmering and cascading noisily into the bucket. Downs didn’t invent the routine, but he was the most prominent American performing the effect. Genii magazine cites that the trick was previously known as “Aerial Treasury” and “Le Rêve de l'Avare (The Dream of the Miser).” Even in 1852 Robert-Houdin included the “Shower of Money” in his show.
My favorite version of the Miser’s Dream is by Al Flosso, “The Coney Island Fakir.” Enjoy!
Superb Owl
With the Super Bowl coming up on Sunday, it seemed only fitting to include a Superb Owl inspired crossword below. Ahead of every Super Bowl, the searches for “superb owl” skyrocket. Even Google got in on the fun in 2019, yielding the below result when the misspelling was searched.
I hope you enjoy the below brand new crossword. Happy solving!
Superb Owl inspired crossword
Another brand new crossword for you to solve. Play it now! Would love to hear your thoughts below in the comments!
Events
Interested in booking me for your next event? More info here on private parties, corporate speaking & performances and team-building puzzle hunts.
Upcoming Shows
After a sold out run at The Kennedy Center, The Enigmatist next moves to Chicago Shakespeare Theater on Navy Pier in May 2024. The Windy City, get ready for the puzzle party! More info here.
Puzzle Hunt Playing Cards
Enigmas: Puzzle Hunt Playing Cards. Included within this unique deck are four very special puzzle cards. Solve them all to unlock an online Puzzle Hunt! Available here.
Your puzzles are always fun to solve. Love Game Night (would love to see another)!