About Sankey Magic

Sankey Magic began in 1980 when Jay Sankey marketed his very first magic trick “Smashed” at the age of 17. The illusion involved an ordinary pencil piercing a borrowed coin in an extremely original and visual fashion. Sankey Magic products have been known for both their originality and visual impact ever since (and "Smashed" is still very popular!)

In fact, over the past 27 years dozens of our magic tricks have become international bestsellers and Sankey Magic has grown to become one of the most recognized and respected brands of premium magic products in the world.

We are not a department store of magic. Instead, we specialize in a single branch of the magical arts called “street magic” (also known as "close up magic). We believe that street magic, with its supremely intimate performing conditions and fundamental reliance on sleight-of-hand is one of the most astonishing and beautiful types of performance a human can experience.

We are committed to sharing our passion and rare understanding of street magic with our world-wide community of loyal customers in as many ways as possible including our premium products and acclaimed monthly newsletter.

But what does the statement “real magic for the real world” really mean? To us it’s a mission statement, a core philosophy, a goal, a promise and even a manifesto.

We believe…

• Real magic can be learned by everyone.

• Real magic is easy to learn.

• Real magic is original.

• Real magic is not something that only looks amazing on a video preview.

• Real magic can be handed out for examination.

• Real magic has no unnatural or awkward moves.

• Real magic can be shared anywhere.

• Real magic inspires real reactions.

• Real magic encourages people to share their real selves.

• Real magic is for everyone.

We also believe that real magic is about sharing our amazing success we those less fortunate than ourselves as well as giving our customers a chance to share their good fortune. With that in mind, a percentage of every sale will be donated to Oxfam. Thanks very much for joining us in supporting this worthy, non-denominational global charity.

About Jay Sankey

“Jay Sankey has one of the biggest followings in the world of magic. He performs cool, original effects with razor sharp wit and infectious enthusiasm while also being a brilliant innovator who releases quality tricks. He is still fresh and original after many years at the top.” – Magicseen UK

“Jay Sankey does not merely 'think outside the box.' The truth is that Jay's box is many times larger than yours and mine. Jay has been an inspiration to an entire generation of magicians including myself." –Wayne Houchin

"Jay Sankey is an example of today's 'complete magician.' He creates real-world magic that real-world performers can use, and is himself a real-world performer.” –Dustin Stinett, Genii Magazine

“Jay’s magic is as good as the magic anyone has ever created.” -Paul Harris

Jay Sankey is a true magician's magician and is widely considered to be one of the most original thinkers and finest magic teachers alive today. He is also one of the most prolific magic creators on the planet. While many of his especially creative contemporaries have a few dozen original routines to their credit, at last count Jay has created over 500 original street magic illusions.

Jay's uncanny gift as magic creator was evident from an early age. For his 11th birthday he was given a toy magic set and by the age of the age of 18 Jay was traveling the world lecturing on the subject of sleight-of-hand magic to both professional and amateur magicians. Somehow, Jay still made the time to graduate from the University of Toronto where he studied both psychology and philosophy.

As a performer, Jay has mystified audiences at private parties, trade shows, banquets and corporate functions including work for Coca-Cola, Honda, Chrysler, Panasonic, McDonald’s and Club Med.

Jay has also worked as a consultant for many of the world's most famous magicians including Criss Angel, Keith Barry and David Copperfield. Even David Blaine has been seen using Jay's magic tricks!

In conjunction with the Ottawa-based production company GAPC, Jay and his company Sankey Magic created the magic-based children's television series "Spellz.” Jay hosts the show which airs on Canada’s TVO network.

As a stand-up comic Jay headlined comedy clubs for years and performed at the numerous festivals including two appearances at the prestigious “Just for Laughs” comedy festival in Montreal.

And as a monologist Jay has mounted several live one-man shows including “Contents Under Pressure” (1996) and “Borrowed Breath” (1998). “Contents Under Pressure” was later produced for television by Sleeping Giant Productions and starring Jay it aired on BRAVO!

Jay's experiences as both a professional comic and a monologist inspired him to write “Zen and the Art of the Monologue” as well as a book that is considered to be one of the modern bibles of stand-up comedy, “Zen and the Art of Stand-Up Comedy.” Both books are published by Routledge in New York.

Jay lives in Toronto with his incredible wife Lisa and his two absolutely amazing children Mason and Madelaine.

About Our Creative Consultants

David Acer is one of Jay’s oldest friends and has been part of the Sankey Magic creative team for many years. He has authored eight critically acclaimed books of close-up magic and has been writing the legendary “Magicana” section in Genii magazine since 2005. Currently he’s the co-host and co-writer of the hit Discovery Kid’s series “Mystery Hunters” which has garnered him two Gemini Nominations (the Canadian equivalent of the Emmys) and a spin-off book deal with Kidscan Press.
David Makepeace is an award-winning independent filmmaker with a keen interest in space, physics and music. He's also a diehard 'eclipse chaser' and has filmed solar eclipses all over the world including Libya, Turkey, Africa, Australia and Antarctica. David has taped and edited many of our most exciting and creative projects.
Ian Passy (in his own words and with a nod to Iggy Pop) "was raised by a nuclear A-bomb and at a young age I was taught to have a heart full of napalm. Due to my strict upbringing, I eventually ran away from home. Not long after I felt as if the world had forgotten me, but I grew out of being a teenager and got over that. Now I spend most of my time searching and destroying." Luckily for us, Ian also finds time to shoot and edit many of our DVDs.
David Peck has been performing sleight-of-hand magic for decades and recently released his first DVD, "Digital Graffiti." David is also a poet, musician, public speaker and teaches film, philosophy and international development at Humber College. David has a Masters degree in philosophy and is currently consulting with Non-Governmental Organizations on development projects in Asia. David is also one of Jay's oldest friends as well as a co-creator and advisor on the children's television series "Spellz."
Richard Sanders is one of the finest sleight-of-hand magicians in the world. He not only regularly deceives other master magicians, he deceives them with techniques they already know! Richard is just that damn good. Richard and Jay released their book “When Creators Collide” in 1987 and Richard has been one of Jay’s most valued consultants ever since.
Mike Skutt spends an unhealthy amount of his waking hours thinking about magic. From the moment they met, Jay has been a big fan of Mike’s decidedly “left of center approach.” Mike is currently finishing his Psychology degree and (to quote him) “has a supportive wife and lovely daughter.” To see Mike’s originality in action be sure to check out The Sankey/Skutt Sessions.
Vahagn Stepanian is a well established and dynamic graphic designer specializing in layout and image design. Having earned a diploma in Image Design and a BA in Graphic Communications, Vahagn brings an exciting energy and strong level of design experience to the packaging of all our products.
Jeff Stone is “mostly a card guy” who first became interested in magic at the age of 6. He sent a video of his original sleight-of-hand magic to Jay a few years ago and was immediately asked to be one of the featured performers on the Underground Jam. Jeff has a background in nuclear physics, database programming and web development. While in the U.S. Navy Jeff spent 4 years on a submarine. His best time for solving the Rubik’s Cube is 40.17 seconds.