Vanishing Salt Trick (Improved) by Al Baker

This was invented by Al Baker c. 1940 and sold by him and later Tannen’s and others.  An improved version was introduced by Al c. 1947 with a revised gimmick.  This was easier to use but unfortunately has a tendency to yellow and split after 80 years as I found when working on this 🙁

I was able to use the original gimmick and that is what I’m using for these photos and I also had a new one fabricated using a 3D printer and it works better than ever.

Regardless of the aging or gimmick this is a clever idea that is easy to do and looks very effective to the audience, and of course no TT’s are used 🙂

Effect: The performer shows an ordinary household salt shaker which is filled with salt. Removing the screw top, the. performer drapes a borrowed handkerchief over his loosely closed left fist and forms a pocket in center of handkerchief.

Picking up shaker, salt is poured into pocket of handkerchief until less than one third of salt remains in the shaker.

HANDKERCHIEF IS DRAWN THROUGH FIST, THROWN INTO AIR AND CAUGHT AS IT FLUTTERS DOWN, THE SALT HAVING COMPLETELY VANISHED.

It is an ideal trick for night club or drawing room, as no salt is spilt on rugs or polished floors. The means of performing it are pleasingly simple and the illusion 100 % perfect.

Found something wrong? Help us improve things by clicking here!