Mini Squeeze Away Block by Willi Wessel, Ed Massey

Willi liked beautifully made props, especially wooden ones and so he started to collect some. From time to time he made a few for himself, mostly miniature versions of tricks he had purchased from dealers, because he wanted to perform them close-up at the table.

Sometimes he had to alter the methods so that they would work in the close-up situation, which often led Willi to creating new ideas.  Around this time Willi had the chance to work together with Thomas Pohle in his workshop in Berlin. They both had their own product line.

Ed Massey invented this clever and original effect. The initial version of Squeeze Away Block first appeared in Blackstone’s Annual of Magic c. 1929 in a contribution written and illustrated by Massey. Commercial versions started appearing c. 1946.

This is rare item from Willi Wessel.  Unlike Tony Lackner and Thomas Pohle who have marketed their magic worldwide, Willi was never a full time magic creator and sold most of his magic to collectors in Germany, so finding his items is much harder.  This is a real beauty from the 1980’s.

Willi purchased a stage version from Milson-Worth, but he found it was not as effective due to the performing distance. He altered the routine to fit a close-up version and fooled many magicians at conventions.  Included in the instructions are details of how to make the yellow block reappear back inside an inverted glass which looks interesting.

You’ll love this beautiful version which looks amazing and works perfectly 🙂

Effect: Magician shows a neat case in which are three blocks — two black and one yellow. The blocks are removed and may be thoroughly examined. The case has neither front nor back. The blocks are replaced with the yellow block between the two black ones.

Now the performer slowly and deliberately pushes the two black blocks together. The yellow becomes smaller and smaller until finally the black blocks are touching each other and the yellow block has vanished completely.

The case is swung around — the audience sees only the two black blocks. The blocks are taken out of case and tossed out for examination.

ONLY THREE BLOCKS ARE USED ABSOLUTELY NO SHELLS!

Text Source: williwessel.com – click for details

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