This is one of the earliest pieces created by Michael Baker. It was built after Bob Tysl contacted Michael to build a vanish created by Eric Lewis that was featured in Albo 04 – Further Classic Magic With Apparatus by Robert J. Albo.
Five years later he went on to make an even more impressive and colorful version featured here. But this was the original version and what a clever beauty it is.
The sound of the vanish does need to be masked by placing the tube down at the same time, but as can be seen in the video it can be quite effective. What is the real convincer is you can see the block in the tube even when it is removed from the cabinet. Also the cabinet can be looked at quite closely from the front and the top before and after the vanish and nothing can be seen. When you first try it, the vanish is quite magical in itself – where did that block go 🙂
The Sewell Block on Rod Appearance is more well known and is one of the most amazing appearances you will find.
Although the later version of this effect is better, at the time this version was one of the most technically challenging props you could build. The effect is amazing and this will look impressive in your collection and it is much rarer too. Michael only made two of these.
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