This effect and method was invented by George Lorimer and published in the British monthly periodical The Magician Monthly as The Crown Jewels of Crashbania and subtitled: A Regular Royal Robbery (pg. 72, May, 1928). Lorimer’s routine had quite a lot more going on than the eventual dealer versions including changing the large rubies into a shower of smaller rubies, a British flag to cover the crown, the production of some large silks, and a cage complete with Canary 🙂
However, the key methods of the rubies appearing in the crown and vanishing from the presentation case are used in both dealer versions I have seen. The first dealer version that I am aware of was released by Harry Stanley c. 1953 as Royal Robbery and routined by Arthur Leo.
Supreme Magic released their first version c. 1968 through arrangement with Harry Stanley and still based on the Arthur Leo routine, then later as they purchased Stanley’s exclusive copyrights c. 1972 they released other tweaks and changes. This version, though brand new, comes from c. 1992 with the addition of the Tom Sellers’ idea to vanish the silks.
Supreme’s version is well made but does not have quite the elegance of Stanley’s Royal Robbery and only includes three jewels as opposed to four (look at the final photo for comparison of the crowns). But the routine is similar with a few extra tweaks including the cardboard card instead of hanky to cover up the crown. One of the other 1992 changes is the vanish of the jewels from a silk and tumbler. To be honest I could have left that out as I didn’t find the method that convincing (but I have not actually performed it to children so maybe it goes down very well in reality).
But, with or without the vanish, this is a great routine for the younger children and will entertain them and they will have plenty of fun along the way. It is very topical right now with the Coronation of King Charles III 🙂
Click here for more information.