Clock Off (Ku-Bof) by Jack Hughes

This was developed when Jack Hughes was working with Harry Stanley (as Jack Hughes and Harry Stanley in Peckham, London SE15) c. 1947. Jack built two versions of this item the more traditional Ku-Bof and this one with the Clock face called Clock Off. It is featured in his World of Magic Vol. 2. It was shortly after this was created c. 1948 that Jack and Harry parted ways and they both ran their own companies, Jack moving to Colindale, London and Harry staying in Peckham.  When Jack left he took all of his effects with him, and Harry advertised a new version of Ku-Bof as Gil Leaney’s Ku-Bof after some improvements were made.

Thanks to an online contact it is likely that this particular version was made by UK builder, inventor, and magician: Benny Hindmarsh, who specialized in a Formica Laminate finish.  Hindmarsh sold as a dealer at local UK conventions in the late 1960’s and early 1970’s.  Hindmarsh worked closely with Eddie Burke of Magictrix, Stoke-on-Trent who sold a lot of his props in the 1970’s. Later in the late 1980’s and early 90’s Hindmarsh made twenty card ducks for Castle Magic. These were unusual in that the duck was much taller than usual and the box to hold the cards popped up via a spring.

Effect: A solid wooden block VISIBLY passes through an examined wooden rod. The trick has now been greatly improved and can be performed at close quarters under almost any conditions. The block is seen to be suspended on the rod. Say the magic word “Kubof” and see the block pass through the rod. It’s the slickest and cleanest bit of visible magic you will see for a long time.

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