The Mummy by Alan Warner

This is one of Alan’s finest hours and over 45 years later still remains one of his most cherished effects.

In 1973, the British Mini-Magic creator and authority, Alan Warner was approached by the Swiss Magic Dealer Max Randegger from Hofstetten Zurich, to design a version of the Mummy.  Max was given the routines, notes, and details for the fabrication of the Mummy by the widow of Oscar Rey.  Max supplied Alan with an Oskar Rey set and Alan went on to create his wonderful first version of The Mummy in 1974.  This was also Alan’s first piece of Mini-Magic made in Teak, which became his primary focus in subsequent years.  Unlike Oskar Rey, Inzani-Henley, and Eddy Taytelbaum, Alan chose a different mechanism for the release and was the first to use a 3-D Mummy instead of a flat Mummy.

After the Taytelbaum version this has always been my favorite Mummy, and even though Alan released a version two c. 2003 I’ve always been happy with the first release.  Even though it is not as ornate as Eddy’s version it is more practical to use and still looks amazing to this day.

Effect: My patter based upon the Dr. Albo text and the Inzani Henly’s Mummy instructions (which I believe Dr. Albo based his routine on)Th:

In the 1950’s there were four explorers who ventured into the tomb of an ancient Pharaoh. They went deeper than any previous expedition and discovered an undisturbed sarcophagus. They lifted the lid and found a gold bar. One of the explorers took the gold bar and tried to decipher the message on the bar, leaving the remaining three to uncover the Mummy beneath.

They removed the Mummy’s coffin and turned over the coffin to see if there were any markings or messages on the bottom. But they found nothing. They were just about to return the Mummy to the coffin when the first explorer rushed in. He was as white as a ghost and shouted: “This is terrible! The message reads: If ever I am disturbed the curse of death will fall upon you!”

Naturally, all four explorers were freaked out by this news and they carefully replaced
the Mummy back into the coffin. But what happened then scared them even more. The Mummy just floated in the Coffin. They all saw this as proof that the curse was coming true, so they quickly replaced the coffin into the sarcophagus. Returned the gold bar and closed the sarcophagus. Leaving the tomb as undisturbed as possible. They made their way back to their main camp and told the other explorers what had happened. Their colleagues needed evidence and visited the ancient tomb themselves. They found the sarcophagus, and lifted the lid and the gold bar, but there was no sign of the Mummy anywhere – just an empty coffin. So, none of their colleagues believed the tale and even the four explorers were having doubts now.

However, over the next 12 months three of the four explorers all met with sudden and fatal accidents. The only remaining explorer knew he had to break the curse, otherwise he would be next. So, he returned to the tomb looking for evidence of the Mummy. None could be found. He then discovered another passage and inside a second sarcophagus. The explorer was hoping to find the Mummy but when he lifted the lid the sarcophagus was empty.

The explorer almost gave up until he noticed there was a message embedded on the lid of the sarcophagus. He was able to decipher it and smiled when he read the words: “Have no fear, Mummy’s here!” He lifted the lid again and now inside was the Mummy returned. He placed the mummy the first sarcophagus and replaced everything as before.

The final explorer was able to break the curse and lived happily for another fifty years, but he never disturbed Mummy’s ever again.

(Original Ad Copy) The performer removes the lid from a plain wooden sarcophagus to reveal an Egyptian Mummy reclining in an open coffin. The coffin containing the Mummy is removed and the performer then demonstrates the Mummy’s mysterious power TO FLOAT UNSUPPORTED IN THE COFFIN. The coffin with the floating Mummy is returned to the plain sarcophagus and the lid is replaced. A second sarcophagus is then shown empty, this sarcophagus differing from the first in that it has a decorated lid.

The performer states that the Mummy has the power not only to float unaided but also dematerialise and materialize, and goes on to prove this by reopening the plain sarcophagus to reveal that THE COFFIN IS NOW EMPTY. On removing the lid of the decorated sarcophagus, THE MUMMY IS NOW SEEN TO BE INSIDE THIS SARCOPHAGUS.

BEAUTIFUL HANDCRAFTED APPARATUS:

• Each beautifully proportioned sarcophagus is made in SOLID TEAK and measures 12 x 5 x 5.4 cms high, an oiled finish preserving the natural wood.
• The lid of the decorated sarcophagus features A GENUINE HAND-POLISHED GEMSTONE.
• Please note that each piece of apparatus will feature a different gemstone to the one shown in the photograph below.

The apparatus is a delight to handle, and with Alan Warner’s improved method of working, simplicity itself to perform and a magnificent example of true craftsmanship.

The apparatus comes complete with The Alan Warner Routine.

(Click here for more history about The Wandering Mummy)

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