Steel Ball Through Glass (Cabala) by Dave Powell

The Cabala effect where a steel ball slowly passes through a solid sheet of glass in a box with holes at the top and bottom was originally made by John Snyder, Jr. and marketed by Thayer’s and Kanter’s c. 1936 and was known as the Steel Ball Through Glass – it came in a Ordinary and Deluxe version. And it was also sold by Davenport’s and Max Holden (through arrangement with Davenport’s) as “The Miracle Steel Ball thro’ Glass” which became the inspiration for this coin variation where the ball is replaced for a coin such as Coin of the Realm.

Dave Powell makes some of the most amazing collectible props available today. The Steel Ball is heavy and solid and yet it still goes through the glass. This item has angle issues for sure, as do all the items based on the old Cabala and Coin of the Realm, but if you perform this to a couple of people you’ll fry them.

Effect: A small and very elegant walnut box is displayed and examined. The lid is opened and a solid plate of glass fills the entire interior of the box. The glass is examined by the spectator, who drops it back into the box and closes the lid. You ask the spectator to pick up the chrome steel ball that has been in full view and place it into the hole on the top of the box. You now hold the box up to the spectator’s eye level and as you gently shake the box, the steel ball is seen to penetrate the glass and fall through the box and onto the floor or the spectator’s cupped hands! Beautifully hand made walnut box with inlay. Box, steel ball and glass can be completely examined before and after.

The box is solid walnut and measures 2 1/2 x 1 by 3 1/2 inches All the hardware is solid brass or pewter and the Steel ball is 1 inch in diameter

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