Number Box (Tote Punkt) by Thomas Pohle, Eckhard Boettcher, Hans Trunk

From an idea by Hans Trunk (the creator of the Blue Phantom) with routine by Eckhard Boettcher. This is the original version beautifully made in wood by Thomas Pohle and sold by Eckhard Boettcher though it was re-released (with permission) by Future Magic here.

It is a clever effect and works very differently from any of the Cube-A-Libra variations, it does take a little practice to master the one move but it is easy enough to do once you have it down.

Effect: Ask your audience to inspect four cubes, all of which have a special feature: The tops and bottoms are marked with a colored dot while the sides of each cube are numbered 1, 2, 3 and 4. Moreover, you show the audience an oblong wooden box open at one side, which is attractively decorated in black and red. Then you put the cubes, in a random assortment of numbers, into the box (e.g. 1-4-3-2) and cover everything with a pretty cloth. When the cloth is removed, the audience can see the first effect: The cubes have magically turned and are now in the right order – 1, 2, 3, 4.

Second Effect:
Cover the open side once again. The audience adds up some numbers previously suggested by them and tell you their results. The cloth is removed and the cubes show the very same result.

Third Effect:
You put the cubes into the box in such a way that only the coloured dots can be seen, the order of the colours to be determined by a member of the audience. Cover the box with a cloth, as before. Now ask the audience to give you a 4-digit number made up from the numerals 1 to 4. The audience can choose any number between 1111 and 4444. As soon as a number has been determined, the cloth is removed.

Unbelievable though it may sound. Again, the cubes form the chosen number and can now be examined. No cache, no overlay, no movable numbers, only the four cubes are used. A super effect that stuns everybody and is very entertaining.

The size of the cubes is about 74 mm, can easily be seen, even on a large stage.

(Notice: the hanky is not the original hanky, but any hanky or silk will do and in fact the instructions suggest you might prefer to use a cardboard divider or cover.)

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