Pagoda Mystery by Homer Hudson

This beautiful utility device is based on the Thayer Pagoda Mystery that was also created by Owens Magic Supreme as can be seen here.

Homer’s version is a fraction larger than the Owen’s one but otherwise is very similar (look at the last three photos for comparison). However, one significant difference is that the door is made of tin instead of wood so it is slightly thinner and can move more smoothly.  The Owen’s one works beautifully but if wooden props have one flaw it is that they are known to warp and expand just enough to make a sliding movement more difficult.

Effect:  This excellent piece of apparatus can be used in so many different ways – both as an individual effect, and also in many combinations wherein other apparatus is brought into use, that it becomes almost an indispensable item to every magician.

Inspection will show that this Pagoda is really a miniature illusion cabinet with a sliding front door. Thus the cabinet can be shown apparently empty or full at any time. This feature gives rise to a wide range of possible combinations, as experiment will show the illusion effect is made perfect even at close range.

Thus the Pagoda affords a simple and practical means for not only the production of various objects, but for exchanges and re-appearances as well.

• For instance – a simple rabbit production, or a huge quantity of silks is made extremely easy and effective merely by first removing front door and showing cabinet from all sides – replace door, and then make production from out of top of cabinet.
• A reverse working procedure will also create an effective vanish.
• Also for use with the popular “Sucker Die Box” effect, in place of the usual hat routine, the Pagoda effect offers a different and most effective arrangement, making it possible to show Pagoda empty, followed by the ultimate passing of die from Sucker Box to Pagoda.
• Pagoda supplies a brilliant and baffling combination effect, built around Thayer’s “Milk-o Illusion”.

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