5 Stars

This effect was invented by Jack Hughes’ c. 1947 as The Lady Vanishes.  Jack based it upon an earlier similar effect with a glass he also invented called Back Stage Beaker Vanish c. 1946. Both of these effects have been widely copied over the years with the names often switched (as in the case of the Viking release).

Sometimes the manufacturers have credited Jack Hughes (for example Abbott’s), but often not. Viking’s instructions say that this effect is based upon Aldini’s Backstage c. 1975, but Aldini’s effect is clearly the same as Jack’s The Lady Vanishes.

That being said I don’t think there is a prettier or better made version than the Viking release – bright colors, smooth vanish and easily attached drape.

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This beautiful item was created by Owen’s c. 1973 as a limited edition. It is a truly beautiful prop and an amazing production item. In essence this is a oversize version of the classic Bran Vase first described by Ponsin c. 1853 and later described in Professor Hoffmann  c. 1876 (The Bran and Orange Trick). The effect was improved by Paul Fox c. 1930 as the Paul Fox Candy Bowl.

The challenge for me was not only finding some suitable confetti and a sensible load but also finding a container that I could reach into to add the confetti. Due to the size of the bowl you need a fairly large container to hide the action.  I settled on a 12″ x 12″ x 12″ black gift bag which packs flat when not being used and provides plenty of room to load the confetti and doesn’t look out of place in your act.

I have included instructions for a Bran Vase routine from Tarbell and Thayer but now that I have gone to the trouble of getting the necessary equipment it is easy to piece together from my Demo.  The Speed Demo should be here soon. 

You’ll probably never perform this but it will look amazing in your magic collection 🙂

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Another beauty from the Dutch magic dealer and craftsman Harry Keyl.  This is a wonderful piece of mentalism that fits neatly in your pocket and is always ready to go.  It does not require any memory work or special moves.  You follow a simple procedure and can predict the chosen number every time. It looks very convincing and the spectator can chose different numbers each time and yet the prediction is correct every time.  Also, the final prediction can be different each time too if you desire.

This effect is a very clever version of Bob Mason’s Predicta Total but to be honest you probably won’t even realize this even if you are familiar with Bob’s effect because Mental Tiles is so clean and simple to use, it hides the method even better than the original effect.

Harry Keyl’s work looks very similar to the work of the Dutch master Eddy Taytelbaum and are very rarely seen these days.

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As a teenager this was my favorite close-up trick. I performed it more than any other item and just loved it. The final change from three colors to all yellow always amazed them – it changes right in front of their eyes!

Finding the orignal Tricks Co. versions is difficult these days.

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Another great classic Tricks. Co item that looks very clean, is easy to do and can be fully examined before and after the effect.

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This is a wonderful new approach to the standard paddle effect and shows off the clever thinking that went into the early Tricks Co. effects. A totally new take on the paddle move.

Another classic effect from the now hard to find Tricks Co. line with original box and instructions.

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As most visitors to this site well know, like many Magic Collectors I have a great affection towards the Wandering Mummy effect.  So you can imagine my excitement when I recently found this set built by an unidentified Spanish Craftsman c. 1990.  I don’t have any other details about who the craftsman was so if you do please contact me.

This set of mummies works very smoothly and does not employ the “floating” feature that the early mummies such as those from Inzani-Henley, Eddy Taytelbam, and Alan Warner used.  It is one of the lesser desirable features anyway and most recent mummy sets do not include it either. 

This set does not have the high design quality of Eddy but it is still  a wonderful set of Mummies and works very reliably. It also looks wonderful with the other mummies here.

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The first version of this remarkable illusion was invented by Okito c. 1904 (Dr Albo Vol 1, pg 103).  Among others, variations have also been built by Thayer, National Magic Company, Henry Bohlen and Town House Magic (Deluxe Visible Block Penetration c. 1946), Richard Gerlitz, Mel Babcock, Magic Wagon, Mikame Craft, and Nielsen Magic.  It is performed by Dr. Albo in the Ultimate Okito. 

However, not all Visible Block Penetrations use the same Okito method.  The key tell tale sign in performance is “slow-motion”: can the penetration be done slowly and visibly?  If it can then it is most likely based on the same method.  If it is visible but almost instant it is probably not using the same method.

Since 2008 Nielsen Magic (Norm and Lupe Nielsen) have created three editions:  in 2008 the first edition of 24 units in light aqua blue and a red block by Norm Nielsen.  Then in 2019 Lupe Nielsen built a second edition of 40 units in green with a red block.  Finally in 2020, Lupe Nielsen built the third edition of 50 units in red with a yellow block.  This version is from the Third Edition.

This edition looks beautiful and is mechanically perfect with detailed and clear instructions.  However, after reading Chapter 11 in Eugene Burger: From Beyond by Lawrence Hass and Eugene Burger a simpler and more effective presentation was described and demonstrated.  I have based my performance on Mr. Burger’s clever ideas and thoughts.  I would recommend getting a copy if you intend to actually perform this effect as he spends a whole chapter discussing this beautiful effect.

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Here is one of Thomas’ best items from his days with Eckhard Boettcher c. 1996.  It was released in Germany and called Tutanchamuns Rätsel.  It has been known in English as The Magic of Tutanchamun, and it is a very clean and perplexing routine.  It was re-released in 2015 here, but I prefer the look and feel of this original version.

I can’t recall seeing another one of these so I think distribution was limited pretty much to German collectors.  It is really easy to perform but a real fooler and you will love how you can show the lid of the Pyramid at the end – it all seems so clean.

Great job Thomas – good to see all these years later you are still creating amazing magic 🙂

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