Month: November 2020

Flexible Glass or Bending Glass (as it was known in the UK) was invented by British Magician Oswald Rae.  Max Andrews released it in the UK through his Vampire Magic company and gave USA manufacturing rights to Stuart Robson* who released it as Vampire Flexible Glass.  As Rae presented it he used a piece of glass covered with a newspaper or a brown paper bag. In the January 1946 issue (Vol. III, #8) of Hugard’s Magic Monthly, Milbourne Christopher’s Column suggested using a mirror which has been pretty much the standard ever since.

This is the original version with glass created and sold under license by Stuart Robson and includes:

• Model Glass Window
• Red Dagger (Wooden)
• Colored ribbons and bodkins (I did have to replace the ribbons and bodkins)
• Instructions and clear handling presentation

What I like about this version is how deceptive the size of the frame and the glass is.  The tolerances are very tight and in fact by rounding the corners of the glass they even squeeze out a little more space. The version used by Doug Henning here, made perfectly by Wellington Enterprises, may still be the best version of this effect, but for an item that is about 75 years old this is surprisingly good and very deceptive.

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This incredibly miracle was invented by German Mentalist Ted Lesley and it is the first one I have ever seen. Ted’s inspiration for this effect was Stanton Carlisle who published an effect with a locking briefcase in Peter Warlock’s Pentagram magazine (according to the instructions, though I was unable to find the actual effect in either the original Pentagram or the New Pentagram).   From this germ of an idea Ted Lesley came up with his first 100% non-force method using an electronically gimmicked briefcase.  After a few more years of usage Ted finally arrived at this beautiful improved version that uses no electronics and works quietly and perfectly every time.

When you read the effect the finale will sound similar to Al Koran’s Gold Medallion however, the big difference with the Delsey Miracle is because there are two magical moments there is no heat on the final reveal which seals the complete miracle.  In fact this final version of Ted Lesley’s miracle uses a combination of methods and subtleties that make it seem truly miraculous.  If you were ever to perform this, as Ted did many times, there is no doubt you would leave the audience stunned.

What is particularly amazing with this version that uses zero electronics or remote controls is that the spectator can examine the case until they are blue in the face and when they try to open the case it is locked solid.  They try another number and still nothing and when they finally succeed it opens in their hands and you have not touched the case or gone near it during this time.  The method works perfectly every time and is as quiet as a mouse.  There is absolutely no force and any 3 digit number can be used and it is different for every performance. You will love it. 🙂

You could also use this in conjunction with any effect where a number is used to get to the contents of the case.  And the case is large and durable enough to store your whole act too, it is a real beauty.

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The New Production Box (Ukiyo box) from Mikame Craft looks similar to a standard drawer box but both the drawer and the box can be shown thoroughly empty between productions.  You can see all the way through the box as it is really just a hollow wooden tube. The first version was released c. 1971 and this version c. 2001. 

Depending on the size of the load you can produce from 2-4 productions.  To make this the most effective it is important to find the right size spring flowers and I went through ten different sets until I found the ones that looked and worked the best.  This is one of the best drawer box type productions I have seen.

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This is a very fine looking Desktop Finger Chopper that works very smoothly and uses a heavy and substantial blade. It looks and feels real and is easy to do. If you watch the video you’ll see how I chop the carrot but not my finger and this adds a little more realism to the effect ?

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The Square Circle, also known as The Chinese Pagoda, was invented by British Magician Louis S. Histed in 1930 and like many great ideas was pirated by dealers around the world. This is a beautiful and unique version of the classic Square Circle from Wack-O Innovative Magic. It is a Victorian/SteamPunk inspired work of art created and painted by Hollywood Makeup Effects artist, and owner of Wack-O-Magic, Michael Mosher.

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