Year: 2020

For more details on Willi Wessel’s unique Alan Warner collection click here.

This is one of Alan’s oldest effects from his painted Mini-Magic period before he moved exclusively to Teak apparatus. At first glance it would appear to be a Die-Box type effect with a Chinese Coin and in fact that is how the routine begins but it progresses into something more.

After the performer has shown the Chinese Coin apparently vanished – and it really does look like it has vanished even if they stare intently into the charming miniature wooden box, the performer apparently messes up because they hear the coin rolling around in the box again. Well luckily this is planned and when the coin is finally shown it is a totally different coin that is produced.

This new coin can be pretty much any coin that fits int the box. I chose a UK 2P in my photos as it contrasts nicely with the silver Chinese coin supplied. With some simple thought you could produce a coin that leads nicely into your next effect, taking all heat off of the box.

This is very finely made with some amazing tolerances given the size of the box. Easy to do with simple reset too. If you spend a little time with your other coin effects I’m sure you will be able to blend this into an even bigger routine.

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The Escaping Vampire (or Vampire Block or Vampire Die or Visible Vampire as this type of block penetration is often known as today) was created by Ben Wallace c. 1945. 

As is often the case Owen’s have created one of the finest versions of this illusion and it looks striking and works smoothly.

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Different from Douglas-Wayne Illusioneering, But More Practical! If you have ever seen the Douglas-Wayne Illusioneering version of this effect you will at first be a bit disappointed. The Douglas-Wayne Illusioneering version is a faithful reproduction of the drawings in Hoffmann’s Modern Magic. It is smaller, particularly the tower the coin rises up on, and it is slightly better made. However, it is quite a big pain to set-up and how the coin rises behind the window can be seen in certain lighting conditions.

With the Mikame version, reset is much, much easier using a clockwork mechanism and the coin rises in broad daylight with no clue as to how even with bright lights shining on the tower. It is also wide enough so that the coin rises without touching the sides so it really does look like it is rising unaided.

The kicker of course is that when it gets to the top you hear it hit the top and then find it in the little box that is locked and on top. The coin can be signed if desired.

To the audience this Mikame version probably looks better and since it is much easier to reset, I believe it is more likely to be actually performed, rather than sitting on the shelf looking cool.

The collector will certainly prefer the Douglas-Wayne Illusioneering version, however if you really want to perform this more than once a year I think you are better off with the Mikame version. Although the craftsmanship doesn’t quite measure up to Douglas-Wayne Illusioneering Quality it is still a very nice piece and something you will be proud to own and perform.

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Another brilliantly made electronic item from the always amazing Anverdi.  Harry Stanley was talking about the earliest version of this table as early as 1963 in The Gen October, 1963. c. 1970 these tables were available from Tannen’s too. The first version of this table only went in one direction – typically away from the performer and off stage.  But the later version (and this version) can go back and forth.  I’m not sure exactly when the improvement was made but somewhen between 1972 and 1983.

This is a very solid table that works on both hard surfaces and short-pile carpet (I don’t think it would work too well on a shaggy carpet, but maybe)  It comes with a small (about the size of a card case) two-way remote with on/off button on the remote, and there is also an on/off button in the base.  This has a remote fishing line that allows you to turn the base on (or off) during performance too by pulling on the line.  Or you could leave it on and just use the remote to move the table backwards and forwards.  It works very well and although there is some wobble in the table due to the momentum and stopping and starting, the table when stationary is very solid and rigid.  The early versions only had three long struts which made for a much more wobbly table, but this version uses six legs with a sold base half way up (which can hold items if desired) and it is about as solid as you can make such a small table.

In the video it sounds pretty loud, that is primarily because the video is right there on the wooden floor and picks up all the sounds.  Of course this is really a stage item  anyway. The fact that the table moves back and forth is no magical mystery to a modern day audience of course, and the impact of the table moving is for the surprise not the deep mystery.  This item like most of Anverdi’s items uses readily available batteries and it works as well today as it did 40+ years ago.  It all packs down into a small convenient carry case.

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In 1939 the Englishman Harry Leat invented what became one of the best and most enduring children’s effects of all time: Run Rabbit Run. Like the Die Box, with which it bears some obvious similarities, it has inspired craftsmen and dealers ever since.

I have tried many versions over the years, but all of them use the same basic mechanism to move the rabbit and perform the vanish.  Dan Wolfe has changed that with a refreshing face lift on this 80 year old effect.  Firstly, he has made it so that you can change the theme easily from Rabbits to Santa, Elephants and Monkeys (you have to purchase the extra skins from Dan directly).  Secondly, and most dramatically he has complete rethought the rabbit movement and vanish.  The rabbit that you see go back and forth is actually the rabbit that vanishes in the end and it is a very clean and satisfying approach and unlike any other version on the market.

The unit is quite a lot larger than most standard outfits and even comes with a stand should you need it.  It is made exceptionally well and will last most likely a lifetime. The set-up is quick and with Dan’s very clear and well produced video you will be fooling the kids in no time. 

This is a real beauty Dan, great job 🙂

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