2 reviews for The Crown Jewels by Supreme Magic Company, Arthur Leo
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Andy Martin –
This effect and method was invented by George Lorimer and published in the British monthly periodical The Magician Monthly as The Crown Jewels of Crashbania and subtitled: A Regular Royal Robbery (pg. 72, May, 1928). Lorimer’s routine had quite a lot more going on than the eventual dealer versions including changing the large rubies into a shower of smaller rubies, a British flag to cover the crown, the production of some large silks, and a cage complete with Canary 🙂
However, the key methods of the rubies appearing in the crown and vanishing from the presentation case are used in both dealer versions I have seen. The first dealer version that I am aware of was released by Harry Stanley c. 1953 as Royal Robbery and routined by Arthur Leo.
Supreme Magic released their first version c. 1968 through arrangement with Harry Stanley and still based on the Arthur Leo routine, then later as they purchased Stanley’s exclusive copyrights c. 1972 they released other tweaks and changes. This version, though brand new, comes from c. 1992 with the addition of the Tom Sellers’ idea to vanish the silks.
Supreme’s version is well made but does not have quite the elegance of Stanley’s Royal Robbery and only includes three jewels as opposed to four (look at the final photo for comparison of the crowns). But the routine is similar with a few extra tweaks including the cardboard card instead of hanky to cover up the crown. One of the other 1992 changes is the vanish of the jewels from a silk and tumbler. To be honest I could have left that out as I didn’t find the method that convincing (but I have not actually performed it to children so maybe it goes down very well in reality).
But, with or without the vanish, this is a great routine for the younger children and will entertain them and they will have plenty of fun along the way. It is very topical right now with the Coronation of King Charles III 🙂
Lee Alex –
“The Crown Jewels” used to be a staple in my children’s shows. The one pictured here appears to be a later version. The jewels in the version I have are glitter-covered, not hologram.
I was very particular about the colours of the jewels as I began the routine with three separate silks in the holes in the crown – red, yellow and blue to match the missing jewels. These were in fact a Blendo silk. The same silk was then used with the tumbler. I too was dubious about the method, but that is what I used every single show, and it seemed to get the responses!
I have bought a brand new original of this (was lucky enough to find the glitter jewels in the colours I wanted), so now I have spare parts from the one I used to perform in the late ’80s. I am happy to say that the tumbler I picked up appears never to have been used – no scratches, and the silk supplied (always purple?) is still folded in its original state.
I wanted to replace my original card cover too as that had been battered with a lot of use over the years. I am sure if this item were to be produced today, the card would be laminated, or indeed made from a more substantial material. Surprisingly the edges of the original card are bare – so many of Supreme’s silk screened cards were edged with something similar to gaffer tape.
After the demise of Supreme Magic, Ian Adair released a version of this effect, but I always preferred the Supreme one – simple esthetics.
I was not aware of the “Royal Robbery” – for me the crown looks too complicated with so many jewels. Again I would choose the Supreme version for the
way the crown looks.
As has been pointed out by Andy, this effect could be topical once again. It would be an easy matter to replace the picture of the king with a caricature of King Charles III!