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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