Andy Martin

The original version of this effect known as Bending Glass (or Flexible Glass) was invented by British Magician Oswald Rae c. 1945, and was released by Max Andrews. A later improvement replaced the glass with a mirror which is what Owen’s are showing here.

A framed mirror is placed within a cloth bag and a large knitting needle is pushed through the bag and mirror.  As a finale, the mirror is folded in half! The mirror is then removed from the bag and shown to be completely restored. The mirror can be handed to an audience member to examine!

The Owen’s version is one of the best because the gimmicked frame can be show freely on both sides which is not true in some versions and it is made of a solid and beautiful hardwood that will last a lifetime.

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One of my favorite glass penetrations is the Glass (Quadruple) Penetration that was invented by Peter Warlock in 1937. It is sometimes known as the English Glass Penetration and there have been a number of versions created, even as recently as 2008 when Magic Wagon created their Mod Quad Penetration.

The basic effect is as follows: an attractive square frame has four windows, and two doors. An unprepared sheet of glass fills the frame covering the 4 windows. Doors are closed and a solid rod or pencil is then poked clear through the holes in the center of each door. Ribbons also run through all holes. When doors are finally reopened, tho glass is seen to be unharmed and there is no sign of damage or holes. Only one piece of glass is used. It is a wonderful illusion and a real fooler for sure.

This beautiful version actually belonged to the famed inventor and prolific author himself: Peter Warlock, and it is easily the best version of this effect I have seen.

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T.A. Waters created his amazing routine Box Office c. 1979 and he liked it so much that it is the first routine described in his 800+ page book Mind, Myth & Magick. Since it’s publication here are plenty of versions of the trick around, and I’ve even made up a couple myself. This is one of the few that actually had permission from T.A. Waters to create it for resale. It is Tabman’s Chest of Destiny c. 1994 and it is one of best versions I have seen of this effect.

The box looks like a real antique aged box. It is the perfect height and size for the effect and everything works precisely as it should. The spectator gets to choose any one of the five casted relics and when the tray is lifted there is just one prediction, and it matches the choice of the spectator.

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So here is another version of the T.A. Waters’ amazing Box Office which has been recreated so many times it is hard to keep up.

Another entry from Magic Wagon c. 2012 and the mechanism works perfectly every time. Whatever painting the spectator chooses it matches the selection in the bottom of the box.

Magic Wagon have actually created at least four versions of Box Office including:

• Mental Safari
• Mental Safari Deluxe
• Mind Paintings
• Mind Paintings II

so it is a common theme for them.

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This is a very impressive creation from Dave Powell in conjunction with Stevens Magic. Based upon a coin casket created by New York craftsman Otto Mauer in th 1870’s to vanish four silver coins one at a time when the lid was closed. Otto’s customers and friends included: Trewey, Imro Fox, Horace Goldin, De Bier, Ducrot, Hermann, T. Nelson Downs, Houdini and Thurston!

The coin casket that Dave based his one on was well over 100 years old with over 60 individual parts involving a complex mechanism of solid brass parts and springs, and it still worked perfectly. All handmade and fitted into a decorated wooden box with antique brass fittings! It took over six months to get this project to fruition. Four half dollars, one at a time, are put into the four slots on top of the inner casket. Upon closing the door one coin vanishes! This is repeated three more times until all four coins have vanished!

I’ve included four genuine Silver Walking Liberty Half Dollar Coins because something this beautiful needs the best coins. This casket is significantly nicer than the versions created by George Richbark and the most reliable Coin Casket I have handled – though I have not seen the Original Otto Mauer which I suspect is still going strong.

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John Dahms was a master carpenter by trade and when he retired he started creating some amazing magic c. 1986. This is a small, but fine example of the classic Color Vision Box invented by New York Mentalist/Dealer: Martin “Kismet” Sunshine c. 1930. It was so successfully marketed by Adams and Co. that it became one of the most popular and pervasive magic props ever, and you’ll find one in pretty much every magic set and magicians drawer ever since.

It is the perfect divination effect. Always ready, you carry the neat box in your pocket. Anybody secretly places the cube in the box, closes the lid and hands it to you. Holding it behind your back, you instantly name the color uppermost. Uncanny, certain and undetectable.

This version from John Dahms is likely one of the prettiest you will ever see, with beautiful inlay work in the lid and a smooth feel to the box.

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The idea to use a bulldog clip as a switch device is credited to Bob Ostin c. 1953. See Bulldog Switch Clip for more details.

This routine c. 2006 by Etienne Pradler comes with a well made clip and is really a unique routine with a signed card. The deck is shuffled by a spectator and then handed back to the magician, who spreads through it and takes out a card, the identity of which is kept secret from the spectators. The magician then proceeds to fold the card into quarters, with the back outermost and places it into the grip of a bulldog clip. He explains that the card is a prediction.

Now the deck is spread facedown and a spectator is asked to remove a card and sign it on the card’s face. The card is returned to the deck and shuffled. The magician now draws attention to the card trapped in the bulldog clip. He places the deck to one side, picks up the clip, which has been in full view the whole time and removes the folded card from it, immediately handing it to the spectator. It is unfolded and seen to be the signed card!

Comes complete with detailed instructions, special gimmick, and bonus handling material!

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This was my second Alan Warner piece c. 1979 and really what began my love affair with beautiful and clever magic props.

The performer displays a small square tube, at either end of which is a window, A die is then placed into one end of the tube where the number uppermost on the die is clearly visible through the first window. With the aid of a small wand, the performer now moves the die through the tube to the opposite: window where the number uppermost on the die is seen to be the same as before

The die is removed and again placed into the tube and viewed through the first window. The performer then pushes the die through the tube with the wand, but when it reaches the second window this time, the number on top of the die has changed to a different one.

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The idea to use a bulldog clip as a switch device is credited to Bob Ostin c. 1953. See Bulldog Switch Clip for more details.

Along comes the inventive Steve Dusheck c. 1981 and takes Bob’s idea to the next level by introducing a half dollar that visually changes into two quarters as it drops into the spectator’s hands. Howie + Bob reintroduced this wonderful item through The Trickery c. 2002 with Steve Dusheck’s permission.

This is a really perfect piece of magic to watch!

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A wonderful utility item for the mentalist c. 1958 from Nelson Enterprises in Columbus, Ohio created by Robert A. Nelson and Syd Bergson.

A universal gimmick for every mentalist. As important as the Nail Writer, or the clip board, provides a perfect way to switch billets, notes, and folded cards. An innocent appearing prop, utilized in a natural manner, the Mental-Gimic greatly enhances the value of countless standard mental effects. Excellent for predictions, ESP work and mental telepathy.

This version uses a metal spring as opposed to the original Bulldog switch clip created by Bob Ostin c. 1953 which uses a rubber band. See Bulldog Switch Clip for more details.

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