From The Collector’s Cabinet

Four coins vanish one at a time from a rack and audibly appear within a shot glass beneath an inverted tumbler. Described in Jack Hughes' World of Magic, Volume One, pp. 46–49.

Telling the story of two fishermen, Mike and Ike, six wooden cubes repeatedly transpose between two folding display screens before a surprising climax.

A knife is thrown at a young lady standing before a target. The knife visibly passes through her body and lodges in the bull's-eye behind her.

Selected cards rise from a wooden houlette resting on the tabletop while isolated from the performer. Measures approximately 33 inches tall when assembled.

Thayer & Jackson, Chicago, ca. 1905.

Window card printed in black, white, and red, featuring an oval full-length portrait of Maro holding a magic wand above the bold "Prince of Magic" title. Printed by the National Printing & Engraving Co., Chicago.

Owen Magic Supreme, ca. 1990s

Finely made hardwood stocks with metal blade. A spectator places both wrists through the stocks, which are secured; handcuffs may be added for effect. The blade is then driven downward, apparently passing through the spectator’s wrists. Hallmarked.

Gimacs Unlimited (Richard Himber), New York, ca. 1960. A clear Lucite beer stein is shown filled with liquid—typically milk—yet its entire contents are poured into a much smaller vessel, an impossible transposition of volume. A classic Himber-style effect combining visual clarity with mechanical ingenuity. Scarce.

Thayer [?], ca. 1930S to 1940s. A black lacquered wooden ball travels along a length of cord, stopping and releasing at the performer’s command. Turned hardwood ball in the larger 3 ¼” format, threaded on cord with metal rings. Smooth, responsive internal mechanism.

Heavy clear embossed glass quart bottle, prepared for the classic visible vanish of milk. RA solid mid-century utility example.

A tumbler of milk is placed within the cabinet, which is then turned completely upside down. Despite the inversion, the glass remains upright. From the personal collection of Paul Daniels.

Mephisto Novelty Company, Los Angeles, 1936.

Small-format booklet of card effects using a regular deck. Illustrated paper covers with bold court card design. 56 pages in pocket-sized softcover format.

Owen Magic Supreme, ca. 1950s

A classic production apparatus: an open-front cage is shown unmistakably empty, yet in an instant a live rabbit appears within. Constructed of hardwood and lined with striped fabric.

Bud West Die Box. Abbott’s Magic Mfg. Co., ca. 1970s.

Compact wooden die box of Bud West’s design, in the smaller early 3” format. Double-door cabinet with sliding die and characteristic sound convincer.

Al Wheatley, mid-20th century.

Gimmicked stemmed glass for the classic egg on fan style effect using a brandy snifter style glass. Crumpled paper placed in the bowl visibly becomes a real egg, which may be broken into the glass.

Thayer, ca. 1930s–40s

Ebonized wood stand with gilt dividers and numerals 1–4, for displaying and secretly switching Jumbo cards. Used for clean Four Aces sequences or transformations.

Silent Mora (Louis McCord), 1956

A classic sympathetic-cord illusion in which the cords running through each bamboo stick mysteriously respond to one another. Hand-made and hand-painted by Silent Mora, signed and dated in his hand.

E.J. Moore, ca. [?]

Inspired by Egyptian mythology, the Phenix—the legendary bird said to rise from its own ashes—serves as the basis for this effect. A marked strip of paper is placed on a staff, burned, and instantly restored. Provenance: Andrew Pinard Collection

Ireland Magic, ca. 1930

A finely engineered mechanical stand designed to facilitate the production or vanish of up to six pocket watches in rapid succession. Constructed with a heavy nickel-plated base, lending both stability and an attractive gleam.

Houdeen—stage name of Svenne Herman DeHolt (1890–1968)—performed for over 50 years, bringing magic to schools, auditoriums, and community halls nationwide. His son Jack continued the tradition, touring with the Ken Griffin show.

After Martinka & Co. A selected card is placed into a finely crafted wooden box, its lid gently closed. Moments later, when reopened, the card has vanished—only to be replaced by a live bird. The missing card is then discovered in an unexpected location.

An elegant example of turn-of-the-century magic apparatus, this Flyto Cage effect features a brass cage that vanishes beneath a handkerchief, only to reappear instantly—and in full view—within the open frame of a skeleton stand on the magician’s table.

A clock, covered by a cloth, hangs from a metal stand where it rings audibly. The cloth is whisked away, the ringing stops, the clock has vanished.