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Magician s Prop. Long Box with 8 Numbered Blocks, circa 1890

Price:$418.46

$650List Price

About the Item

This prop was used as a magic trick and came from a collection of "magic" props from a California estate, and was accumulated in New York City; home to many famous conjurors; Houdini, Hermann The Great, and Copperfield to name a few. It remained wrapped up since at least the 1940's until recently when I unpacked it; dates from the late 1800's. Though I am not familiar with the "trick", it has something to do with the appearance and disappearance of numbers or/and the changing of these numbers (see images). It is quite sophisticated and very well made; everything "fits" and slides quite nicely. The rectangular long box is of high quality, being made of a superior grade of mahogany, and the square boxes and accompanying interior box are hand made of wood and painted black with the numbers hand painted white. The outside black boxes have only two sides painted with a number. The outside boxes are numbered as follows; one box has the numbers "1" and "4" one box has the numbers "3" and "2" one box has the numbers "4" and "2" one box has the numbers "3" and "1" The interior boxes have only one side painted with a number and they are numbered "1" through "4". The outside boxes "house" the interior boxes. They slide in and out quite fluidly. There is a "stop" on one end of the mahogany box which prevents the blocks from sliding out of that end. The black boxes are open on two sides while the interior box is solid all around. Judging by how and where I acquired these items, I think it is American, circa 1885 to 1890. The "trick" is complete and in excellent all original condition; the box and blocks have no restoration and no repaint. Dimensions: the mahogany long box is 12 1/2" long x 3 1/2" wide x 3" high; the black blocks are 3" wide x 3" long x 2 1/2" high; the interior black box is about 1/16" smaller all around than the box that houses them This is a really "cool" and unique item.

Dimensions:
Height: 3 in (7.62 cm)Width: 12.5 in (31.75 cm)Depth: 3.5 in (8.89 cm)
Style:
Folk Art (Of the Period)
Materials and Techniques:
Mahogany,Hand-Crafted
Place of Origin:
United States
Period:
Late 19th Century
Date of Manufacture:
circa 1890
Condition:
Seller Location:
Incline Village, NV
Reference Number:
1stDibs: LU97329262753

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