Two-Sided Four-Door Box with Pair of Dice, Magic Trick, circa 1890

View Similar Items

"Magic Mouse" Mechanical Bank, Japan, circa 1964

Mechanical Bank "Fishing Bears" Battery Operated with Original Box, circa 1950s

Pair of Reindeer Antique Still Banks, American, circa 1910

Vintage Toy Wooden Spelling Board, American, circa 1890

Miniature Salesman's Sample Victorian Bureau Chest, American, circa 1890

Seated "Cat with a Bow" Still Bank, American, circa 1922

"Cat With A Bow Seated" Still Bank, American, circa 1970

"Organ Bank" with Cat and Dog, circa 1882, American

Mechanical Bank Speaking Dog By The Shepard Co Ca 1885; with Original Wooden Box

Spelter Still Bank "Seated Cat with a Bow" German, circa 1920

Mechanical Bank "Pelican, " Made of Cast Iron, circa 1878

Set of 5 Swedish Folk Wooden Dala Horse Toys, circa 1960

Want more images or videos?

Request additional images or videos from the seller

1 of 11

Two-Sided Four-Door Box with Pair of Dice, Magic Trick, circa 1890

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 1940s, until recently when I unpacked it; dates from the late 1800s. Probably of American manufacturer, circa 1890. The box and pair of dice are in excellent all original, and complete condition. It is quite sophisticated and very well made; everything "fits" and slides quite nicely. The dimensions of the box are 8 1/4" long x 5" wide x 5 1/4" high I have performed this trick and will describe it in detail, although I feel guilty giving away the secrets of this magic trick. The magic trick consists of a two sided, four door mahogany box; and two square metal dice with paper applied .The box has a hidden, closed narrow channel (unbeknown to the audience) just below the surface where a heavy "weight" slides back and forth as the box is tilted in one direction or the other (longwise) to simulate a "sliding" sound. The dice are five-sided with one side hinged at the bottom (again, unbeknown to the audience). Out of view of the audience, on an adjacent surface or table, cover one of the die with an object, say a hat. Present to the audience the box and one die (do not reveal that it has only five sides). Open one door of the box; gently slide the die inside (fits perfectly) with the hinged side facing out; hinge at the bottom. Close the door. Slightly tilt the box (longwise) so it sounds like the dice is sliding to the other side of the box (the die actually remains in place). Holding the box in your hands, tilt forward ever so slightly while opening the original door where the die was initially inserted. The die seems to have disappeared (actually, it is obviously still there---the front flap has dropped down). All of the "smart" people in the audience are going to say "oh, it's on the other side". Well, while closing the original door, open the other door also; "Oh he must have shifted it back". Well, open up both doors. now open up (one at a time, the back doors. You can see right through both sides of the box!! Where did the die go? Casually walk over to the hat you placed earlier; lift it up; and wow!! The die has magically reappeared under the hat. Great magic trick. You can use variations of the trick by putting two dice in the box. Use your imagination. The box is made of a nicely wood grained high quality mahogany with a brass handle. This is an authentic vintage; antique, circa 1890 magic trick.

Dimensions:
Height: 5.25 in (13.34 cm)Width: 8.25 in (20.96 cm)Depth: 5 in (12.7 cm)
Style:
Folk Art (Of the Period)
Materials and Techniques:
Mahogany,Metal,Hand-Crafted
Place of Origin:
United States
Period:
Late 19th Century
Date of Manufacture:
circa 1890
Condition:
Wear consistent with age and use.
Seller Location:
Incline Village, NV
Reference Number:
1stDibs: LU97329512201

More From This Seller

View All

"Magic Mouse" Mechanical Bank, Japan, circa 1964

Located in Incline Village, NV

For the mechanical bank and toy enthusiast, listed is a tin, lithographed and painted, all original 1960s mechanical bank made by the Yone Company of Japan (see image of logo on side panel). The company was founded in 1950 and is typical of the post war companies who produced outstanding children's toys. The action is unique, clever, and encourages saving money. With the bank wound (attached key wind on the underneath (see image); place a penny on the spot provided on top of the bank. The mouse dashes out of the grey shoe...

Category

Mid-20th Century Japanese Folk Art Toys

Materials

Tin

"Magic Mouse" Mechanical Bank, Japan, circa 1964

$165

Mechanical Bank "Fishing Bears" Battery Operated with Original Box, circa 1950s

Located in Incline Village, NV

This is a later (1950's), albeit often overlooked and important mechanical bank that is quite rare, and highly sought after by collectors. Iconic bank collector F.H. Griffith wrote a...

Category

Vintage 1950s Japanese Folk Art Toys

Materials

Tin

Mechanical Bank "Fishing Bears" Battery Operated with Original Box, circa 1950s

$2,250

Pair of Reindeer Antique Still Banks, American, circa 1910

By A.C. Williams Company

Located in Incline Village, NV

These two authentic cast iron antique still banks depict a large reindeer and a smaller one standing nearby. Together, they make a wonderful Christ...

Category

Vintage 1910s American Folk Art Toys

Materials

Iron

Pair of Reindeer Antique Still Banks, American, circa 1910

$550

Vintage Toy Wooden Spelling Board, American, circa 1890

By The Instructive Toy Company

Located in Incline Village, NV

Manufactured by "The Instructive Toy Company" of Milwaukee, Wisconsin in 1890 and "Patented February 16th, 1886" by Alonzo Smith (see image) this alphabet wooden spelling board was u...

Category

Antique 1890s American Victorian Toys and Dolls

Materials

Wood

Vintage Toy Wooden Spelling Board, American, circa 1890

$255

Miniature Salesman's Sample Victorian Bureau Chest, American, circa 1890

Located in Incline Village, NV

This late 19th century miniature 3-drawer dresser with original mirror mounted above, was likely used as a salesman's sample by an itinerant sales person who traveled the countryside promoting his articles, usually by seeking out merchants to take orders based on this scaled down miniature bureau, or by leaving it on display in a merchant's establishment to take orders from that merchant's customers. This American bureau...

Category

Antique 1890s American Victorian Toys

Materials

Oak

Miniature Salesman's Sample Victorian Bureau Chest, American, circa 1890

$1,295

Seated "Cat with a Bow" Still Bank, American, circa 1922

By Grey Iron Casting Company

Located in Incline Village, NV

"Cat with a Bow Seated" cast iron still bank is a difficult bank to acquire and is listed in Andy Moore's "The Penny Bank Book" as #364 and rated a "D" (A to F rarity scale--A most c...

Category

Vintage 1920s American Folk Art Toys

Materials

Iron

Seated "Cat with a Bow" Still Bank, American, circa 1922

$395

Vintage 1960s Swedish Folk Art Toys and Dolls

Materials

Wood

Set of 5 Swedish Folk Wooden Dala Horse Toys, circa 1960

$4,294 / set

Collection of 15 'Bottletop' Dolls, circa 1960s

Located in London, GB

Unusual collection of 15 'Bottletop' dolls. Although we purchased these dolls in France, we believe they originated in America.

Category

Vintage 1960s American Toys

Materials

Metal

Collection of 15 'Bottletop' Dolls, circa 1960s

$5,250 / set

Stunning handmade circa 1930 Childrens Rocking Horse of a Dachshund Sausage Dog

Located in West Sussex, Pulborough

We are delighted to offer for sale this one of a kind hand made in England rocking horse in the form of a Sausage dog. What a charming period piece of children’s folk art...

Category

Vintage 1930s English Art Deco Toys and Dolls

Materials

Wood

Stunning handmade circa 1930 Childrens Rocking Horse of a Dachshund Sausage Dog

$733 Sale Price

20% Off

ANTIQUE CIRCA 1920 ART DECO CASION CHIP POKER SET WiTH BAKELITE HANDLE CASE

Located in West Sussex, Pulborough

Royal House Antiques Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for sale this very nice circa 1920 Art Deco casino chip / poker set in the original wood case with Bakelite handle A...

Category