6. THE "UNIQUE" BOX RABBIT VANISH

This is an interesting variation of the "Modern" Rabbit Box Production in the first part of this lesson.

EFFECT:

Performer shows a rabbit and drops him into a box. The lid is closed, box is removed from table, and given to an assistant to hold. The table on which box was placed is taken apart to show that it contains nothing. Magician then opens the box in which he had dropped the rabbit, and behold! the box is empty --the rabbit has vanished.

PARAPHERNALIA:

1 -- Special table.

2 -- Special table top.

3 -- Special box with hinged lid.

4 -- Rabbit.

HOW TO CONSTRUCT THE APPARATUS:

The Table Base:

Construct as shown in Figure 1 of this lesson. Nail a block of wood to each corner so that table legs can be screwed into them.

The Table Top:

Construct as shown in Figures 2 to 7 inclusive.

The Rabbit Box:

Construct this box the same size as the box in Figure 8. This box is different, however. Hinge the bottom only to the back side of the box, leaving the other three sides of the bottom free. Around the bottom edges of the box put a small strip of wood or metal for the bottom to rest on. Put a knob on the front end of the bottom of box. This bottom should swing up and back so that it is straight up against the back side of box. At the point where knob hits back of box, make a hole or indentation for the knob to fit into, Figure 40.

From the outside there is nothing unusual-looking about the box. The bottom looks ordinary. Paint and stripe the box and table to make them look artistic and decorative., Figure 41.

MODUS OPERANDI:

To Prepare:

Have table base ready with legs on it. Place table top on it.

To Perform:

Audience sees table, but believes it to be just an ordinary table.

Bring in box and show it on all sides with lid closed.

Have assistant hold rabbit, or have it nearby.

Place box on table top so that bottom of box covers door in table top.

Raise lid of box. Reach into box with left hand and raise bottom up against back of box. Then open door of table top and raise that up against back of box. Hold these doors in place with left hand if necessary. Take rabbit by the ears with right hand. Show him to audience and place him in the box. Let him sink gently into the bag in the special table top. To the audience, of course, it appears that you put the rabbit into the box, Figure 42.

Allow the door in table top to close, then let bottom of box fall back into place. The rabbit is now safe in the table top. Move the box forward a little so that you can spring the catch on table top door, Figure 43.

The detail diagram in this illustration shows how the legs are screwed onto the table.

Pick up box from table and show it all around. Give it to assistant to hold or some youngster who is helping you, Figure 44.

Take the table top off, raising the rear edge first and holding it vertically to conceal rabbit. Place it against a chair in upright position. Pick up table base and show it freely.

All that remains now is to take the box, open the lid, and show that the rabbit has vanished. If you desire, you may push in the bottom to enable audience to look through box.

NOTE: It will require a little experimenting on your part with catches and knobs. You can try different kinds

until you find those most satisfactory. A loop of string sometimes answers as a knob, or sometimes just a tack.

LESSON 26

Amazing, fascinating effects with ribbons! Little, simple ribbons form the basis for experiments which make a tremendous hit with the public.

1 - Cutting and restoring a ribbon while it is held by two spectators.

2 - Mysterious penetration of a ribbon through a card.

3 - Cut and restored ribbon effect of Ellis Stanyon, noted English magician.

4 - A SPIRIT MESSAGE.

5 - Puzzling transposition of a piece of ribbon from one sealed envelope to another. Envelopes are unprepared, and may be examined.

TARBELL SYSTEM INCORPORATED, Chicago