Historic Treasure of the Week - June 2, 1991
By Helen F. Mitchell
Vigo County Historical Society
Historic Treasure of the Week - June 2, 1991
By Helen F. Mitchell
Vigo County Historical Society
Haste and ‘patter’ can
spoil the illusion
"It’s Magic Time!"
Magic is defined as entertainment by conjuring tricks of illusion. Some ever-popular ones are making flowers disappear, pulling rabbits out of hats, causing objects to disappear and reappear in another place, and doing seemingly impossible things with cards, coins and brightly-colored balls.
When we watch Doug Henning or David Copperfield present their magical feats we wonder if their interest may have begun with a box of magic apparatus similar to the historical treasure of the week.
Titled "Adams Real Magic," this magic set was manufactured by the S.S. Adams Co. of Asbury Park, N.J. Although no date can be found on the box, one of the two instruction manuals is dated 1894.
One can imagine the excitement of a youngster who received this as a gift. Colorful balls, Hindu beads and cones, magic Buddha coins and paper money, vases and unusual bottles all are included in the brightly-lithographed box of wood and cardboard.
The box is approximately 12 inches by 14 inches by 5 inches. It has three trays which lift out to display the compartments of the magic apparatus. The lowest tray holds a set of Chinese magical linking rings.
According to the instruction manual, this particular set was M-1000 and retailed for $10, although it contained $16.05 worth of equipment if the articles were purchased separately. A total of 29 articles were in this set, which was one of the largest sets.
The manual states that with proper study and serious practice the amateur magician would be able to give an extended program of at least one hour’s duration.
According to the manual, "If practiced until ‘thoroly’ familiar one could be a proficient magician in a reasonable length of time." One was not to "hurry or patter and talk too much" as this was unprofessional.
One of the simplest and yet most fascinating tricks was called the "Imp Bottle." A red-enameled bottle could be made to lie down and roll over.
The secret was a small metal rod (unknown to anyone except the magician) used and manipulated as per the following directions: "Insert the metal rod in the bottle. Call attention to the fact that this is a magic bottle which will lie down for you but that it will not do so for anyone else. While giving this explanation lay the bottle down, turn it over, and make it roll. Then pick it up taking hold of the neck of the bottle, tilting the bottom up (causing the rod to slide out into your hand but unseen to the audience). Then hold the bottle up and ask someone, "Now would you like to try it?" Of course, they will find it impossible to do as they do not have the metal rod.
This wonderful set of magic was the possession of Henry Conrad Senior. It was given to the museum by Mrs. Avice McCrae.
The Historical Museum of the Wabash Valley, 1411 S. Sixth St., is open from 1 to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday.