I specifically remember in the early-to-mid nineties when he said that he would tell anyone how he did this illusion if they reimbursed him for it. I remember because I was trying to convince some very religious people that he wasn't demonized, and simply a magician/illusionist with a large bankroll. For some reason, I don't remember half a million for the price; I have $250,000 in my mind. Not sure about that part, though.

Math check John.....

W_S: I think was getting at the now lower value of the dollar compared to then!

Harry Jr.s' Light Bulb>>> --$100,000--???

I knew Harry, I know his 'method'. a hundred K ???

Apparently my inflation calculator spits out other useless figures which I posted above. $500,000 (which I'm going to stick to) is actually $1,134,629.57 in 2012 dollars. Still a bargain!! I'll take two, please.

John

All tax deductible!!!!

Oh sorry I thought you were asking for the most expensive illusion available to buy, if your talking about ever performed, then I would have to say David Copperfield's Airplane Vanish in 1982. I've spoken with some of the people that helped build the props for DC and some of them claimed, the manufacturing of the props alone cost more than 8 million dollars. Let alone the directing of the illusion with the music, lighting, etc.. I doubt there was any illusion ever more expensive than that....

That's precisely what I was thinking, Dick (well, with the exception of the "I knew Harry" part...and the "i know his method" part).

But, $100,000?!?!?!?!? I'm guessing not.

Why on earth would the vanishing airplane cost $8million? Unless he actually bought the airplane outright.
Maybe in the $50-$100k range. But $8mill? No way.

I would think the vanish of the lady liberty was probably the most expensive with regards to props, production value,
etc. And I bet that was over $1million.

I would think one of Franz Harary's illusions would be most expensive, His stuff is huge.

Chad S I never claimed so, I said that some people that worked with DC in building the prop said so. I thought vanishing the statue of liberty was going to be the most expensive in terms of just the props alone. This would be my pick for the most expensive illusion.

The Bermuda Triangle illusion must have been quite expensive too.

The Erix Logan Engine?