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PEPTalks New user Vancouver, WA 7 Posts |
Okay, I may be going bonkers, but I remember seeing on the shelf of an old magic store here in Portland an effect that was basically a broken and restored plate. It included a white china plate and a light blue thin shadow-type box. Now, I can't find any trace or info on the thing. It looked like, from it's paint job, it could be a MAK or Abbotts. Anyone have any clues/thoughts/assistance? Let me know and thanks.
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Julie Inner circle 3936 Posts |
That is Fred Haenchen's (George Robinson's mentor) apparatus. The complete set also includes a separate "Fire Box" where the broken pieces of the plate (minus one piece kept by the assisting audience member for identification) are placed and subsequently vanished.
The China Cabinet/shadow-type box you mentioned was made to operate two ways: manually (performer pulls a thread) or a spring-loaded roller blind design. I don't believe it's been manufactured for decades. Julie |
Bill Hegbli Eternal Order Fort Wayne, Indiana 22797 Posts |
I don't know how old you may be, but the last time I read that ad was in the back of booklet from the 1940's, as I remember it was a Kanter's Magic Shop ad. Magic is not available forever, that is why one buys a trick when it is available and keeps it, if it caught your eye. I seem to remember an ad from a place in England in the 1970's for a trick similar to this. Many things they copied back then in England, from America. Usually not as high quality as the American version. Sorry, never seen one in person. I would imagine that it would be very expensive even for a well cared for used piece.
Good luck in your search. |
Michael Baker Eternal Order Near a river in the Midwest 11172 Posts |
This is what George Robinson posted on Thayer website about 4 years ago...
"The Broken & Restored Plate was first introduced by Haenchen in 1931-32. It went through a variety of changes and improvements. The one pictured was made between 1955 and 1970. Then Fred added the spring-roller release which was continued by Viking-Haenchen until 1986 when the last B&R Plate was made. The VH models differed in that the silk screen work was a bit finer and units made after 1978 had gold molding on the left and right side of the opening."
~michael baker
The Magic Company |
Payne Inner circle Seattle 4571 Posts |
There's one for sale here
http://www.tricksupply.com/product-p/haenchenplate.htm Or you could obtain this book from the 1880's and build your own version. http://books.google.com/books?id=gFMMAAA......&f=false I also think it's described in one of the Hoffman books as well
"America's Foremost Satirical Magician" -- Jeff McBride.
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JNeal Inner circle I used to have 999 posts, now I have 1616 Posts |
I can remember the illustration from the Douglas Magicland catalog.... Wow! did that picture make me want to do the trick!
Never bought the trick... but I kept the catalog. I notice the jumbo "H" in the lower right corner... for Haenchen. This classic illustration was by John Kirby... who I seem to recall was related to another well known magician...was it Allan Lambie? Click here to view attached image.
visit me @ JNealShow.com
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Bill Hegbli Eternal Order Fort Wayne, Indiana 22797 Posts |
I seen that ad at trick supply but did not bother to read the text. Sounds interesting, just may order it, really great price for a piece of history from long ago. It should play better the torn and restored playing card.
JNeal, that is the ad I seen so long ago. You are right, those drawing ads make a person want to buy the products. They were always more then the money I made from selling newspapers on a street corner. |
Michael Baker Eternal Order Near a river in the Midwest 11172 Posts |
The problem with this trick is that it is becoming increasingly more difficult to find the correct plates needed for this. You can find the correct size and color, but not made of the correct type of material, which is more like chalkware. The original plates broke easily and cleanly. Newer plates are much harder to break with a simple smack from a hammer, and when they do they break in a gazillion pieces.
I was thinking I could just buy a supply of similar plates and make the "chipped" plate from one of those, and thereby have a useable set with many back-ups. I had no luck at all. Either the chipped-out piece was too big, or the rest of the plate broke in the process. I discussed this with George and others at one time. George later mentioned possibly re-releasing the trick for Haenchen's 80th anniversary. That was several years ago, and so far that hasn't happened to my knowledge.
~michael baker
The Magic Company |
Bill Hegbli Eternal Order Fort Wayne, Indiana 22797 Posts |
I was thinking maybe Plaster of Paris plates might work, but a search turned up nothing.
Found unfinished clay plates that might work. http://www.clay-king.com/bisquepages/plates.htm |
Payne Inner circle Seattle 4571 Posts |
Go to a do it yourself pottery place and have them pour you a bunch of plates. As greenware it would be very easy to cut the missing piece out of one of the plates then have it glazed and fired. HYou could then just use a high gloss spraypaint on the matching unfired plates. This would give you a very easily broken plate
"America's Foremost Satirical Magician" -- Jeff McBride.
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Michael Baker Eternal Order Near a river in the Midwest 11172 Posts |
Great ideas both. Thank you. I picked up my Plate Restored in an estate buy several years ago. I've only used it once in performance, not wanting to trash what few plate came with it. It makes a pretty display piece, though. Very few magic props are decorated in those colors, so it really pops sitting among everything else.
~michael baker
The Magic Company |
PEPTalks New user Vancouver, WA 7 Posts |
Thank you one and all. That's the trick. Now I may be bonkers, but at least I know it's not about this trick. Thanks again! -Steve
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Bob Sanders Grammar Supervisor Magic Valley Ranch, Clanton, Alabama 20504 Posts |
I have had my Haenchen prop for over 35 years. There is one full box of plates left. This I will need to rework plates. I do understand that Bill Pitts (Ft. Smith) still has some plates. It is a great effect with patter about having Houndini's orginal plate. (It falls out and breaks on the floor! Mine actually will.)
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Hayre Regular user Arkansas 194 Posts |
Bill is still alive, but suffering from dementia. His amazing magic collection was disposed of in a public auction several years ago, and I bought about a third of it. The supply of plates mentioned was not in those items. Amazingly, I recently stumbled across a very early original version of this effect, along with plate with chip missing, and 34 extra complete plates. They each cost 24 cents at Ben Franklin years ago. The only thing missing was the matching chip. So, I had work to do. I took one complete plate and marked where a chip could be removed of right shape, size, and location. Scored it deeply with a Drememl tool. Gripped it with pliers and broke the chip off easily. Not sure the Dremel and pliers will work with newer plates. But what have you got to lose if you try ?
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Bill Hegbli Eternal Order Fort Wayne, Indiana 22797 Posts |
Grorge Kovari Magic has a place effect, the Willow design transposes.
http://www.kovarimagic.com/catalogus.html |
dragonash Veteran user the sticks 380 Posts |
Too many years ago I saw a school magician use it for torn and restored paper plate.
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Bill Hegbli Eternal Order Fort Wayne, Indiana 22797 Posts |
Kovari's Website is up and running: http://kovarimagic.com/catalogus.html
He lists a willow plate effect, where the pattern changes instantly, making an transposition effect. Also given is contact information. Many new effects listed. |
The Magic Cafe Forum Index » » Boxes, tubes & bags » » Broken and restored china plate/dish (0 Likes) |
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