Hi all, I am trying to find information on the history and inventor of the master brand padlock and the correct title of this trick. I know it as Key-r-ect or 7 keys lock.

any accurate help would be appreciated.

Ian McColl

I believe this effect was originally known as "Seven Keys to Baldpate," which is a reference to a mystery novel, not sure of the author (Earl Biggers?). The inventor of the trick itself may have been Ted Annemann.

Key-r-rect was a mechanical version of the same effect, and I believe it was marketed in the 1960's. Hopefully someone else can fill in some of these blanks for us. SETH

Hi Seth, thank you. I am told the inventor of the Master brand padlock version died in the last few years and can you tell me if it was Ted Annemann who made this version until his death.

Ian

Ian -- I don't believe Annemann produced Key-r-rect because he died in the 1940's, and Key-r-rect wasn't produced until the 1950's or 60's. I also think Annemann's version of this effect did not require a gaffed lock, but relied on other means.

FYI, there is a new version of this effect being marketed by Viking, called the "Hemingway Lock." It uses a very large padlock, which I assume is gaffed in some way. See http://www.vikingmagiccompany.com/?nd=full&key=91

I don't know why, but this effect always interested me. I don't perform mentalism and have never performed this trick, but was always intrigued by it. As you probably know, you really don't need a fancy gimmicked lock, you can accomplish the same thing by buying a neat-looking lock at your local hardware store along with some extra keys, and then working up the necessary switches either manually with sleight of hand or by using one of several well-known gimmicks. SETH

The gentleman who made the Key-r-rect was Merrill Magic. I think he was from Louisana.

Keys to Bladplate is the same effect but a totally non mechanical method.

Richard

Hi Richard, thank you, do you know the name of the inventor and when he passed away?

Ian

Though Key-R-Rect and Hemingway Lock(a Collectors' Workshop item) are both mechanical, the methods differ. In Key-R-Rect the spectator can open the lock at the end, while Hemingway Lock requires the performer to open the lock.

...and then there's Ken Allen's (?) Lock of Gibralter that works a tad differently and all the other Monte-type locks and locks through plastic frame variations that work on yet a different principle.

Hi, thanks for the slightly off topic information all given with the best intensions but this seeking of information is important to me.

I am hoping to find out before the end of the week.

Can any tell me the maker's name, the inventor of the Key-r-ect padlock trick using a Master brand padlock??

cheers

Ian

The original instruction sheet is signed by Carl Wolf. The address is:
Merriss Magic*1462 S. Elaine Drive*Baton Rouge, LA 70815.

I think http://www.stevensmagic.com still has a few sets left.

Carl Woolfe is the man.

Richard

Thank you all, just in the nick of time, I aslo got a private email to say it was Karl Wolf from Baton Rounge.

thank you all

Ian

F.Y.I> It's Carl with a "C".

G'day Julie, thanks you for that correction, Carl Wolf (Merriss magic) of Blaine drive, Baton Rouge.
Got it! by any chance do you know where I could locate his wife as I would like to phone her about Carl's invention.

regards

Ian

No, I don't know how to reach his wife. My only contact was a friendly note he sent me when he resumed manufacturing his lock after a long hiatus. I seem to recall George Robinson @ Viking is selling this kind of apparatus now. I don't know if he is the actual manufacturer.

Hi Julie, thank you very much I will try the old number or write a letter to the old address on the original instructions, which I have just een sent.

thank you again

Ian

Probably is going to be hard to reach her right now as that part of the country is in turmoil after the hurricane Katrina.

Richard

I knew Carl Wolf. He was from Baton Rouge, LA. He died several years ago. His family gave most of his magic collection to a friend of mine. He is the inventor of the "Key-r-ect". If you would like email me or pm me and I will see if I can get either his wife or one of his children to call you or email you. I would not want to give you their contact information without their permission. My address is tim@magicbytim.com

Tim

The Hemingway lock is completely different in appearance and function from the Key - R - Rect lock.

There is a similar lock being manufactured in the US now, and Stevens Magic has some of them. I'm not sure of the manufacturer. He may have purchased the rights from the estate.

This said, there are a LOT of other methods that really look better. The Master Lock used by Merriss was a cheap -looking warded lock. A pin tumbler lock would be a much better choice.

There have been a number of them that use a gravity system to do the job.

Also, before there was Key - R - Rect, there was an effect called "The Keys of Judah" which used a pin tumbler lock. The method was different from the Merriss version.

There is a great method that uses an ungimmicked lock, which really bears consideration.

Posted: Jul 8, 2006 9:03pm
I just checked on the lock that I got from Joe Stevens. It is far superior to the old Merriss model. It has a pin tumbler lock and everything. If you want one, order the Bogus Belt. Or maybe Pete has some of them left.