I've owned for a long time what was described to me as an American Die Box. I'm trying to find out who made it.

I've never seen another one and those I've shown it to haven't seen one either.

I bought it in Blackpool in the 1950s from secondhand magic dealer Charles Fitness. He said it was an American Die Box and either pre-1939 or earliy 40s. he thought it may have come over during the war with a GI and somehow it stayed here.

It's different. Polished wood, two full top doors which lift up and fall back. Two small square 'porthole' style doors on the front which hinge down. Thick timber, brass hinges and beautifully made.

With the top doors and the front doors open you can see inside the top of the die, the side and the front (showing thru the front door.)

The inside of the box is one long open compartment. The die genuinely slides from side to side. Now here's the killer.

At the end of the routine, you open all four doors to show the die has vanished and, grasping the two sides of the box, you split the box apart, one side in each hand.

It's achieved because the two halves are dovetailed together in the centre front and back and it's a slid movement, sliding the two dovetailed sections apart, if that makes sense.

Any ideas who made it? I'd love to know.

Sounds wonderfull! It sounds like nothing I have ever seen or read about. You may very well have a one of a kind item there.

I do know that during the early 20th century the Germans made many fine and unique items with wood. If it is crafted product for resale your search might start with some of their cataloges and literature.

Regards,

mark

Not terribly wonderful in this day and age. More a magical curiosity. But thanks anyway

A friend of mine in Long Island has the same item. It was passed down to him from an older performer with paternal feelings about fifteen years ago. Sadly, that performer is no longer with us to be able to tell us where it came from.

It is a fantastic prop.

-Brian

Ok been trolling here and discovered this thread. SOunds like and Abbotts piece I saw years ago. Not sure of its name.

Supreme also made a version that fell apart and left in the box's places were two shot glasses and some silks.

I have one and I know who made it in St Louis in 1935
I have the original hand made item in our magic museum
It also produces a live mouse for the finale

That was the William Stickland die box. It is described in Introducing Bill's Magic.


It would be nice if we knew who you were, so we could contact you.

Abott makes a lot of them.

-Max