I at one time lived in Holland from 1969 to 1972 and have an old effect that used to be called 'chink a chink'. This is essentially a matrix type of trick involving four small truncated cylinders the size of Rollo candies with a Chinese character on top of each and a shell that fits over the cylinders. You cover the cylinders with you hands and they aggregate together. I used to do this with bottle caps as well. They've very nicely made and I believe I purchased them at a Dutch magician's convention, probably in 69 or 70.

Does anyone have any idea who might have made these? I also have a couple of paddle tricks and a block penetration from the same guy. Did Fred Kaps ever have things made during that time? Any idea what they might be worth?

Thanks in advance!

Tony Van Rhee's ? sold by Ken Brooke

:)

Tonny van Rhee made some. So did Eddy Taytelbaum. If you have a set by Taytelbaum, they are worth $$$$

Auke van Dokkum has a really cool set that was designed by Tommy Wonder. They may be marketed once the estate works out a deal with Auke.

Currently Magic Wagon puts out a beautiful set that is very easy to work with. I have a vintage metal set which I like, but the hardwood set from Magic Wagon is a lot easier to work with. Plus, since they're wood, they resemble old checkers a bit, which allows for some sensible patter verses trying to explain mysterious metal cone type things.

Could you elaborate on that last sentence, please?

Sorry Bill. I was referring to the older metal Chink a Chink set that I have where the pieces are cone shaped (with flat tops) that really don't resemble anything that looks ordinary. They sound exactly like the sets that CMNeff was describing, but metal. Maybe I'm not imaginative enough, but I can't seem to find a good story to go along with them. Any suggestions? I guess I should put the time into a Chink a Chink routine with sugar cubes, or some other impromptu object, where I don't need a reason for the objects.

I think Kaps used to call them small weights from a gold dealers' scale?

That makes sense Pete. Now that I think about it, the metal "cones" DO look like those weights from what I remember. Seems like that comparison is ripe for story telling. Chalk another one up to Kaps.

Thanks for the insight.

That's what they were originally supposed to represent.