My version called "Sefalaljia Revisited," from The Wizards' Journal #10 on my site, does not need to be operated sitting at a table, and you could even perform parts of it on the street (there's a suggested routine for that kind of work included). The box doesn't need to be anything special; I use a Dollar Store plastic crate, but you could also use a cardboard box, or even a two fold or three fold screen. When tablehopping, you could stand up a folding menu and use that (of course you wouldn't be able to to all the various effects possible with the plastic crate).

Sefalaljia is more than just a few rope tricks. It's a haunted box and you incorporate many other types of items for the "spirit to play with."

If you turn to pages 89-93 of Annemann's PME you will find Stewart James Sefalaljia.

I would recommend Dean's Box to anybody wanting a really classy prop for this effect. Certainly the Rolls Royce version in my humble opinion.

Regards,

Philip

Sefalaljia first appeared in The Jinx #69 (Dec 2 1939).

Annemann called it a "one man miniature spirit cabinet".

In the original the effects in order of appearance were:

Ball in Glass
Knotted Handkerchief
Ring on Tape
Smoked Cigar
Drinking The Milk

I would not recommend th Smoked Cigar effect (lol)

I would be very surprised if you could use the Sefalajia method (with safety pin) with Dean's Box - it's too short. James' box was about 14" long and I find that only just long enough. I prefer to do it with two rings rather than the safety pin (the method is in the encylopaedia) plus an idea from Spellbinder's manuscript about the hook. This allows the dirty work to be done quite quickly.

Thanks for reminding me about "Sefalaljia Revisited," Spellbinder. Time to dust it (or her) off and have some fun.