Hello folks,

I'm wondering if someone can tell me the name or where to find the following prop.

It's a board with the word FILM on it, possibly with black letters on a white background, that you turn upsidedown but still reads with the word FILM. I can't recall much more about it other than that. I'm not even sure I've got the effect right!! The Word might change from black on white to white on black. My memory's a bit fuzzy on the details. However what ever the effect it was achieved through a sliding panel on the face of the board.

Does it ring any bells with anyone?

There used to be loads of them that would come up at my local magic club's annual 'Sale and Exchange' day. (Unless it was the same one that cropped up every year). I was always fascinated by the mechanics but couldn't work out what to do with it and no one selling it ever knew what the original routine with it consisted of.

I still wouldn't know what to do with it but would like any info regarding this prop/effect It's name, originator, where it might be available, any basic routine that went with it.

Thanks in advance,

Neal.

I believe this is Henk Vermeyden's "Positive/Negative," circa 1965.

From a typical catalog ad of the time: You show a card with the word FILM printed on it in BOLD BLACK letters on a white background. The card is then turned towards yourself and spectator is asked whether they are POSITIVE of what they saw. Upon their reply, turn the card over and tell them they are NEGATIVE, because the card is now BLACK and the letters are WHITE.

The card size was 8.5 inches by 3.25 inches. Just right to fit in a pocket and still be seen at a distance.

Spellbinder'

That's definitely it!! You've got it spot on.

Which catalogue did you find this in?

Many thanks for the info.

Cheers Neal

I believe it was created by Lubor Fiedler

Supreme Magic used to put it out as Positive Negative.
I had one and it had a wooden frame.
I haven't seen one around for a while...sorry!

Thata's it, and IT IS the creation of Lubor Fiedler. I had one.

Many thanks guys.

Neal

Neal

Berglas uses it for a routine in his "book"

You can find one on http://www.MagicEstateSale.com it is in the newly listed section page 2.

PS I hear the guy that runs this site is real cool guy.

a self-serving message

Sold

I can't believe I missed this!!!

Neal

Sorry, I've been after one a long time too

Timothy

Supreme sold it in two sizes. I have one but I don't know if it is the large or smaller size, as I don't have any of their old catalogues to hand, but Timothy, it's the same size as the one you bought.

The small one is about 8.5 inches wide, the large one is about 16 inches wide

Thank you, It's the smaller one then that I have.

I have pleasant memories of making one of these around 1971! I saw the ad in an old Genii magazine and figured out what the principle was and with a drafting pencil and paper worked out the proper proportions to make my own. What the effect needed was a climax.

Since this was about the time of the introduction of Polaroid's SX-70 camera ( a very thin instant camera that was quit the talking subject in the popular culture), I rigged a small flap on the back of the FILM trick that had the word "COLOR" to give me another instant change. And of course, I pattered about the new film cartridge for the SX-70...

Bump:

Howie Schwarzman had one laying around in his collection. I've come into possession of it; if anyone is still interested in this effect, which is quite fun, please let me know.