Hello all: I'm fairly skilled old timer who wants to build the small prop known as Robert Houdin's Coin Box (some call it the Miraculous Box Effect, etc.). It's an effect that employs a small box that contains 4 slots for larger coins (half dollar and dollar). Several routines involve the disappearance and reappearance of the coins as the lid to the box is closed and then opened. It's a prop that initially appeared in the late 1800's and is sold on occassion today by several manufacturers. It's a bit complex and often highly decorated so it comes with a steep price tag.

I'm skilled at woodworking, metal working and in the last 10 years have gotten proficient in pouring plastic using my own silicone molds made from my own patterns. I own several of Robert Albo's fantastic books and the simple plans for the chest are on pages 148 to 150 of Albo's "More Classic Magic With Apparatus" Vol.III. I use to be a buiding contractor in a former life so I'm able to read a set of drawings, however this has got me stumped.

Albo's drawings are simply not detailed (i.e.complete) enough to enable me to fully understand how the inner workings of the box function ... so ... have any of you ever replicated this great prop or understand all of the elements in Albo's drawings. If so can you help me out either on this thread or by a PM. I've got a great idea for making the box look Egyptian, with ornate gold carvings, etc ... but a cool box is no good without the workings insides.

Thanks for any help you can provide.

Interesting that you asked this question as I have been looking in to this too and you are not alone as I found the Albo Book explanation tricky to understand.

However, if you see the prop in person it all becomes much clearer.

Fortunately there are a couple of videos on youtube showing the workings. If you search for "Coin Casket (Otto Mauer)" you will find a video of the prop in action and some of the workings on view.

Also if you search for Miraculous Coin Casket on youtube, you will find George Richbark has uploaded a couple of videos showing the reset of his versions of the trick. However, note that the Richbark version uses a different version from the Maurer/Albo version you are looking for but it might still prove useful viewing nonetheless.

regards

Scott

When George and I first put these into production years ago, ours were based on explanations in the Prof. Hoffmann (Angelo Lewis.) I can't recall offhand which of the books it appeared in. Probably "Modern Magic" but I don't have those at hand to look up. The information was relatively complete.

Dave Dorsett
Douglas~Wayne Illusioneering

I think the Albo drawings are very clear but prefer the Richbark vanish method. It is quieter and simpler in mechanism. The Maurer on YouTube has utilized a coil spring rather than the flat spring shown in Albo to shift the slot plate over. Coil springs will be more compact.
MR

The coin casket is a cool effect, how about an electronic version to bring this into the 21st century?


C.Caputo

Anyone own one of these:
http://www.stevensmagic.com/index.php?ma......d=113405
I'd be interested in hearing a review.

The Stevens/Powell version is gorgeous. I would be interested in hearing a review as well.

I have the Douglas Wayne Coin Casket listed in the "for sale or trade" section.

http://www.themagiccafe.com/forums/viewt......forum=76

I've only displayed it and, perhaps, it's time for this beautiful piece to see some performance!

I have only seen the video Stevens put up showing the inner workings of the original Otto Maurer coin casket, but I assume the new Otto Maurer coin casket that he is selling (made by Dave Powell) uses the same or similar mechanism. I have to tell you, I prefer the Richbark version. I bought the half dollar version from George's company:

http://www.richbark.com/m_collectormagic.html

And I really like it. It is simpler than the Maurer spring version and more deceptive looking without the metal plate in my opinion. Stevens says his original Maurer still works perfectly after 100 years, so it's not an issue of reliability, but I just don't think the additional complications of the Maurer add to the effect. In fact, the added complications may make it more tempting to show the workings as Stevens has done in his video. He just couldn't help himself. Like a watchmaker showing off all the complications of a beautifully made watch.

It is pretty, though!

Alan

Thanks ... glad I wasn't the only one to find Albo's drawings somewhat difficult to follow ... after looking at several of the videos online I think I understand them better. I hope to reproduce at least one version of this old effect and have talked to another well-known fabricator of magic for additional ideas and appreciate the feedback of all of you on the forum.

I'm curious ... would a buyer of a "new" coin casket be more interested in it if it were constructed using the old mechanical designs from a nostalga standpoint or would a more modern adaptation be just as desireable ... perhaps an electronic, "silent" version.

My game plan is to use either my woodworking skills (use to have a decent commercial woodshop in my youth and made antique reproduction furniture) for a standard looking chest OR to make the box using my newly acquired love of resin casting. One possible design would have an Egyptian theme, perhaps a pyramid or even a very ornate ark of the covenant (that would be very cool I believe) ... also a posible Pirates treasure chest design. A lot of possibilities but I've got to settle on the "guts" first.

As a collector of antique toys, I realize that owning the genuine, old article is more desireable than a newly made reproduction but I'd like to know your feelings on the topic ... basically would collectors like it with the old style workings or would something more modern and silent be just as desireable.

Thanks again to all for your feedback.

After more digging I believe the actual reference by Prof Hoffman is the first volumn Modern Magic ... chapter 8 on coin effects using apparatus ... haven't located a copy yet but it looks like details are in that chapter.

Correction ... you can find a copy on google as a free pdf download ... book is of no help however ... no details at all ... just a brief description.

Is anyone aware of more detailed drawings besides Robert Albo's which I already have.

Also has anyone used any clock mechanisms or perhaps music box mechanicals ... would seem to be the easiest way to make the guts with the least problems. Just thinking outloud.

Thanks

The point of using electronics in my opinion would be to allow you to time the disappearance of the coins rather than have it occur every time the box is closed. Perhaps you could do a Woody Pittman type of routine where it (the dissapearance) happens when you - the magician - least expect it. Could be funny, and it would fool magicians (most of whom would be aware of this old treasure).

Oldmagic009, as a collector, I prefer the originals if they are in good working order...however, I would never take the risk of performing with them regularly for fear of damage. On the flip side, I do own several reproductions, including Richbark's quarter and half dollar Coin Caskets, and they work perfectly and are stunning to look at. In the case of these newer reproductions, I would use them if I was a more regular performer...but carefully, due to the cost, rarity, and delicate nature of the props. Right now, I have them displayed proudly with all of my older, vintage props, and they are just as stunning to look at.

So, I guess it comes down to the buyer and her or his needs. If one collects and does not perform, an old prop is wonderful, but so are many of the new props put out by modern master craftsmen. If one does perform regularly, she or he may prefer a newer, more reliable and durable prop for heavy use and travel.

I'm starting to think more along the lines of an electronic version ... perhaps tied into a card effect. For instance the chest would have the classic 4 coin slots ... I'd take a standard deck of cards and have a spectator pull 4 cards from it ... ace thru 4 ... cards would be shuffled by a different spec. ... another spectator would draw one of the cards ... what ever card was selected would be the number of coins that "disappear" from the chest. I already have the circuitry in mind to do it ... now to just tie it to the mechanical ... I think this would be a lot more mystifying that the classical routine.

Thoughts?

I like your idea and suggestion with the aces - very good. You would need a four channel unit to accomplish this. The challenge would be finding a nice box to house everything - I would suggest using half dollars instead of quarters.


Chuck

Guys, what would be the most intersting books written by dr. albo please?

That would depend on what specifically you are looking for. Each volume of the Classic Magic With Apparatus series covers a different number of topics. There is some overlap of themes, but not much true repetition, excepting maybe Albo's coverage of Okito. Many Okito effects can be found throughout the CMWA series, and also in the set dedicated just to his magic.

You can find a brief overview of the contents of the CMWA series here.

http://magicgizmo.com/home/Books/1-class......lbo.html

The Ultimate Okito, including the Addendum and the newly released Encore, of course cover Okito. A high point of these are the DVDs that come with the books. The Ultimate Thayer is a similar work, but dedicated to Thayer Magic.

Prices varies according to the individual volumes, based on their rarity, condition, and relative size.

I think vols 2, 3, 4, and 5 have the most interesting and informative goodies ... vol 2 has almost all of the classic dye box variations and is my favorite. The supplements have fewer drawings but are still good ... the Okito coverage is overdone and repetitive ... it's a shame his estate doesn't put out an eBook version of the entire series for say $100 so the average person could buy them ... the complete set goes as high as $4000 which of course is ridiculous. It would also be great if the books were edited a bit in the ebook version, particularly some of the photos which need to be lightened and color corrected ... still a treasure for apparatus lovers for sure.

Does anyone know if their are 2 versions of the Miraculous Coin Casket by Douglas Wayne.
I have one and the instructions describe using it with quarters, but there is no doubt it is designed for half dollars.
am I reading something wrong?

There was both a half dollar and quarter version produced by Mr. Richbark, but I'm not sure if they are still available. Here's a link:
http://richbark.com/m_collectormagic.html

The original Douglas~Wayne Illusioneering version and later Richbark Coin Caskets were available in both quarter and half-dollar sizes. The workings on ours (DW) were identical so it should be no issue. I can't tell you for sure if later Richbark models used the exact same mechanisms or not. If I were to guess, I would say they were.

Dave Dorsett
Douglas~Wayne Illusioneering