Fig. 102.
The Snuff-box Vase.—This is an apparatus of frequent use in Watch Tricks, and it may be also made available with many other articles. It is made of various sizes, from five to eight inches in height, and of the shape shown in [Fig. 102]. It consists of three parts, the cover a, the vase proper c, and a moveable portion b, the latter being made with double sides, so that it fits at once in and upon c. If a is raised without pressing its sides, it comes off alone; but if its sides are pressed in removing it, it lifts off b with it. In this compartment b is placed a small round box of tin or cardboard (from which the vase derives its name), and another box, exactly similar in appearance, is placed underneath b, inside the vase proper c. Whether, therefore, the cover is removed with or without b, the audience see apparently the same box within. The only circumstance that could possibly excite suspicion would be the greater depth of c as compared with b; and this is obviated by making the bottom of c moveable, resting on a spiral spring passing through the foot of the apparatus. When b is in the vase, the bottom of c sinks down to make way for it, but again rises by the pressure of the spring as soon as b is removed. To the eye of the spectator, therefore, the interior of the vase appears always of the same depth.
Some vases are made with a “clip” action in the lid, so that by slightly turning round the knob on the top three projecting teeth of metal are made to tighten upon b, and thus attach it to a, a reverse movement of the knob again releasing it. In this form of the apparatus the cover may be lifted by the knob only, without the necessity of pressing on the sides—a very decided improvement.
The snuff-box vase may be used to cause the appearance, disappearance, or transformation of any article small enough to be contained in one of the boxes within. Thus, in the case of the last trick, the performer, having secretly obtained possession of the borrowed watch, may, instead of using the loaf, conclude the trick with good effect as follows:—Retiring for an instant in order to fetch the vase, he places the watch in the small box contained in c. Returning, he removes the cover only, thus exposing the interior of b, and requests one of the audience to examine and replace the small box therein contained. The box is seen by all to be empty, and, being replaced, the vase is again covered. The operator now fires at the vase. Having done so, he again brings it forward, but this time removes b along with the cover. The other box, which the audience take to be the same, is now exposed, and, on being examined, is found to contain the restored watch.
If you do not happen to possess the watch-mortar or the magic pistol, you may make the trick equally effective without them, by using in their place the “Demon Handkerchief,” described at page [195]. Having borrowed the watch, you place a substitute (which you must have ready palmed) under the handkerchief, and give it to some one to hold. Then fetching the snuff-box vase (and concealing the watch in c), you exhibit and replace the empty box in b, as above, and place the vase on the table. Taking a corner of the handkerchief, you request the person holding it to drop it when you count “three.” Then saying, “One, two, three. Pass!” you wave the handkerchief, which appears to be empty, and advancing to the table and uncovering the vase, show that the watch is now in the box.
It is obvious that the snuff-box vase may equally well be used to produce the opposite effect—i.e., after having openly placed a watch or other article in either of the boxes, you may, by exposing in turn the other box, cause it to apparently disappear, or in like manner make it apparently change to any article previously placed in the second box.
The Watch Box.—This is an oblong mahogany box—size, four inches by three, and two and a half deep. To the eye of the uninitiated, it is a simple wooden box, with lock and key, and padded within at top and bottom. In reality, however, one of its sides is moveable, working on a pivot. (See [Figs. 103, 104].) In its normal position, the side in question is held fast by a catch projecting from the corresponding edge of the bottom of the box. To release it, pressure in two places is required—a pressure on the bottom of the box so as to lift the catch, and a simultaneous pressure on the upper part of the moveable side of the box, thus forcing the lower part outwards, and allowing the watch or other article placed in the box, to fall into the hand of the performer. For this purpose the box is held as shown in [Fig. 103].
Fig. 103.
