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Hello,

I came across this magic trick in a box, "Yogi Blocks", that I cannot learn anything about. In fact, I've spent an unreal amount of time researching early boxed magic tricks and have discovered virtually nothing.

This box contains a nickle plated tube with an indentation near the center inside, 4 bakelite cylinder blocks and a felt bottomed, wood platform. The 2 red cylinders are ever so slightly larger in diameter than the yellow and black.

Playing with it I figured out that you start out with a red block already inside one side of the tube. Then you place a yellow followed by a black then red block in the other side of the tube. You tap the tube onto the wood platform to reveal the 3 blocks in one order, also securing the other red block still hidden inside. You then slide the tube back over all 3 blocks, picking them up in the process, then once again tapping the tube onto the wood platform, but this time turning it over first. This reveals all 3 blocks but in a different order.

What I would like to know is: Is there a name for this trick besides "Yogi Blocks" because nothing at all comes up wit that name. Second, this box does not reveal any manufacturer and by the looks of the box, I would determine it dates to late 1800s - early 1900s.

Thank you so much for any help!

Julie

Wow! Does look very old this... Seen something similar many years ago, but just can't get my head around this one ?? There are a lot of wise people on this site who i know will come up with something for you..
Regards Garry..

Thank you, Garry! I'm hope I'm right about the age range, looks really old to me too!

Judging from the look and your description. I would say it is very close to The Stratosphere only a close up version. And without the added box to vanish the extra piece. The extra being one of the red blocks.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rp2KK9rh74g

Thank you for posting the video for The Stratosphere. You're right, the premise is exactly the same!

I don't know what may be missing from this box. I believe it is complete as seen because when you start with one of the red cylinder blocks already in the tube, you complete the trick with one always remaining hidden inside and no one is ever the wiser.

Any thoughts on age or who many have manufactured these boxed magic tricks?

momof4buoys wrote:Thank you for posting the video for The Stratosphere. You're right, the premise is exactly the same!

I don't know what may be missing from this box. I believe it is complete as seen because when you start with one of the red cylinder blocks already in the tube, you complete the trick with one always remaining hidden inside and no one is ever the wiser.

Any thoughts on age or who many have manufactured these boxed magic tricks?

My gut tells me there are no missing pieces. The addition of the box to vanish that block would only be needed in the stage version. As to who made it? I will do some digging when I have time. but I've really no idea.