An OLD ELLISDON'S Trick from the Fifties?

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An OLD ELLISDON'S Trick from the Fifties?

Postby Gerry Cannell » Dec 15th, '20, 11:38



Hi. I am a Newbie, not to the entertainment world, but to magic. Thank you for admitting me. Can I ask a silly question? As a child I adored the Ellisdon's Catalogue, and bought quite a few of their small magic tricks. One has always made me wish I still had it, the trick was The 6d in the Two Matchboxes, anyone remember it? A 6D was marked by the guest, and the coin placed in the magicians pocket, within a few seconds the magician produced a Match Box, secured with TWO Elastic Bands! Inside the match box was yet another matchbox, and inside that box...the 6D. Magicians (and Ellisdon's Children of the fifties) will remember how this was done; (unsure whether I am aloud to mention how it was done on here?) I kept it for years, and then lost it, sadly. Now my question: Is there anyone with this trick today, that would be able to sell me it? OR...is it possible to replecate it?
Thanks for your time Guys.
Gerry.

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Re: An OLD ELLISDON'S Trick from the Fifties?

Postby magicofthemind » Dec 16th, '20, 11:14

I had that trick over 60 years ago, and I may still have the largest box (I think there were more than two). If you search for "coin in nest of boxes" you should get plenty of hits, but I'm not sure if you'll find a modern version with matchboxes. Most versions I've seen use brass boxes (and a different method). There's also one with leather wallets.

Barry

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Re: An OLD ELLISDON'S Trick from the Fifties?

Postby Mandrake » Dec 16th, '20, 23:19

Ah, nostalgia!!! Proper matchboxes such a the old England's Glory are difficult to find (now only made in Sweden) so making your own may be a long haul. The same principle has been used where the coin - or medallion - appears in a ball of wool, Derren Brown has performed something along these lines in his stage shows.

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Re: An OLD ELLISDON'S Trick from the Fifties?

Postby Gerry Cannell » Dec 17th, '20, 01:26

magicofthemind wrote:I had that trick over 60 years ago, and I may still have the largest box (I think there were more than two). If you search for "coin in nest of boxes" you should get plenty of hits, but I'm not sure if you'll find a modern version with matchboxes. Most versions I've seen use brass boxes (and a different method). There's also one with leather wallets.

Barry

Thanks matey. Gerry.

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Re: An OLD ELLISDON'S Trick from the Fifties?

Postby Gerry Cannell » Dec 17th, '20, 01:27

Thanks guys. I shall start seaching. Gerry.

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Re: An OLD ELLISDON'S Trick from the Fifties?

Postby Gerry Cannell » Dec 17th, '20, 01:30

Thanks again to the guys that responded. Just to be a further nuisance ( hopefully not) Where would you recommend me trying for this trick, any suggestions? Thanks Gerry

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Re: An OLD ELLISDON'S Trick from the Fifties?

Postby mark lewis » Dec 17th, '20, 07:29

I remember that one! It was a damn good trick too! I think you could get little boxes of varying sizes at crafts shops. The main problem would be getting some sort of slide. I remember it was made of metal. I wonder if the trick could be done with a cardboard slide you could make yourself. I dunno. Probably not I suppose. I also seem to remember there was a tiny little cloth bag inside the last box where the coin would end up.

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Re: An OLD ELLISDON'S Trick from the Fifties?

Postby Gerry Cannell » Dec 17th, '20, 11:08

mark lewis wrote:I remember that one! It was a damn good trick too! I think you could get little boxes of varying sizes at crafts shops. The main problem would be getting some sort of slide. I remember it was made of metal. I wonder if the trick could be done with a cardboard slide you could make yourself. I dunno. Probably not I suppose. I also seem to remember there was a tiny little cloth bag inside the last box where the coin would end up.

Thats right, I forgot about the bag.....Great memories eh. I shall try to get some small boxes, and have a go at making one. Cheers.

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Re: An OLD ELLISDON'S Trick from the Fifties?

Postby magicofthemind » Dec 17th, '20, 12:25

Here are a couple of links from reputable UK dealers:

https://www.propdog.co.uk/index.php?rou ... earch=nest

https://www.saturnmagic.co.uk/saturn-ma ... 0021-.html

You can use any card-to-wallet with a marked coin; I've done it with my JOL Plus wallet and ID case. I have a metal nest of boxes set but have never used it.

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Re: An OLD ELLISDON'S Trick from the Fifties?

Postby Mandrake » Dec 18th, '20, 18:42

It occurred to me that some thin brass sheet from Hobbycraft or modelling shops could be cut and bent into a chute, possibly by wrapping round a piece of thin plywood cut to the right size, glue or solder would keep it steady in use - make a paper template first! The advantage is that the chute could be made to suit whichever coin is being used. The old 6d coin was not far off the size of new 5p coin. I’m told that The Works used to sell blank matchboxes which could easily be ‘converted’ to a known brand by scanning/printing a label on the computer and applying it to the blanks.

Thanks for this thread, it’s given me the impetus to have a go at making one – I think I have a small velvet bag off some jewellery somewhere… must go search the attic in Mandrake Towers... I may be gone some time… :D

PS does anyone feel that this thread might be better in the Magicians Only Area where we can be more open and explicit in discussion?

PPS Plain matchboxes are readily available from plenty of sites, for one suggestion see https://www.ebay.co.uk/i/193371814875?c ... UfEALw_wcB

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Re: An OLD ELLISDON'S Trick from the Fifties?

Postby Gerry Cannell » Dec 18th, '20, 18:51

Thanks so much everyone. I am going to make my own prop, should be fun to have a go at. Keep safe. Gerry

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Re: An OLD ELLISDON'S Trick from the Fifties?

Postby Mandrake » Dec 18th, '20, 18:54

If you get chance perhaps you could upload a photo or two? :wink:

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Re: An OLD ELLISDON'S Trick from the Fifties?

Postby Mandrake » Dec 18th, '20, 18:57

I just had a quick Google (they can't touch you for it!) and found this site with a photo of the Ellisdon's version (scroll down a bit) - https://www.collectingmagic.co.uk/2014/06/ The box, the bag and the slide are clearly shown.

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Re: An OLD ELLISDON'S Trick from the Fifties?

Postby Gerry Cannell » Dec 20th, '20, 10:50

Thank you. I knew I hadn't imagined this trick. I remember having the Ellisdons catalogue delivered, and really looked forward to receiving it, and all the wonderful things it had inside. "The See-Backra-Scope" for instance, which as I recall, was simply a mirror in a device that you held up to see who was behind you! AMAZING! Happy childhood fun; so very different to these days. For a half crown, we really could amaze our friends.

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Re: An OLD ELLISDON'S Trick from the Fifties?

Postby magicofthemind » Dec 20th, '20, 11:43

I still have a few Ellisdons items. It has to be said, though, that some of them were disappointing, bordering on junk. I have, for example, a pack of "Mocker" marked cards, which are so badly printed that the backs are in different shades. And one that went straight in the bin was the Ball and Tube - two ill-fitting cardboard tubes and a glass marble. Possibly the best item that I still have, and occasionally use, is the nose flute!

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