Coin-Operated English String Magic Trick Machine
This is another magic-related piece going to auction today, May 11th 2008.This appears to be a coin-operated magic trick. It clearly involves string, so I am guessing that it performs some type trick in which the string is cut into two and then restored to a single string again. Just a guess.
We do know that this machine was made by Bryans Works from Kegworth, Derby, England. There is a scrolling text window to explain what is happening during the trick. The machine requires an old (English) penny (the large ones) so must be of some age. The mechanism looks very clean. I'd love to see a video of the trick being performed.
There are many close-up photographs of the various parts of this piece and its mechanism on the eBay listing for this Coin-Operated String Magic Trick Automaton
Labels: auction, automaton, coin-operated, ebay, magic
posted by Dug North on 5/11/2008
3 Comments:
The Penny slot puts it before 1971, but after 785AD (!)
Hi Readers,
A knowledgeable person wrote in to explain the effect this machine produces. He writes:
"This item displays a string moving back and forth between uprights and through the two cylinders. The motion stops and a blade descends between the cylinders thus cutting the string in half."
"On some models the halves are separated showing that the string is truly cut. The string haves are again aligned and the restored string is set into its back and forth motion again. It's a classic magic trick."
Thanks for the info!
Regards,
Dug North
There's a short video of the machine near the bottom of this page: http://www.pennymachines.co.uk/Forum/viewtopic.php?f=16&t=843&p=4048
The Bryans Works made three magic automata: the String Cutter, The Disappearing Disk and the Magic Spirals (colour changing optical illusion).
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