A Magic Cabinet
The performer calls the attention of his audience to a cabinet mounted on short legs and having doors in the front, back, and top. The back door is opened, then the top and front, and an arm is thrust through to show that the cabinet is empty and without double doors or double walls. The performer also puts his wand beneath the box to show that there is no deception there. The doors are then closed, except the top, and reaching down, he takes out any number of articles, from handkerchiefs to rabbits, and then the front door is opened to show the box is empty, but upon closing the front door again, he is still able to produce articles until the supply is exhausted. Wonderful though this trick may appear, it is very simple, and if a person is handy with tools, it can be made from lumber taken from a packing box.
To make the cabinet, nail together, in the shape of a rectangle, two pieces, 16 in. long, 14 in. wide, and ¹⁄₂ in. thick, and two pieces 14 in. square and ¹⁄₂ in. thick. To one of the latter pieces fasten four legs, one at each corner. In the opposite piece, or the top, make an opening in the center, 8 in. square. This opening is covered with a door 8¹⁄₂ in. square, supplied with a knob to open it easily. A piece, 16 in. long and 14 in. wide, with an attached knob, is hinged to the front, for a door; also another for the back hinged in the same manner and with a knob. In the back there is a cutout made, 9 in. long and 7 in. wide, in the center. In this opening a swinging box is hung to hold the articles taken from the cabinet. The swinging box is made of two pieces, 9 in. long and 7 in. wide, and two pieces about ¹⁄₂ in. larger each way, nailed together on ends, cut triangular. This box is hinged in the opening so that it will swing in or out as desired and show a panel on either side of the door. The front door should have a panel nailed on each side of equal size, to make both doors appear alike.
After loading all the things desired to be shown in the triangular box, start the trick by pushing this box into the cabinet and showing the outside; then open the back, and in doing so, push the triangular box out as the door swings back and away from the audience. This shows that there is nothing to be seen but the panel. Open the front door and top, and the cabinet will appear empty. Close both front and back doors, and in making this change, push the triangular box in, and begin to take the things out through the top door.
Open the Front Door and Top of the Cabinet and It will Appear Empty
Open the Front Door and Top of the Cabinet and It will Appear Empty
By careful construction the cabinet can be made so that the doors will open freely and the triangular box swing easily so that it will not be seen in operating it. With a clever performer this trick is without an equal, as many variations can be made in the performance.