Description
This effect and method was invented by George Lorimer and published in the British monthly periodical The Magician Monthly as The Crown Jewels of Crashbania and subtitled: A Regular Royal Robbery (pg. 72, May, 1928). Lorimer’s routine had quite a lot more going on than the eventual dealer versions including changing the large rubies into a shower of smaller rubies, a British flag to cover the crown, the production of some large silks, and a cage complete with Canary 🙂
However, the key methods of the rubies appearing in the crown and vanishing from the presentation case are used in both dealer versions I have seen. The first dealer version that I am aware of was released by Harry Stanley c. 1953 as Royal Robbery and routined by Arthur Leo.
Supreme Magic released their first version c. 1968 through arrangement with Harry Stanley and still based on the Arthur Leo routine, then later as they purchased Stanley’s exclusive copyrights c. 1972 they released other tweaks and changes. This version, though brand new, comes from c. 1992 with the addition of the Tom Sellers’ idea to vanish the silks.
Supreme’s version is well made but does not have quite the elegance of Stanley’s Royal Robbery and only includes three jewels as opposed to four (look at the final photo for comparison of the crowns). But the routine is similar with a few extra tweaks including the cardboard card instead of hanky to cover up the crown. One of the other 1992 changes is the vanish of the jewels from a silk and tumbler. To be honest I could have left that out as I didn’t find the method that convincing (but I have not actually performed it to children so maybe it goes down very well in reality).
But, with or without the vanish, this is a great routine for the younger children and will entertain them and they will have plenty of fun along the way. It is very topical right now with the Coronation of King Charles III 🙂
Effect: The effect incorporates several original ‘Supreme’ touches. In performance, a picture of the Royal Palace is shown, the Royal Palace of FANTASIA, where a new King is to be crowned. The magician explains that behind the plaque there is a Royal Crown, inlaid with three priceless jewels. The card is removed and there is the crown but there are three empty spaces where the jewels should be! … feigned consternation!!… then the magician remembers all is in order and in fact the jewels have been sent off to the cleaners!!! Of course they have to be returned quickly, to be re-set in the crown in time for the Coronation. The picture is replaced in front of the crown, hiding it from view’.
A boy from the audience is now’ recruited to play the part of a courier There can be fun here, dressing the boy up with a hat with a feather! Magician displays a handsome casket and on opening this up, it is seen that in three recesses, there are three different jewels, cut-out discs faced with sparkling reflective material, to give good effect.
One at a time, the discs are tipped out of the casket into the young assistant’s hands … the empty casket is placed to one side. Now the three jewels are taken from the boy and placed on to a silk, the ends of the silk are gathered-up, the jewels are placed into a tumbler, the ends of the silk hanging over the tumbler. Suddenly the silk is snatched away… the jewels have vanished … the tumbler is empty! The Palace plaque is removed, but the Crown Jewels are still not there.
When the casket which originally contained the jewels is opened, it is seen that these have magically returned!
Magician now recruits assistance from the young courier to magically transport the jewels from the casket to the crown. The casket is closed, the courier “mimes” invisibly extracting the first jewel “through the casket” and throwing this towards the crown. When the casket is opened, it is seen that indeed one of the jew’els has vanished.
This is repeated with the second and third jewels. However, the magician has some trouble with the third jewel … this is shown to be still in place. Several attempts are made before causing this to vanish. Finally, having visibly extracted the jewel, the young helper is told to keep his hand tightly closed. Casket is shown empty and placed to one side.
The audience is now asked to shout the magic spell. Boy makes a throwing motion towards the crown and, of course, the jewel has vanished.
There’s more sucker business when the crown is uncovered because the jewels are still not back in place! More fun getting the kids to shout the magic spell, etc., etc. Whenever he likes the magician can show that the jewels have magically returned and are now neatly in place in the crown!
A further surprise comes when the plaque with the Castle scene on is turned around and the reverse side of this shows a picture of the King. Momentarily the crown is held over his head, making a fitting end to a perfect piece of magical entertainment!!
Quality PLUS! You get everything. Crown, stand, casket. All beautifully-made in wood and lacquered. The sparkling jewels, the colorful silk-screened picture-plaque, an lb inch silk, special tumbler and the full instructions and routine. This is another WINNER from Supreme.
(Notice: Includes: Printed Instructions.)
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