Repository
What follows is an alphabetized list of major illusions and effects. The list includes PUBLIC DOMAIN, LICENSED, and PROTECTED illusions. Please review our DEFINITIONS page for more detail on the differences between these categories.
DISCLAIMER: The Illusion Repository assumes no risk or responsibility for the information listed here nor for your purchases or builds and provides this list as a professional courtesy.
If you are truly interested in purchasing one of the “protected” illusions, please call your favorite builder and see if they are authorized to build the illusion. Oftentimes a builder may simply pay a fee to the designer for the right to build a single unit (a one–off). In that case, the builder may not be listed, but would still be authorized by the designer to build the illusion as a one-off.
The other way to purchase an illusion from this list would be to directly contact the designer. Often the designer can recommend a preferred builder. (e.g. Jim Steinmeyer prefers that clients contact him directly.)
In some cases the illusions listed here are NOT available for purchase or performance. Some have been exclusively licensed to individual performers and are not available to the public. So when in doubt, CONTACT THE DESIGNER! And don’t worry – most designers (including the “big names”) are more than happy to help – it’s their job!
Short Description An assistant is divided into multiple pieces with her center being removed. This is a modern take on the sawing in half.
Short Description The magician causes a table to float up under a table cloth.
Short Description A portable self-levitation for home or small stage
Designer John Nevil Maskelyne
Short Description A magician and his assistant instantly change places after one is locked inside a trunk.
Short Description An assistant is instantly freed from shackles inside a locked "sidecar" hitched to a motorcycle. She then vanishes. A spectator enters the sidecar and the driver, spectator, and entire motorcycle/sidecar vanish leaving the original assistant standing in their place.
Designer Walter Jeans and P.T. Selbit
Short Description The magician produces an endless supply of items from an elevated box in the center of the stage.
Designer Gunter Puchinger
Short Description An assistant enters a cabinet and is split in two.
Short Description An assistant is split into 4 parts inside a cabinet, the parts rearranged, and the front doors opened to show she's now mis-made. The illusion resets and she emerges unharmed.
Short Description An assistant is cut in two halves. The top half is slid onto a table top. The halves are realigned and the assistant emerges.
Short Description Multiple assistants are produced from an empty cabinet
