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!

Designer
P.T. Selbit and David P. Abbott
Illusion Main Category
Short Description

A painting mysteriously materializes in full view of the audience.

Squeeze Box
Illusion Name
Designer
André Kole
Illusion Main Category
Short Description

The magician enters a horizontal box and extends his head out one end and his feet out of the other. A wheel is spun, squeezing both ends of the box towards the middle until his head is right next to his feet.

Website for More Info and/or Purchasing
Squeeze Play
Illusion Name
Designer
Chuck Jones
Illusion Main Category
Short Description

An assistant is flattened between two panels. The panels are pulled back and the assistant emerges unharmed.

Website for More Info and/or Purchasing
Stripper Poles (Pole Appearance)
Designer
Franz Harary
Illusion Main Category
Short Description

Five girls magically appear on top of five platforms with stripper poles.

Website for More Info and/or Purchasing
Designer
Robert Harbin
Illusion Main Category
Short Description

An assistant is wrapped in a cloth and levitated from an ornamented couch. The couch is removed and she remains floating.

Illusion Name
Designer
Robert Harbin
Illusion Main Category
Short Description

An assistant is cut into thirds and her midsection removed.

Taylor Reed’s Appearing Motorcycle
Designer
Taylor Reed
Illusion Main Category
Short Description

Motorcycle appears on a platform - as seen on Season 7 of America's Got Talent

Website for More Info and/or Purchasing
Taylor Reed’s Kid Levitation
Designer
Taylor Reed
Illusion Main Category
Short Description

A child from the audience sits on an elevated platform and is then levitated while seated.

Website for More Info and/or Purchasing
Taylor Reed’s Ultimate Levitation (aka Extreme Levitation)
Designer
Taylor Reed
Illusion Main Category
Short Description

Using stagecraft technologies, this portable levitation can be performed just about anywhere.

Website for More Info and/or Purchasing
Temple of Benares (aka Temple of Angee)
Designer
Jack Gwynne
Illusion Main Category
Short Description

An assistant enters a cabinet and is impaled with swords. The assistant vanishes and then reappears.