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!

Cube Squared
Illusion Name
Designer
Brian Daniel
Illusion Main Category
Short Description

Cube Squared is a human "square circle" effect.

Website for More Info and/or Purchasing
Illusion Name
Designer
Jim Steinmeyer
Illusion Main Category
Short Description

A lady disappears into a box constructed from a painting. The lady then reappears and the painting is reassembled.

Website for More Info and/or Purchasing
Designer
Guy Jarrett
Illusion Main Category
Short Description

An assistant appears inside an empty "cabinet" that is covered only on the top, showing she could not sneak in from the bottom.

Dancing Pillow
Illusion Name
Designer
Don Wayne
Illusion Main Category
Short Description

In the Dancing Pillow illusion, a pillow on a bed comes to life and dances. It turns into the assistant for the finale.

Website for More Info and/or Purchasing
Death of Cora
Illusion Name
Designer
Walter Jeans
Illusion Main Category
Short Description

An assistant is restrained underneath a rack of spikes. The spikes are lowered and the assistant disappears.

Death Ray Gun
Illusion Name
Designer
The Great Leon
Illusion Main Category
Short Description

An assistant is fired from a cannon through a steel wall.

DeKolta Chair (aka Vanishing Lady)
Designer
Buatier DeKolta
Illusion Main Category
Short Description

A woman seated in a chair would be covered by a large cloth. The magician would then whisk away the cloth causing the woman to instantly vanish.

Departed
Illusion Name
Designer
Don Wayne, Bill Blagg, Ryan C. Reed
Illusion Main Category
Short Description

Departed is the visual vanish of an audience member while they are seated in a real passenger jet plane seat.

Website for More Info and/or Purchasing
Dis-Middle-Ment
Illusion Name
Designer
Rich Hill
Illusion Main Category
Short Description

Assistant or Audience Member is Divided into Three sections.

Website for More Info and/or Purchasing
Disembodied Princess (aka Mystery of Princess Karnac; Girl without a Middle)
Designer
P.T. Selbit
Illusion Main Category
Short Description

Assistant enters an upright cabinet which, when closed, shows only her legs. The box containing her head is opened to show that her head is still in place. The center and back of the cabinet is opened to show her body has vanished.