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!

Harary’s Water Tank
Illusion Name
Designer
Franz Harary
Illusion Main Category
Short Description

An assistant is produced in bubbles inside a tank of water

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

An assistant lies down on a board and the supports are removed showing her suspended in air.

Illusion Name
Designer
Robert Harbin
Illusion Main Category
Short Description

The magician places his assistant into a cabinet and moves her head off her body.

Head Saw
Illusion Name
Designer
Tim Clothier
Illusion Main Category
Short Description

Audience member head chopper with a large, sliding, circular saw.

Website for More Info and/or Purchasing
Hindu Sword Basket (aka Indian Basket)
Designer
UNKNOWN
Illusion Main Category
Short Description

An assistant is crammed into a small wicker basket and stabbed with swords yet emerges unharmed.

Hole Cutter 3000
Illusion Name
Designer
Tim Clothier
Illusion Main Category
Short Description

A giant sawing-in-half effect where magician’s upper body (removed from the legs) is rotated on a blade in the air.

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

The magician pours several different drinks from a single container.

Website for More Info and/or Purchasing
Houdini Escape Box
Illusion Name
Designer
Franz Harary
Illusion Main Category
Short Description

The magician is restrained and locked in a box which is then elevated above the stage. The box breaks open showing the performer has vanished.

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

A rope is stretched between a wooden frame and held on either end by two spectators. The performer then quickly covers the center of the rope with a cloth and walks directly through it.

Website for More Info and/or Purchasing
Illusion Name
Designer
P.T. Selbit
Illusion Main Category
Short Description

An assistant is impaled on spikes inside of a chamber. She then emerges unharmed.