Dear folks, since a week I'm the proud owner of an original Dean's Box.

I was wondering if some of you ever have been caught by people in the know of rope.
People that know a lot about ropes I mean.


Greetings Patrick

I don't think so.

The effect of the linking red and white ropes is by Paul Curry and his original effect was out in the open with the ropes over his shoulders (as Qua-Fiki demonstrates in his "Blendo Rope" routine in The Wizards' Journal #16, or as described in Stewart James' Encyclopedia of Rope Tricks). Whether done out in the open like that, or hidden in my plastic Sefalaljia Crate (Wiz J #10) or hidden in Dean's Box, the effect of the ropes ability to link in the center while the ends are in plain sight has always been a complete mystery to any layperson watching, based on my observations of various audiences. Performing the effect without any box at all is often just as mysterious to those magicians who own a Dean's Box and think that the performer performing Curry's original version is "doing something different." So if you practice it and perform it with confidence, rest assured your audience will be amazed.

My own in bare hands handling, based on the Curry method is in my rope DVD
" Hung Up On Ropes. available from Leaping Lizards.
Others have also had other version and variations, in box and out.

KOTAH

Being "out of sight" in the box makes it more of a mystery. To see Dean do it as a dealer demo it blows away even the most knowledgable. I've seen him do it dozens of times in his shop and almost every time the viewer buys it.

I recently saw Eric Decamps do his Dean's Box "spirit cabinet" routine at the Magic Castle. It's such a strong piece of magic that he used it as his closer.

Absolutely, its amazing how a little re-packaging changes the "feel" of an effect. Dean's Box really looks mysterious.

Only once, a young teen said afterwards that he knew it, and he proceeded to explain the knot methodology. Maybe he was a genius boy scout? I also came up with an in-the-hands routine and showed it to Jeff McBride, and his eyes popped out and he asked me to repeat it twice. So box or not, it's a very strong effect, and you're unlikely to get caught if you present it well.

This is one of my favorite effects .. I really enjoy performing this for friends when they come over.

It's been a while .. and I know Dean is ill. Anyone know how he is doing?

Steve

Dean Dill is doing great and back at it.

-=tabman

Dean is very upbeat and doing well. Other day the shoppe was jammed with magicians all doing great stuff.

Dean, later that night performed at a private party in Malibu and all is good.

Pete, thanks for the good news. And thanks for your more than 13.500 posts.I always enjoy reading them and I have learned a lot from you.
Dean certainly is one of the few suppliers of props that you can trust 100 % to give you objective advice when you ask him, "Do you think your prop NN is for me?"
If not, I would probably have spent a lot of money on one of his brillian effecs just to find out, it was not within my capabilities. I also feel Dean is one of the very few that have not embraced the strange trend to make demo videos noisy, not to the point and devoid of any information that would make you want to buy the prop. His demonstration of the Box is superb.
I do have his beutiful BOX, and I use it very often. The only time someone has been able to duplicate the effect - yes indeed he said, let me have a go and did it - was when I was performing at a business that is specialized in security devices for work on roofs, chimneys and sport climbing, e.g. using ropes in dangerous high up places. Being the chief instructor he evidently was so familiar with the twists of roping that he was able to imagine the secret. But how often does one perform for such an "in the ropes" audience ? And needles to say, it did not detract from the success of the show, they engaged me for their next year's party. The only other "dangerous" environment I have encountered was the National Yachting Club. I did take the risk, and no-one found out. As mentioned here the Boy Scouts may be dangerous, but I have no experience with them.
Kaarlo von Feymann Helsinki Finland

This is a fantastic effect which I have performed many many times and so far I have never had anybody that has known how it was done.I think you may have been unlucky. Is is a beautiful looking prop and totally blew me away when I saw it performed years ago at the International magic convention in the UK.
It was one of those" I must find out the name of that trick" moments.
I know there are many top perfrmers in the UK that use this.

No one has ever called me on it, but I have to say that no one has ever seemed really impressed. My presentation, no doubt.

The first time I saw it, I thought I could see immediately how it was done, although I had to go home and check with a couple of ropes. I wouldn't say I had any specialist knowledge, or even very great spatial awareness. So my assumption is that a lot of people can almost see how it it works, but probably aren't as motivated as I was to check.

I saw Dean's Box when it was a cardboard prototype in his shop; it was one of the worst foolings I've ever been dealt. The effect is killer and I have never had anyone claim to know how it works. It may be one of those things where the more someone knows about ropes, the harder they fall.

I also saw Eric Decamps closing with Dean's box at the PCAM 2009 convention. He was the highlight for sure

I've seen several posts refer to Eric DeCamps handling of Deans Box so I wanted to add my 2 cents worth..

The first time a dealer showed me DB I didn't really like it that much and I didn't'get it. Then, later, I felt it was something I really wanted to have. So I got it and it just sat and sat on my shelf..... Then, a few years ago, I saw Eric perform his version of DB at a convention where my wife and I were in attendance. It totally transformed my view of DB and to this day, Eric's presentation is one of the magic memories which my wife and I refer to often.

Presentation ruled supreme that day and made a permanent impression on us. Eric and Dean combined to form an amazing mystery which the crowd of magicians that day rewarded with a standing ovation.

IBM Ring 76 is now in possession of Dean Dill's original cardboard prototype Dean's Box. Someday I'll have to share photos.

Mark

Photos of Dean Dill's original cardboard & paper prototype for his 'Dean's Box'.

https://photos.smugmug.com/photos/i-SKZM......G-X3.jpg

https://photos.smugmug.com/photos/i-R8jR......G-X3.jpg

https://photos.smugmug.com/photos/i-Qx3x......2-X3.jpg

There is a problem with the forum software, I am unable to post in-line photos (yes, I tried smaller image sizes too). I get an error message.

Mark

Thank you for posting the photo's Mark, it is great to see a little piece of magic history!

Alan