Hi
I think I am going to sell my Zig-Zag to fund my new show. I have had it a long time and it is kind of hard to part with.
I got it around 1981 from Elmo Magic Supreme. I know at that time Gene was getting things from Chalet, I also bought a Balloon to Dove and a Doves to Rabbit that are both Chalet. But the Zig-Zag has no markings on it.
It has a very good paint job that had to have been done by a pro. And the blue is very close to the same color blue as the Doves to Rabbit. The whole thing folds flat and goes in the road case. I had the case made by Discount Distributors on Long Island so that did not come with it.
Take a look at the pictures and see if you can give me any ideas. Also, What do you think I can ask for something like this? Ebay or Magic Auction? How would you ship something like this?

Thanks for any help you can give. Here is the link.

http://www.stlouismagicco.com/PAGEs/PAGEzigzag.html

It looks like it could be Owen Magic Supreme. Except for the roller shades. Cant be sure.

S

The roller shades are original. In other words they were not something that Gene Elmo added later. He did stuff like that all the time to "improve" things.

I don't think it is Owen's. I worked with two of Harry Blacktone's and the hinges were piano hinges and painted to match the rest. His was one of the first couple made.

I had an early Kimery/Chalet that had two shelves on the one side, which eliminated one roller blind. I understand George only made one or two like that.

Richard

Hi Guys,

I'm almost sure that is one made by the late Earl Canap from Baltimore, MD. It is defintely not a Chalet. I've owned both Earl Canap's (more than 25 years ago he built one for me) and I still own my Chalet.

Lou

Hey Lou
Earl Canap is not a name I have heard before. Got any backround?
What makes you so sure? Any idea what I could sell it for?
Thank for your input

I concur Richard. That was my first thought when I saw those "Itty-Bitty" hinges!

JMHO

Cheers!

Shouldn't you know a man better before you call his hinges "Itty-Bitty"

I saw a Blackstone Zig Zag once and it did have piano hinges on all the doors.
So Owen is out.

Where is the best place to sell something like this. Ebay or Magic Auction?
And what about shipping?

What do you want for it? The Café could be a good place to sell it also.

Because of where Gene Elmo lived, best bet was Glen David from Long Island or Bill Williams in NJ. Both buit for Tannens and others in that era. My guess is Bill Williams. I have seen other illusions he did for Tannens in the same color blue and the use of the "home" metal molding on the upright. Mostly Williams did a lot of the parlor size props.

Hope this helps

John

Steve I am emailing you!!! HOPE WE CAN WORK OUT A DEAL!

Looks to me it folds flat so it could be Jim Sommers.

I guess it is going to be real hard to figure out who made it.
I am not really trying to sell it here. It's my understanding that is not reall proper. But I guess if someone is interested they can PM me.

Thank you all for the help.

Your're right! I should have said, "Teenie Weenie"!

Cheers!

They should all fold flat, Harbin's plans showed that. Too bad all the ripoffs occured. But, it still is a great illusion if PRESENTED correctly. I have NEVER seen anyone do it the way Harbin did. And he would get so mad about that. If you do it you MUST read the original routine in the Harbin book to understand what makes it so deceptive. You must have a woman from the audience up to push the section. Trust me.

That's right Pete...it's a talking trick.

S

I think that was the essence of and one of the most important things about Harbin's work - things needed to pack down small - he had to work at a time when the big old style illusion acts where very nearly all finished up and he had to transport his show around London in a small car, and later was a cruise ship illusion pioneer. I was discussing Harbin with Alan Shaxon when Alan was here last year and he told me of a time Harbin's car broke down between shows and he (Alan) repaired it for him outside a luxury London hotel. He had his illusion act packed in it and was on his way his second gig of the night. No trucks, trailers, just a car! Respect...

Chris.

SteveB,

Try shipping it through forwardair.com. It looks small enough to go on an aircraft. Good luck and nice piece.

Patrick