This looks like a fun trick!

http://www.vikingmagic.com/?nd=full&key=1574

It does look like a neat effect.

Is it known by another name? - I don't see it advertised in my Thayer catalogs; the 4-vol. Thayer books, or in the Owens catalogs.

U is a designation for U-boat no lol
It's a WW2 German submarine and not a magic trick

Thanks - okay....

...But I still don't see this trick-effect in the Thayer catalogs. Am I just missing it?

I believe that's the correct name. It does not appear in the 4 volume
Thayer books or any of the catalogs I have. It was a very uncommon piece until the current reproduction, which looks very nice! If you search the KT Magic
Auction site you can find an original which was offered for sale a while back.

Maybe runawayjag will chime in here, as I believe he's familiar with the
apparatus.

Hope that helps.

Joe

The "U" is a reference to the radioactive element, U-235 or U-238, which are isotopes of uranium.

Steve

JL608 - thanks...that is a great description over at KT Magic.

Devised by Sam Sharpe, and marketed in 1946.

Any more comments or reviews of this trick?

Here you can see a video demo of this beautiful trick:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jNT5GDZHjRo

I have it. George over at Viking did a stand out job in reproducing this effect from ground up. I don't have the original, but from what I know, solid research was put in to ensure this was a worthy reproduction.

It is well made, comes packaged very well, and makes you feel like you purchased something special. As an effect, it is very deceptive from the front, or at slight angles. Past that there are some angle problems to worry about. I see this as more of a parlor effect, or a display item...waiting for that curious visitor who asks, "Hey, what's that..."

Can the props be examined?

One piece can't, unless you get an ungimmicked one from George and switch it.

You can use a signed steel ball if you want.

Am I correct in assuming the glass can be inspected?

Dan.

Yes, glass can be inspected.

This sounds like fun. I can think of a few routines noting of the bridge between science and magic. How a partial accelerator excites the orbit of electrons so solid objects may pass through each other blurring the boundaries of our conventional perceptions. I can't wait to try this out!

Dan.

I believe that may have been the 12th weirdest thing I've ever seen.

Please tell us about the 1 to 11th ones.

You've all convinced me. I'm putting it on my Christmas list.

I have 2 . I am not familiar with the Thayer version ,but love this . When you order it there is an option of what "additional" item you may want.