When I stumbled across this deceptively simple production cabinet in 'My Best', attributed to Walter Gibson, I wondered why I hadn't seen one in use. EVER. It employs a classic principal familiar to most magicians. In fact, when I described it to one, he said; 'Oh, like a 4-door Funder box?' YES. Exactly.
I had to make one for myself, which was a bit tricky. The hinges required some rethinking and I devised my own method, which works great.
I still have to apply stain and urethane, I want to show the oak grain.

What I like about this particular cabinet is its smooth operation. It's attached to a lazy susan assembly at the base, and all 4 panels swivel loosely on rod hinges that flip at the corners and comprise the entirety of the cabinet. This enables the magician to show the box 'inside-out' and all around, prior to producing.

Yes, it's angle-sensitive, but in the right setting and executed smoothly, it's quite a stunner.

http://s10.photobucket.com/user/edisongi......0cabinet

It's known commonly as the Gibson Box. Norm Nielsen made a gorgeous "Okito" style version, and the Café's own George Ledo also made a beautiful version in natural woods.

I have one of George's Gibson boxes obtained via Stevens Magic Emporium. Superb!!

Edison, delighted to hear you built a Gibson Box. I am thinking of doing the same. How large is yours?

@DavidMor: Mine stands a little over 15" tall x 7 1/4" square, including the base.
I had the ball bearing lazy susan mechanism for a while*, intending it for use on this project.
I let the size of that, and the thickness of my oak stock determine the overall scale.
If you're interested in building one I'd be glad to share my own solution for the hinge, which work very smoothly. I'd be interested in comparing mine to another model.

Really, I'm so glad to learn this is not such an obscure or overlooked item. I would love to see photos of other Gibson boxes!

*(it's GREAT living near an American Science and Surplus store! I found 8.5 x 11 jumbo card decks for $9 each)

.. Well having some key-words did help in googling other Gibson boxes.

Impressive craftsmanship!

Click here to view attached image.

Beautiful work on these.

Interesting that neither of the other models have knobs on the doors, as in the original drawing found.

I also didn't think them necessary, I found they detract from the simplicity of the design, which is pagoda-like.

I did choose to omit a door on the top of my model. I like the way these look and ultimately may add one to mine.

Click here to view attached image.

Here's the one I made for Stevens Magic a few years ago, on Martin's Magic Collection web site:

https://www.martinsmagic.com/allmagic/st......ge-ledo/

It was a run of 12 pieces, all sold.

Thank you for posting that link, George. I really like the natural finish of your model! Looking at yours, again I'm rethinking adding a lid to mine.

This is interesting, I have that book so after reading about it here I had to go look it up . Always find the neatest tricks in old books !

I like how yours turned out

Cheers!

I have one of the 12. Fine craftsmanship George. The natural wood finish make this look like a piece of fine furniture instead of a magic prop.

Thank you. I'm delighted you like it.

Update:

I did end up fabricating a lid for my Gibson production cabinet. I tried to keep the pagoda feel, using a square oak pull.

I knew I wanted a 2-tone effect, even though it's all red oak stock. I used a Sedona Red & Cherry stain.

Glad I added the lid.

Click here to view attached image.

.. the open view;

Click here to view attached image.

Detail of the lid;

Click here to view attached image.

Another view of the closed cabinet;

Click here to view attached image.

Nicely done!

Thank you, Michael. I should say, I find your pieces astonishingly beautiful. I've looked elsewhere here, as well as the wares on your site. A classic aesthetic and subtle palette (Okito inspired?). A timeless look, yet uniquely yours.

Edison... well done on that box. Does it rotate off the pedestal? How did you get that piece of wood to arc like that for the concealed side?

M

Thanks M. The cabinet is permanently attached at the base via lazy-susan on ball bearings, so it rotates very smoothly. I opted out of any vertical column part to the pedestal, which is atypical to the original design. I didn't want it to be top-heavy, nor did I think the column necessary.

For the load can I laminated some sheets of veneer together, bending it around a form for the curve. The rest is thin plywood.