Thayer Circa 1925 The New Frame Penetration

This Thayer Quality Magic Effect circa 1925 certainly lives up to Thayer tradition in high quality of construction as the hardwood frame is a little masterpiece. The frame measures 3 7/8 inches wide x 4 7/8 inches high being only ¼ inch thick built with reinforced miter joints and finished silky smooth. The attention to detail goes even further with the cross piece that insets to the frame with a matching bevel to that of the bevel on the frame once the cross piece has been attached with thumb screws. After witnessing the presentation, a spectator if asked to name the strong points of the effect might say, “I selected the card used and was allowed to examine the frame. The card was in full view as objects were passed completely through and afterward I was allowed to examine the frame, card and the penetrating objects!” Yes, this is what the spectators remember and Thayer made a great point too of letting the prospective buyer be aware of this in their catalog description.

A small wood frame into which a card will just fit is shown around by the magician prior to having a card selected from a shuffled deck. The frame is rather curious of design as two threaded posts are affixed from the backside of the frame to the front projecting at a right angle to the frame. After the selection of the card the magician takes the frame in hand turning it over with its back side uppermost and four metal turn buttons are seen. These turn buttons are moved to a position allowing for the placement of the card face down in the frame where it rests upon a very narrow ledge. With the card in place the turn buttons are moved to a position over the card to secure it firmly in place within the frame. Turning the frame face up the magician shows the chosen card in perfect alignment within the frame and reaches into his pocket removing an additional piece to the frame along with two thumb screws.

This additional piece fits over the posts on the frame by way of two small holes and acts as a cross piece on a horizontal to the frame. The two thumb screws are tightened down over the posts holding the cross piece in place near the mid section of the card. A small round opening in the cross piece is seen to have a star trap of black felt which comes into play momentarily. Showing the frame with its card placed within, first back and then front, the magician picks up his magic wand and places the white tip against the star trap opening. After a brief hesitation the magician pushes the wand up to the surface of the card and beyond to a point the wand has penetrated the card all the way to its middle section and clearly visible that it is emerging from the back side of the frame and card! Holding the wand with half its length through the card for a moment so all may grasp what is actually happening, the magician reaches behind the frame and pulls the wand the rest of the way through leaving no doubt there must be a gaping hole in the card little larger than the diameter of the wand itself.

For some this would be enough of a demonstration to convince an audience of onlookers that there is now a damaged card in the frame up but the magician takes it a step further. Removing a silk handkerchief from his pocket the magician takes a corner of the silk and places it against the star trap tucking it neatly in and moving his hand away leaving the silk barely hanging from the trap. Changing his hold upon the frame the magician reaches behind the card and the silk is seen to crawl into the trap at the front as it is being pulled out from the rear by the hand of the magician. After the silk has made a complete journey through the middle of the card it and the wand are handed to the spectators for safe keeping as the magician loosens and removes the thumb screws holding the cross piece to the frame. The cross piece is lifted away from the screw posts and the face of the card is undamaged with no opening that objects could have passed through! Turning the frame over the card is found to be perfectly within the frame borders with turn buttons still in place. The turn buttons are moved away allowing for the release of the playing card which is handed directly to the spectators along with the frame and cross piece to examine with no clue as to how such a penetration could have occurred leaving the card unscathed.

Condition very fine. Scarce.