A chest is seen resting upon four upright posts attached to a small platform base on casters. The magicians assistant kneels upon the platform with head securely in place inside the chest. Thirteen swords are used to impale the chest in every direction with no apparent room for the head. The front panel is lifted and the chest is seen to be full of the sword blades but no head is in sight!

This is an early Thayer illusion with stencil decoration attributing to that fact especially with the haunting face at the front and rear of the chest. As is more often the case with early illusions as they would be trouped normal wear would occur necessitating fixups and touchups along the way.

A special spring loaded mechanism in the stocks that hold the neck in place which actually moves the opening back into the chest which then allows for the pulling of two knobs which bring mirrors into position prior to insertion of the thirteen swords.

As for condition the sword blades have some areas of corrosion there is a horizontal split in the chest on the top right hand side as shown in the photograph. The mirrors are stiff to operate and the two hinges on the front lift up panel have been replaced with more decorative hinges leaving four holes showing from the replaced hinges. The knob on the front lift up panel has also been replaced.

This illusion is 58 1/2 inches high with a base that is 25 1/2 inches square. With some tuning up an illusion to perform or a unique display for a collection.