Who is THE Expert on Self-Working Magic?

[performer]

I know that tap thing very well! I used to gaze at it for ages when I sold svengali decks at Ripley's Odditorium in Blackpool. They had it just outside the entrance to draw people in the door. Alas the illusion has gone now along with the odditorium!

[Brad Henderson]

I’ve always thought the design on this was wrong.

I would prefer one where the spigot was attached to a board (maybe clear) which was suspended by chains from an over head support.

To me, the mystery is ‘where does the water come from’. The ‘floating spigot’ suggests the need for a support and the obvious place to look is that column of water - and soon you are on to the working of the illusion.

By having a visible means of support, the mind isn’t sent to looking at that column but for something above or around the spigot delivering the water.

This type of illusion is meant to provoke contemplation and guesses. So Anything to throw them off is, I feel, an improvement to consider.

[Richard Kaufman]

Invented by Stanley Collins.

[performer]

It brought the punters in which was the main point of the thing in the first place.

[Christopher1979]

Doesn't look like The Encyclopedia of Self Working Card Tricks by Doctor Wilhelm Von Deusen and Glenn Gravatt has been mentioned? Hard to find these days but an important volume!

[Richard Kaufman]

Von Deusen was not a person, but a nom de plume for Gravatt.

[Christopher1979]

We sold this book a few months ago so it was copied and pasted from the listing. It came to mind when I saw the original question. I did not know that Richard so thank you.

[Dustin Stinett]

Wayne Dobson's material that he has released over the last ten years or so.

[Richard Kaufman]

Good idea!

[Joe Mckay]

I had no idea that the floating tap was invented by Stanley Collins. That is fascinating.

Thanks for that Richard!

It is wonderful seeing one of the best minds in the history of magic share his creativity outside of magic.