Let’s check out the secret of the Magic Wagon Imperial Vase Mystery revealed based on my simple assumption and casual observation.
This is what I think how this close up penetration trick is done.
It is all derived from just watching the promotional YouTube video clips by Magic Wagon.
Disclaimer: I do not own or have seen the real prop of this Imperial Vase Mystery by Magic Wagon.
The effect:
The performer displays an ornate cabinet with a front cover, an equally overly ornate vase and a wand, together with four brass blades.
Firstly, he removes the front cover showing it it is empty.
Then he replaces the cover and puts the vase inside the cabinet.
Next, he starts inserting the four solid brass blades through the cabinet from side to side and front to back.
Now, he pushes the solid wand through holes on the sides of the cabinet, apparently penetrating through the vase inside.
Finally he removes all the blades and the wand, and picks up the vase first, before opening the front cover.
This is the Imperial Vase Mystery by Magic Wagon video:
It is said this Imperial Vase Mystery was inspired by Ulysses Frederick Grant’s Bamboo Chest And Glass.
Bamboo Chest And Glass Trick Secret
First this U. F. Grant magic trick uses a gimmick glass to hold the liquid safely in place.
Before he spins the cabinet, the gimmick glass which is placed in a tumbler is secretly moved to the magician’s left hand corner of the cabinet.
At 0:49 of this video, you can see movement through the front top slit.
While the performer’s left hand slotting in the bottom steel blade, his right hand sliding the metal piece, moving the glass to his left corner.
The gimmick glass inside the tumbler is secured within the inserting blades.
By the way, you can find a few free books by U. F. Grant below.
Imperial Vase Mystery Revealed
Before I divulge and demystify the Imperial Vase Mystery magic trick, there is a big mystery in this trick itself.
None of the four demo videos clearly show them placing the vase upright inside the cabinet before slotting in the cover.
In other words, they block the cabinet first then only place the vase inside it.
For instance, in this video, there is a possibility, he places the vase lying down, or leaning against the inner wall.
Then again, after the trick is over, none of them remove the cover to show the vase standing upright inside the cabinet.
They have to squeeze their hands into the restricted space from the top of the cabinet to pick up the vase.
From this mere observation, it hinted the possibility the vase is NOT standing upright inside the cabinet.
So, let’s get on with Magic wagon Imperial Vase Mystery revealed….
The main explanation is based on this video clip by brotherbro.
At the beginning, when he places the vase you can see it through the front top slit of the cabinet.
You can see the mouth-rim of the vase through the front top slit.
It is only in this video and also “Presenting Tenyo” clip, I managed to catch a glimpse of the vase standing up inside the cabinet through the top slit.
When he starts inserting the first blade through the bottom slit at the side of the cabinet, he uses his left hand to block the front slit at 1:36.
It is because he doesn’t want you to see the vase topples down through the top front slit.
The blade is pushing the vase down and it falls down onto the blade itself.
After he has put in the first blade, you cannot see the top of the vase through the top slits (front and side) anymore.
Imperial Vase Lying Down Between Blades
Let’s continue the Imperial Vase Mystery revealed…
Then he goes on to slot in the rest of the three blades.
In other words, the vase is now lying on its side within the four blades.
This is where I think the lying vase is secured with the blades.
If you look at the side of the cabinet, you can see there is ample space for the vase to recline on its side.
At 2:58 to 3:12, the performer has problem pushing the wand or rod through the cabinet holes and not forgetting the noise.
It is because the vase is lying down there.
After he has removed all the four blades, you can see there is no vase through the front top slit.
For this performance, brotherbor adds in the disappearance and appearance effect.
He removes the four blades and also the cover which he let it to rest on a wooden stand.
Mysteriously, the vase is now gone.
Then he puts back the cabinet cover.
After waving his wand over the cabinet, the vase magically reappears.
Then when he lifts up the cover, sure enough the vase is not inside the cabinet.
Imperial Vase Behind Front Cover
So, where does the reclining vase go to?
It is magnetically-attached to the back of the front cover.
That’s why now he needs a stand to support the front cover.
After he puts the cover back, the vase is now safely inside the cabinet.
But you still cannot see the vase from the front slit, because it is below it.
To pick up the attached vase from the back of the cover, he has to block the top slit momentarily.
So that you cannot see where the vase is lifted up from.
Look at the spot indicated at the front slit of the cover before his hand covers it:
Now look at the same area, after he has removed his hand away from the slit:
You can watch the video sequence here.
It is the same for this video; at 1:16, when he puts his right hand in to pick up the vase, his left hand pretending to hold onto the cabinet.
Actually he is blocking the front top slit, so you cannot see how his hand lifts up the “fallen” vase from the base of the cabinet.
In this video by Presenting Tenyo, before he inserts the first brass blade below, this is what you see through the front slit.
The picture below, is after he has slotted in the bottom blade.
You can see those gold color intricate designs which could be from the lying down vase.
When he pulls out the last piece of the blade from the top slit, you see the same gold color intricate design again.
Then when his fingers go in to pick up the vase, you can see that the gold color intricate design is actually the vase.
Watch closely at the front slit during this sequence.
In this video, you can see the performer is having difficulty of taking out the vase from the cabinet.
I think it is because the vase is NOT standing upright inside the cabinet.
If it vase is actually still in the upright position, he can just pull out the front-panel piece right away.
Another option, he can use his thumb and his index finger to lift up the vase.
In this demo by Simon Corneille of Simcosco even goes to the extent of implying the vase is still standing upright inside the cabinet.
He places and presses the cloth bag on top of the blade, so you can see a circular impression on it, apparently it is the rim of the vase.
If I am not wrong, there is a circular ring inside the cloth bag all along which can be seen from the beginning of the demo.
This is the secret and mystique of the Imperial Vase Mystery revealed and explained based on my assumption.
Note: In the other two videos, they do not perform the vase disappearing & appearing sequence.
Free U F Grant Magic Books You Can Download
U. F. Grant is actually Ulysses Fredrick Grant.
If his name sounds familiar, is because he was the great, great grandson of President Ulysses S. Grant. Gen.
Back in his younger days, he worked for the famous Abbott Magic and Novelty Company.
U F Grant is known for his pamphlet-type magic booklets, magic effects and props.
These days, his original products are collectors’ items.
You can find many of his booklets and props are found in eBay and Etsy.
Today his business is run by his daughter Mary Ann King under the name MAK Magic.
Here are some free books by U. F. Grant found online:
Brain Busters
Click on any of these: Link 1, Link 2
Modern Levitations By U. F. Grant
Click on any of these: Link 1, Link 2, Link 3, Link 4
Grant’s Aerial Suspension
Click on any of these: Link 1, Link 2
U. F. Grant’s Zenith Master Mental Act
Click on any of these: Link 1, Link 2
Grant’s Super Magical Secrets
Click on any of these: Link 1, Link 2, Link 3, Link 4
Illusion Secrets By U. F. Grant
Click on any of these: Link 1, Link 2, Link 3, Link 4, Link 5
Victory Carton Illusions By U. F. Grant
Click on any of these: Link 1, Link 2, Link 3
One Hundred Tips & Gags By U. F. Grant
Click on any of these: Link 1, Link 2, Link 3
Ninety-Nine Tips & Gags By U. F. Grant
Click on any of these: Link 1, Link 2
Pick-Pocket Stunts By U. F. Grant
Click on any of these: Link 1, Link 2
U.F. Grant’s Fortune Telling Card Trick
Click on any of these: Link 1, Link 2
They’re Off By Frank Lane And U. F. Grant
Click on any of these: Link 1, Link 2
Patter And One Liners By U. F. Grant
Click on any of these: Link 1, Link 2
Window Stoppers
Click on any of these: Link 1, Link 2, Link 3, Link 4
Nu Way Out Of This World: Truly A Miracle With A Borrowed And Shuffled Deck By U. F. Grant
Click on this: Link
Disclaimer: I do not publish or host any of the books here. They are copyrighted to their respective owners. All content cited is derived from their respective sources.