If you are still puzzled about how Paul Daniels Levitation Box illusion is done, then continue reading this post.
This is the very first time time this stage illusion exposed and explained online or offline.
No one has revealed this self-levitation trick in video or written content before.
You would find out how the late Paul Daniels appeared hovering in mid-air, above the brown carton box.
This PD Box Levitation stage illusion was revealed and published in one of old blog posts before.
But I have it removed, re-written and updated with more information, and also explained the psychology behind this Paul Daniels levitation trick.
In addition, I have also included other performing this levitation effect, and other similar versions.
This is the first time Paul Daniels levitation trick explained how it is done online.
This is another one of the posts from the Info Ruckus Magic Trick Secrets Revealed series.
By the way, this is not the Fearson’s Box, Andre Kole’s “No Feet Illusion“, “Airborne Box” aka “Flying Box Illusion”, or “Biting Yourself On The Forehead” by Jim Steinmeyer.
All the above mentioned tricks used different methods to achieve the levitation effect.
PD Box Levitation is a one-man levitation illusion, which is similar to Nick Einhorn In-Flight Illusion.
Both can be performed surrounded, but they used slightly different methods.
Watch Paul Daniels performing the PD Box Levitation:
Paul Daniels Levitation Box Illusion Secret
Let’s get to Paul Daniels Levitation Box revealed and explanations in details, accompanied with supporting visual proofs.
It may appears like he is airborne above the corrugated carboard box.
The secret is the late Paul Daniels is actually standing on top of the box.
To be precise, on a piece of light weight metal plate or sheet, that is placed across the top edge of the box.
The metal piece is fastened to the 4-sided curtain frame with cords or strings.
From this live performance, at 6:46, you can see the side edge of the metal plate/sheet resting on top of the cardboard box.
This is where Paul Daniels is standing on, to simulate he is levitating above the carton box.
From the same video, at 6:45 you can see the metal plate impression on the blue satin cloth, when he is lowering it down.
Similarly from this demo video, at 5:01 when Paul Daniels places down the curtain frame, you can see the outline of the metal plate on the satin cloth.
Again from this outdoor demo video, you can see the metal sheet corner outlined on the cloth.
That’s why for this self-levitation trick, he cannot lift the cloth above the carton box.
PD Levitation Box With Reinforcement
The prop is specially designed and made to look like a normal floppy cardboard carton box.
Actually the framework must be made of metal and covered up with the brown carton cardboards.
It needs to be strong box, so it can withstand a person’s weight and its stability.
I found this Paul Daniels Levitation Box kit selling online.
Similar Levitation Acts With Cardboard Box
This is another video clip doing the identical levitation trick by Ketvi Amazy.
You can also see the metal plate shape on the blue cloth, as he lifts it up from the ground at 0:18.
A few times when he is doing the levitating act, you can see the outline of the plate resting on top of the carton box.
From Scott Humston-Franklin Self-Levitation by Fairchild Magic video, you not only see the outline of the metal sheet, but also hear the clang sound when it hits the floor at 2:55.
This is another one-man levitating illusion act by Malaysian magician Steven Im.
Likewise you can see the metal plate corner impression on the cloth at 1:37, when he turns around on top of the box.
Psychology Of Paul Daniels Levitation Box
The illusion of a person hovering in mid-air is certainly magical and mysterious.
Simply because it is an impossible feat, as it defies the law of gravity.
Generally levitation tricks typically are done with hidden wires or supporting metal arm.
But the Paul Daniels Levitation Box trick, it doesn’t employ these two common methods.
It uses a normal looking brown corrugated box.
At 1:40, Paul Daniels folding and unfolding the box, then at 1:50, he stabs it with a switch knife.
These acts are to show it is a normal brown carton box made of carboard.
In addition it has two cut-outs on the front and back of the box, which make it even more unstable.
Psychologically, he is reassuring his audience, he cannot be standing on top of this soft and collapsible box.
But as we know, it it no ordinary corrugated cardboard box, but a specially made sturdy box.
He is actually standing on a metal plate or sheet placed on top of the solid prop, that appears like a regular cardboard box.
RELATED: Free Books On Levitation Tricks
Here are two books from the Info Ruckus Free Books Google Search Results Page series.
Get this 17-page booklet is titled “Touching The Sky: A Guide To Levitation” for free online.
To avoid copyright infringement, I do not linked it to the third-party websites which stored the book.
I just show you how and where to download this book free with Google search.
This illusions booklet was published back in 2003.
There are six simple but effective levitation illusions which you can create and perform cheaply.
The illusions are clearly illustrated with photos of Andrew himself doing the tricks.
The six Illusions are: Broom-Flight, Airborne, Floating On The Edge, Mid-Air, Suspension of Disbelief and The Street Levitation.
Touching Sky: A Guide To Levitation By Andrew Mayne
To download the booklet free online, type: touching sky: a guide to levitation by Andrew Mayne pdf or touching sky: a guide to levitation by Andrew Mayne kupdf in Google search.
Alternatively, you can read it online at Scribd.
This is a graphic novel by comic-writer Jim Ottaviani about stage levitation and the related magicians.
It is narrated by then a stagehand Guy Jarrett, the who is known for his “Jarrett Pedestal”.
It is about the English magician-inventor John Maskelyne with his stage play “The Entranced Fakir“.
He created the sensational floating lady illusion, later known as “Levitation of Princess Karnac“.
John Nevil Maskelyne used to perform this levitation act for his Egyptian Hall in England in 1900.
Then American magician Harry Kellar stole his act and performed with great success.
Then it was passed down to his successor illusionist Howard Thurston, who ended up ruining the illusion by showing the wires to the audience.
Levitation: Physics And Psychology In The Service Of Deception By Jim Ottaviani
To find this book free online, type: Levitation: Physics And Psychology In The Service Of Deception pdf in Google search.
DISCLAIMER: This post is only for informational purposes. The book is copyrighted to its respective owners.