Extremely novel and versatile, we know this will soon become one of your favorites. You will use it close-up or on stage, an equally devastating effect. Just imagine, two members of the audience are asked to assist you. One is given a small bag to hold and a sealed envelope.

Another spectator is asked to loan you any coin, or you can use a borrowed Treasury Note if you wish, or a ring. The ring, the coin, or what have you is wrapped in a handkerchief and given to the spectator to hold. The audience may wonder what’s inside the bag, you say, and you take this from the spectator and produce from it a locked wooden box. The spectator who is holding the bag examines the box and places the box inside the bag. He still continues holding this for a few moments.

Spectator confirms that he still has his coin, ring, or Treasury Note. Suddenly the handkerchief is snatched away. The item has gone. The spectator holding the bag  is asked to open it up and once again remove the box. It’s still locked. When the spectator opens the envelope, which has remained in his possession throughout the entire effect, inside is the key which opens the padlock that enables the lid of the box to be opened. And  inside is the actual vanished article. No switches. No exchanges. Easy to do. You will say it is a great concept in magic.

If you like, you can use the ‘Locked Box Mystery’ for a prediction. Opening the box, inside can be a piece of paper on which is written the day’s headlines, or the winner of the football pools, or an election result. If you wish, the box can be casually shown prior to being placed into the bag and given to a spectator to hold. It’s a truly great effect.