hillcountrymagic
$214.99
Condition: Very Good with original instructions.
The Burmese Bangle (invented by George Blake c. 1934 and famously routined and marketed by Ken Brooke through Harry Stanley’s Unique Magic Studio in London) is a classic mathematical pocket mentalism effect. The apparatus consists of a metal hoop or bangle (approximately 3 inches in diameter) threaded with ten hanging metal/bakelite bars numbered 0 through 9. The performer turns their back while a spectator shifts any number of bars around the hoop in a clockwise direction. Without looking, the magician points to one of the numbered bars using a penknife or pencil. When the chosen bar is reversed or the count is performed, the number on the bar pointed to by the performer precisely reveals the exact secret number of bars moved by the spectator!
Effect: The apparatus consists of a metal bangle some 3″ in diameter, threaded upon this are ten blocks, each about 1 in. long and 4 in. square, these blocks are stamp numbered from Zero to Nine in bold white figures. Thus, “The Burmese Bangle” has an eye-catching appearance, yet it is easy to carry in the pocket. This effect will rapidly become a firm favorite with magicians all over the world for it has many advantages over most other pocket tricks:
A spectator examines the bangle, he shuffles the bars around the bangle to make it impossible for anyone to know the position of any particular one. He then lays the bangle on the table with the numbered sides hidden. The performer now turns his back, or can, if desired, leave the room. Any person thinks of a number below ten and moves that number of bars around the bangle. The handling of the bangle is such that no clue remains as to the number of bars moved.
The performer returns, flips over one of the bars, and believe it or not — THE FIGURE ON THIS BAR GIVES THE EXACT NUMBER OF BARS MOVED. The above can be repeated as often as you wish.
NOW :— The description of the climax that follows is true to the last detail. The performer again leaves the room, to direct the climax of this startling effect. REMEMBER :— He can neither see nor hear what takes place. The spectator again moves as many bars as he wishes and completely covers the bangle with any magazine or newspaper. Under these conditions it would be impossible for the performer to know how many bars were moved . . YET . . Immediately and without touching anything, he tells any spectator to turn over one of the bars — On that very bar is found the Figure which coincides with the number of Bars moved in the performer’s absence.
Nothing is added or taken away and everything can be examined.
Why Add It to Your Repertoire:
The Burmese Bangle is a sought-after vintage "magician fooler" created as a mechanical solution to early mathematical card routines (such as the Ten Card Effect in Hoffmann's Modern Magic). Ken Brooke's refined handling eliminates tedious counting, making the routine entirely self-contained, instant-reset, and 100% foolproof. Because it uses an ingenious mechanical principles built right into the bangle structure, there are no sleights or secret preparations involved. Complete with the original heavy brass/steel wire bangle, stamped numbered bars (0-9), and the original typewritten Harry Stanley / Unique Magic Studio instruction manuscript, this piece represents a highly coveted slice of mid-20th-century British mentalism and pocket magic history.
