Price$11.25
Media TypeTrick
CategoryClose Up
Date AddedMar 16, 2003
Mexican Bill Box
Viking
(Based on 1 review)
Reviews
(Top ▲)
This box, was part of the first group of tricks I came across as a boy. Like many things from the past, it holds additional associations from that time with, or WITHIN it. In my case, road trips with my parents-summer time, stops at family restaurants in New Hampshire-and always, the search for a souvenir shop for us kids. Such odd, curious items-a plastic snake that swirled up and down a stick, as you turned it end for end; braided chinese finger traps; plastic and also REAL mexican jumping beans; coin slides, rubber monsters to wear on your fingertip, and there on a glass shelf, this curious little crate-that noone could open but the owner. I wish I were kidding when I say that I was truly disappointed when I couldn't get my parents to buy me one of these, when I first saw it. I wondered for weeks 'how's it work, how's it work?!'
In any case, this box was part of my original fascination with magic, along the ball vase, coin slide, imp bottle, and snapper.
Years later, just buying one as an adult, was like having a reminder of more innocent days, that were long gone. Back before more complicated and sometimes darker dramas came up around me...or, showed up at my door.
Magic was always a comfort, plenty of fun as well-and sometimes a trick, carries more with it than price, or materials.
I now see versions of this box in toy stores-often made out of clear plastic. Magic Warehouse sells a decent version, made in India, and with the same inexpensive souvenir traits I remember from 40 years ago.
When I saw one in a showcase at U.S. Toy and Magic awhile back, I was secretly thrilled. Dark wood, thick plastic window, and brass strips where the vinyl straps would be. I assumed it was Viking, and it cost about 30$. I use it as a bar puzzle, but at times as a Lippencott box. I was especially pleased to see that Mikame Craft came out with his 'Pirate's Chest', which combines Mexican bill box and has a hinged, lockable lid. Aside from my associations, this is still a clever box to use-worth seeing in person before you buy it. It's another casuality of cheap mass production, like countless other tricks.
For someone who does pocket/close up magic, it's definitely worth having around...'old as dust' as it is.
In any case, this box was part of my original fascination with magic, along the ball vase, coin slide, imp bottle, and snapper.
Years later, just buying one as an adult, was like having a reminder of more innocent days, that were long gone. Back before more complicated and sometimes darker dramas came up around me...or, showed up at my door.
Magic was always a comfort, plenty of fun as well-and sometimes a trick, carries more with it than price, or materials.
I now see versions of this box in toy stores-often made out of clear plastic. Magic Warehouse sells a decent version, made in India, and with the same inexpensive souvenir traits I remember from 40 years ago.
When I saw one in a showcase at U.S. Toy and Magic awhile back, I was secretly thrilled. Dark wood, thick plastic window, and brass strips where the vinyl straps would be. I assumed it was Viking, and it cost about 30$. I use it as a bar puzzle, but at times as a Lippencott box. I was especially pleased to see that Mikame Craft came out with his 'Pirate's Chest', which combines Mexican bill box and has a hinged, lockable lid. Aside from my associations, this is still a clever box to use-worth seeing in person before you buy it. It's another casuality of cheap mass production, like countless other tricks.
For someone who does pocket/close up magic, it's definitely worth having around...'old as dust' as it is.