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Details

The Box

Mark Southworth

Mark Anthony Southworth

(Based on 3 reviews)
From the creative mind of Mark Southworth comes this Revolutionary step forward in the signed card to box plot...

A box with a folded card is clearly displayed trapped in rubber bands & placed into a spectators hands or pocket or nearby table. 52 cards are displayed & your spectator takes anyone & signs the card. The card is lost back inside the deck, shuffled & place away in the magicians pocket. The Box is now displayed & rubber bands removed... the card is tipped out... The spectators signed card.

2 Sec Reset

Interchangeable Gimmicks

Examinable

Portable

Includes Marks Impossible Banknote to impossible location using The Box in a way that looks like TV Magic...

The Box
  • 1 x Red Backed Bicycle Card Gimmick
  • 2 x Extra Gimmicks... For Banknotes, Predictions etc
  • 1 x Resetting Tool
  • Routines
  • Live Chat Session With Stephen Leathwaite
Bonus Ideas & Tips

BONUS!! A $15.00 dollar Value FREE!

1-Spare box

1-lockable Prediction bag (cloth bag with eye for a padlock)

1-extra gimmicks ( to make various card etc.)

What Others Are Saying:

"The Box is a mechanical marvel! Kennedy's Mystery Box updated and ultra portable. A very powerful utility box that all magicians should carry on them."
- ANGELO CARBONE

"What a step forward in the box plot, love it !"
- STEPHEN LEATHWAITE

"Outstanding, one of the most beautifully deceptive bits of kit in my arsenal, this should be called the sniper box, because it kills every time."
- WAYNE GOODMAN

"This is ingenious!"
- PETER EGGINK

"This is THE best card to box I have ever had the pleasure to witness. It has everything that REAL magic should look like. Organic, open, and a diabolical method that sits right under their noses."
- JUSTIN MILLER

Reviews

Stephan Sloan

Official Reviewer

Sep 22, 2022

Effect

A Card To Impossible location is a classic plot. There have been numerous ways this has been done. Cards have ended up in wallets, lighters, pens and juggling pins. There have also been several card to box routines developed over the years as well. "The Box" by Mark Southworth can now be counted as one of the latest Card To Box effects. A spectator signs a card, the card is lost in a deck. The card disappears from the deck and ends up in a small plastic box which was locked in a pouch.

Method

This trick like all the other box tricks all utilize basically the same method. The signed card is folded and palmed, the box is produced from a pocket and in the box there appears to be a card. The card is dumped out of the box and when opened it is the actual signed card. By now we now that the card in the box is a fake and when dumped out it disappears from view. The disappearance of the card sells the trick.

Product Quality

What you receive when you purchase this is the gimmicked box, a bag for the box, some shim material, a resetting magnet and a second box in case the first gets damaged. The box itself is a simple black box with a clear lid. the gimmick that holds the folded card and ultimately gives the illusion that the card disappears is well made and thought out. The bag is included if you want to add another layer of mystery. You will need to use a small lock as the bag has two rivet holes and no drawstring. The instructions themselves is on a DVD and although not a very well produced video, the instructional part is thorough. It covers using the gimmick, resetting the gimmick, splitting cards to customize the box, and numerous tips on handling and presentational ideas. What is most appealing about the box is that it doesn't look like a magic prop, it looks like what it is, a simple every day pill or parts box. Other versions of card to box, although much prettier and polished, look out of place. In addition The Box is perfect for walk around where I see this effect performed the most.

Ad Copy Integrity

There is no exaggeration in the ad copy. Performed correctly The Box will definitely create the impression that the signed card came out of the box. If you prefer your props to be more organic looking than magic props then The Box may be what you are looking for.
(Top ▲)

Doc Johnson

Official Reviewer

Dec 30, 2014

REVIEW

There are so many card production boxes, I thought I would share my view of The Box compared to a few other "clear" production boxes.

David Penn has the Mystery Solved box,
David Regal has the Clarity Box, and
Mark has The Box.

I think Mark's The Box is the best device for walk-around.
Several reasons:
1. It is smaller than the other two.
2. It looks more familiar than the other two. It looks a bit like a little pill box.
3. It comes with cloth bag with rivet holes. This bag is designed so you can place the box inside and place a small padlock through the rivet holes for a more dramatic routine (you must supply your own padlock).

The instruction is very good and this device lends itself to many very good applications.

For Parlor or small stage routines, I think David Regal's Clarity Box is best because it is the largest of the three and it has some decals that convey something "hazardous". I think this box is more visible and the "hazard" theme is one that works very well.

My least favorite is the Mystery Solved Box because it is a bit larger and less versatile than The Box for close-up, and smaller and less versatile than The Clarity box for parlor or stage.

CAUTION

The only caution I have is that you need a magnet to reset the box. This can be a bit cumbersome, but Mark provides an idea of gluing a magnet to the inside of a card box bottom and using it to reset. I think this is a great solution. He also explains how he frequently resets the box right in front of an audience if he forgets to reset it in advance.

VERDICT

For close-up, I think The Box is the best "see-through" card production device out there.


(Top ▲)

James Sanden

Official Reviewer

Aug 14, 2014

“Signed card to impossible location” is one of the strongest card effects one can do. The two most popular approaches are “card to wallet” and “card to box.” Countless versions of both effects have been released over the years, including the current product being reviewed, “The Box,” by Mark Southworth.

In “The Box” the performer displays a small box with a clear lid, containing a folded playing card. At the end of a signed card routine the performer opens the box, dumps out the card inside, and immediately shows the box to be empty. The card is then opened and shown to be the signed selection. For those familiar with popular marketed methods, the appearance of “The Box” is similar to John Kennedy’s “Mystery Box,” but with a clear lid, or David Regal’s “Clarity Box,” but smaller.

“The Box” comes with two boxes, the gimmick, a bag for the box, and an instructional DVD. I appreciated the inclusion of a second box as a backup, should the first one be damaged. The box looks normal and familiar, and will not arouse suspicion. The included bag is an option for those performers who would prefer that the contents of the box not be seen until the end of the routine. Keep in mind, the bag does not have a drawstring and is designed to be locked shut with a small lock that is not included. While not a big drawback, it’s a useful piece of information for a potential purchaser to know.

The instructions are clear and well thought out. Mr. Southworth covers the use of the gimmick in performance, how to reset it, as well as a basic routine. Part of the gimmick involves the use of a split card, and as a sort of bonus the DVD teaches how to split cards, though the product does come with the gimmick already premade with a red backed bicycle. The DVD also includes a number of presentational ideas and approaches, ideas for non-card routines (that require altering the gimmick, which isn’t difficult), practical tips during performance, prop and pocket management, alternate handlings, and, lastly, Mr. Southworth includes explanations of both the Mercury Card Fold and the Double Undercut. The lion’s share of the extra content is clever and useful, and will provide food for thought and ideas for ways to use and apply the prop.

Content aside, the question is how does it compare to other versions. First, unlike the “Clarity Box,” it fits in your pocket. It also looks more normal than the “Mystery Box.” And unlike the “Clarity Box,” you can choose to hide the contents by using the included bag. At the end of the day it rivals any version that allows the performer to display an empty container after dumping out the folded card.

At $75, it’s right in the price range of the other popular marketed boxes, is well made, reliable and practical. Given that, it’s really a matter of aesthetics and appearance. Check out the trailers online and choose from there. If you like the look of the prop and how the effect appears, you’ll be happy with “The Box.”
(Top ▲)