UF Grant Bamboo Chest & Glass

Name: UF Grant Bamboo Chest &amp; Glass
Brand: MAK Magic
SKU: 13113
Availability: InStock

Scarce & Highly Collectible

Background

The UF Grant Bamboo Chest & Glass is a classic stage penetration illusion originally created by UF Grant and later manufactured by MAK Magic. It is known for its visual “impossibility” and the fact that it can be performed surrounded.

Ulysses Frederick Grant (1901–1978), popularly known as “UF Grant” and “Gen” Grant, was a prolific American magic inventor, dealer, and author. He is widely regarded as one of the most creative minds in 20th-century magic, known for a “no-frills” philosophy that favored simple, direct, and practical methods over complex sleight of hand.

The Effect

The Bamboo Chest & Glass routine typically follows these steps:

The Setup: The magician displays a decorated “Chinese” style bamboo chest and a tall glass tumbler of water or milk.
The Lockdown: The tumbler is placed inside the chest and locked into a holder in the center so it cannot move.
The Penetration: Four solid steel blades are pushed through the chest from different angles.
The Final Blow: A solid rod or pole is then pushed straight through the center of the chest from side to side—the exact spot where the glass is supposed to be.
The Reveal: Despite the blades and pole leaving no room for the glass, the magician removes them and opens the front of the cabinet to reveal the glass still in its original position, water intact.

Variations & Collectability

Vintage vs. Modern: Original U.F. Grant or early MAK Magic versions (circa 1962–1970s) are highly sought after by collectors. Vintage models often feature higher-quality wood and more detailed hand-painted designs compared to later mass-produced imports.

Condition

Used, some imperfections visible from age and performance on the chest and blade wooden handles. Pictures inform and provide the best visualization of the overall condition.