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U.F. Grant / MAK Magic Light and Heavy Glass

Name: U.F. Grant Light and Heavy Glass | MagicTrickCollection.com
Brand: MAK Magic
Price: 97 USD
Availability: InStock

Rare, New Old Stock!

The U.F. Grant Light and Heavy Glass is a classic magic effect where a simple plastic tumbler appears to become impossibly heavy at the magician’s command.

Light and Heavy Effect and Performance

The Illusion: The magician places a tumbler on an ordinary hardcover book or tray. A spectator is invited to lift the glass and finds it easy to do so. However, after the magician “hypnotizes” the spectator or makes a command, the spectator feels intense resistance, as if the tumbler has become extremely heavy and cannot be budged.
Required Props: To perform this effect, you typically need the specialized plastic tumbler (approximately 4″ high), two ordinary silk handkerchiefs, and any standard hardcover book or tray.
Method: While historical versions of similar effects like Robert-Houdin’s “Light and Heavy Chest” used powerful electromagnets, modern parlor versions like the Light and Heavy Glass rely on a clever gimmick within the glass itself that creates resistance against the surface it’s placed on.

Background

Ulysses Frederick Grant (January 12, 1901 – March 1, 1978), affectionately known in the magic community as “Gen” or “The Little General,”. Additionally, Grant was one of the most prolific American magic inventors, manufacturers, and authors of the 20th century. Descended from President Ulysses S. Grant, he created over 1,000 magic tricks during his lifetime, ranging from close-up card miracles to massive stage illusions. Furthermore, rather than achieving fame purely as a stage performer, Grant’s lasting legacy lies in his brilliant mind for methods and his commercial firm, U.F. Grant Magic, which later evolved into MAK Magic and continues to manufacture his classic effects today.

Notable U.F. Grant Magic Contributions

Grant had an incredible knack for simplification, often taking complex, expensive illusions and redesigning them so they could be built cheaply or performed with minimal sleight of hand. Some of his most enduring creations include:

Temple Screen (1944): One of his most famous catalog items, a decorative screen is folded open and shown empty on both sides, yet the magician can instantly produce items from it.
Cheek to Cheek (1948): A legendary, self-working card trick where half a deck is turned face-up into the other face-down half, only to instantly right itself with the exception of one selected card.
Chink Cans / Chinese Cans (1946): A highly popular visual effect where empty cans are filled with rice, causing the rice to double in quantity and transform into silks or flowers without using water.
Stratosphere: A classic parlor trick where three different colored balls are placed into a clear tube, and their order mysteriously rearranges against all logic.
Chen Lee Water Suspension (1945): A beautiful utility item that allows a magician to suspend water inside an open tube.

MAK Magic (originally heavily associated with legendary magic inventor U.F. Grant) was a highly influential, historic magic manufacturing company based out of Columbus, Ohio. Known for creating beautifully painted wood and metal apparatus, the company specialized in iconic stage, parlor, and children’s magic tricks. While original production has largely ceased, their props remain highly collectible items frequently traded on vintage magic markets.

Be sure to browse additional U.F. Grant / MAK Magic effects within our MAGIC TRICK SHOP.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the U.F. Grant Light and Heavy Glass magic trick?+

The U.F. Grant Light and Heavy Glass is a classic magic effect where a plastic tumbler appears to become impossibly heavy at the magician's command, creating an illusion of intense resistance when a spectator tries to lift it.

What props are needed to perform the Light and Heavy Glass trick?+

To perform the Light and Heavy Glass trick, you typically need a specialized plastic tumbler, two ordinary silk handkerchiefs, and any standard hardcover book or tray.

Who was U.F. Grant and what is his significance in magic?+

U.F. Grant, known as 'Gen' or 'The Little General,' was a prolific American magic inventor and manufacturer who created over 1,000 magic tricks and is known for simplifying complex illusions, leaving a lasting legacy in the magic community.

How does the Light and Heavy Glass trick work?+

The trick relies on a clever gimmick within the glass that creates resistance against the surface it's placed on, allowing the illusion of the glass becoming heavy when commanded by the magician.

Where can I find U.F. Grant magic effects for sale?+

You can find U.F. Grant magic effects, including the Light and Heavy Glass, in magic trick shops or vintage magic markets, often as collectible items.