P&L Ultra Perfect Card Box by Petrie-Lewis (Not Hallmarked) - Brother Shadow Estate

This item is NOT earmarked with the P&L stamp. We believe however to have been manufactured by Petrie & Lewis. This box is EXCELLENT! Why, because it's not easy to unlock unless you know how to do it. For that reason it's the perfect strategic device you can have. I love these Nickle plated card switching boxes. They speak to me from both the history of magic and as a lover of antique gambling devices which I realize this really isn't but it's in the similar genre.

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Full Description

P&L created two versions of this aptly named Perfect Card Box: the Standard Model c. 1921 and the Thin Model c. 1932. It is based on the New Brass Card Box design from August Roterberg’s amazingly detailed and advanced book New Era Card Tricks c. 1897. They are both still pretty “thin” because the Standard is only 9/16″ thick and to be honest I prefer the Standard. To me this is easily the prettiest, most practical, most convincing, and one of the hardest to figure out of all card boxes I have seen. When I received it, even though I have worked with over 60 different card boxes and I had the instructions in front of me, it still took me about thirty minutes to figure out how to open the flap. Once you have the knack it is easy, but that first ah-ha moment took me a while – which is the true test of the Perfect Card Box 🙂 We have provided a Video Link to help you learn the orientation for opening it up.

Pictured is the Standard Model and it will vanish/change at least thirteen Poker sized cards. That is an amazing load and all in 9/16″ of Solid Cupro Silver*. I am really amazed by this stunning card box! Although I’ve read that P&L only hallmarked the Thin Model with their famous P&L Logo that is not true because this is the Standard Model and the P&L Logo is clear as day. However, this unit is NOT hallmarked.

Condition: GOOD - still works exactly as it should.

Cosmetic: Good-Fair: There is patina and signs of aging on the outside. NOTE: This item being offered is the EXACT model in these photos - so study photos carefully. Brother Shadow was a worker but there is plenty of life left in this unique piece with the provenance to boot.

Even if the original instructions were included in this Brother Shadow P&L Card Box - chances are you would be banging you head against the wall trying to figure out it's ingenious method. True story, the gimmick is so good, I thought the unit was broken. Thanks to Bill Trotter for pointing me in the right direction and then our professional resident magician Jiro. Andy Martin from www.martinsmagic.com was kind enough to allow us to use data from his incredible archive of magic and in reading through it, I noticed where even he said trying to figure out the gimmick was no easy task. To me this is truly a workers ultimate tool. Previously owned by Brother Shadow there is only one of these being offered with proof of authenticity.

From their original ad:

Effect: Wrought from SOLID CUPRO SILVER, this Box contains both in artistic finish and mechanical perfection all the qualities that could be possibly demanded of the most fastidious and highly finished performer. The subtle mechanical principle which enables the performer to produce, vanish or change the Cards while Box is in the hands of the spectator, is the very essence of indetectability, and may also be used with great effect in mind reading and Spirit message tests.

The SOLID SILVER feature of this Box is in itself a positive guarantee and renders the Hinges and delicate parts immune from corrosion or rust. No Nickel plate to wear or peal off. It can safely be left in the hands of the audience without fear of detection. Lasting beauty and Service are what make this a P&L product of the highest order.

Ad copy and images provided by Andy Martin - www.martinsmagic.com With permission.