What Is It? - #65

[SifuPhil]

Tonight's offering could be called "A Bridge Between Two Worlds", and was most often seen back in the 1920's. It features a wooden handle, brass body and material (silk?) bag.

It is approx. 14" long and, if you can find one today, runs about $200USD.



WHAT IS IT?

 

[Jillaroo]

Is it for collecting money at church??

 

[SifuPhil]

I KNEW someone would say that!

Unfortunately, you'd get in a lot of trouble if you used this for the collections ...

 

[Jillaroo]

Hmmm that's interesting

 

[Jillaroo]

Is it for the what do you call the bread / wafers the priest gives to the flock

 

[SifuPhil]

Is it for the what do you call the bread / wafers the priest gives to the flock

Nope, not for passing out the Host ...

 

[Diwundrin]

Collecting money or tokens though? At a theatre, or toll booth to keep the public 'at arm's length' so to speak? (Pussyfooting furiously here.)

 

[SifuPhil]

Collecting money or tokens though? At a theatre, or toll booth to keep the public 'at arm's length' so to speak? (Pussyfooting furiously here.)

It is for collecting things, possibly in a theater, but not money or tokens.

Very good!

 

[SeaBreeze]

A pot holder?

 

[SifuPhil]

A pot holder?

Nope, not a pot holder, although I reckon you could put some pot in it ... but I wouldn't if I were you!

 

[Jillaroo]

Is it for collecting the tickets at a theatre??

 

[That Guy]

Selecting LOTTO numbers?

 

[Diwundrin]

Oh God no, tell me it's not for chewing gum?

 

[Jillaroo]

I thought that too but then they have to try and get the chewy out of the bag yuk, one would have to take it out by hand

 

[Anne]

I'm thinking its for herbs or herbal mixtures, but for what who knows....

 

[SifuPhil]

Is it for collecting the tickets at a theatre??

Selecting LOTTO numbers?

Oh God no, tell me it's not for chewing gum?

I'm thinking its for herbs or herbal mixtures, but for what who knows....

Not for tickets,
Not for Lotto,
Not for gum,
And not for herbs

Good guesses all!

 

[Phantom]

Bag for snakes ??

 

[Diwundrin]

Used by a magician's assistant to collect audience objects for an identify the owner or object trick?
... or notes of questions for the 'dear departed' that was a big fad in the 20s

 

[SifuPhil]

Bag for snakes ??

No, but I like how you think!

Used by a magician's assistant to collect audience objects for an identify the owner or object trick?
... or notes of questions for the 'dear departed' that was a big fad in the 20s

Boo-yah!

DING! DING! DING!

We have a winna'!!!

Diwundrin has correctly identified this item as being from a magician's arsenal. Known as a Spirit Bag, it was carried into the audience by a magician's assistant (less often by the magician themselves) and marked items from the audience would be deposited in the bag.

A small, quick twist of the handle would move a divider inside the bag, allowing the magician to "force" a pre-written question such as "Is my Aunt Minnie happy in Heaven?" When the question was read and answered no one in the audience knew that it was a "plant". It was also used for simple "substitution" effects, where someone's hanky would be brought to the stage, burned to a crisp and then magically "restored".

This particular Spirit Bag was manufactured by the P&L Manufacturing Company, which started up in 1917 in Connecticut and was one of the most respected manufacturers of conjuring apparatus - their illusions were works of art, not only in their mechanical operation but also their craftsmanship and artistry as well.

Congratulations to Diwundrin and thanks all for playing!

 

[Diwundrin]

Dun it again! think I'll go and make some shortbread while my luck's in.

 

[Jillaroo]

Good Onya Di ya clever girl

 

[SeaBreeze]

Congrats Di! :goodjob: