Modern Magic: A Practical Treatise on the Art of Conjuring

The drawer-box, as above described, is available to produce or disappear, but not to change articles. With a slight modification, however, it may be made available for changing also. The inner drawer b is in this case made only half the depth of a, or even less; and thus, when closed, there is left between the bottom of b and that of a a considerable space, so that a and b may in this case each be made to hold a given object, and an apparent transformation be effected. Thus, for instance, b may be filled with bran, and any small article, such as a borrowed pocket-handkerchief, be placed in a. The drawer is first pulled out with b, and shown filled to the brim with bran; but on being closed and again opened (without b), the bran is apparently transformed into the handkerchief. Another modification of the drawer-box is known as THE DISSECTING DRAWER-BOX.--This is, in general appearance, not unlike the ordinary drawer-box already described, but with this difference, that the outer case has a raised top, somewhat of a sarcophagus shape. (See Fig. 176). The drawer is partially drawn out to show that it is empty, is again closed, and on being once more drawn out, proves to be full to the brim with flowers. These having been distributed, the performer, to prove the perfect emptiness of the apparatus, not only takes the drawer completely out, but takes the outer case (which is constructed accordingly, the sides, top, and bottom being hinged to the back) apart, as shown in Fig. 177. Notwithstanding this, upon again reconstructing the case, and replacing and reopening the drawer, it is once more found filled with flowers.