The Davenport Collection
- a growing resource on magic and entertainment history

1993

Chinaman automaton that performs the vanishing bird cage trick

Chinaman automaton that performs the vanishing bird cage trick

The figure raises its arms to reveal a bird cage, then lowers its arms to cover the cage with the box, and when its arms are raised again the bird cage has vanished. The cycle then repeats. This was one of the ORBICUS range of ready to assemble press-out models. The clever design allows the Chinaman to be assembled without the need for glue. Manufactured and distributed by Norwin International, Letchworth Garden City. Copyright Derek Read 1993.