Multiplying Bottles

Multiplying Bottles was, according to Lloyd E. Jones¹ and Jack Potter², created in Chicago by Arthur P. Felsman in the 1920's.

Felsmans trick is an extension of the old Passe Passe Bottle and Glass, which dates back to the mid-1800s. Multiplying Bottles starts out with a single bottle and a glass, which change places when covered with tubes, just as in the Passe Passe trick. But then the trick suddenly veer off in another direction, and ends with a startling production of 8-9 bottles.

Around the same time³, Felsman also created another popular version of the same trick, the Passe Passe trick with an extra bottle for comedy effect.

For some reason, the Multiplying Bottles did not gain any real popularity until Abbott's Magic Company revived it in 1949. After that, numerous dealers began making it up: Harry Stanley, Himber, Mephisto Huis, Harries Magic etc.

Notable additions

• Lloyd E. Jones: Removing the need for a servante, by having everything in the tubes at the start (1940-50)
• Marconick: Tying a silk around the neck of the bottle, as a "proof" that the bottle actually change place with the glass.

Notes

1. Lloyd E. Jones, Genii (page 420, Vol. 42, 1978)
2. Jack Potter, Abracadabra (page 16. Vol. 63, 1976)
3. In an issue of Felsmans Magical Review from 1919, Felsman advertises the Passe Passe Trick with an extra bottle for comedy effect. He stated: "Supplied only by us and taking one week's time as we make this trick "to order only".