My Father described this effect to me and he remembers it from an older magician who performed it on TV approx. 20 year ago. He doesn't remember the show.

The camera was zoomed in on the magician’s hands and didn't leave that view, nor pause.

The magician took a piece of paper, tore it up, and wadded it into a ball and it vanished. He performed this vanish three times in a row, slowly and clearly showing both sides of his hands.

I can't imagine this to include the use of a TT.

What is this effect? Does anyone remember this performer? Thanks in advance.

It sounds a lot like Slydini, but I can't name the effect without revealing the "secret".

I think he performed this on TV, but it would have been more than twenty years ago, unless it was a rerun or some sort of "tribute" show, or someone else performing Slydini's "Paper Balls ..." trick.

It may also have been his paper balls in the hat or box routine. Did he do the thing with music playing? Or did he have volunteer sit in a chair to get a closer view of the magic as he vanished the paper balls.

One happens at a table to music.

The other happens with a volunteer.

As I remember seeing Slydini on a special a very long time ago. Slydini did his paper balls to box frame with a volunteer setting to his left.

In that same special he did his Silk Fountain effect, where scarves poured out of his hands and fell on the floor. Not the traditional flower opening effect.

Slydini also did his coins thru table, with an added visible coin thru table. That is not described in any of his works.

I checked and found out that there was not a volunteer involved. The only time you saw the full body of the magician is when he was introduced. After that, the camera zoom focused in on the hands and only the hands as the routine did not include any props. There was a black background, possibly a close-up mat, if my Dad remembers correctly. He doesn't remember if there was music or not.

MageofMeadows, please give the name of the effect or even some type of reference if you know any so I can research the effect. I'm not asking for the secret. Thanks.

Slydini used a condom for his silk fountain.

So did Celeste Evans.

The effect in question, though, reminds me of some of the torn and restored cigarette paper routines I have seen in various places. Most of them do not need a TT.

I was thinking the same thing Bill. I know Michael Skinner had a routine that he tore the cigarette paper 2 or 3 times. I know it can be found in Michael Skinner’s Intimate Magic, which Jeff Busby published. Didn't Liepzig restore the cigarette paper twice as well?

In the Leipzig book, there is a description of a double or triple restoration that Leipzig did.

It (Leipzig's routine) is also handled by Vernon in Star's of Magic.

I lost my papers, now I have to get more, and I feel silly because I don't smoke, so I find buying some cigarette papers a bit awkward. Oh well.

The girl at the counter was a knockout though, so maybe I'll be buying cigarette papers more often.

I found a picture of Slydini and my Father confirmed that indeed the magician was him. Thanks for the leads.

Could it be the torn and restored napkin in Tarbell Course? Great sucker effect!

There is no restored. Piece of paper was torn, crumpled, and vanished 3 times.