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COLLECTION LIQUIDATION --

I am helping a magic friend sell most of his collection, (and I already had a ton of magic I was trying to get listed!) so I am putting his Collection items in this separate eBay store category, and I will probably not be saying too much about the items.  I will give a few good photos, and I will give a quick assessment of the item.  

If you know your magic, you will recognize many items and know they are a great deal here. Or if you don't know the item, you may have to do a bit of online research to find out about it.  Or you can just trust my honest (though quick) assessment of any item -- I always endeavor to tell you the good and the bad of anything I sell.

Message me if you are seriously considering buying something , and want a bit more info on it.  Happy to help.    

And keep checking the "COLLECTION LIQUIDATION" category of my ebay store, as I will be adding more items all the time!

Certainly on of the most popular kidshow tricks of all time...  if not THE most popular.  

When UF Grant introduced Stratospheres in 1962, it became a staple of kidhshow performances (and even some "grown up" audience shows, too).  MAK Magic continued to make Stratosphere's for at least 3 decades.  More recently, there have been many knock-off versions of the trick available, in a number of sizes.

But this is an original Mak Magic set, in the original size which is large enough to be seen from platform or stage, but not so big that it feels out of place in a living room show.    This particular set is a fairly early issue of the trick from the 1960's -- as evidenced by the simpler thin base (later replaced by a base that Mak would also use for its Crystal Silk Cylinder, Flying Fish, etc). and also by the very durable, heavier weight balls.  Unlike later balls provided with Stratospheres, these balls feel solid, and will not dent or dimple.    This set also has three white rings used to keep the balls from rolling off your table.  (Not sure if the rings were provided by Mak, or are an additoon by the previous owner.)

Because Stratospheres was such a "worker", being used in lots of shows, the prop is typically found with many dents and dings.   This set is in very good condition -- there are a few minor paint nicks on the outer tube (see photos), and the clear cylinder has some tarnish/rust spots on the silver end bands.    The balls have some scuffs, but (as mentioned) no dents or dimples.

I could not find any current listings for authentic MAK Stratospheres.  Probably because any magician who has a set will never part with it.  Pricing on recent knock-offs run as high as $229, claiming improvements.   Whether this classic time-tested prop needed improvements is perhaps questionable.   But you can get this early issue, authentic MAK Stratosphere, just as the great U.F. Grant conceived it, and for a lot less.


CONDITION NOTES:  previously owned, but in very good condition.  Very minor paint nicks on tube -- on green spot and on back of tube near seam (see photos).   Clear tube silver end rings have some tarnish rust corrosion.  (see photo)    Includes original "mimeographed" instruction sheet.    Also includes three white curtain rings that are perfect for resting the balls on.  (I forgot to show those in the photos)


DOMESTIC (USA) SHIPPING NOTE:   this item weighs about 4 pounds when securely packed for shipment, so postage costs will be high, depending on your zip code.    So take a look at the different shipping options available, as Priority Mail or Fed Ex may actually be less than USPS Ground Advantage if you are near the West Coast.

INTERNATIONAL SHIPPING NOTE:   ebay handles international shipping, and I don't know how much it will be to ship this item from US to your country.  Probably a lot!   Sorry, but nothing I can do about that.

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***** Yes, we will combine multiple eBay wins into a single shipment to help lower the overall shipping costs. We hold eBay wins for up to ten days if you are still bidding on other TMGS eBay auctions. For multiple item shipments, you pay the highest quoted shipping cost, plus half the quoted shipping for each additional eBay item. You can also combine eBay wins with purchases from THE MAGIC GADGET SITE eBay store to leverage postage costs. Postage for your entire shipment will be quoted when all items are combined. packed and weighed. Rest assured, we at TMGS dislike high postage rates as much as you do, so we will work to keep them as low as possible. ********