Vanishing Milk Bottle

David

This is a deceptive utility prop made by Sorcier Magic in Italy , although I must mention that the bottle is made from a rather lightweight plastic material. I had expected it to be made from a somewhat thicker hard acrylic material. It works fine, but frankly the bottle seems just a bit delicate , so definitely plan on storing it in a sturdy wooden or fiberboard case to protect it from getting crushed during transport (I use a wooden wine bottle box). It should be pointed out that the much less-expensive Evaporated Milk Bottle by Funtime Magic -- also available from Vanishing Inc. -- is made from a heavier acrylic material. The Evaporated Milk Bottle by Funtime Magic costs 3x less (!) than the Sorcier Vanishing Milk Bottle and does the exact same thing. I already have the Evaporated Milk Bottle by Funtime Magic, but the reason I wanted this bottle is because it is slightly larger and looks more like the kind of common plastic milk bottles sold in stores where I live. I've taken the label from a milk bottle sold in my local grocery store and attached it to the bottle. It makes the bottle look very authentic. I would highly recommend doing this with your bottle if you get this. Remove the wrap around label from a real milk bottle (being careful not to rip it) and then wrap it around the Vanishing Milk Bottle and use a strip of clear tape to attach it. Don’t permanently attach the label to the bottle, so you can switch it out for a new label if you perform in a different locale where the stores sell other brands of milk .

You could use this bottle in a way similar to the classic milk pitcher, where milk is poured into a paper bag or other receptacle , then the milk vanishes. However, it requires some practice to get the timing of the pouring action just right and it needs a slow and careful pouring action , not a quick pouring action, so keep that in mind. The instructions included with the bottle are minimal and could definitely be expanded. I think the maker's of this prop simply assume that those buying this item will already be familiar with the operation of this sort of prop.

The other use for this bottle is as a “ghost bottle” ,where a straw is inserted into the bottle and the milk level in the bottle slowly descends , as if a ghost is drinking the milk. This was one phase of Stewart James’ one-man spirit cabinet known as Sefalaljia

But one of the best uses for this bottle is for the classic DeMuth’s Milk Miracle invented in the 1930’s by Frederick DeMuth a magician whose day job was as a glass specialist at Corning Glass Co. DeMuth’s original milk bottle was fabricated by skilled glass craftsmen entirely from real glass. Combined with another gimmicked glass (a m _ _ _ or glass ) it enabled the performance of DeMuth’s Milk Miracle:

The magician shows an empty tumbler. The tumbler is covered with a napkin and set on the table. A ceramic plate is placed on top of the covered glass. Next a quart bottle of milk is shown and placed on top of the plate. Suddenly the milk in the bottle is seen to mysteriously descend until enough milk has run out to fill the glass underneath the napkin. The milk bottle, plate, and napkin are removed from the glass and now the glass is seen to be filled to the brim with milk , which has apparently penetrated through the solid plate and the napkin.