[PATENTS]. Vintage Stage Illusion and Magic Trick Patents. American and English, 1890s – 1920s. Group of 20 Patent Office-issued documents, complete with drawings and detailed descriptions for a wide variety of stage illusions. Included are descriptions and drawings for Buatier de Kolta’s large Vanishing Cage and Assistant, a vanish from a padded chair by the Hanlon Brothers, two versions of a floating piano, the Thorn/Downs vanish from a hammock, a Tanagra-like optical effect, a water tank production ala Thurston’s Dida illusion, E. Rach’s levitation illusion, and others. 4tos, most saddle-stitched with detailed line drawings. A few ragged edges, but generally very good condition.