Vanishing Elephant by Hide & Sergey Koller

Effect

The Vanishing Elephant is a psychological illusion where the magician makes a prominently drawn elephant disappear from the spectators' memory. The audience sees the elephant clearly on a dry-erase board, but after a short time, they are unable to recall ever seeing it. The effect plays with perception and memory, creating a baffling moment where spectators question their own recollection.

Full Details

The Vanishing Elephant is one of several routines possible with the Soulmate (Large A3 size) magic prop by Hide & Sergey Koller. The prop includes two dry-erase boards, markers, a felt case, and a comedy script by Cody Fisher. The A3-sized version is designed for stage work, ensuring high visibility.

The trick relies on a clever psychological principle rather than sleight of hand, making it easy to perform with minimal setup. The magician draws an elephant (or another large, obvious object) on the board, engages the audience briefly, and then makes them forget it was ever there. The method allows for an instant reset, making it practical for repeat performances.

Who Should Consider the Trick

This trick is ideal for:

• Stage and parlor magicians who want a visual, psychological effect.
• Performers who enjoy audience interaction and memory-based illusions.
• Comedy magicians who can play up the absurdity of forgetting an elephant.
• Mentalists looking for a strong, unexpected climax in their routines.

Difficulty

The Vanishing Elephant is rated as easy to perform. The method requires no advanced sleight of hand, and the prop does most of the work. The key challenge is presentation—selling the idea that the audience genuinely forgot the elephant. The included script and performance tips help streamline the learning process.

What Magicians Say

MurphysMagicSupplies describes the Soulmate prop as "very clever and so easy to use," praising its versatility for stage and parlor work. They highlight the Vanishing Elephant as a standout routine, calling it a "psychological vanish" that plays with memory and perception.

The creators, Hide & Sergey Koller, emphasize the prop’s reliability, stating it can be "mastered in minutes and used for years." They also encourage performers to add personal twists, making the routine fit their style.

One reviewer mentions, "It’s not a pre-show. It can even vanish an elephant from their minds—of course, the one they've been staring at for a minute." This reinforces the trick’s strong impact on spectators.

Overall, the Vanishing Elephant is a unique, easy-to-perform illusion that leaves a lasting impression on audiences.