UltraTube

Such a nice use of perspective in this package. I like the way the "tube" is tipped and the position of the die. I wonder how much time Tenyo spent on package design? Besides being a nice little utility device the prop has an excellent design as well.

Vault-Vision

This is such a captivating package and another wonderful integration of package and prop. The trick itself is still in production because its a great one. Perhaps among the best pocket tricks ever invented. Sadly the current packaging hides the device inside a box.

Tunnel of Darkness

Tunnel of Darkness is a great Tenyo invention and its great to see that they put work into the design of the package. Makes you want to watch a Hitchcock movie, doesn't it?

Coin in Nest

This one is difficult to find in the package these days. It's Tenyo's version of a common trick but the package is typically nice.

Mini-Zag

I'm not sure I get the connection of the trick to the space theme but this is one of Tenyo's best and most dramatic packaging jobs. The integration of prop and package is perfect and it speaks for itself.

Floating Lady

Dating from 1978, Floating Lady is among the first tricks of the modern Tenyo style tricks - meaning that the gimmick is hidden in an unusual way and is more complicated than your average coin box. I post it here because you're not likely to see one in its packaging and because I like the way the packaging is built around the trick. If Tenyo intended to sell its tricks to kids then they clearly credited those kids with being discerning buyers. Anyway, this is another one of those classic dime store style packages.

The Midas Machine

The Midas Machine has to be among the best Tenyo gimmicks, being a very visual transformation of a blank piece of paper into a $10 bill. On first glance the packaging is mainly functional, though I love the currency-styled font used and the reverse image lettering. What is clever about this package is that the semi-printed $10 bill inside is actually part of the packaging, not part of the trick. The whole thing is rather elaborate and in its day the trick was fairly expensive. If you buy one of these be sure to save some time in your day to locate an old $10 bill - and in the process just know that you're going to get lot of funny looks from bank tellers expecting that your next move will be to draw a gun.

Super Cubio

I don't see Super Cubio often, probably because "Not Super" Cubio is among the most common toy magic tricks - and one of the most common Tenyo tricks. But the company did a great job with the packaging on the Super version. Check out the reflective insert and the graphic design. An interesting, dramatic design, definitely intent on attracting buyers.

Coin of Dracula

In keeping with the horror theme... Coin of Dracula has a wonderful package. On first glance its nothing special. The art work could probably have been done by anyone. But again, what Tenyo has done is to place the props in just the right place. The case, looking just like a vampire's coffin is slightly tip and the blood red dagger is more angled like its ready to stab the vampire, lightning eminates from both. This package highlights another Tenyo packaging "trick" that I like: the use of cardboard inserts inside the package to keep the look consistent.

The Haunting

I've always loved dime store toy packaging and my attraction to early Tenyo design is that it seems be a throw-back to that style - whether intentional or not. The packaging on this cute trick looks a lot like my favorite dime store horror toys of the 60s. There's nothing technically profound or skilled about the design - which makes it all the more appealing. Later I'll post a close up of the tube - which has a fantastic design. You can see it pretty clearly if you enlarge this image

Mirror-Mate

Mirror Mate may not be among the most elaborate of Tenyo's devices but its packaging is beautiful. The Alice in Wonderland checker board background, the colors and the trick itself all blend together for a great look.

Frame of Destruction

Frame of Destruction doesn't look initally all that impressive, unless you like the late 70s/early 80s stylization. A deeper look reveals a great aspect of many Tenyo packages from this period: the protruding object that seems to jump out at you. In this case the object is a pencil through a hundred dollar bill that makes almost a 3-D look.

Space Towers

Space Towers is one of my favorite Tenyo package designs. Can't help but think about the World Trade Center. But the colors are interesting and the layout of the dice and the towers is so special... everything is just right. Hard to find packaging like this any more.