I admit that I stayed away from this trick for a long time, because almost all the online demonstrations of it are pretty bad -- they totally miss the point of just how incredible this trick (invented by UK magician Arthur Hambling way back in the 1970's) can look if the magician allows the magical effect (not the method!) to drive the presentation.

Before I go on, I will say that my magic pal, Andy Martin, DOES do a very good online demo of this one, using beer and a pub beer mat.  He takes advantage of a unique quality of beer to enhance the illusion!  Nicely done, mate!

The effect (as I do it):   magi shows two LARGE empty glasses (they are about 7 inches tall) and a square of plexi.   One glass is placed on the table, then covered with the plexi square, and the other glass is set on top of the plexi, creating a stack of two glasses separated by the plexi square.    Then any liquid (use one that is colored for good visibility) is poured into the top glass.  The top glass is filled about half way.  Pouring is paused as magi explains that the liquid is contained in the upper glass by the bottom of the glass.    More liquid is poured into the glass, and then the pour is paused again, so the magician can explain that the liquid it kept out of the bottom glass not only by the top glass, but also by the plexi square that it sits on.   "The only way to cause that liquid to get into the bottom glass without touching the top glass... well, it would take Magic!    The rest of the liquid is poured into the top glass as the magician exclaims "WATCH!"     With no cover at all, and the magician standing well away from the props, the liquid slowly and visibly begins to penetrate downward from the top glass, through the plexi, and into the bottom glass.   When the liquid is all gone from the top glass, that glass is picked up, the plexi set aside, and the liquid is poured back and forth between the glasses.

The instructions advise to use a hanky to cover the glasses during the penetration (and most online demos by unimaginative magicians simply follow this bad advice).   I will provide a supplemental instruction sheet that details my "visible" handling and also gives you a great patter point that gives the effect a meaningful context (about an old bar gag, where you bet you can drink a glass of water without touching it).

These glasses are BIG -- they hold 28 ounces of liquid!   They are a great size for those living room shows, but also would be very visible for a platform performance.

This deluxe version of Auto-Milko is very hard to find now.   I see a lot of listings at low prices by online sellers but none of them actually have the trick left to sell when you get there.   I won't waste your time like that -- I have it, and although the original retail price on this high quality set of props was about $50, I will sell it for a bit less than that.   (Plus you get extra instructions for my "improved" handling and presentation!)

 Brand new with instructions. 

SHIPPING NOTE:  this item is just over 1 pound when packed for secure, safe shipment.  Since the postal rate for packages over 1 pound covers up to 2 pounds, you could add other items to a shipment with this trick, and there would be no added shipping costs.   So if you are getting this item, and want to get some other items in the same package, MESSAGE me and I can set up a custom listing for you with the items you want and one shipping cost.