In the book Modern Magic by Professor Hoffmann the Butterfly Trick is said to be of Japanese origin and the effect is that of the magician showing an ordinary fan and a couple of bits of tissue paper each torn into a likeness of a Butterfly.

These are laid upon his hand and he gently fans them and the motion of the air causes them to rise above his head and still fanning them they hover high and low or fluttering along the wall finally descending into a gentleman's hat (not supplied). 

They emerge again and flutter about and the Butterflies always keep together.

With this outfit from Great Britain you receive the proper fan a supply of two colors of tissue paper and 6 pages of illustrated instructions for this very pretty and hypnotic effect. Condition very fine.