For me I think it's the Zombie. Levitation aside it's graceful and in the right hands an absolute miracle.
Funny you mention the Zombie. Had pulled mine out a couple of weekends ago and was playing it. Watched the L&L Zombie Video (Al Schneider's routine left me cringing and McBride's teaching inspired me) and started watching Jeb Sherril's Zombie Reanimated DVDs. Also, playing with some I'm searching for a presentational hook -- my current thinking is to present it like a crystal ball on a stand. I had a great idea for my son to do it with a Sorcerer's Aprentice theme -- and then I remembered he is now 14 and taller than me.
So, I can't just pick one piece of classic magic, so here is my list:
Egg Bag. I have a custom sized Malini Egg Bag made by Lynetta Welch. It is beautiful. But the routine is what makes it my favorite. The story is about a young French girl named Margaritte who lives with her mother during the German occupation of France in Second World War. When a German Sargent comes to the house demanding eggs, Margarite wishes the eggs to disappear until she finds out why the Sargent is asking for the eggs.
Linking Rings: I have a set of Proline 12 Inch Rings with both a standard key and a locking key. Again, beautiful props. I love the sound they make when they make contact. I'm still working on my routine off of the Levent DVDs and a variety of routines in books.
Cups & Balls: I have RNT Brushed Stainless Steel cups and balls set with one of the cups being gaffed as a chop cup. I love the routines I do with them. The first routines has final loads of a red 3 Ball from a billiard ball set followed by the 4 through 8 balls. I love the double final loads. The second routine uses green olives instead of balls and tells the story of when I was a bartender while in law school because the cups remind me of martini shakers.
And a couple of honorable mentions:
Billiard Balls - I'm still working on mastering them, but I've loved the Wakeling routine ever since I saw it performed by Mark Kalin.
Any Drink Called For - I love this effect and have been looking at various versions from Wakeling's, to Steinmeyer's Hospitality, to Steinmeyer's Accommodating Tea Kettle.
Okito Box - Reading the Vanni Bossi book which has some great moves. Made me pull out my old Okito Box and start playing with it.