THIS IS

LORING
CAMPBELL

WILL ALMA
M.I.M.C. ( L O N D O N )

LORING CAMPBELL

THIS IS

by

LORING CAMPBELL

9lluUn<dio*tl

by

Mel

Published by
ABBOTT'S MAGIC NOVELTY CO.
COLON, MICHIGAN

Copyright

1945

C O N T E N

T S
PAGE

Author's Note

Introduction

by W i l l i a m

Card-in-Egg

Routine

Block T r i c k

Comedy

C u t and Restored
The

Guillotine

W.

Larsen

Rope

Illusion

II

Passe C a r d a n d S i l k

13

Multiplying

Balls

14

Needle's Eye

16

Golf

Girl Through
A

Ring

and

Sun and
Spirit

Half-Dollar

Routine

18

Moon Trick

Slate Test

for

20
Club

Shows

23

Multiplying Thimbles

25

Houdini

27

Card

Trick

A Production Box

29

Three "Can" Monte

30

32

Hat

Load

T h e M a g i c Beads

34

Watch

35

Restoration

Printing

by

Magic

Giant Card

Timely

Shooting

36

Stabbing T r i c k

38

Trick
Handkerchief

39
Through

Girl

41

C o m e d y Card, S i l k and Snake C o m b i n a t i o n

A

Spirit Trick

Drawer
The
An

42
44

Pistol T u b e

Traveling

Stamps

Easy Snake T r i c k

Spirit
A

Box

....

Photography

Nlindreading

The

Magic

Guinea

46
47
49

Patriotic T r i c k

The

45

50
Pencils

52

Pig

53

The Spirit M i r r o r

55

Cards

Carrots

56

Closing T r i c k

58

in

Some Ideas

60

The State- l ibrary of V k U ' . n

" A L M A CONJURING C O L L L C l l O N "

Author's N o t e
" W h y don't you w r i t e a book on M a g i c ? "
I have
been asked t h i s q u e s t i o n h u n d r e d s o f t i m e s i n t h e past
s e v e r a l y e a r s , a n d m y a n s w e r has been t h a t 1 a m t o o
busy, o r t h a t 1 w a n t e d to be t h e o n l y M a g i c i a n w h o
did not w r i t e a M a g i c B o o k !
H o w e v e r , I have taken the t i m e f r o m m y h u n d r e d s
o f s h o w s en r o u t e e a c h season t o c o n d u c t a m o n t h l y
c o l u m n i n T O P S M a g a z i n e a n d to w r i t e m a n y a r ticles and t r i c k s f o r the S p h i n x , G e n i i and L i n k i n g
Ring.
So w h e n 1 w a s r e q u e s t e d to c o m p i l e a l l t h e
t r i c k s I h a d f o r m e r l y w r i t t e n f o r these m a g a z i n e s i n t o
one book, w i t h the a d d i t i o n of several m o r e g o o d pract i c a l t r i c k s t h a t h a d never been i n p r i n t before, I
d e c i d e d that it was a good idea.
I believe that w h a t the average M a g i c i a n wants
w h e n he b u y s a M a g i c b o o k is t r i c k s l o t s o f t r i c k s
so i t is w i t h t h a t i d e a i n m i n d t h a t t h i s b o o k lias been
written.
I n t h e pages to f o l l o w , y o u w i l l f i n d t r i c k s
a n d ideas f o r t h e M a g i c i a n w h o w i s h e s t o d o a n d w h o
does d o s h o w s . T h i s is n o t a b o o k o f p o c k e t t r i c k s
o r c l o s e - u p c a r d t r i c k s , b u t one o f p r a c t i c a l effects
t h a t h a v e been used m a n y t i m e s t h r o u g h t h e past 25
years i n m y o w n show.
I d o n o t c l a i m e v e r y t h i n g i n t h i s b o o k to be o r i g i n a l , b u t m o s t o f t h e ideas a n d r o u t i n e s 1 h a v e w o r k e d
o u t i n m y o w n m i n d , a n d i f some o t h e r M a g i c i a n

had

t h e same o r s i m i l a r ideas, t h e n he s h o u l d be a s h a m e d
o f h i m s e l f f o r t h i n k i n g o f t h e same t h i n g s t h a t I

did!

O f c o u r s e , a l l o f t h e pieces o f s t a n d a r d a p p a r a t u s used
in the various
bott's M a g i c
Last, but
intended

r o u t i n e s c a n be p u r c h a s e d

Novelty Company

in Colon,

from

Ab-

Michigan.

n o t least, l e t m e say t h a t t h i s b o o k

is

f o r M a g i c i a n s a n d n o t f o r t h e p u b l i c , as I

a m not i n accord w i t h the p u b l i s h i n g of M a g i c

for

the general

public.

still

believe

s h o u l d be k e p t secret a n d e x c l u s i v e l y f o r
Loring

that

books
Magic

Magicians.

Campbell

Introduction
If

y o u ' v e been a r o u n d

Magic

and M a g i c i a n s

any

l e n g t h o f t i m e , y o u n e e d n o i n t r o d u c t i o n to t h e a u t h o r
of

this

book.

For

the

name,

Loring

Campbell,

k n o w n t h e w o r l d o v e r as b e i n g t h a t o f a t r u l y
Magician.

is

great

F o r m o r e t h a n t w e n t y years he has t o u r e d

t h e U n i t e d States, C a n a d a a n d M e x i c o .

His

writings,

w h i c h h a v e a p p e a r e d i n countless, d i f f e r e n t m a g a z i n e s ,
have been read by the c o n j u r i n g g e n t r y the w o r l d over.
T h e C a m p b e l l s h o w is w e l l a n d f a v o r a b l y
to v a u d e v i l l e ,
platform.

Chautauqua,

lyceum,

and

known

the

lecture

T h e largest bureaus in the n a t i o n h i r e

sorceristic

services

year

after

year.

This,

his

because

t h e y are d e l u g e d w i t h fine r e p o r t s o f his w o r k

coming

f r o m managers and committeemen w h o have

engaged

him.
Loring

Campbell,

assisted

by

his

talented

K a t h r y n e , presents a fast, f u r i o u s a n d f u n n y
ning

program

of

Magic.

He

wife,

full-eve-

concentrates on

and illusions w h i c h are f o u n d e d on h u m o r .

tricks

H i s spec-

t a t o r s a r e r o c k e d w i t h l a u g h t e r as t h e y a r e b e i n g s u b t l y
m y s t i f i e d by C a m p b e l l ' s adroitness.
s o n a l l y , has seen t h e C a m p b e l l
of

times.

Yet

it

The writer,

per-

s h o w p e r h a p s a score

is as r e f r e s h i n g

and

interesting

m e t o d a y as i t w a s t h e f i r s t t i m e 1 s a w i t m a n y

to

years

ago.
Loring
have

been

magical
now,

Campbell's
admired

journals

for

that some of

conjuring craft

inventions

and

used

many

by

years

his creations

in the f o r m of

and

novel

the

readers

past.

It

routines
is

be presented
a book.

of

the

fitting,
to

the

Congratula-

tions to the p u b l i s h e r f o r m a k i n g the b o o k an a c c o m plished fact.

of

Percy

A n d , congratulations

Abbott's

to the

newest p u b l i c a t i o n ,

for

purchasers
it

g o o d f o r t u n e t o h a v e m a n y f i n e , n e w effects

is

their

revealed

to t h e m .

A n d i n c l o s i n g I w i s h to a d d m y t h a n k s

the

of

fund

appreciation

by

Magicians

to

everywhere

a n d t o e x p r e s s to L o r i n g C a m p b e l l m y o w n

gratitude

f o r t h e g o o d t h a t h e has d o n e f o r t h e C r a f t o f

Mystery

a n d its d e v o t e e s .
William W.

Larsen

Card-in-Egg Routine
M y C a r d - i n - E g g r o u t i n e has been o n e o f t h e b i g gest h i t s i n m y s h o w f o r t h e past 25 y e a r s , a n d w h i l e
t h e a p p a r a t u s used is s t a n d a r d , I a m s u r e t h a t m o s t
o f t h e r o u t i n e is o r i g i n a l , as I h a v e w o r k e d i t u p , step
b y step, o v e r a p e r i o d o f t i m e .
O n m y t a b l e I h a v e an o r d i n a r y t r a y a n d o n t h i s I
t r y to h a v e a c l e a n w h i t e h a n d k e r c h i e f , a d e c k o f c a r d s ,
a m e t a l c a r d b o x , a saucer w i t h t h r e e eggs, a .22 b l a n k
p i s t o l a n d an e g g w a n d as s o l d b y A b b o t t ' s . T h i s w a n d
is l o a d e d w i t h a c a r d f r o m w h i c h I h a v e t o r n o n e
c o r n e r . T h i s c o r n e r is i n t h e l o w e r p a r t o f t h e c a r d
b o x . U n d e r t h e t r a y are s e v e r a l sheets o f n e w s p a p e r .
T h e t h r e e eggs a r c o r d i n a r y e x c e p t t h a t o n e has t h e
w o r d , " S q u e e z e " w r i t t e n u p o n i t a n d i t has been
slightly cracked.

vSuGHTLY

Oy\Cv<e.D

EGG W\TW A WoftO

" T W A I T T E - A / QN \T

ask a b o y t o step u p o n t h e stage a n d h e l p

w i t h the t r i c k .

mc

I h a v e h i m select a c a r d f r o m t h e d e c k ,

f o r c e d to m a t c h d u p l i c a t e c a r d t h a t is i n t h e e g g w a n d .
I t e l l h i m to t e a r t h e c a r d i n t o f o u r pieces a n d to d r o p
t h e m into the c a r d box.

W h e n he docs t h i s , I

close

1 step f o r w a r d ,

raise

the l i d , and remove the c a r d c o r n e r in the l o w e r

the l i d , w h i c h , of course, locks.

com-

partment

hold

it.

a n d ask s o m e o n e

in the f r o n t

row

to

I a l w a y s c a u t i o n t h i s s p e c t a t o r n o t to t e a r t h e c o r n e r ,

b u t to t a k e g o o d c a r e o f i t .

T h e n I close the l i d o f the

box again and place a r u b b e r b a n d a r o u n d the box.

1 step b a c k to b o y a n d h a v e h i m h o l d t h e b o x
his L E F T

hand and tell h i m

arms out in front of h i m .

to stretch

O f course, I a l r e a d y

w h i s p e r e d to h i m to d o E V E R Y T H I N G
to d o , etc., so h e is i n a r e c e p t i v e m o o d .

in

both of
I

his
have

tell

Now

him

find

t h a t h e is t o o s h o r t f o r t h e t r i c k , a n d i n o r d e r t o m a k e
him

taller,

s p r e a d s e v e r a l sheets o f

newspaper

on

the floor and have h i m stand on t h e m .

T h i s is r e a l l y

to

always

keep

the

floor

clean,

but

the

l a u g h a n d i t serves a p u r p o s e .

gag

gets

( T h i s is o n e o f

Frank

Lane's gags.)
I get the c r a c k e d e g g f r o m the saucer and t e l l the
bov that I w a n t h i m to h o l d it in his r i g h t h a n d
to h o l d i t T I G H T .

A s I a m t a l k i n g , I stand

h i m and stretch m y

r i g h t a r m out over his

so t h a t h e c a n r e a d t h e w o r d , " S q u e e z e . "

shoulder

I place the

e g g i n h i s r i g h t h a n d a n d w h i s p e r to h i m
it h a r d .

and

behind

to s q u e e z e

T h e n I walk rapidly away f r o m h i m

toward

the table, and i f the a u d i e n c e l a u g h s , I k n o w t h a t he

has s q u e e z e d t h e e g g .

If

he doesn't squeeze it, I

back and squeeze it f o r h i m , b u t 999 t i m e s o u t o f

go
1000

the boy w i l l squeeze the egg.

T g o back to t e l l h i m to d r o p
h a n d on the h a n d k e r c h i e f .

While

p r o m p t h i m f o r the next l a u g h .
egg and p i c k u p the g u n .

it, and I

wipe

his

I a m d o i n g this,

I g i v e h i m the second

e x p l a i n to the

audience

w h a t has h a p p e n e d a n d t e l l t h e m t h a t w h e n I

fire

g u n the t h r e e pieces of c a r d w i l l g o t o g e t h e r ,
f r o m the box and go i n t o the egg.

Then

f a r f r o m t h e b o y as I c a n , a n d w i t h m y b a c k

the

vanish

walk

as

toward

h i m , 1 shoot the pistol.

W h e n I s h o o t , h e acts f r i g h t -

e n e d a n d d r o p s t h e e g g j u s t as 1 h a v e p r o m p t e d
to do.

I act as t h o u g h

stead

I w a n t to shoot h i m , b u t

place the g u n on the table and

t h i r d egg.

him

1 a c t as t h o u g h

pick

in-

up

the

I a m g o i n g to h a n d it

to

h i m , b u t as h e r e a c h e s f o r i t , 1 say, " O h , n o ! T h i s

is

m y last e g g , " and g o i n t o the a u d i e n c e o r c a l l

o n e u p t o f r o n t of stage a n d h a v e t h e e g g
Of

course,

already have had

some-

examined.

the boy open

c a r d b o x a n d s h o w t h a t the t h r e e pieces of c a r d
vanished.

So I

i n the egg.

p i c k u p the w a n d

the
have

and knock a hole

I have the boy reach in the egg and

m o v e the card.
handkerchief.

re-

I u n f o l d it a n d w i p e it clean w i t h the
The

corner

fits

and

the

audience

is

1 t h a n k the boy and dismiss h i m and tell h i m

to

s a t i s f i e d t h a t i t is t h e s a m e c a r d .
remember

that after all the egg t r o u b l e

t h a t n o w h e is a n " K g g s - p e r t . "
i t does g e t a l a u g h
the

he has

had,

W h i l e t h i s g a g is o l d ,

and it makes a good

ending

for

trick.

C o m e d y Block T r i c k
T h i s t r i c k is d o n e w i t h A b b o t t ' s P e n t - a - B l o c .
t h o u g h there are m a n y ways of p e r f o r m i n g w i t h
s t a n d a r d p i e c e o f a p p a r a t u s , h e r e is m y
I

way:

d o n o t use t h e sheet o f glass f u r n i s h e d w i t h

t r i c k ; i n s t e a d I use a b o y ' s h e a d .

Althis
the

I beat the b l o c k o n

t h e t a b l e t o s h o w t h a t i t is s o l i d , t h e n I s h o w t h e s q u a r e
t u b e s t o be e m p t y a n d pass t h e b l o c k t h r o u g h o n e t u b e
to s h o w t h a t i t w i l l pass t h r o u g h .
Of

course, this leaves the s o l i d b l o c k i n t h e

tube

and the shell slides o u t i n t o the l e f t h a n d .

N o w t h e t u b e is p l a c e d o n t h e f r o n t l e f t c o r n e r o f
t h e t a b l e a n d , o f c o u r s e , t h e b l o c k is i n t h e b o t t o m h a l f
of tube resting on the table.
right

ear o n

top

of

I t e l l t h e b o y to p l a c e h i s

the t u b e ;

keep

my

left

hand

a r o u n d this tube and I place the other tube o n his l e f t

ear w i t h m y r i g h t
Now

hand.

release l o w e r

tube and

take h o l d of

top

tube w i t h left hand, p i c k u p the shell f r o m table w i t h

right
of

hand,

the o l d

a n d say,
saying,

comes out the other.'

magically.
shell

know

'Everything

that you've
in

all

heard

one ear

and

W e l l , 1 a m g o i n g to p r o v e

this

N o w watch!

goes

One-two-three!"

i n t o p tube, raise the t u b e a n d s h o w

I d r o p the
it

empty,

t e l l b o y to s t r a i g h t e n u p , a n d t h e n l i f t the l o w e r
and show block.

tube

b a n g this o n the table and

show

t h a t i t is s o l i d .

C u t and Restored Rope

L i k e a l l M a g i c i a n s , I k n o w dozens o f w a y s to c u t
a n d r e s t o r e a r o p e , b u t h e r e is m y f a v o r i t e

routine.

Patter: "1 saw a H i n d u M a g i c i a n do a t r i c k w h e r e

he took a piece of r o p e a n d t i e d the t w o ends t o g e t h e r ,
forming a M a g i c Circle.

T h e n h e t o o k a p a i r o f scis-

sors a n d c u t t h e r o p e , s e v e r i n g t h e M a g i c C i r c l e .

He

t h e n t i e d t h e t w o ends t o g e t h e r a g a i n , b u t t h i s t i m e h e
d i d not have a p e r f e c t M a g i c

C i r c l e , as h e h a d

knots instead of one.

H e t o o k t h e scissors a g a i n ,

med

of

away

the

ends

the

knot,

wrapped

two
trim-

the

rope

a r o u n d his h a n d and t a p p e d the k n o t g e n t l y t h r e e times

and the rope became restored, a p e r f e c t M a g i c

Circle

again.
"For

t h e b e n e f i t o f t h o s e w h o d i d n o t see e x a c t l y

h o w he p e r f o r m e d t h e t r i c k , t h e H i n d u
peated

the

trick,

but

this

time

he

Magician

formed

re-

double

M a g i c C i r c l e w h i c h is j u s t t w i c e as s t r o n g as t h e s i n g l e
Magic

Circle.

He

called

attention

to the

fact

that

t h e r e w e r e n ' t a n y loops a n d i f he c u t the ropes o n e i t h e r

s i d e of t h e k n o t t h a t h e ' d h a v e t w o p i e c e s o f r o p e a n d ,
o f c o u r s e , f o u r ends.

So h e t o o k t h e scissors a n d

b o t h ropes, t h e n he c u t o f f the k n o t a n d t i e d the

cut
two

his hand, t a p p e d it gently three times, and once m o r e

t h e r o p e b e c a m e f u l l y r e s t o r e d as a t
"Now,

if y o u are s t i l l skeptical,

first.
I ' l l do the

trick

again in a different m a n n e r just l i k e the H i n d u

gician

did.

Watch!

I'll

cut

the

rope

in

the

Maexact

c e n t e r a n d t r i m a w a y t h e f o u r ends, t a p t h e r o p e g e n t l y
three times and once m o r e it's restored.
"And

if

you

STILL

I ' l l do it again.
exact center.

think

the

rope

wasn't

O n c e m o r e I ' l l t r i m a w a y t h e ends a n d

t a p i t t h r e e t i m e s a n d o n c e m o r e i t is f u l l y
I t ' s an o r d i n a r y p i e c e o f r o p e .
a souvenir.

cut,

Once m o r e I ' l l cut the rope in the

I thank

restored.

Y o u may have it

for

you."

K a c h time 1 cut the rope it builds u p f o r a b i g g e r

laugh and the f o u r t h t i m e the audience l i t e r a l l y howls.
Method:

I use a p i e c e o f

rope five feet l o n g .

sew t h e t w o ends t o g e t h e r , f o r m i n g a c i r c l e a n d t i e a
fake k n o t on the rope o p p o s i t e w h e r e the t w o ends are
sewed t o g e t h e r .

When

start

g i v e the fake

knot

a n o t h e r tie, a n d t h e n c u t t h e r o p e w h e r e i t is s e w e d ;
t r i m a w a y t h e ends a n d t i e t h e m t o g e t h e r a g a i n .
I

have t w o knots, one real and one fake.

a w a v the fake knot, w r a p

Now

then

the rope a r o u n d m y

cut

hand

a n d w h e n I u n w r a p i t , I s h o w i t t o be a p e r f e c t c i r c l e
again.
O n the second cut, I f o r m a d o u b l e c i r c l e l i k e the
string t r i c k and conceal the loop in m y l e f t hand.

By

passing this f r o m one h a n d to the o t h e r and c o n c e a l i n g

the loop, it looks l i k e a d o u b l e c i r c l e w i t h o u t a l o o p .
I

even c a l l a t t e n t i o n

loop.

Now

cut

to the f a c t t h a t t h e r e isn't

the

two

knot, tie the l o o p , f o r m i n g

ropes

and

cut

any

away

the

a fake knot again.

time I w r a p the rope a r o u n d m y l e f t hand and

This
slide

the k n o t o f f into m y r i g h t h a n d , go into m y p o c k e t

for

some M a g i c p o w d e r , and leave the k n o t .

T h e n e x t t w o cuts a r e t h e s a m e .
is f a m i l i a r to n e a r l y a l l M a g i c i a n s .

I t is a m o v e t h a t
I ' l l t r y to e x p l a i n

i t f o r those w h o d o n ' t k n o w i t a n d t h e
sketches w i l l h e l p m a k e i t c l e a r .

accompanying

T h e r o p e is h e l d i n t h e l e f t h a n d w i t h t h e t w o ends
b e t w e e n t h e t h u m b a n d f i r s t f i n g e r , t h e rest o f t h e r o p e
hanging down.

N o w , the r i g h t h a n d grabs the center

of the r o p e and brings i t u p even w i t h the t w o

in the l e f t hand.

ends

T h e first t i m e y o u really do this, but

t h e n e x t t i m e , y o u s t o p as t h e r i g h t h a n d gets

behind

the l e f t and you p i c k u p the f r o n t piece of rope o r the

piece farthest f r o m y o u r body and p u l l this u p
of the real center.
left hand

and

instead

T h e r e a l c e n t e r is s h i e l d e d b y t h e

the fake center

forms

a loop.

When

y o u c u t the a p p a r e n t center, y o u a p p e a r to h a v e
ends s t i c k i n g u p , b u t y o u

really

have only

ends a n d a l o o p a r o u n d t h e r e a l c e n t e r o f

four

two

real

the

rope.

N o w y o u t i e t h i s l o o p o r t r i m i t a w a y a n d s h o w onep i e c e o f r o p e a g a i n as i n t h e f i r s t

place.

T h e Guillotine Illusion
Here

is m y

routine for

the G u i l l o t i n e

Illusion

i n m y o p i n i o n , the finest s m a l l i l l u s i o n i n M a g i c .
b o u g h t o n e o f t h e f i r s t ones f r o m

L e s t e r L a k e at t h e

1931 I . B . M . C o n v e n t i o n i n C o l u m b u s , O h i o .

have

p e r f o r m e d t h e t r i c k t h o u s a n d s o f t i m e s a n d t h i s is t h e
routine that I
a Guillotine
use t h i s
I

use.
or

By

the way, you can b u y

a Chopper

from

Percv

either

Abbott

and

routine.

h a v e a b o y c o m e o n t o t h e stage t o h e l p w i t h

t r i c k , a n d I b r i n g f o r w a r d t h e G u i l l o t i n e a n d ask

him

v e r y s e r i o u s l y i f he has e v e r h a d h i s h e a d c u t o f f .

Of

c o u r s e , h e w i l l say, " N o . "

ably the O N L Y

1 say, " W e l l , t h i s is p r o b -

chance y o u ' l l

w o r r y , as T h a v e a M a g i c

ever have.

But

t o u c h this c a r p e t no h a r m can c o m e to y o u .
hand h i m a small rug.

G o i n g o v e r to the

I show h i m h o w it works.

don't

c a r p e t a n d as l o n g as y o u
1 then

Guillotine,

I n o r d e r to d o t h i s , I

pick

u p a c a r r o t and tell the audience and the boy that the

c a r r o t represents his neck.

T push the blade d o w n and

cut

the c a r r o t , and

as t h e p i e c e f a l i s t o t h e f l o o r ,

say, " T h a t is y o u r h e a d f a l l i n g o f f o n t h e f l o o r . "

move

my

handkerchief

from

my

breast

1 re-

pocket

and

w i p e off the blade, saying, " 1 w i l l w i p e off the c a r r o t

juice.

Of

course, if t h a t h a d r e a l l y been y o u r

i t w o u l d n ' t he c a r r o t
Kach

of

these

head,

juice."
each

one

" 1 realize there isn't a n y t h i n g m a g i c a l a b o u t

cut-

gets a b i g g e r

remarks

builds

up

and

laugh.

t i n g a c a r r o t , so I ' l l h a v e y o u p l a c e y o u r n e c k i n t h e
G u i l l o t i n e , a n d so t h a t n o h a r m c a n c o m e t o y o u ,
have you kneel on the c a r p e t . "

spread

o n the f l o o r h a c k o f t h e G u i l l o t i n e .
boy
I

if

he

in

doesn't,

h i m to d o so.

" S i n c e y o u a r e so n e r v o u s , I ' l l p l a c e m y
neck

I'll

carpet

By this time, the

isn't t o o a n x i o u s , a n d h e s i t a t e s , o r

prompt

the

first, just

to s h o w y o u

how

to d o

assistant's
it."

The

assistant n o w steps f o r w a r d a n d k n e e l s a n d p l a c e s h e r
head

i n the G u i l l o t i n e .

which
"Oh,

I go over and get a

bucket

I b r i n g back and place u n d e r her head, saying,

I f o r g o t to c l e a n i t o u t f r o m t h e last s h o w . "

reach into the bucket and r e m o v e a s k u l l w h i c h I

on a side table.
h e l p me.

tell

the b o y to c o m e

forward

forehead

so t h a t h e r h e a d w o n ' t f a l l o f f i n t h e b u c k e t .
am showing

him

how

to d o

this,

r u n t o h i s seat as fast as h e c a n w h e n
assistant s c r e a m .

While

coach

him

he hears

p i c k u p t h e b l a d e a n d as I

i t d o w n , she s c r e a m s , t h e b o v r u n s , a n d t h e
HOWLS.

W h e n they have'finished

"It

to
the

start

audience

laughing,

t h e assistant t o r e a c h a r o u n d a n d h o l d h e r o w n
on.

to

I have h i m place one h a n d l i g h t l y on top of

assistant's h e a d a n d t h e o t h e r l i g h t l y o n h e r
I

place

tell
head

I then push the blade d o w n and then up, saying,

i s n ' t as d i f f i c u l t

to

pull

t h r o u g h t h e same g r o o v e . "
she b o w s o f f to m u c h

the blade

up

as i t

goes

I release t h e assistant a n d

applause.

O n c e w h e n I t o l d t h e b o y to r u n , he l o o k e d
said, " Y e s , b u t w h a t shall 1 d o w i t h her head?''

and

Passe C a r d and Silk

I n t h i s c o m b i n a t i o n , 1 use s e v e r a l pieces o f s t a n d a r d apparatus. T h e y are: A n i c k l e d card box, a card

s i l k , a w h i t e s i l k h a n d k e r c h i e f to m a t c h c a r d s i l k , a
glass h a n d k e r c h i e f casket, a d e c k o f c a r d s , a n d a s n a k e
c a n as used i n A b b o t t ' s " B a n g U p S u r p r i s e " t r i c k .
T h i s is a r o u n d c a n w i t h a l i d o n e a c h e n d a n d a p a r t i t i o n i n t h e c e n t e r . I n o n e e n d is a s p r i n g s n a k e s i x
f e e t l o n g . H o w e v e r , I use a snake i n e a c h e n d .
T o P e r f o r m : 1 ask f o r a b o y to h e l p m e w i t h t h e
t r i c k a n d h a v e h i m select a c a r d .
I f o r c e t h e same

PARTITION

6 FOOT

S n a * E C A N WiTd
L\D OAJ EACVA END

fOtDlNG
SNA^E-

WvbfE. CARD

18" Square.

c a r d as t h e o n e t h a t is p r i n t e d o n t h e c a r d s i l k .
show the c a r d box and have h i m

place the

1 then
selected

c a r d i n i t , close t h e l i d , a n d p u t a r u b b e r b a n d a r o u n d
it.

H e stands o n t h e l e f t side o f stage a n d h o l d s

the

box.
up,

i n o w ask f o r a n o t h e r
I

have h i m

hand h i m
lid.

boy a n d w h e n he comes

stand on the other

s i d e o f stage.

the snake can and t e l l h i m

to r e m o v e

I
the

T h i s h e does, a n d a l m o s t f a l l s o v e r as t h e s n a k e

j u m p s all over h i m .

1 s h o w the w h i t e

handkerchief

a n d place it i n the can, p u t o n the l i d a n d h a n d i t to

the boy and show h i m

the exact position

O f course, I have reversed it.

Now

to h o l d

I say t h a t I

it.
will

cause t h e c a r d a n d h a n d k e r c h i e f to c h a n g e p l a c e s .

The

b o y o p e n s t h e c a r d b o x a n d f i n d s t h a t t h e c a r d is g o n e
and there isn't any s i l k either.

T h e other boy

opens

t h e c a n a n d a g a i n a l m o s t j u m p s o u t o f h i s s k i n as t h e
second s n a k e j u m p s o u t .
either.
both

H e d o e s n ' t find t h e c a r d o r s i l k

Both have vanished.

invisible

in

the

I explain that they

atmosphere.

now

are

show

the

glass c a s k e t to be e m p t y , c o v e r i t w i t h a h a n d k e r c h i e f
and place it on the center table.

I t is l o a d e d w i t h t h e

c a r d s i l k a n d as I p l a c e b o x o n t h e t a b l e , I release t h e
Hap, l e a v i n g t h e s i l k i n t h e b o x .
I t e l l e a c h b o y to b l o w h a r d at t h e b o x , a n d I
sure that

they w i l l

into the box.

blow

This

the c a r d

they do,

and

am

handkerchief

remove

the

handker-

chief f r o m the box, open the l i d , and r e m o v e not

card

nor

combined

the w h i t e

handkerchief,

i n one

a silk w i t h

but

both

of

the

them

the r e p r o d u c t i o n

of

the selected c a r d p r i n t e d u p o n it.

Multiplying Golf Balls

About

25 y e a r s a g o ,

three-t]uarter-inch
read several

white

patter

bought

a set o f

multiplying

books, d i d

balls,

thinking,

and

that time,

they

d i d n o t h a v e t h e r u b b e r sets o f b a l l s , o r i f t h e y

did,

w o r k e d u p this g o l f

ball routine.

I d i d not k n o w about them.

ways

used

the other

the w h i t e
kind.

a little

one-and-

billiard

wooden

At

I s t i l l use a n d h a v e
balls

in

preference

alto

P a t t e r : " 1 recently became interested i n the

of g o l f
few

a n d at t h i s t i m e

things

ball.

that

an o r d i n a r y

golf

T h e . f i r s t t h i n g y o u m u s t l e a r n is to k e e p

your

eye o n t h e b a l l .
t r y it again.
proves

I'll

pocket.
make

I'll

H e r e i t is a r o u n d t h e j o i n t s , w h i c h

have
throw

ballmake

be d o n e w i t h

Y o u d i d n o t d o i t t h a t t i m e , so

Ah!

that

closely.

can

game

1 w o u l d l i k e to s h o w y o u a

ball-bearing

joints.

the ball h i g h

a 'hole

in

one'

here

Now

watch

in the a i r a

high

in

coat

my

inside

I have one ball, n o w two, and two and

three.

If

y o u get h u n g r y

j u s t eat o n e o f t h e b a l l s .

Now

times

you

playing

course,

W h e n you w a n t it, y o u

find it in the r e f r i g e r a t o r .
while

on the g o l f

golf

I have three.
hear

means danger,

'Here

will

Some-

someone

' F o r e ' and there w e have f o u r balls, but f o u r

language

one

shout,
in

golf

comes a ball.'

d i d the g e n t l e m a n in the f r o n t d u c k ?

Why

Now, we

have

t h r e e , b u t 1 a m a g o l f e r , n o t a p a w n b r o k e r , so I ' l l toss
this one to y o u .

T h a t leaves t w o s o l i d b a l l s , a n d

g i v e o n e t o y o u a n d t h a t leaves o n e .

1 could

I'll

vanish

t h i s o n e t h e same as t h e o t h e r s , b u t I w o n ' t as I

need

it f o r a g o l f game in the m o r n i n g . "

F o r t h e r o u t i n e , 1 h'ave a b a l l a n d s h e l l i n m y
side coat pocket.

Another

start w i t h one ball.

l e f t side t o w a r d
Now

M a k e t w o passes a n d a t u r n
pass a n d

away

one

palmed

ball

tween

fingers.

Now

ball

from
them.

palmed

1 reach in m y pocket w i t h the l e f t

and get b a l l and shell.

take

keep

ball

I multiply

in

hand

M u l t i p l y to t w o , reach u p and

and

into shell.

in-

vest a n d 1

a u d i e n c e to r i g h t s i d e t o w a r d

make another

right hand.

ball under my

at
I

the same
tap

time

load

the

replace

be-

Hat one and

get

balls and

to three halls.

f o u r t h b a l l f r o m u n d e r vest a n d p l a c e i t b e t w e e n t h i r d
and little
and

finger.

T o vanish balls, 1 b r i n g top ball d o w n

into shell, and

throw

toward

audience.

Now

have three balls.

O n e I place in m y pocket and leave

it, a p p a r e n t l y p u t t i n g i t b a c k b e t w e e n fingers.

Once

m o r e I b r i n g top ( t h i r d ) ball d o w n into shell, k e e p i n g

m y h a n d closed a n d tossing b a l l i n t o the a i r w h e r e

it

vanishes.
Mow

1 have t w o balls.

I c a l l a t t e n t i o n to the f a c t

that they are solid and tap one o n the table,

it d r o p in a w e l l o n the table.
it back between fingers.
one ball and s h e l l ) .
b a l l to

letting

I now apparently

I n o w have t w o balls

place
(really

I r o l l the ball i n t o shell, causing

vanish.

Now
cerned.

I h a v e o n e b a l l as f a r as t h e a u d i e n c e is c o n I t u r n a g a i n so t h a t m y l e f t s i d e is

toward

a u d i e n c e a n d as 1 d o t h i s , 1 p a l m s h e l l a w a y f r o m b a l l
w i t h m y left hand, keeping ball i n the r i g h t .
left hand

move a handkerchief

and w i p e last ball.

T h i s is s i m p l y t h e r o u t i n e a n d p a t t e r .
passes, s l e i g h t s , e t c . ; I

put
re-

I m a k e one

pass a n d r e c o v e r i t f r o m e l b o w a n d t a k e m y
explained

in l e f t coat pocket, leave the shell a n d

bow.

1 have not

take it f o r

granted

t h a t t h e r e a d e r k n o w s these o r has s e v e r a l o f t h e

fine

b i l l i a r d b a l l b o o k s t h a t e x p l a i n these m o v e s .

G i r l T h r o u g h Needle's Eye
This
keyhole."

is a s i m p l e

method

of

"walking

through

A l l I use is t h r e e - p a n e l f o l d i n g s c r e e n , b o r -

rowed wherever

appear, a piece of

rope about

10

yards long, a screw rope g i m m i c k fastened in the center

of the rope, and a w o o d e n needle three feet l o n g and
a b o u t six inches w i d e at the w i d e s t p a r t .

The

needle

has an eye n e a r t h e b o t t o m j u s t l i k e a r e a l n e e d l e a n d
is p a i n t e d w i t h
needlelike

aluminum

paint

to g i v e

it the

usual

appearance.

T o p e r f o r m . I test t h e r o p e b y h a v i n g m y a s s i s t a n t
p u l l on one end and I p u l l on the other.
t h e r o p e at c e n t e r a r o u n d h e r w a i s t .

Then I

tie

I d o t h i s so t h a t

the g i m m i c k

is o n t h e r i g h t s i d e a n d t h e k n o t

the l e f t side.

T h e n e e d l e is s t a n d i n g o n a t a b l e a b o u t

is o n

c e n t e r stage w i t h s i d e o f n e e d l e t o w a r d a u d i e n c e .

One

r o p e is r u n t h r o u g h t h e eye f r o m t h e l e f t s i d e a n d t h e
r o p e is s t r e t c h e d f u l l

length.

end and I h o l d the other.

and

spectator

holds

one

I drop rope for a moment

p u t the f o l d i n g screen i n

front of

assistant

needle, h i d i n g t h e m f r o m v i e w of the audience.

and

Now,

I get the end of the rope again and 1 give a l o n g p u l l .

The

assistant s c r e a m s ,

the screen

falls

assistant is n o w o n t h e o t h e r s i d e o f
parently

h a v i n g been p u l l e d

right

and

the

the needle,

over

ap-

through

the

small

eye.
Of

c o u r s e , a l l she h a d to d o w a s t o u n s c r e w

gimmick,

remove

the

rope

from

around

her

the

waist,

p u l l it t h r o u g h the eye and fasten it a r o u n d h e r a g a i n .

A Ring and H a l f - D o l l a r Routine

E f f e c t : F i r s t a h a l f - d o l l a r is b o r r o w e d a n d m a r k e d
by

its o w n e r .

This

is d r o p p e d

into

a n d is h e l d b y a s p e c t a t o r o n t h e stage.

an e m p t y
A

glass

lady's wed-

d i n g r i n g is b o r r o w e d a n d i t is d r o p p e d i n t o a brass
box.

T h e b o x is t h e n w r a p p e d i n a h a n d k e r c h i e f

is h e l d

on

stage

by

oranges are b r o u g h t

a second

spectator.

f o r t h on a tray, a n d one

is s e l e c t e d b y a u d i e n c e .

Magician

two

orange

removes the

f r o m t h e glass a n d p l a c e s i t i n a s m a l l b o x .
commands

and

Next,

coin

He

then

i t t o l e a v e t h e b o x a n d a p p e a r i n t h e se-

lected orange.

B o x is o p e n e d a n d c o i n has

vanished.

O r a n g e is c u t i n h a l f a n d m a r k e d c o i n is r e m o v e d .
Performer
the trick.

says, " N o w

comes the hardest p a r t

W e have one orange left.

of

I ' l l place it

on

t h e k n i f e a n d h a v e i t h e l d u p w h e r e y o u c a n a l l see
it."

Then

h e takes k n i f e

and orange d o w n

someone in the audience h o l d it.

pose to d o is t o t a k e t h i s h a l f - d o l l a r ,
pear and have it appear

and

has

" N o w , what I
make

it

prodisap-

in the box the g e n t l e m a n

h o l d i n g , w h i c h n o w contains the b o r r o w e d

is

ring,

and

at t h e same t i m e cause t h e r i n g t o l e a v e t h e b o x

and

appear in the o r a n g e . " H e w r a p s the c o i n i n a h a n d k e r c h i e f and vanishes it.

H e then opens the b o x

and

in place of the r i n g removes the m a r k e d c o i n and

t u r n s i t t o its o w n e r .

re-

T h e o r a n g e is c u t i n t w o

and

t h e b o r r o w e d r i n g is r e m o v e d a n d r e t u r n e d to t h e l a d y
w h o loaned it.
Properties

Used:

Two

oranges,

one

knife,

one

glass w i t h s t e m , t w o h a l f - d o l l a r s ( e x a c t l y a l i k e ) , h a n d k e r c h i e f w i t h h a l f - d o l l a r s e w e d i n c o r n e r , brass

plug

box, one rattle box, and a w a n d .

P r e p a r a t i o n : T h e t w o h a l f - d o l l a r s are m a r k e d w i t h
a cross as n e a r a l i k e as is p o s s i b l e .
one orange, and one m a r k e d
center of orange.

s l i t is m a d e

coin shoved

down

M a k e a small m a r k on this

in

into

orange

so t h a t y o u c a n t e l l i t f r o m t h e o t h e r o n e .

Then

make

a slit i n second orange and place b o t h oranges o n a

tray.

P l a c e t r a y o n a t a b l e b a c k stage, o u t o f s i g h t o f

the audience.
the

plug

Next,

box

in

place

your

both

right

parts of

side coat

the l i d

pocket.

of
The

o t h e r p a r t o f t h e p l u g b o x , t o g e t h e r w i t h glass, k n i f e ,
handkerchief,
stage.

and w a n d , are placed on side table

on

N o w y o u are r e a d y to d o the t r i c k .

Presentation:
rows a coin.

Magician

comes

forward

and

bor-

H e has i t m a r k e d b e f o r e t a k i n g i t , say-

i n g t o o w n e r o f c o i n , " W i l l y o u please m a r k t h e c o i n
before

you

let

me

have

itjust

some s i m p l e

say w i t h a cross, as t h a t is t h e e a s i e s t . "

coin

in

a glass.

He

switches

mark,

M a g i c i a n drops

borrowed

coin

in

his

r i g h t h a n d f o r d u p l i c a t e w i t h cross m a r k e d o n i t

on

t h e w a y t o stage. So i t is t h e d u p l i c a t e w i t h cross t h a t
is r e a l l y p u t i n glass a n d b o r r o w e d c o i n is p a l m e d
right hand.
stage

and

spectator

hold

in

is n o w a s k e d t o s t e p u p

glass a n d

coin.

He

can

look

w i s h e s a n d i f h e does, o f c o u r s e h e sees m a r k

on

if

he

(cross)

on it.
While
places

Magician

hand

is g e t t i n g s p e c t a t o r o n stage,

containing

coin

i n coat

pocket

he

and

lets

b o r r o w e d coin d r o p into bottom half of p l u g box

T h e t o p h a l f is t h e n p l a c e d o n .
is b o r r o w e d
dropped
wrapped

f r o m a l a d y in the audience and

into

pocket and

plug

placed

box.

are

The

on the box.

in a handkerchief

asked to step f o r w a r d
lid

N o w a wedding

and

and h o l d

lid

is

The

another
it.

Of

is p l a c e d o n b o x , t h e b o t t o m a n d
forced

into

Magician's

left

t h e m i n the l e f t side coat pocket.

this

removed
whole

is

from

thing

is

spectator

is

course,
borrowed

hand

lid.
ring

and

he

when
ring
drops

L a t e r he retires f r o m

t h e stage f o r a m o m e n t t o get o r a n g e s a n d w h i l e b a c k stage, h e r e m o v e s r i n g f r o m h i s p o c k e t

i n the center of the second o r a n g e .

and places

it

W h e n h e r e t u r n s to t h e stage w i t h t h e t r a y a n d t h e
oranges, one orange

(containing coin)

m e m b e r of the audience.
glass a n d v a n i s h e d
cut in half

in

is f o r c e d o n a

C o i n is t h e n r e m o v e d

a rattle

box.

Orange

from

is

then

b y s p e c t a t o r w h o h e l d glass a n d t h e

coin

is r e m o v e d .
I t is n o w t h a t p e r f o r m e r p r o p o s e s t o d o t h e h a r d e s t
p a r t of the t r i c k .

C o i n is v a n i s h e d a g a i n b y w r a p p i n g

it in the handkerchief

w i t h the coin sewed in

a n d t h e n c o i n is c o m m a n d e d

to enter

corner

the p l u g

box.

W h e n t h e b o x is u n w r a p p e d a n d o p e n e d b y t h e s p e c t a t o r w h o has b e e n h o l d i n g i t , h e f i n d s t h e r i n g
v a n i s h e d a n d i n i t s p l a c e is t h e m a r k e d c o i n .

has

Orange

is n o w c u t i n t w o b y s p e c t a t o r w h o h e l d i t i n t h e a u d i ence a n d t h e r i n g is r e m o v e d .
W h e n you place orange on k n i f e and have it h e l d
b y s p e c t a t o r i n a u d i e n c e , s h o v e k n i f e c l e a r t h r o u g h so
t h a t k n i f e h i d e s t h e s l i t w h e r e c o i n o r r i n g has b e e n
placed in orange.

T h e n w h e n o r a n g e is c u t , c u t i t a l l

the w a y a r o u n d , d i v i d i n g o r a n g e into t w o equal

Of

parts

c o u r s e , i f a n assistant is u s e d , t h e r i n g c a n b e

dropped

onto

a servante

instead

of

into

performer's

p o c k e t a n d t h e assistant c a r r i e s o f f t h e r i n g , p l a c e s

in

slit in orange and brings on a tray w i t h the t w o oranerc

Sun and M o o n T r i c k
I

p l a y so m a n y h o t e l s a n d o t h e r dates w h e r e

a u d i e n c e is o n a l l sides o f m e t h a t
following simple method

figured out

f o r d o i n g this o l d t r i c k .

h a v e been d o i n g i t t h i s w a y

for

about

25 y e a r s .

gets a w a y f r o m v e s t i n g , etc., as i n t h e o t h e r

the
the
I
It

methods,

a n d c a n be d o n e a n y w h e r e at a n y t i m e .
I use a c h a n g i n g b a g a n d o n o n e s i d e I h a v e a r e d
bandanna

handkerchief;

white handkerchief.

on

the

other

side,

man's

I ask t o b o r r o w s o m e c c n t l e m a n ' s

h a n d k e r c h i e f , " a n d a clean one, please."

This

usually

gets a l a u g h .
handkerchief

1 tell the w i l l i n g spectator to d r o p

i n t h e b a g a n d it goes o n t h e s i d e

the red b a n d a n n a .

O n t h e w a y to t h e stage o r t o

his
with
my

table, 1 t u r n the h a n d l e .
I

a l r e a d y h a v e a g e n t l e m a n o n t h e stage

helping

m e a n d w h e n I g e t t o m y t a b l e , I ask h i m t o r e a c h
the bag and

remove the h a n d k e r c h i e f .

then

in

hand

h i m a p a i r o f scissors a n d t e l l h i m t o m a r k t h e h a n d kerchief.
half

have

the

handkerchief

and then i n q u a r t e r size.

folded,

first

in

have already

taken

a pencil before the show and m a r k e d a quarter

circle

on the c o r n e r of the h a n d k e r c h i e f w h e r e it w i l l

make

a l a r g e r o u n d h o l e w h e n t h e m a n c u t s i t w i t h t h e scissors, f o l l o w i n g t h e m a r k e d
After

telling h i m

line.
the h a n d k e r c h i e f

and

a f t e r w h i s p e r i n g to h i m to c u t it o n the m a r k e d

to m a r k

line,

I l e a v e t h e stage t o g e t t h e r e d b a n d a n n a .

Of

course,

he cuts t h e w h i t e h a n d k e r c h i e f o n t h e d r a w n l i n e , a n d
I

w a i t u n t i l the l a u g h i n g dies d o w n some b e f o r e

t u r n i n g w i t h the red h a n d k e r c h i e f .

I compliment

o n t h e e x c e l l e n t j o b o f m a r k i n g , etc.
that the red h a n d k e r c h i e f

re-

I then

him

explain

has t o be i n t h e s a m e

con-

d i t i o n as t h e w h i t e , so I c u t a h o l e i n i t t h e s a m e as
the h o l e in the b o r r o w e d

(?)

A s an a f t e r t h o u g h t , I
handkerchief

was

handkerchief.

remind h i m

borrowed

and

that the

that

he

white

has

ruined

i t , etc., so m a y b e w e s h o u l d n ' t d o t h e t r i c k a f t e r
So 1 w r a p t h e t w o h a n d k e r c h i e f s a n d t h e t w o
in a newspaper

( s o m e t i m e s I use a c h a n g i n g

and accidentally
kerchiefs
restored

through
except

handkerchief
he w a n t s

tear the p a p e r
the

that

paper
the

red

and vice versa.

his h a n d k e r c h i e f

c o u r s e h e says, " N o . "

in

so I

and

find

center
I

pull
is

canister)
the

they
in

hand-

are

now

the

white

ask t h e g e n t l e m a n
that

condition

and

if
of

I then f o l d them and d r o p them

i n t o t h e c h a n g i n g b a g , a f t e r i t has b e e n s h o w n
T h e b a g s t i l l has t h e b o r r o w e d

and

So I

t h e h a n d l e a n d h a v e s p e c t a t o r say s e v e r a l M a g i c
and p u l l out the t w o h a n d k e r c h i e f s ,

empty.

handkerchief

the o t h e r red h a n k i n it o n the same side.

f u l l y restored.

all.

centers

then show

turn
words
them

I thank the gentleman f o r h e l p i n g

me

a n d ask h i m

to r e t u r n

the w h i t e h a n d k e r c h i e f

to

its

o w n e r o n t h e w a y t o h i s seat.
When

I w i s h to m a k e t h e t r i c k l o n g e r , I a d d

f o l l o w i n g at a b o u t t h e m i d d l e o f t h e t r i c k .

the

1 have a

r o u n d t i n can about 8 inches h i g h and a b o u t 5 inches

i n diameter, painted w h i t e and on the f r o n t
letters the w o r d s , " M a g i c
partition

i n it, d i v i d i n g

one p a r t , I

Laundry."

in

block

T h i s c a n has a

it into two equal

parts.

have t w o w h i t e handkerchiefs, one

f o u r times the size of an o r d i n a r y

the o t h e r a t i n y one.

In

about

handkerchief

and

B o t h have centers cut out

just

l i k e the one the spectator cuts.

After

the spectator

cuts the h a n d k e r c h i e f ,

h i m t h a t h e has s o i l e d t h e h a n d k e r c h i e f w h i l e
i t , so w e w i l l

have to l a u n d e r

it.

tell

cutting

1 place it in

the

e m p t y side of can and p o u r some w a t e r f r o m a p i t c h e r

i n t o the can.

Now

r e m o v e the small

handkerchief

a n d w r i n g o u t t h e w a t e r a n d s h o w t h a t i t has s h r u n k .
So I

place i t in the can w i t h

and p u t some m a g i c

the first

handkerchief

stretching p o w d e r on it.

Then

I t a k e i t o u t a n d i t has s t r e t c h e d t o o m u c h , as i t is t h e
large handkerchief.

I try again by p l a c i n g it back

in

t h e s a m e s i d e 1 j u s t t o o k i t f r o m , p u t i n a l i t t l e morew a t e r and then r e m o v e the first h a n d k e r c h i e f and s h o w

t h a t i t is b a c k t o n o r m a l .

Then

cut the red

hand-

k e r c h i e f a n d p r o c e e d as i n t h e a b o v e p a r t o f t h e t r i c k .

Spirit Slate T e s t for C l u b Shows

E f f e c t : M a g i c i a n h a n d s s o m e o n e a sealed e n v e l o p e
to h o l d .

He

tells h i m

that this

is a s p i r i t

message.

T h e n a s i n g l e s l a t e is e x a m i n e d a n d w a s h e d c l e a n
both

sides b y

a spectator

object on M a g i c i a n ' s table.

and

is s t o o d

against

N e x t a small

and three dice are h a n d e d f o r e x a m i n a t i o n .

is a s t a n d a r d

piccc

of

apparatus

sold by

on

some

round

box

(This

box

all

dealers

under various namesEli's D i e Box, Psyche D i e

Box,

etc.)
A s p e c t a t o r is a s k e d to c o m e o n t h e stage t o assist
the M a g i c i a n .

H e is h a n d e d a p i e c e o f c h a l k a n d is

shown

small

table.

Blackboard

blackboard
is a b o u t

standing
18

on

inches

Magician's

high

and

12

i n c h e s w i d e , w i t h a b r a c e o n t h e b a c k o f i t , so t h a t
w i l l stand

it

erect.

M a g i c i a n n o w takes t h e b o x a n d t h r e e d i c e , p l a c e s
d i c e i n b o x a n d p l a c e s o n c o v e r , t h e n h e shakes

the

b o x a n d r e m o v e s c o v e r a n d lets s p e c t a t o r see a n d

add

the total of the three dice.

write

total

on

the

H e t h e n tells spectator

blackboard.

This

is

t i m e s a n d a l l t h r e e t o t a l s are* w r i t t e n o n

done

to

three

blackboard.

S p e c t a t o r is t h e n t o l d t o a d d t h e t h r e e t o t a l s a n d

the

a n s w e r is, w e w i l l say, 27.

M a g i c i a n t h e n asks t h e s p e c t a t o r t o o p e n t h e s e a l e d
envelope.

H e does a n d takes o u t a sheet o f p a p e r a n d

reads a l o u d ,
is 27.

"The

slate a n d says, " I f

will

total

Signed, Spirits."

of

t h r e e shakes o f

the

dice

M a g i c i a n then picks up

the s p i r i t s are r e a l l y

present,

have w r i t t e n s o m e t h i n g on the e x a m i n e d

the
they

slate."

H e turns slate a r o u n d and t h e r e in l a r g e n u m b e r s

written

"27".

S e c r e t : A n y M a g i c i a n w h o has r e a d t h u s f a r
k n o w t h e secret.

I use a s l a t e w i t h

a l o c k f l a p , b u t a n y Hap slate w i l l d o .
message is w r i t t e n o n

velope before.

will

H o w e v e r , f o r those w h o d o n o t k n o w

exactly. I w i l l do a little explaining.

spirit

is

paper

O f course, the

a n d sealed

Y o u must decide on a definite

any one b e t w e e n 2+ a n d 39 w i l l

work.

in

en-

number;

take it

for

g r a n t e d t h a t y o u a l l k n o w the secret o f the d i e

box.

A f t e r box and dice are e x a m i n e d , T always take

box

first

use

a n d t h e n g e t t h e d i c e o n e at a t i m e , a n d i f I

2 7 o n slate a n d message, I p l a c e e a c h d i e i n b o x a t a
certain n u m b e r : T h e

first

one w i t h

one spot on

top,

the second w i t h
spots.

two

spots, a n d t h e t h i r d

with

three

T h e s e t o p spots a d d e d u p w i l l g i v e a t o i a l

of

s i x , a n d t h i s a d d e d to 21, t h e t o t a l o f t h e spots o n tops

and
If

bottoms of

all

three dice w i l l

give

you

the

y o u w i s h to use s o m e o t h e r n u m b e r s , say

27.

1, t h e n

p l a c e t h e t h r e e d i c e i n t h e b o x so t h e v w i l l

add

up

If

you

t o 10.
I

w i l l n o t f u l l y e x p l a i n t h e d i e b o x used.

h a v e o n e o r k n o w t h e secret, t h e a b o v e w i l l
to you, and
you

be c l e a r

if y o u don't, you can buy one and

h a v e r e a d t h e secret, y o u

will

be a b l e t o

after
adapt

this r o u t i n e to it.

Multiplying Thimbles
1 sew a r u b b e r b a n d o r a p i e c e o f n a r r o w

elastic

t a p e at t h e b o t t o m o f m v coat o n t h e l e f t s i d e , a n d sew
the elastic

so i t

part holds

a thimble.

is d i v i d e d

into

Then

m y vest u n d e r m y l e f t a r m .

four

sections,

1 sew a n o t h e r

bach

piece

T h i s p i e c e is d i v i d e d

to
into

three parts and holds three thimbles.

I

t h e n p e r f o r m the t h i m b l e

the r e g u l a r

way.

One thimble

trick

in more or

is p r o d u c e d

eral sleights are p e r f o r m e d w i t h it.

and

T h e n the

thimble

is v a n i s h e d a n d I r e a c h i n t o m y l e f t i n s i d e coat
to g e t i t .

When

less
sev-

pocket

1 do this, I place m y three lingers

in

the t h i m b l e s and r e m o v e the hand, w i t h the

thimbles

held d o w n and out of sight.

vanished

(palmed)
toss i t

in the air

d o i n g this,

Of

course, the

t h i m b l e is s h o w n o n t h e f i r s t f i n g e r .
(really

palming

I stand w i t h

my

it).

While

left side a w a v

am

from

the

a u d i e n c e a n d as I toss t h e t h i m b l e i n t h e a i r . I
and

Now

I t u r n f a c i n g the audience and s h o w a t h i m b l e

the

right

the f o u r

thimbles

first finger.
first

finger

and

I make
back

on

my

left

reach

down

on the l e f t

get

now
I

lingers.

this t h i m b l e
to

left

several

F i n a l l y , I say, " O h ! So y o u t h i n k I h a v e t w o

pass

to

times.

thimbles!

Well,

I don't.

1 have e i g h t ! "

A s I say t h i s , I

bring

u p all e i g h t fingers w i t h a t h i m b l e on each one.

After

the applause

has d i e d

down,

remove

t h i m b l e s o n e at a t i m e a n d d r o p t h e m i n t o a g l a s s .

the
The

W S i o e OF
COAT

\ns\de
AT

of VEST

*LASTC
STWEO

UtfT

AS

TAPE.

SwovJti

DOUBLE.
-To

glass

is c o v e r e d

with

GLASS-

a handkerchief

and

step

to-

w a r d t h e a u d i e n c e a n d ask w h o w o u l d l i k e t o h a v e t h e
glass a n d t h e t h i m b l e s f o r a p r e s e n t .

I toss t h e

hand-

k e r c h i e f i n the a i r a n d the glass a n d t h i m b l e s h a v e v a n ished.

Of

course, the glass goes i n t o a w e l l

handkerchief

is d o u b l e w i t h

a wire

and

the

ring

fake

sewed

i n the c e n t e r to l o o k l i k e t h e glass w h e n

held

in

h a n d as i n t h e a c c o m p a n y i n g s k e t c h .

the

Houdini C a r d T r i c k
Equipment

Needed:

man's

handkerchief

Card

Frame

for

of

One

large

ordinary

a giant card.

paper

size, a n d
The

bag,
a

frame

one

Tarbell
has

bars

a n d t h e c a r d c a n be seen b e t w e e n t h e bars, b u t by t u r n i n g f r a m e over the c a r d w i l l

duplicate

card of

disappear.

and disappears inside the frame.

m u s t be " f i x e d "

There

t h e same s u i t as o n e t h a t

is a

appears

This duplicate

by h a v i n g a large

pin glued

card

to

the

top edge of back of c a r d w i t h another n a r r o w s t r i p of

c a r d b o a r d ; p i n is t h e n b e n t d o w n w a r d i n a b o u t t h e c e n ter, f o r m i n g a hook on back of card.

C a r d c a n n o w be

p u t into f r a m e and p i n w i l l stick o v e r edge of

Now

frame.

i t is a s i m p l e m a t t e r to b o o k c a r d o u t o f

a n d o n t o c o a t sleeve, etc., w i t h o n e d o w n w a r d
Patter and R o u t i n e : A s k for a boy about

frame
sweep.

10 y e a r s

o l d t o assist y o u a n d h a v e h i m s t a n d a b o u t c e n t e r stage,
but back somewhat

to take care of

the visual

angles

f r o m each side.

W h i s p e r to h i m to face the a u d i e n c e

a n d to S T A N D

STILL.

T h e n say t o t h e

audience,

" I w o u l d l i k e to d e m o n s t r a t e t o y o u h o w t h e l a t e H a r r y
H o u d i n i m a d e his e s c a p e - f r o i n a l l the jails.
w i l l represent H o u d i n i . "
first

finger

first

finger.

of

left

hand,

"This will

This card

H o l d u p card by t h u m b and
edge

between

thumb

represent the j a i l or

and

prison."

S t i l l h o l d i n g c a r d in left hand, display the f r a m e

with

t h e r i g h t h a n d , s h o w i n g i t o n b o t h sides a n d p u t y o u r
face

behind

it

as t h o u g h

you

are

behind

A u d i e n c e c a n see b e t w e e n b a r s as f a k e c a r d
and out

of

sight.

h i n d the bars."
tom

"First

we

must

put

the

bars.

is d o w n

Houdini

be-

So s a y i n g , p u t t h e c a r d s u p f r o m b o t -

into frame. N o w

turn over

frame

with

card

it and f a k e c a r d w i l l appear b e h i n d the real c a r d

t h i s leaves t h e h o o k o n t o p o f

in
and

frame.

N o w h o l d the f r a m e between t h u m b and outspread

fingers

of left hand w i t h point of hook away f r o m

palm

of hand, pick up bag in r i g h t hand and s w i n g

w a r d and it w i l l o p e n u p .
at h i s r i g h t s i d e .

"I

entirely empty.

down-

W a l k over to boy and stand

w a n t y o u t o be s u r e t h e b a g is

Look

into every corner

t h e r e isn't a n y t h i n g i n the bag.'"

a n d be

sure

W h i l e h e is l o o k i n g ,

y o u w i l l lean f o r w a r d and bag i n y o u r r i g h t h a n d

will

be j u s t b e l o w h i s f a c e , t h e r e f o r e y o u r

will

automatically

be b e h i n d

sweep d o w n w a r d

him.

Give

and card w i l l

left hand
frame

hook

quick

onto his

back.

N o w say, " I f y o u a r e s u r e t h e b a g is e m p t y , p l e a s e
h o l d it p e r f e c t l y still.

N o w w h a t I p r o p o s e t o d o is t o

h a v e H o u d i n i escape f r o m t h e j a i l a n d a p p e a r i n
bag.

the

N o w if you (to the boy) w i l l w a t c h closely, y o u

m a y see H o u d i n i
audience)

as h e e n t e r s t h e b a g a n d i f y o u

(to

w i l l w a t c h c l o s e l y , m a y b e y o u c a n see h i m

as h e escapes f r o m t h e j a i l . "
W h i l e y o u h a v e b e e n t a l k i n g , t i p f r a m e o v e r , bei n g c a r e f u l to keep y o u r

fingers of l e f t h a n d

against

t h e f a k e c a r d , so i t w i l l n o t s l i d e o u t o f s i g h t , p i c k
handkerchief
(card)
chief.

Houdini

is s t i l l i n j a i l , a n d c o v e r f r a m e w i t h

handker-

T h e n release c a r d a n d i t w i l l s l i d e o u t o f s i g h t .

A t the same t i m e , r e m o v e h a n d k e r c h i e f s l o w l y
and spread h a n d k e r c h i e f
p e a r as t h o u g h
kerchief.

you

Show

are

should

be i n

isn't

there?

That's

holding

the

bag."

handker-

funny.

boy, y o u

say,

B o y looks into

To

bag

T h e n y o u say,
Perhaps

he

"What!
has

es-

"Well,

we

T a k e boy's h a n d and t u r n h i m a r o u n d

and even t h o u g h

audience

for

the back d r o p , e t c . u n t i l

the c a r d o n

ap-

hand-

handkerchief

T h i s a l w a y s gets a l a u g h .

must find h i m . "

it

under

I w o u l d n ' t fool you that way.

you remove h i m , please?"

caped again."

upward

making

bites, s h o w

a n d says, " T h e b a g is e m p t y . "

He

fingers,

removing card

the sucker

empty, saying, " O h , n o !

Houdini

with

frame empty, still

chief, and w h e n

"Will

up

w i t h right hand after showing

is l a u g h i n g ,

keep

looking
laughter

s t a r t s to d i e d o w n , t h e n r e m o v e c a r d a n d s h o w
b o y a n d w h i s p e r to h i m , " S c r a t c h y o u r h e a d . "
does so, t u r n a n d b o w to y o u r

it

to

A s he

applause.

A Production Box
This

is a p r o d u c t i o n

20 years ago.

box

thought

of

I f o u n d it v e r y effective.

and

used

F o r t h e use

o f t h i s b o x i t is necessary t o h a v e a M a g i c t a b l e a b o u t
15 x 2 0 i n c h e s w i t h a s e r v a n t e at t h e b a c k .
servante,

place

four

On

this

large t i n cups, each f i l l e d

silks, s p r i n g flowers, s p r i n g balls, and o t h e r

with

produc-

tion articles.

is a b o u t 12 x 18 i n c h e s a n d a b o u t 6 i n c h e s h i g h ,
a hinged lid.
door

in

the

T h e only mechanical
bottom

of

the

box.

with

f e a t u r e is a t r a p

This

runs

the

full

l e n g t h o f t h e b o x at t h e b a c k o r t h e o p p o s i t e s i d e o f
where

the l i d

w i d e and

is h i n g e d . T h u s

18 i n c h e s l o n g .

When

this

trap

is 5

inches

t h e b o x is s h o w n

be e m p t y , t h e t r a p is h e l d c l o s e d w i t h

the left

to

hand.

T h e b o x is nenv p l a c e d o n t h e t a b l e , b a c k f a r

enough

f o r the t r a p to d r o p o p e n . C u p s are n o w l i f t e d t h r o u g h
t h e t r a p , o n e at a t i m e , a n d i n b e t w e e n v a r i o u s
ductions.
table

in

pro-

A r t i c l e s are p r o d u c e d and p l a c e d u p o n
front

of

the

box.

This

gives

the

a reason

for

p u s h i n g the b o x to the b a c k edge o f the table.

T h e b o x I used was f e l t - l i n e d a n d h a d f e l t
o n the bottom.

glued

T h i s concealed the hinges on the t r a p

and made it m o r e deceptive.

T h r e e " C a n " Monte

T h i s is a l i t t l e t r i c k u s i n g a s t a n d a r d p i e c e o f
paratus, and

I have i n c l u d e d

f o r t h e past s e v e r a l y e a r s .

it i n m y o w n

ap-

program

A s f a r as I k n o w , t h e i d e a

is o r i g i n a l w i t h m e ; a t least I ' v e n e v e r h e a r d o f

any-

o n e else u s i n g i t .
Properties N e e d e d : T w o
rubber

cover),

"Chink"

or

tray,

s m a l l glasses

a wand

Chinese water

and

cans.

(one

three

Before

with

ordinary
presenting,

f i l l t w o o f t h e cans w i t h a s m a l l a m o u n t o f w a t e r

and

turn upside d o w n on tray, p u t t i n g all three in a row,

and l e a v i n g e m p t y can in center.

F i l l o n e glass

with

w a t e r and p u t the r u b b e r cover on, t h e n place

glass

in y o u r inside coat pocket.

F i l l t h e o t h e r glass a b o u t

half f u l l of water and place on tray in f r o n t of

cans.

Put

start

a wand

on the tray

and you

are

ready

to

the trick.
Begin by t e l l i n g y o u r audience y o u w i l l show t h e m
a m o d e r n version of the o l d " T h r e e - C a r d

Monte"

T h r e e - S h e l l G a m e , and instead of u s i n g cards or

or

wal-

n u t s h e l l s , y o u w i l l use t h r e e e m p t y cans a n d a glass

of water.

A s y o u say t h i s , y o u s h o w cans e m p t y ,

at a t i m e , b y w h i r l i n g
then

back

on

tray,

from

th'_* glass i n t o

t h e m on the w a n d .

right

side u p .

the center

can,

Pour

one

Then
the

impressing

set

water
upon

t h e m that

the w h o l e

idea

is f o r

t h e m to keep

eyes o n t h e c a n w i t h t h e w a t e r i n
Mix

t h r e e cans s l i g h t l y

their

it.

as y o u m o v e t h e m

about

the table, b u t n o t e n o u g h f o r spectators to r e a l l y

sight of

the can y o u

filled

with

water.

Ask

lose

which

c o n t a i n s t h e w a t e r , a n d , o f c o u r s e , t h e y w i l l guess c o r rectly.

Turn

the can o v e r

t h e glass, s a y i n g , " I
really
again.

were

and

pour

just wanted

watching

or

not.

the water

into

to see w h e t h e r

you

Now

we

will

try

it

K e e p y o u r eyes o n t h e c a n w i t h t h e w a t e r i n i t

a n d w a t c h m e c l o s e l y , as I m i g h t f o o l y o u . "
A g a i n f i l l c a n , w h i c h s h o u l d be i n t h e c e n t e r , a n d
rearrange

their

order.

This

time

they

guess

"cor-

r e c t l y " a g a i n , b u t y o u t u r n c a n so t h e w a t e r w i l l

run

into fake part and show can empty, saying, " O h ,

no!

Y o u see, t h e c a n c o n t a i n i n g t h e w a t e r is r e a l l y o n t h i s
side",

and

at t h e s a m e t i m e

show

one of

the

other

cans t o c o n t a i n t h e w a t e r .
Repeat this routine, f o o l i n g t h e m again, then

say,

" N o w that's t w i c e I ' v e f o o l e d y o u , o r m a y b e it's t w i c e

that you

haven't watched

it once m o r e

and

advantage this t i m e . "

water

into

center

m e c l o s e l y , so w e w i l l

am going

to g i v e

you

S h o w a l l cans e m p t y a n d

one

(which

really

try

a bit

of

pour

is e m p t y )

and

c a l l special a t t e n t i o n to the fact that

this center

can

really

them

you

contains

the water.

Then

tell

are g o i n g to place a h a n d k e r c h i e f
containing

the

ing and don't

water.

Do

this

that

in top of

while

you

the
are

l o o k at t h e cans at a l l , a n d i n s t e a d

p l a c i n g h a n k i n center can c o n t a i n i n g the w a t e r ,

r e a l l y place it in one of the o t h e r t w o and
their order, m i x i n g them
I

should

can
talk-

have

told

of
you

rearrange

slightly.
you

that

after

pouring

the

w a t e r f r o m t h e glass i n t o t h e c a n t h i s l a s t t i m e , glass
s h o u l d e i t h e r be d r o p p e d i n t o s c r v a n t c o r w e l l o r set
behind something, out of

the w a y .

Then

after

cans

h a v e been m i x e d a g a i n , ask w h e r e t h e y t h i n k t h e w a t e r
is.

Again

they w i l l

have m i x e d

choose c o r r e c t l y , p r o v i d i n g

t h e cans o n l y

slightly

y o u say, " N o , i t i s n ' t h e r e .

e m p t y can

(show other

i t to be e m p t y )

and

But

T h i s c a n is e m p t y . "

can w i t h o u t

a n d say, " I

you

slowly.

Show

handkerchief

in

told you the can w i t h

the

h a n d k e r c h i e f in i t contained the w a t e r . " P i c k it u p and

r e m o v e h a n d k e r c h i e f a n d l o o k a r o u n d f o r t h e glass a n d
pretend

you

cannot

find

it,

so y o u

say,

"My

glass

seems t o h a v e d i s a p p e a r e d , so I ' l l j u s t p o u r t h e w a t e r
on the f l o o r . "

Turn

can upside d o w n a n d let

water

r u n i n t o the f a k e p a r t , s h o w i n g this can also

empty.

Say,

so

"The

glass seems t o h a v e

the w a t e r . "
Reach
which

All
into

vanished

t h r e e cans a r e n o w
pocket

was concealed

tinue w i t h : " W e l l ,

and

remove

at t h e s t a r t o f

and
of

water

the trick.

glass

Con-

a f t e r t h a t , I a m t h i r s t y , so I

end this l i t t l e t r i c k by d r i n k i n g the

has

"empty".

will

water."

A H a t Load
T h e r e isn't a n y t h i n g v e r y u n u s u a l o r o r i g i n a l a b o u t
this routine except the m o v e

by w h i c h

loaded

nest o f s i x a l a r m c l o c k s i n t o a b o r r o w e d h a t .

to e x p l a i n t h i s o n e m o v e , I ' l l e x p l a i n t h e e n t i r e
tine

as t h e r e

made

may

a production

be some
from

readers

an e m p t y

who

the

I n order
rou-

have

hat, and

never
do

not

know how.
T h e m a i n l o a d consists o f 12 f o l d i n g c a n d y b o x e s ,
5 strings of f o l d i n g

flower

b a l l s , 100 e x t r a l a r g e s p r i n g

- f l o w e r s , a s i l k s t r e a m e r 1 f o o t w i d e a n d 10 y a r d s l o n g ,
and several 3 6 - i n c h

silks.

The

boxes, balls,

flowers,

a n d s i l k s a r e f o l d e d flat a n d s t a c k e d o n t o p o f o n e a n other.

T h e e n t i r e s t a c k is t h e n w r a p p e d

around

a r o u n d w i t h t h e s t r e a m e r a n d t h e e n d is t u c k e d
a f o l d to h o l d i t t i g h t .
I

and

under

T h i s forms a compact bundle.

use a t a b l e w i t h a d r a p e a l l t h e w a y a r o u n d

it

a n d a s e r v a n t e at t h e b a c k .
servante I

O n the r i g h t side of

this

p l a c e the b u n d l e a n d o n the l e f t side,

the

nest o f a l a r m c l o c k s .
Now

to p e r f o r m ,

first d o the D i e

Box or

somc_

o t h e r t r i c k a n d i n t h e process b o r r o w a m a n ' s h a t .

At

the end of this t r i c k ,

t u r n the hat upside d o w n

to

d u m p o u t the die and let the hat lie on the table

at

t h e b a c k a n d at t h e r i g h t s i d e o f t a b l e .

When

1 pick

u p the hat, I h o o k the b u n d l e w i t h m y first f i n g e r

fold

of

streamer

and

load

bundle

into hat.

p r o d u c e the silk streamer, then the flower

in

First
balls

these I h a n g o n s m a l l h o o k s o n t h e f r o n t o f m y

and
table,

n e x t t h e 12 c a n d y boxes w h i c h I s t a c k o n t h e t a b l e at
the back
table

in

and
front

then
of

the dowers w h i c h
t h e boxes.

Now

e v e r y t h i n g b u t the 3 6 - i n c h silks.
I

1 pour
have

on

the

produced

A s I p r o d u c e these,

a m s t a n d i n g on the left side of table, about a f o o t

b a c k of it.
I

remove

I a m h o l d i n g the hat in m y left hand

and

t h e s i l k s , o n e at a t i m e , g r a s p i n g e a c h

a corner and b r i n g i n g out w i t h

a flourish.

As

this, I d r a p e each one o v e r the table, flowers,

by

1 do
boxes,

etc., s t a r t i n g at t h e f r o n t o f t h e t a b l e , a n d 1 d o n o t l e t
go of

the corner

until

have pulled

it over

all

the

a r t i c l e s o n t h e t a b l e a n d m y h a n d is at t h e b a c k o f t h e
t a b l e b y t h e nest o f c l o c k s .
moved
with

W h i l e d o i n g this, I

the h a t to the l e f t b a c k

the o p e n i n g t o w a r d

corner

the back, and

of

the

have
table,

as 1 release

t h e c o r n e r o f t h e last s i l k , w i t h m y r i g h t h a n d I

pick

u p the clocks a n d p u t t h e m i n t o the hat. A t the same

time, I m o v e f o r w a r d away f r o m the table t o w a r d the
audience.

This

is a l l d o n e i n o n e . m o v e a n d is o v e r

b e f o r e a n y o n e has t i m e t o be s u s p i c i o u s .

This

move

is v e r y c l e a n a n d c a n n o t be d e t e c t e d i f d o n e c o r r e c t l y .
N o w , of course, I p r o d u c e the clocks and h a n g
on a r i n g i n g stand.

them

T h e M a g i c Beads
The Magician
filled
the

with
beads

t h e vase.

small
into

He

first

s h o w s a l a r g e vase a n d a glass

vari-colored

beads.

t h e vase, p u t s o n

the

then removes the l i d

He
lid

pours
and

all

shakes

and brings

forth

t h e beads o n a t h r e a d .
T h i s is s i m p l y a n e w use f o r t h e o l d o r a n g e vase.
I n s t e a d o f u s i n g an o r a n g e , t h e M a g i c i a n has a s t r i n g
o f beads a l r e a d y i n t h e vase a n d as i n d o i n g t h e o r a n g e
trick,
simply

h e does n o t s h o w
pours

in

the

t h e vase t o

beads,

pushes

a l l o w i n g t h e loose beads t o r u n
partment,
Fie

then

then
simply

s t r u n g beads.

shakes

the

takes

off

be e m p t y .
up

the

He

plunger,

into the l o w e r

com-

vase t o

help

them

the

and

removes

lid

down.
the

Watch Restoration
You
with

will

require

a man's

tube attached, a loaf

of

bread

w a t c h or,pieces of a watch.
trouser

handkerchief,
and

pistol

duplicate

T h e l a t t e r is i n t h e

left

pocket.

W h e n a b o u t to p r e s e n t t h e e f f e c t , p i c k u p t h e h a n d kerchief
same

f r o m t h e t a b l e i n t h e r i g h t h a n d a n d at

time

procure

and

palm

the

duplicate

f r o m the pocket w i t h the left hand.

kerchief

over

the

left

hand

the

watch

T h r o w the hand-

and

the

center

of

the

h a n d k e r c h i e f w i l l be d i r e c t l y o v e r t h e d u p l i c a t e w a t c h .
Step f o r w a r d and b o r r o w a pocket w a t c h and have
the l e n d e r place it o n the c e n t e r of the

handkerchief.

T h e n , as y o u t u r n to t h e stage o r p l a t f o r m , p l a c e t h e
p a l m of the r i g h t h a n d on top, then reverse

positions

o f t h e t w o h a n d s , so t h a t n o w t h e l e f t h a n d is 011 t o p ,
the d u p l i c a t e

watch

immediately

beneath

it

b o r r o w e d w a t c h in the r i g h t hand u n d e r the

chief.

Palm

borrowed

watch

away

a n d d e p o s i t i n r i g h t t r o u s e r o r coat

in

and

handker-

right

hand

pocket.

G a t h e r u p the corners of the h a n d k e r c h i e f ,

ing

bag

against
and

and

some

beat

apparently

hard

the

remains

into

watch

proceed

as

pieces.

The

pieces

bread.

T h e l a t t e r has p r e v i o u s l y bi-en p r e p a r e d
the bottom,

borrowed watch
cretly

forced

tube

bang

Then

into
in

pistol

form-

loaded
a slit

the

accidentally

surface.

and

slightly

the

fired

at t h e

toward

usual
arc-

loaf

of

with

one end.

The

is p a l m e d o u t o f t h e p o c k e t a n d se-

into

the

slit,

well

up

into

the

bread.

T h e l o a f is d i v i d e d i n t o t w o h a l v e s a n d t h e h a l f

con-

taining watch

left"

method

is f o r c e d

so f a m i l i a r

by the " y o u r

to c o n j u r o r s .

is b r o k e n o p e n a n d t h e w a t c h

right, my

The

found

selected

half

restored.

T h e m a i n o b j e c t o f a l l t h i s is to g i v e y o u a s i m p l e
m e t h o d of w o r k i n g the w a t c h effect w i t h o u t
to the w a t c h

bag, m o r t a r

is s i m p l e , easy, a n d i t

or

works.

stocking.

The

resorting
method

Printing by Magic
Apparatus:

d e c k of c a r d s ; t w o c a r d silks,

a F i v e of Spades and the o t h e r a Seven of

one

Diamonds;

also t w o b l a n k w h i t e s i l k s w i t h b l u e b o r d e r s t o m a t c h
the c a r d silks.
with
of

N e x t you

will

need t w o b l a n k

cards

b a c k s to m a t c h d e c k used, a n d l a s t l y s o m e

a changing

be used.

canister.

Personally,

small

prefer

changing

kind

bag

a canister.

can

The

kind

1 use is m a d e l i k e a t i n c a n w i t h a l i d o n e a c h

end

so t h a t i t c a n be t u r n e d o v e r w i t h o u t a n y c h a n g e

be-

ing noticed

can

by the audience.

has a p a r t i t i o n

that

runs

t h e c a n to t h e o t h e r .

The

inside of

slanting

from

T h e can m a y

the

one

end

be s h o w n

of

empty

a n d it d o e s n ' t l o o k s h o r t e r o n t h e i n s i d e t h a n o n

the

outside.
1 start the t r i c k

by t e l l i n g the audience that

the

average person l i t t l e r e a l i z e s t h a t M a g i c can be used

for many things other than entertainment.

I t can

used

in

everyday

fact,

were

in

any

life

other

being a M a g i c i a n ,

in

kind

many
of

I would

ways.

business,
use m y

i n w h a t e v e r business I m i g h t b e i n .
if

In
of

course,

Magic

be

if

still

to a i d

me

Say, f o r

instance,

1 were a printer, I w o u l d n ' t have a large

building

filled

with

presses a n d

other

printer's

equipment.

w o u l d s i m p l y use m y M a g i c p o w e r a n d a f e w
articles.

will

demonstration.
forward

to

explain

what

mean

by

simple

giving

I t h e n ask f o r t w o g e n t l e m e n t o s t e p

assist m e .

place one of

them

on

one

s i d e o f t h e stage a n d o n e o n t h e o t h e r .
First,

1 p i c k u p the deck of cards and shuffle

I then force the Seven of D i a m o n d s o n one m a n

it.
and

the F i v e of Spades on the o t h e r , t e l l i n g t h e m to note

the identities of
Next

their

cards

and

to

remember

1 show the t w o b l a n k w h i t e silks and tie

t o g e t h e r by a c o r n e r o f e a c h .
to be e m p t y

The

them.
them

c a n i s t e r is s h o w n

and the silks stuffed d o w n

into

it.

The

reason

for

stuffing

the

silks

into

the canister

is

he-

cause, b e f o r e t h e s h o w , I h a v e t i e d t h e t w o c a r d
in

a similar

other

manner

end of

and

the canister

have

poked

so t h a t

them

into

the outside

o f e a c h is s t i c k i n g u p a l i t t l e so t h a t i f

silks
the

corner

I catch

one

c o r n e r i n each h a n d and p u l l , the t w o silks c o m e

oat

and

are

Also,

spread

into

have put

full

the t w o

view

with

blank

one

cards

t w o c a r d s i l k s , so I c a n r e m o v e t h e m

Now
step o v e r

movement.

in

beside

after p o k i n g the b l a n k silks into the can,

and

have

the m a n

on

the l e f t side of

stage p l a c e h i s c a r d i n t h e c a n b e s i d e t h e s i l k s .

and

first

tell

the

one.

man

to

touch

the

canister

1 then t u r n and w a l k to the

s i d e o f t h e stage a n d ask t h e f i r s t m a n t o d o
As

walk

in

be-

I n o w place the l i d on the canister

second

t h i n k of his card.

the

Then

o v e r to the o t h e r m a n a n d he places his c a r d

side the

the

first.

across t h e stage, I

and, h o l d i n g the can d o w n to m y

drop

my

side, t u r n

and
right

likewise.
left
the

arm,
can

o v e r as i t is s c r e e n e d f r o m v i e w b y m y
a f t e r t h e f i r s t m a n has t o u c h e d
of his card, I

body.

the can a n d

Then
thought

remove the l i d and show it e m p t y .

then r e m o v e the t w o cards, b o t h at once, one i n each

hand,

and

show

both

to

be

blank.

Then

taking

c o r n e r i n each h a n d I r e m o v e the t w o silks a n d spread

t h e m w i t h o n e b i g f l o u r i s h a n d ask e a c h m a n i f
is h i s c a r d .
thank

then show

the m e n

for

their

the canister
help

and

to be

tell

that

empty,

them

that

h o p e I h a v e p r o v e d to t h e m t h a t M a g i c can be used
in p r i n t i n g and i n o t h e r w a l k s of

life

besides

enter-

tainment.

A Giant C a r d Stabbing T r i c k
E f f e c t : M a g i c i a n shows a deck of g i a n t cards.

He

fans t h i s d e c k o u t w i t h b o t h h a n d s , s h o w i n g t h e c a r d s
o n b o t h sides a n d
course,

calling

that

all

attention

are d i f f e r e n t , w i t h o u t ,

to

the

fact.

Deck

is

s q u a r e d u p a n d w r a p p e d i n a sheet o f n e w s p a p e r
a rubber
all

in

b a n d is p u t

place.

Now

around

the n e w s p a p e r

an o r d i n a r y

deck

to

his

Magician

and

peculiar

and

the

takes a l a r g e

sympathy

large

deck.

exists
He

butcher

knife

between

plunges

the

the

and
Spec-

t a t o r is t o l d to c o n c e n t r a t e o n t h e n a m e o f
then

and
hold

is s h o w n

shuffled, and one c a r d selected by a spectator.

card.
says

small

knife

of

then

deck

through

t h e p a p e r a n d i n t o t h e d e c k , t h e r u b b e r b a n d is q u i c k l y
removed, the p a p e r t o r n a w a y and the cards i n
of

the

knife

blade
has

are

picked

removed.
out

Audience

a card

which

front

sees t h a t

turns

out

to

the
be

t h e same as t h e o n e s e l e c t e d a n d s t i l l h e l d b y t h e s p e c tator.
Secret: O f course, I need n o t e x p l a i n t h a t the c a r d
was

forced

crimped.

and

that

the g i a n t

deck

was

bridged

or

H o w e v e r , t h e c r i m p is p u t i n t h e g i a n t d e c k

before starting the t r i c k and the f a n n i n g and

showing

o f d e c k n e v e r d i s t u r b s its o r d e r o r b o t h e r s t h e

bend.

1 usually bend both halves of the deck and they

are

b e n t at t h e t o p e n d o r l e n g t h w i s e a n d n o t o n t h e s i d e
as i n t h e s i m i l a r t r i c k w i t h a s m a l l e r d e c k .

A Timely Trick
E f f e c t : M a g i c i a n s h o w s t h r e e p i e c e s o f tissue p a p e r
about 8 x 1 2
other
and

rips

other.

These

ball.

T; j

inches.

is b l u e .
them

He
arc

down

on

the
one

three
side

placed

together

and

sheets o f

paper

have

Magically

large paper A m e r i c a n flag about

l a r g e as y o u

rf: 2

you

you haven't.
u

a n

and

together

then

wadded

2 o

pieces

on

into

the

color.
a

tight

W h e n t h e b a l l is o p e n e d a n d u n f o l d e d , t h e t h r e e

places

n o w has n i n e pieces, t h r e e o f e a c h

read

been

turned

into

have

this.

probably

However,

The

14 x 22 i n c h e s o r as

figured

will

it o u t

explain

before

it

f l a g , o f c o u r s e , is p a s t e d

in

case

together,

I f o u n d t h a t i t is e a s i e r t o paste t h e w h i t e

o n a r e d sheet o f
f l a g t o be.

wish.

Secret: Y o u

O n e is r e d , o n e is w h i t e , a n d t h e

He

tissue p a p e r

strips

the size y o u w i s h

the

T h i s is b e t t e r because t h e paste w o n ' t s h o w

t h r o u g h t h e w h i t e p a p e r n e a r l y as p l a i n l y as t h r o u g h
s

the red.

After

you

have the six w h i t e

strips

pasted

o n t h e r e d p a p e r , m a k i n g seven r e d s t r i p e s , c u t o u t t h e
space f o r

the blue

field

and

cut two

p a p e r the size o f the b l u e field.

it on the
entire

flag.

flag over

and

paste

the second

t h i s at t h e t w o

forms

with

pocket

the

two

Bend the back h a l f of the b l u e

it

from

in

half

corner
and

blue
paste

S t i c k o n y o u r 4 8 stars a n d t h e n

paper. Just stick

a

pieces of

T a k e one and

to

then

corner.

Now

quarters,

etc.,

turn

piece of

blue

i n s i d e edges.
outside
field

This

edges

open.

over and

crease

fold
until

the
it

flag

is

first
small

packet w i t h the center of the f o l d e d piece still in v i e w .

O f c o u r s e , t h e b l u e p a p e r t h a t is t o r n has a p o c k e t
i n i t also, s o m e w h a t l i k e t h e f a m i l i a r

Hat

and

Pants

tricks.
I n o r d e r to f o r m t h i s p o c k e t , I c u t t h e b l u e
p i e c e o f p a p e r o n e h a l f a g a i n as l a r g e as e i t h e r o f t h e
o t h e r t w o pieces. 1 t h e n f o l d d o w n t h e e x t r a h a l f a n d
crease it. W h e n t h i s is pasted d o w n at t h e b o t t o m ,

OP&nI
^ | * .* * ** * * * ** ** ** **
n i B g s s s a
*
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*
*
*
*
StDtr
Of e,LU f \ L D 1 : * * * * * * * *
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
H B S B M i
i *
i .

>1

'a

S E C O N D

pASte

SLOE.

FSELO

TURNED

CJACK
CftEASED

Of f LAG
i t f o r m s a p o c k e t o n e h a l f the size o f t h e e n t i r e p i e c e
of blue paper.
B u t b e f o r e I paste i t d o w n , I p u t a
d a b o f paste o n t h e c e n t e r o f t h e f o l d e d b l u e p i e c e o n
the flag.
I t h e n p l a c e t h e f l a g w i t h t h e d a b o f paste
d o w n on the first blue p a p e r , b r i n g the extra piece
d o w n o v e r t h e f o l d e d flag, a n d s t i c k it d o w n , f o r m i n g
a pocket w i t h the flag inside.
N o w w h e n the three
pieces o f p a p e r are t o r n a n d w a d d e d i n t o a b a l l , t h e y
a r c s t u c k to the flag. W h e n t h e f l a g is u n f o l d e d a n d
t h e b a c k p i e c e o f t h e b l u e H e l d is s t r a i g h t e n e d u p ,
the w a d o f p a p e r is i n s i d e t h e p o c k e t f o r m e d b y t h e
t w o b l u e field's, a n d t h e f l a g c a n be s h o w n o n b o t h
sides a n d t h e t o r n pieces a r e i n v i s i b l e .

Shooting Handkerchief T h r o u g h G i r l
A l l t h a t is n e e d e d i n t h e w a y o f p r o p e r t i e s f o r t h i s
small

illusion

are

handkerchief

Joseph H a n d k e r c h i e f

gun

such

w a t c h t a r g e t as s o l d b y m o s t d e a l e r s , a n d t w o
red silk

as

the

Gun, a t h u m b tip, a balloon, a

18-inch

handkerchiefs.

I n o r d e r to p r e p a r e

for

the trick,

i t is

necessary

to s o l d e r a needle p o i n t to the f r o n t p a r t of the t h u m b

tip.

T h i s d o e s n ' t h a v e t o be a n y c e r t a i n l e n g t h ,

l o n g e n o u g h so t h a t i t w i l l

just

p u n c t u r e the b a l l o o n

cause i t t o b u r s t at t h e p r o p e r t i m e .

and

N o w take one of

the red silks and sew several lead w e i g h t s in the

(I

use

fishing

I n the p r e p a r a t i o n of the w a t c h target

help

of

my

hem

sinkers).

friend,

The

Great

Leon,

I had

whose

the

idea

it

w a s t o s t i c k a steel n e e d l e at a n a n g l e i n t h e c e n t e r o f
the bull's-eye

( t h i s is t h e p a r t t h a t r e v o l v e s ) , so t h a t

w h e n t h e t r i c k is set, t h e n e e d l e w i l l
three-quarters

of

an

inch

and

stick out

point

about

upward.

The

w e i g h t e d s i l k is t h e n f a s t e n e d t o t h e r e v o l v i n g

panel

w i t h a s m a l l t h u m b t a c k ( m y t a r g e t is m a d e o f

wood)

b e l o w t h e n e e d l e a n d t h e rest o f t h e s i l k is t h e n p l e a t e d
and stuck on the needle.

is p u l l e d

and

p a n e l released, it w i l l r e v o l v e and the needle w i l l

now

point

then

downward,

the

W h e n thread

weights

in

the

silk

will

cause s i l k to s l i d e o f f t h e n e e d l e a n d h a n g f r o m
it

is t h u m b - t a c k e d

down

over

the

remainder

where
of

the

target.
To
left

Perform:

corner

large

red

audience)
thread

of

balloon
and

H a v e t a r g e t o n s m a l l t a b l e at

the
in

stage.
in

left

right

Girl
hand
hand

comes
(left
at h e r

to release p a n e l i n t a r g e t .

forward

hand

is

s i d e , she

She stands

back
with

toward
holds
five

or

s i x f e e t i n f r o n t o f t h e t a r g e t so a u d i e n c e c a n see h e r
and the target.

S h e h o l d s b a l l o d n i n f r o n t o f h e r chest.

M a g i c i a n s t a n d s at f r o n t o f stage o n o p p o s i t e s i d e a n d
holds gun

and

red silk.

After

explaining

what

the

t r i c k is a l l a b o u t , h e p l a c e s s i l k o v e r t h e g u n a n d f i r e s
at t h e g i r l .

A t the sound of the report, the silk v i s i b l y

v a n i s h e s f r o m g u n a n d at t h e s a m e t i m e t h e
bursts

(girl

balloon

pricks it w i t h needle in t h u m b t i p )

and

silk appears v i s i b l y on the target b e h i n d the g i r l .

p a r e n t l y i t has passed t h r o u g h t h e g i r l
impaled on the target by the bullet.

Ap-

a n d has b e e n

Magician

steps

f o r w a r d a n d r e m o v e s s i l k f r o m t a r g e t as t h e y b o t h t a k e
a bow.

C o m e d y C a r d , Silk, and Snake Combination

T h i s is a t r i c k t h a t I f i g u r e d o u t a f t e r s e e i n g o n e
of the " P e a n u t
stores.

B r i t t l e " cans t h a t a r e s o l d i n

I t is a t a l l c a n l a b e l e d , " P e a n u t

Magic

Brittle"

and

w h e n t h e l i d is r e m o v e d , o u t j u m p t h r e e g r e e n snakes,
five

feet l o n g and v e r y l a r g e a r o u n d .

packed

T h e snakes a r e

i n t h e c a n so t i g h t l y t h a t t h e y j u m p

three bullets, greatly s u r p r i s i n g the spectator

and the audience.

out

like

assistant

figured out three different

ver-

sions o f an e f f e c t u s i n g these p r o p e r t i e s .
First Version:

First, I

d i f f e r e n t spectators, then I
help me w i t h the t r i c k .

force three cards on

three

ask f o r a b o y o r a m a n

to

I g i v e h i m the can to

hold.

B e f o r e the show, I take d u p l i c a t e s of the three

cards

t o be f o r c e d a n d I f a s t e n o n e to t h e e n d o f e a c h s n a k e ,
hooking

them

on w i t h

a paper

clip.

Then

when

o u t t h e snakes i n t h e c a n , I

just let the cards lie

b e t w e e n t h e snakes.

place the three

cards in a nickeled

Now

card box

h o l d the box v e r y t i g h t l y .

I
in

selected

and have someone

else

A t m y c o m m a n d , the cards

v a n i s h f r o m t h e b o x , w h i c h p r o v e s t o be t r u e w h e n t h e
b o x is o p e n e d a n d e x a m i n e d .
I
held

tell the audience t h a t the cards are in the

by

that

gentleman.

He

opens

the

can

and

can
is

greatly

surprised

h i g h in the air.

to h a v e t h e t h r e e snakes s h o o t

out

A f t e r the l a u g h t e r dies d o w n o r w h i l e

i t is d y i n g d o w n ,

p i c k u p t h e t h r e e snakes a n d

let

t h e m h a n g o v e r m y l e f t a r m w i t h t h e ca'rd ends t o w a r d
the

audience.

then

ask

the

three

spectators

who

m a d e t h e o r i g i n a l c h o i c e s to n a m e t h e i r c a r d s a n d t h e y
a r e f o u n d t o be t h e s a m e ones f a s t e n e d t o t h e snakes.
S e c o n d V e r s i o n : T h i s is t h e s a m e as V e r s i o n

No.

1 e x c e p t t h a t I* use t h r e e c a r d s i l k s , d u p l i c a t e s o f

have three p l a i n w h i t e silks vanished in some

the

manner

a n d w h e n t h e c a n is o p e n e d , t h e t h r e e v a n i s h e d
are fastened one to each snake b u t they are no
plain

silks;

they show

replicas of

silks

longer

the selected

cards

p r i n t e d on each silk.
Third

Version:

preceding

two,

This

except

version

that

is t h e s a m e

as

t h e can- is s h o w n

b e f o r e i t is g i v e n t o t h e s p e c t a t o r t o h o l d .

Then

the

empty
when

h e o p e n s t h e p r e v i o u s l y e m p t y c a n , o u t s h o o t t h e snakes
w i t h c a r d s o r c a r d s i l k s as y o u m a y
You

must have a table w i t h

choose.

a square w e l l ,

e n o u g h a n d l a r g e e n o u g h to h o l d the e m p t y can.

deep
Next

a p a p e r b a g l a r g e e n o u g h to h o l d b o t h cans

upright.

T h e b a g is p r e p a r e d b y h a v i n g o n e - h a l f o f t h e b o t t o m
of it

slit

c r o s s w i s e so t h a t t h e c a n w i l l d r o p d o w n t h r o u g h

either

removed entirely, or having one-half

the

b o t t o m a n d i n t o t h e w e l l w h e n b a g is p l a c e d o v e r t h e
well.
T o w o r k , have bag on table w i t h fake half of
over well.
the bag.

bag

T h e f i l l e d c a n is s i t t i n g i n t h e o t h e r h a l f o f
N o w y o u show can e m p t y and place it in the

bag (it drops into w e l l )

and w i t h one m o v e y o u

wrap

b a g a r o u n d c a n as f a s t as p o s s i b l e a n d g i v e t o s p e c t a t o r
to h o l d .
to tear

W h e n t h e c a r d s h a v e been v a n i s h e d , t e l l
away

the bag or

quickly

do

it

for

him

him

and

t h e n c a l l a t t e n t i o n to t h e f a c t t h a t a m o m e n t a g o

the

can was e m p t y , b u t n o w i t c o n t a i n s t h e t h r e e v a n i s h e d
c a r d s , snakes, etc.

A Spirit T r i c k
T h e o n l y p r o p e r t i e s r e q u i r e d a r e as f o l l o w s :
l a r g e e n v e l o p e a n d a d e c k o f 25 b l a n k w h i t e
cards.

O n each of

fifteen

One

business

o f these c a r d s w r i t e t h e n a m e

o f a d i f f e r e n t c e l e b r i t y , s u c h as C h u r c h i l l , B o a k e
ter, G e n e r a l

MacArthur,

Governor

on the r e m a i n i n g ten cards w r i t e the n a m e of

Roosevelt.

Now

you

Car-

D e w e y , etc.,

h a v e 25 c a r d s w i t h

the

lower

15 c a r d s e a c h h a v i n g a d i f f e r e n t n a m e o n i t , a n d
top

10 c a r d s

Roosevelt.

all

having

the

same n a m e

and

Eleanor
the

Eleanor

T h e n a m e s y o u use c a n be c h a n g e d

from

t i m e to t i m e i n o r d e r to a d a p t the t r i c k to the p u r p o s e
o f the m o m e n t o r to keep i t u p - t o - d a t e .
To

perform

this

trick,

you

explain

about

spirit

p h o t o g r a p h y a n d s h o w the e n v e l o p e to be e m p t y , t h e n
seal i t a n d h a v e s o m e o n e h o l d i t .

Y o u show the cards

a n d r e a d o f f t h e b o t t o m 15 c a r d s , o n e at a t i m e , s h o w i n g e a c h n a m e as i t is r e a d .
F a n out the top

N o w h a v e a c a r d selected.

10 c a r d s so t h e y w i l l

one w i t h name of E l e a n o r on it.

have to

select

T e l l t h e s p e c t a t o r to r e a d t h e n a m e h e selected,
a n d w h e n h e does, t e l l t h e s p e c t a t o r h o l d i n g t h e env e l o p e to o p e n i t a n d he w i l l f i n d t h e s p i r i t p h o t o o f
E l e a n o r . Say, " P l e a s e o p e n t h e e n v e l o p e a n d r e m o v e
Eleanor."
W h e n he says, " I t ' s e m p t y , " y o u r e p e a t ,
" E m p t y ? " , l o o k p u z z l e d f o r a m o m e n t a n d t h e n say,
" O h ! She's g o n e a g a i n . "

D r a w e r B o x Pistol T u b e
T h i s piece of

a p p a r a t u s is s i m p l y

combination

of a pistol tube and a r o u n d d r a w e r box.

T h e one 1

use I h a d m a d e u p s e v e r a l y e a r s a g o a n d i t is a b o u t
5 inches l o n g and 2 inches i n d i a m e t e r .

I t has a r o u n d

&OUND D/^AWE-ft SOX

OM t/VD O f P*SToV-/A
f

-V

VtouE foQ
SuSCAPE.
OF SMO*E

Doo&LE.
^DftAWER
DftAW/V
Out

F IMGER VLOLE-

HOLD

WNfcft VnAVER U E T IM
tube t h a t extends 2 inches o u t the rear end.
j u s t l a r g e e n o u g h f o r t h e b a r r e l o f a .22 p i s t o l
a blank gun or a target pistol)
filed
7

with

o f f to fit t h e t u b e o n s e c u r e l y .

inches

long,

This

is

(either

the f r o n t

sight

T h i s t u b e is r e a l l y

and extends the e n t i r e

length

of

the

round

box

with

only

2 inches

r o u n d hole the size of

the d r a w e r .
fired.

in

view.

There

is a

the tube c u t i n t o the f r o n t

of

T h i s lets t h e s m o k e o u t w h e n t h e g u n is

The drawer

has a s m a l l h a n d l e

( o r t a b as i l -

l u s t r a t e d ) so t h a t i t c a n be o p e n e d a n d c l o s e d at w i l l .
T h e i n n e r d r a w e r is c o n t r o l l e d b y a s m a l l h o l e a t t h e
bottom

rear of

the r o u n d

box.

When

the d r a w e r

opened, the inner d r a w e r w i l l open w i t h

drawer

boxes o f t h i s

is f i r e d at t h e d e s i r e d o b j e c t .
with

pistol

Then

pistol

when drawer

r i g h t hand, the l e f t h a n d holds the

under

all

type.

T h e s i l k is p l a c e d i n s i d e o f d r a w e r a n d t h e
opened w i t h

is

i t as i n

left

arm

and

second

finger

is
box

is

in-

s e r t e d i n t h e h o l e h o l d i n g t h e i n n e r d r a w e r as t h e o u t e r
drawer

is w i t h d r a w n .

is i n t h e i n n e r

The

silk

has v a n i s h e d ,

as

it

drawer.

T h e t u b e I h a d m a d e is o f brass, n i c k e l - p l a t e d .
is a g o o d i t e m f o r c e r t a i n

It

tricks.

T h e T r a v e l i n g Stamps
Effect:

Magician

shows a large envelope 9 x

to be e m p t y , a n d p l a c e s i n i t a h e a v y p i e c e o f

12

white

c a r d b o a r d , w h i c h has b e e n s h o w n t o be b l a n k o n b o t h
sides.

T h e f l a p o f e n v e l o p e is f a s t e n e d d o w n a n d t h e

e n v e l o p e is p l a c e d u p r i g h t o n a c h a i r .

T h e n a small

c l o t h b a g is s h o w n t o c o n t a i n q u i t e a n u m b e r o f f o r e i g n
stamps, a l l

different.

One

of

these is s e l e c t e d

s p e c t a t o r a n d h e selects, l e t us say, a s t a m p o f

by

Turkey.

M a g i c i a n then f o r m s a cone o u t of a piece of

brown

w r a p p i n g p a p e r and stamps are p o u r e d f r o m the b a g

i n t o the cone.

M a g i c i a n c o m m a n d s the stamps to van-

ish a n d c o n e is o p e n e d a n d s h o w n e m p t y .
v e l o p e is o p e n e d a n d c a r d r e m o v e d .

Then

en-

T h e stamps

are

n o w seen to be g l u e d o n t h e c a r d b o a r d a n d t h e y
in l a r g e letters the w o r d ,
Secret:

Properties

form

"Turkey."

necessary

are

two

pieces

of

w h i t e c a r d b o a r d 9 x 12, a s m a l l c h a n g i n g b a g , a d o u b l e
p a p e r c o n e a n d a 9 x 12 e n v e l o p e , m a d e l i k e a d o u b l e
spirit envelope.

I w i l l take it f o r g r a n t e d that a l l read-

ers k n o w t h e secret o f these, as t h e y a r e a l l o l d

a n d s h o u l d be k n o w n to e v e r y M a g i c i a n .

tricks

T h e stamps,

c a n be o b t a i n e d a t a n y 5 - a n d - 1 0 - c e n t s t o r e .

Of

course,

one side of the c h a n g i n g bag contains stamps a l l

a n d the o t h e r side a l l d i f f e r e n t stamps.

o f t h e e n v e l o p e is e m p t y a n d t h e o t h e r s i d e
the c a r d w i t h

stamps g l u e d

on

it.

alike

A l s o , one side

The

contains

rest o f

the

t r i c k s h o u l d be c l e a r .

A n Easy Snake T r i c k
Effect:

Magician

back in the deck.

snake.

has a c a r d s e l e c t e d a n d

placed

H e then calls attention to his t r a i n e d

H e r e m o v e s t h e l i d f r o m t h e basket a n d t a k e s

o u t t h e snake.
color w i t h

I t is a b o u t 2 feet l o n g , o f a g r e e n i s h

a black stripe zig-zag d o w n

its b a c k .

It

has eyes, nose a n d m o u t h , also p a i n t e d o n i t .

Magician
find

tells

the selected

the

audience

card,

so h e

that

the

replaces

snake

the

can

reptile

in

the basket. H e t h e n d r o p s the deck of cards i n t o

the

basket w i t h the snake and c o m m a n d s h i m to f i n d

the

card.

If

desired, y o u can go t h r o u g h the usual

busi-

ness o f p l a y i n g a f l u t e , o r b e a t i n g a t o m - t o m , p u t
a

turban,

etc.

Finally,

at

the

proper

moment,

snake j u m p s o u t of the basket w i t h the selected

hanging

from

Secret:

All

his

on
the

card

mouth.

you

need

for

this

trick

is a

sewing

b a s k e t , a m a r s h m a l l o w c a n w i t h s p r i n g s n a k e as s o l d
by M a g i c

dealers; and a f e w other

i t e m s , s u c h as a

deck of cards, a paper c l i p , a l o n g nail, and a small

bolt w i t h nut, and t w o
A
in

h o l e is b o r e d t h r o u g h t h e b o t t o m o f t h e b a s k e t

the exact center.

center

washers.

of

the

bottom

Also
of

a hole

the can.

is p u n c h e d
Two

other

in

the

small

holes are p u n c h e d

near the top of

s i d e a n d across f r o m e a c h o t h e r .
snake
length.

in

two,

making

two

can, one o n

each

N o w cut the s p r i n g

shorter

snakes,

O n e o f these is s e w e d at t h e e n d .

the

same

Decorate

C,\UD IN ALOOTVL

t h e m b o t h to l o o k e x a c t l y a l i k e .

T h e one not

closed

o n b o t h ends s h o u l d h a v e t h e c l o t h s e w e d t o t h e s p r i n g ,
so i t w i l l n o t s l i p u p .

N o w f o r m the w i r e s p r i n g into

a s m a l l c i r c l e j u s t l a r g e e n o u g h f o r a s h o r t b o l t to
in snugly.

Place the b o l t d o w n t h r o u g h the w i r e

and the hole- in the b o t t o m of can a n d t h e n i n t o

hole in the b o t t o m of

basket.

Place on washer

fit

loop
the
and

nut

and

tighten.

This

bolt

be

just

barely
will

h a v e t o be f i l e d d o w n e v e n w i t h n u t .

now

be s t i c k i n g u p a b o u t t w o
i

should

l o n g e n o u g h to t a k e w a s h e r a n d n u t , o t h e r w i s e it
Snake w i l l

feet o u t o f

basket.

Fasten

d u p l i c a t e o f c a r d t o be f o r c e d to snake's m o u t h
a p a p e r c l i p , t h e n f o l d snake d o w n
in place by

running

the n a i l

i n t o p edge o f can.

Now

with

in can and

through

hold

the t w o

holes

the black thread f r o m

the

s p o o l is t i e d t o t h e h e a d o f t h e n a i l a n d t h e loose e n d
runs t h r o u g h a t i n y h o l e i n the side of the basket and
t h e n o f f stage, w h e r e t h e s p o o l is h e l d b y an assistant.
P l a c e the d u p l i c a t e snake in the basket, c u r l e d

around

the o u t s i d e of t h e can, p u t the l i d o n the basket

y o u are r e a d y to p e r f o r m the

and

trick.

Spirit Photography
E f f e c t : T h e M a g i c i a n shows a p i c t u r e f r a m e of a
s i z e t o h o l d a n 8 x 10 p h o t o w i t h glass a n d c a r d b o a r d
back.

I t is q u i t e a n o r d i n a r y f r a m e , a n d b e f o r e t a k i n g

t h e f r a m e a p a r t , M a g i c i a n s h o w s i t to be e m p t y
also

calls

attention

to

t h i n g on the back of

the

fact

and

that

there

isn't

any-

the c a r d b o a r d

back.

He

takes

f r a m e a p a r t , s h o w i n g t h e b a c k c a r d b o a r d o n b o t h sides
and

lays

it on

the

table.

f r a m e t o be o r d i n a r y .
again
in.

and

the

He

then

shows

G l a s s is p l a c e d

backboard

is p i c k e d

up

glass

in the
and

and

frame

fastened

F r a m e is t h e n c o v e r e d w i t h a c l o t h a n d g i v e n

someone

to

hold.

name

is s e l e c t e d

(say

to

George

W a s h i n g t o n ) , f r a m e is u n c o v e r e d a n d an 8 x 10 p i c ture of
the

George

Washington

(or other

subject)

is

in

appears

to

frame.
Secret: T h e

cardboard

back of

frame

be j u s t o n e p i e c e o f c a r d b o a r d , b u t r e a l l y it is m a d e u p
of

two

picture

pieces j u s t a l i k e e x c e p t

t h a t o n e p i e c e has a

of

glued

George

Washington

with Magician's wax.

or

stuck

T h e t w o pieces a r e t h e n

to

it

placed

t o g e t h e r as one, w i t h p i c t u r e i n b e t w e e n t h e t w o . W h e n

f r a m e is s h o w n b a c k a n d f r o n t a n d b a c k is

removed,

i t is s h o w n o n b o t h sides a n d t h e n is p l a c e d o n
with

half

containing

picture on top w h i l e

s h o w s f r a m e a n d glass.
and

frame

is h e l d

G l a s s is p l a c e d i n f r a m e a g a i n

with

front

away

from

audience.

T h e n b a c k is p i c k e d u p a n d p l a c e d i n f r a m e .
course, h a l f

of

the back

half

half)

is t h e o n e t h a t is p l a c e d i n t h e f r a m e .

is t h e n

with Washington's

wrapped

in

cloth

picture on it

and

given

W a s h i n g t o n ' s n a m e is f o r c e d

by y o u r

favorite

method)

and spirit p i c t u r e

But

is l e f t o n t h e t a b l e a n d

other

hold.

table

Magician

and

to

of
the

(the

top

Frame

someone

to

( t h i s c a n be d o n e

frame

is

unwrapped

revealed.

A Patriotic T r i c k
This

is a r o u t i n e t h a t I

have w o r k e d out w i t h

standard piece of apparatus c a l l e d the C a n d l e

The
It

P a g o d a i t s e l f is b e a u t i f u l l y m a d e a n d

Pagoda.

decorated.

is a b o x a b o u t 4 i n c h e s s q u a r e a n d 7 o r

inches

h i g h w i t h a door on the f r o n t and a d o o r on the top.

I t has f o u r legs a n d is p a i n t e d r e d a n d d e c o r a t e d
Chinese dragons.

with

W h e n t h e f r o n t d o o r is o p e n e d , y o u

see a s h o r t g o l d c a n d l e s t i c k at t h e b a c k o f t h e b o x a n d
i n i t is a w h i t e c a n d l e .
the candle

and

light

T h e u s u a l r o u t i n e is t o r e m o v e
it, then w r a p

it

in

a piece

of

p a p e r a n d c r u s h o r t e a r , s h o w i n g t h a t t h e c a n d l e has
disappeared.

W h e n t h e f r o n t d o o r o f t h e b o x is o p e n e d

t h e c a n d l e is seen t o h a v e r e t u r n e d t o t h e
This

is a c c o m p l i s h e d

because

the box

candlestick.

is d i v i d e d

in

t h e c e n t e r , a n d t h e b a c k t h e a u d i e n c e sees is r e a l l y a
false p a r t i t i o n .

In

this p a r t i t i o n

on each side of w h i c h

is a p i v o t i n g

panel

a candlestick

and

I use a s m a l l f l a g a n d t h r e e h a n d k e r c h i e f s

one

candle.

(See

is a t t a c h e d

sketches.)

r e d , o n e w h i t e , o n e b l u e also a d u p l i c a t e set o f s i l k s
and

a wooden

candle w i t h

match

and

sandpaper

to

produce

from

candles.

One

and

placed

pocket lighted.
paper

in

candle

candlestick

1 also use t w o
is l o a d e d

which

with

is o n

paper

the

the

(lag

back

p a r t i t i o n a n d o u t o f s i g h t w h e n the t r i c k starts.
other

paper

candle

is

loaded

s i l k s a n d is p l a c e d i n t h e f r o n t

Magician

now

w h i c h he lights.

shows

with

three

of
The

duplicate

candlestick.

Pagoda,

removes

candle

H e i m m e d i a t e l y blows out the flame

and w r a p s the candle i n a piece of paper.

u p t h e t h r e e s i l k s a n d raises t h e t o p d o o r o f

He

picks

Pagoda,

at t h e s a m e t i m e g i v i n g p a n e l i n t h e p a r t i t i o n a q u i c k
turn.
the

T h i s brings the h i d d e n candle into v i e w

front

door

is o p e n e d .

Magician, now

t h r e e s i l k s i n t o P a g o d a a n d closes t o p d o o r .
pokes t h e m d o w n into the back p a r t of the
He

tears o p e n

paper,

the

candle

i n its p l a c e a r e t h e t h r e e s i l k s .
door

of

Pagoda

and

the

silks

when

stuffs
He

partition.

has v a n i s h e d ,
He

he

opens the
placed

the

really

there

and
front
are

g o n e b u t t h e v a n i s h e d c a n d l e is seen to be i n t h e c a n dlestick.
He
more

says h e w i l l

repeat

the transposition.

he r e m o v e s t h e c a n d l e , l i g h t s

i n a piece of paper.
the Pagoda

Once

it, and w r a p s

it

A g a i n h e raises t h e t o p d o o r

of

and stuffs the t h r e e silks d o w n

into

the

Pagoda.

H e opens the f r o n t d o o r , b u t the silks

have

vanished

and

open

the

paper,

showing

the

he

the

Pagoda

pulls
flag,

out

is e m p t y .
the

Magician

Tearing

American
reaches

and pulls out the missing candle

into

flag.

After

his

pocket

lighted!

T h e Mindreading Pencils
K f f e c t : T h e M a g i c i a n shows a s m a l l tube about 3
i n c h e s l o n g , c l o s e d at o n e e n d a n d w i t h a l i d t h a t fits
over the o t h e r end.
a different
Magician

color

H e also s h o w s f o u r p e n c i l s , e a c h

and

the

same

then tells spectator

length

as t h e

tube.

to p l a c e o n e p e n c i l

tube, p u t o n the l i d and to h i d e the o t h e r t h r e e

cils.

H e is t o d o t h i s w h i l e M a g i c i a n t u r n s h i s

o r h i d e s his eyes.

M a g i c i a n then turns around,

in

penback
takes

t h e t u b e i n his l e f t h a n d , p l a c e s i t t o h i s f o r e h e a d , a n d
i m m e d i a t e l y tells the c o l o r of the p e n c i l i n the
Secret: T h e

tube or

holder

tube.

used is t h e o n e

that

comes w i t h the t r i c k sold b y a l l dealers and c o n s i s t i n g

of three or f o u r c r a y o n s w a x c r a y o n s t h a t are used
instead o f

pencils.

T h e C r a y o l a t r i c k is t h e s a m e e f f e c t , b u t t h e s e c r e t
is d i f f e r e n t ,

as t h e M a g i c i a n

simply

places the

tube

b e h i n d his b a c k a n d gets s o m e o f t h e c r a y o l a o n
t h u m b nail.

H e then tells the c o l o r of the c r a y o l a

his
in

the tube.
T h i s seemed

rather

weak

t o m e so I

use t h e c o l o r e d p e n c i l s i n s t e a d .

decided

to

T h e s e c r e t is s i m p l e

and depends u p o n a s i m p l e sleight.

W h e n M a g i c i a n t a k e s the t u b e c o n t a i n i n g t h e p e n -

cil

in

with

his
the

left hand,
lid

or

he m u s t

cover

down

b e s u r e to t a k e
toward

bis

it

little

ofT

finger

a n d the o t h e r end u p t o w a r d his t h u m b and first finger.

W h e n h e takes t h e t u b e , h e lets h a n d d r o p to h i s s i d e
for

just

and

a moment

at the same

before

time

raising

he grips

t i g h t l y between the t h u m b

and

the little finger curled around

it to his

the

top

first finger
the l i d .

forehead

of

the

tube

and

with

A s he

the h a n d u p t o w a r d his forehead, the l i t t l e

brings

finger

slides

t h e l i d d o w n , so t h a t as t h e h a n d

passes t h e eyes h e

can get a g l i m p s e of

Then

the pencil.

reaches his f o r e h e a d , t h e l i t t l e
in place again.

finger

as h i s

hand

slides the cover

T h i s takes a l i t t l e p r a c t i c e , b u t if y o u ' l l

t r y it once, y o u w i l l

find

it w o r k s

perfectly.

T h e M a g i c Guinea Pig
I d o n ' t c l a i m t h e p r i n c i p l e o f t h i s t r i c k to be o r i g i n a l , b u t i t is .a r o u t i n e t h a t I w o r k e d u p m a n y

years

a g o , a n d I find t h a t a u d i e n c e s l i k e i t v e r y m u c h .
For this t r i c k I

use t w o g u i n e a

pigs identical

in

appearance, a d r a w e r box, a l a r g e box of c o l o r e d confetti, a gun,

a paper

bag

(about

a No.

12)

with

f a k e t o p , a n d a c o n f e t t i j a r m a d e o n the same p r i n c i p l e
as t h e b r a n vase.
I

I h a d t h i s m a d e at a t i n s h o p .

First,

s e c u r e d a l a r g e glass j a r , t h e k i n d used t o h o l d

to-

b a c c o , t h e n h a d t h e t i n n e r m a k e t w o sleeves ( o r c o v e r s ) ,
o p e n at t h e b o t t o m a n d c l o s e d at t h e t o p .
fit

inside the j a r

and

the other

fits

over

O n e o f these
the

O n the top o f this outer one I had a h a n d l e

outside.
soldered,

and then I g l u e d colored confetti all over the outside,

e v e n o v e r t h e t o p , o f t h e o t h e r sleeve.

W h e n this was

p l a c c d in the j a r it l o o k e d l i k e a j a r f u l l of confetti.
T o p r e p a r e f o r the t r i c k , I placed the guinea

pig

inside of the t i n fake, and placed this inside the box

o f c o n f e t t i w i t h the open side u p .

Then

d r a w e r b o x w i t h c o n f e t t i and closed
To

perform

the t r i c k ,

first

filled

the

it.

showed

the

drawer

b o x e m p t y a n d p l a c e d i t o n t h e t a b l e o n One s i d e o f
stage. T h e n I filled t h e glass j a r w i t h c o n f e t t i , p o u r e d
i t o u t , t h e n a p p a r e n t l y filled i t a g a i n , o n l y t h i s t i m e
I p i c k e d u p the fake w i t h the p i g inside, p u t on the
cover and placed it on the center table. N o w I placed
the other p i g v i s i b l y in the p a p e r bag and closed the
b a g b y t y i n g t h e t o p . I f i r e d t h e b l a n k g u n at t h e l o w e r

GLUED

IN

ToP

OF B A G VS R E A L L Y
T w e Bcrrro/A PA9-T
REMOVED f ^ o M ANGTUEQ.
BAG OF J A K E . SVZE.
BLOW T^LIS" PART
TO PIECE? WTTW
R>LAMV< COM

half

of

bag, h o l d i n g

blew

the

l o w e r h a l f o f t h e b a g to pieces a n d t h e rest w a s

re-

m o v e d b y assistant.

the g u n

close.

This

N o w I took the l i d off the j a r and

s h o w e d t h a t f h e c o n f e t t i h a d v a n i s h e d a n d i n its p l a c e

was

the

pig.

Next

opened

the

drawer

box

and

p o u r e d out the confetti.

O n e t h i n g t o r e m e m b e r is t h a t t h e b o x h o l d i n g t h e
c o n f e t t i m u s t be l a r g e e n o u g h so t h a t t h e c o n f e t t i

fake

is n o t v i s i b l e t o a u d i e n c e w h e n i t is i n t h e b o x .

Also

the t i n fake and the l i d must have a hole in the

top

center

his

first

of

each,

finger

so t h a t

the

performer

can

stick

d o w n t h r o u g h b o t h h o l e s at t h e s a m e t i m e

and remove the fake covered w i t h confetti along

and under cover of the lid.
permit

air

getting

The

with

h o l e s also s e r v e

to the g u i n e a

pig when

to

he is se-

creted inside the jar.

T h e Spirit M i r r o r
E f f e c t : T h e M a g i c i a n shows a small f r a m e d m i r r o r
a b o u t i> x 7 i n c h e s to be c l e a r a n d o r d i n a r y .

He

then

wraps

and

has

the

mirror

someone h o l d it.
else, a n d
sealed.

in
A

a sheet

of

newspaper

c a r d is t h e n s e l e c t e d b y

i t is p l a c e d

i n an e n v e l o p e ,

someone

which

is

then

L a t e r t h e e n v e l o p e is o p e n e d a n d t h e c a r d is

r e m o v e d a n d is f o u n d t o be b l a n k .
wraps the m i r r o r
the m i r r o r .

It

m i r r o r , but in it.

and

finds

T h e spectator

a p i c t u r e of

is n o t s c r a t c h e d

below

un-

the card

or

above

T h e p i c t u r e is r a t h e r h a z y

in
the

looking,

y e t d i s t i n c t , a n d t h e M a g i c i a n e x p l a i n s t h a t i t is m a d e
of

ectoplasm.
S e c r e t : O f c o u r s e , t h e e n v e l o p e is s i m p l y a d o u b l e

envelope
flap

known

mirror,

the

to all
flap

Magicians.

being

made

The
of

mirror

another

is a

mirror

the exact size of the inside of the f r a m e and h a v i n g a

n e w s p a p e r g l u e d to t h e b a c k o f i t .

T h e m i r r o r is t h e

p a r t t h a t has t o b e m a d e s p e c i a l .
I

bought

picture

frames

and

removed

the

glass

they can do

sand

and took

i t t o a glass s h o p w h e r e

blasting.

T h e y c o v e r t h e glass w i t h a r u b b e r

This

hardens and a p i c t u r e of the card

coating.

is c u t o u t

of

the r u b b e r
blasted.

with

The

a sharp

rubber

knife.

is t h e n

Then

this

is

sand-

r e m o v e d .and t h e

glass
NI

is m i r r o r e d .

This

makes

the c a r d i n the m i r r o r .
the f r a m e

a misty, silvery

and the c a r d b o a r d

t h e f r a m e , f l a p is

fitted

looks very o r d i n a r y .

picture

of

T h e m i r r o r is t h e n p l a c e d
tacked

to the

back

into f r o n t p a r t and the

Of

c o u r s e , t h e f l a p is

on a newspaper before m i r r o r

in
of

mirror
dropped

is w r a p p e d i n

another

p a p e r a n d g i v e n to spectator.

C a r d s in C a r r o t s
Everybody

finds

a card

in

a cigarette

or

in

an

g r a n g e o r i n s o m e o t h e r u s u a l p l a c e , so s e v e r a l y e a r s
ago

decided

to t r y

a carrot.

menting with

a long thin-bladed

it

to

is

possible

cut

around

the

After

may

be i n s e r t e d

green

carrot and cut out a l o n g s l i m cork.

card

much

knife,

and the c o r k

stem

Then

replaced

a m a n n e r t h a t the c a r r o t m a y be g i v e n f o r

experi-

found

that

of
a
in

the

rolled
such

examination

without

the

examining

spectator

discovering

the

se-

cret.
H e r e is t h e r o u t i n e I u s e d : 1 p r e p a r e d t w o c a r r o t s
ready

f o r cards and had t h e m on a small tray

stage.

back-

T h e n 1 h a d t w o cards f r e e l y selected and asked

eacn ot the spectators w h o

h a d selected the cards

w r i t e their names o n t h e i r cards, and after they

to
bad

d o n e t h i s to p l e a s e t e a r o f f a s m a l l c o r n e r a n d to k e e p
it.

1 then showed

a Devil's

sides a n d m a d e a b a g o u t o f

on

both

it by h o l d i n g the

Handkerchief

four

corners between the t h u m b and first finger of the left

hand.

The

two

spectators w e r e

t h e i r cards in the bag.

that they d r o p p e d

then

asked

to

drop

O f c o u r s e , 1 w a s c a r e f u l to see

them

into the d o u b l e side.

After

b o t h cards h a d been p l a c e d i n the h a n d k e r c h i e f

and

given

had

a flip, the t w o cards vanished.

Kathryne

b e e n s t a n d i n g b e h i n d m e a n d at o n c e t o o k t h e

hand-

kerchief

and

cards,

quickly

rolled

.went
them

back

stage,

removed

and

placed

one

in

the
each

carrot,

p u t i n t h e c o r k a n d w a l k e d o n t h e stage w i t h t h e t r a y
a n d p l a c e d it o n the side table.
W h i l e she w a s d o i n g t h i s , I
small

Sand

Frame

with a handkerchief.
the vanished
mosphere
the f r a m e .

and

had covered

invisibly

command

floating

would

in the

magically

atap-

1 gave the c o m m a n d and uncovered

I n s t e a d o f t h e c a r d s w a s a sheet o f

p a p e r and on it was the w o r d , " C a r r o t "

"Spirits".

it

I e x p l a i n e d to the a u d i e n c e that

cards w e r e

a n d at m y

pear in the f r a m e .

h a d been s h o w i n g a

t o be e m p t y

and

white
signed,

I l o o k e d a r o u n d t h e stage a n d s a w t h e t w o

carrots on the tray.

said t h a t since they w e r e

the

o n l y carrots in the a u d i t o r i u m , the S p i r i t s must

mean

these, so I h a d t h e m e x a m i n e d q u i c k l y a n d c u t

open

each one, then r e m o v e d the cards w i t h the names w r i t ten o n t h e m .

corners

sec

I
if

then let the spectators w h o held

their

corners

fit.

They

p r o v e d they w e r e the v e r y same cards.

did

and

the
this

A Closing T r i c k
E f f e c t : M a g i c i a n s h o w s a l a r g e c a n a b o u t 12 i n c h e s
h i g h a n d 8 i n c h e s i n d i a m e t e r t o be e m p t y b y
it upside d o w n on his table.

He

and empties a p i t c h e r of w a t e r i n it.

i n t o the can and
other

things,

produces

all

entirely

yards

dry.

having

turns the can

over

H e t h e n reaches

of

silks

He

and

throws

many

the

silks

o v e r the back o f a c h a i r , he d r o p s one o r t w o silks o n

t h e f l o o r , a n d a f t e r p r o d u c i n g w h a t seems l i k e

more

a r t i c l e s t h a n t h e c a n w i l l h o l d , h e reaches i n a n d p r o duces

an

alarm

clock.

h o l d i n g a large clock.

Then

the

assistant

appears,

T h e M a g i c i a n hangs the a l a r m

clock on a h o o k on the face o f the l a r g e r c l o c k .

Then

he p r o d u c e s five m o r e a l a r m c l o c k s , o n e a t a t i m e , a n d
hangs t h e m all on hooks a r o u n d the face o f t h e l a r g e r
clock.

Then

he turns the can o v e r a n d e m p t i e s

w a t e r back into the pitcher.

up

the silks

he

N e x t the M a g i c i a n

has d r o p p e d

on

the

floor

the

picks

and

also

g a t h e r s t h e ones f r o m t h e b a c k o f t h e c h a i r , a n d says
he w i l l see i f he c a n g e t t h e m b a c k i n t o t h e c a n .

But

b e f o r e h e c a n d o t h i s , a l o u d r i n g i n g is h e a r d a n d a
giant

alarm

clock

is p r o d u c e d

from

the silks.

The

silks are d r o p p e d on the c h a i r a n d the M a g i c i a n

t h a t h e sees b y t h e c l o c k s i t is t i m e to g o .

He

says

thanks

the audience and bids t h e m " G o o d N i g h t " , b u t b e f o r e

he c a n say, " G o o d N i g h t " , t h e assistant t u r n s t h e c l o c k
with

the smaller

clocks

around

and

N i g h t " on the back in l a r g e letters.

it

says,

"Good

T h e y both

S e c r e t : T h e c a n is t h e s a m e p r i n c i p l e as t h e
vase.

I t is a s m a l l e r c a n i n s i d e o f a l a r g e r o n e .

s m a l l e r c a n is a b o u t 2 i n c h e s s h o r t e r

than the

exit.
flag
The
large

o n e a n d w h e n i t is s o l d e r e d i n , t h e r e is a space a b o u t
2 inches w i d e a l l the w a y a r o u n d .
the water.

T h i s space

T h e s m a l l e r c a n is l o a d e d w i t h

holds

a nest o f

six a l a r m c l o c k s a n d t h e n s i l k s , etc. a r e p a c k e d o n t o p .

SuBBEA
COVeR
W A T SR
G o e s NTo
TvAir S p a c e .

IMSVOE

CAM

\S P l U L t D
WITV-L SvtKS",
ALA AM CLOCKS.
ETC

Tu^

Wooded

CLOCK

WooK-T
r o V4AAJG
ATARAA
CLOCKS

r u e R e v e R S e S\DE.
T u R N e o F o R Tv-IE. P I N I S U

A r u b b e r c o v e r is s t r e t c h e d o v e r t h e t o p o f t h e s m a l l e r
c a n a n d a s t r o n g r u b b e r b a n d is s t r e t c h e d a r o u n d t h i s
to k e e p

the load

turned upside

from

falling

out

when

the can

down.

T h e g i a n t a l a r m c l o c k is h u n g o n t h e b a c k
a wire

hook.

is

The

silks

arc d r a p e d

over

the

with
chair.

T h e silks on the

floor

are p i c k e d u p in the l e f t

hand

a n d t h e c l o c k a n d s i l k s o n c h a i r i n t h e r i g h t h a n d as
M a g i c i a n stands o n t h e l e f t s i d e o f t h e c h a i r .

Then

one m o v e he b r i n g s his hands t o g e t h e r w i t h the

a n d t h e c l o c k is l o a d e d u n d e r s i l k s .
ward

he h o l d s silks a n d c l o c k

in

silks

A s he w a l k s

for-

i n his l e f t hand,

and

h i s r i g h t h a n d goes u n d e r l o a d a n d t u r n s o n t h e a l a r m .
T h e c l o c k w i t h h o o k s o n i t is e a s i l y m a d e o u t

of

3 - p l y and painted by y o u r local sign painter.

How-

ever, if y o u w a n t a better c l o c k w i t h an a l a r m

ringing

f o r e a c h c l o c k p r o d u c e d , i t c a n be p u r c h a s e d a t y o u r
Magic

dealer.

S o m e t i m e s w h e n I use a L o t a b o w l , I h a v e t h e c a n
on a c h a i r and e m p t y the L o t a b o w l i n t o the can a f t e r
each t r i c k u n t i l I reach the end of t h e s h o w .

Then T

m a k e t h i s p r o d u c t i o n as t h e c l o s i n g e f f e c t .

Some Ideas
A

SHOOTING

of d o w e l

pin

tips made

screw

an o r d i n a r y

I f o u n d that a piece

a swell

shooting wand,

Bingo

device

about

black
if

with

you

three

just

inches

end.

MISER'S
Magician

15 i n c h e s l o n g a n d p a i n t e d

white

f r o m one

W A N D

who

D R E A M
wishes

good coin pail for

a n easy m e t h o d

c a n be

the

made

by s o l d e r i n g a K e l l a r coin d r o p p e r near the top of an

o r d i n a r y sand p a i l , o r better yet, get one of the n i c k e l plated

hats

used

by

musicians

and

solder

Kellar

d r o p p e r in it.
S P I R I T S L A T E S W h e n d o i n g a c l u b or school
s h o w , h a v e t h e s p i r i t s w r i t e a message o n a s l a t e p r e v i o u s l y s h o w n t o be b l a n k .

W h e n t h e s l a t e is u n c o v -

e r e d , t h e message is " B u y W a r B o n d s a n d S t a m p s " o r

some such slogan.

T h u s you have mystified y o u r

audi-

e n c e a n d at t h e s a m e t i m e h e l p e d t o f u r t h e r a cause.
PISTOL

TUBE

You

can m a k e one of

these

easily by using the nickeled h o r n f r o m a bicycle horn.

Just remove the r u b b e r b u l b and stick the g u n

barrel

i n the same hole.

L I G H T E D

C A N D L E

FROM

POCKETThis

is t h e best a n d m o s t s u r e - f i r e m e t h o d I h a v e e v e r seen,
a n d I have been u s i n g it f o r years.
sandpaper about 4 x 5

w i t h t h e s a n d e d sides t o g e t h e r .
d r y back adhesive tape
the w a y

around

I t a k e t w o pieces o f

inches and place t h e m together

three

N o w , I take a r o l l of

(one inch w i d e )
sides o f

and tape all

the sandpaper

pack.

T h e t o p is o p e n a n d t h e o t h e r t h r e e sides c l o s e d .

Now

w h e n t h e w o o d e n c a n d l e w i t h t h e m a t c h i n t h e e n d is
placed

in this

pocket

w a y you p u l l it out.
in m y back pocket.

Another

being entirely covered

tape, i t w i l l

it w i l l

light

no m a t t e r

with

thing

the

the w a t e r p r o o f

n o t soak t h r o u g h

thing

sandpaper

not be affected if the w e a t h e r

perspiration w i l l

which

I usually place the w h o l e

adhesive
is h o t , as

to the candle.

It

always lights.
T H E

M A G I C A L

R A D I O I once w o r k e d u p a

r o u t i n e w i t h a H a n d k e r c h i e f B o x a n d s e v e r a l s i l k flags
of different countries.
an o l d r a d i o d i a l .

I w e n t to a r a d i o shop and got

This I

fastened to the side of

b o x w i t h a b o l t r u n n i n g t h r o u g h the side.
showing

the box e m p t y ,

would

turn

the

Then

after

the d i a l

to a

special n u m b e r a n d w o u l d tune i n some c e r t a i n country.

F r o m the p r e v i o u s l y e m p t y box I w o u l d

produce

a f l a g o f t h e c o u n t r y t h a t I h a d j u s t t u n e d i n , etc.

Af-

t e r p r o d u c i n g a b o u t s i x o r seven o f these ( a l l d i f f e r e n t
countries)

I vanished the U n i t e d

States f l a g b y

plac-

i n g it in the box and t u r n i n g the d i a l in the opposite

direction.

then reached in m y collar and

a duplicate flag that had

removed

been t h e r e a l l the t i m e .

had
I

another

duplicate

in

my

right

trousers

pocket.

w o u l d push this u p in the corner of the pocket and

show the pocket empty, vanish the flag i n the box again,
and p r o d u c e it f r o m the pocket.
the

flag

up

into

Then I would

place

in pocket again and vanish it by pushing

it

the

in

the box.

corner.

This

Once more I

time

it

would

w o u l d vanish the

appear
flag

in

box

a n d t h i s t i m e I f o u n d i t i n m y shoe, etc.
SUCKER

DIE

BOX

W h e n using a D i e

Box

i n s c h o o l s , c h u r c h e s , o r c h i l d r e n ' s p a r t i e s , I a l w a y s use
a d i e t h a t is p a i n t e d w i t h l e t t e r s o n i t l i k e a n

A-B-C

block.
T H E

COFFEE

VASE

found that if a par-

t i t i o n is s o l d e r e d d o w n t h e c e n t e r o f t h i s vase, t h u s d i v i d i n g i t i n t o t w o e q u a l p a r t s , a n d o n e p a r t is l o a d e d
w i t h s i l k s , etc., a n d t h e o t h e r w i t h l i q u i d , i t m a k e s a
v e r y s u r p r i s i n g t r i c k t o s h o w t h e vase e m p t y a n d t h e n
p r o d u c e t h e l o a d o f s i l k s , etc., a n d f o r a

finish,

pour

out the l i q u i d .
T H E

RAT

BOTTLE

a live rat in this trick.

I t i s n ' t n e c e s s a r y t o use

A b b o t t ' s sells a w o n d e r f u l

tation

rat that crawls up y o u r

arm

and

alive.

B u t m a n y years ago, b e f o r e I k n e w o f

imi-

really

looks

Abbott's

r a t , I b o u g h t o n e o f t h e w h i t e r u b b e r rats s o l d i n t o y
stores

and

5-and-10-cent

stores.

After

breaking

the

bottle, p i c k u p the rat by the t i p of the t a i l and w i g g l e

i t j u s t a l i t t l e , at t h e s a m e t i m e r o l l i n g t h e t i p o f
tail

back

and

t h e first f i n g e r .

forth

slightly

between

the t h u m b

the
and

T h e rat w i l l look alive and I have had

m a n y p e o p l e c o m e a r o u n d a f t e r t h e s h o w a n d ask t o
see t h e r a t .
GLASS

OF W A T E R

PRODUCTION

Since

i t is i m p o s s i b l e to b u y r u b b e r c o v e r s f o r glasses i n w a r
time

(as t h i s is w r i t t e n ) , I g o t o a b a b y s t o r e a n d g e t

a pair

of

synthetic

baby

pants.

cut

from

these a

r o u n d piece of r u b b e r q u i t e a bit l a r g e r than the top

o f t h e glass.

Now

1 s t r e t c h t h i s o v e r -the glass

w i t h l i q u i d and stretch a rubber band t i g h t l y

it.

T h i s makes a fine p r a c t i c a l cover.

This

ABBOTT'S

K N I F E T H R U

is a w o n d e r f u l

small

GIRL

i n g the k n i f e ,

fixed

a blank

b a r r e l to h o l d the k n i f e .

ILLUSION

illusion.

"Shooting a Knife Through a Girl."

filled

around

call

mine

Instead of t h r o w -

revolver

with

long

I have the g i r l stand i n f r o n t

of the target. - T h e n I l o a d the r e v o l v e r w i t h the k n i f e

a n d a i m at t h e g i r l .
table.

The

I shoot and lay the g u n on

g i r l screams, and the k n i f e

the

is seen t o be

s t i c k i n g in the bull's-eye of target behind the g i r l .

T H E

M I L K

apparently
Milk

pour

PITCHER
a pitcher

It

Abbott
making

Or

call it glue.

from

to

an

the b i g p r o d u c t i o n .

milk

gets a l a u g h

P i t c h e r into a b o r r o w e d hat just before

trick, have the pitcher

of

if you are d o i n g the

filled

with a brown

necktie

liquid

C u t o f f t h e t i c a n d d r o p t h e pieces

the c h a n g i n g bag.

into

P o u r the p i t c h e r of " g l u e " into the

bag and r e m o v e the tie all g l u e d together.

Anyway,

i t is r e s t o r e d a n d as g o o d as n e w .
T H E

P A R A C H U T E

CARD

In many

Wool-

w o r t h stores, i n t h e t o y d e p a r t m e n t , t h e y sell a c a r d board tube about a foot long w i t h

inside.

a small

parachute

Y o u place the end of tube in y o u r m o u t h

and

b l o w , t h e p a r a c h u t e goes h i g h i n t o t h e a i r , o p e n s a n d
then
I
and

floats

gracefully

fixed

down.

a f o l d i n g card by taking, t w o p l a y i n g cards

cutting

them

each

lengthwise

into

three

parts.

T h e n I c u t a sheet o f r u b b e r t h e s i z e a n d s h a p e o f a
playing

card

and

glued

the

one on each side of the r u b b e r .

two

cards

(the

pieces')

W h e n this d r i e d , I had

a f o l d i n g card, w h i c h w o u l d fold into a long

narrow

c a r d and go into the tube.

the parachute.

I fastened it to the e n d o f

w o u l d then force a duplicate

and have it placed back in the deck.

Next, I

card
would

p i c k u p the tube and b l o w the parachute h i g h in

air.

the

T h e f o l d i n g c a r d w o u l d o p e n u p a n d as t h e p a r a -

chute floated d o w n , the spectator w o u l d

hanging below

it.
E N D

see h i s

card