Eric Lewis-Mysteries of the Mystic-7

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2 n d E d i t i o n C O P Y R I G H T I N GT. B R I T A I N A N D U.S.A. I M P O R T A N T : T h e r i g h t s of M a n u f a c t u r i n g any of the i t e m s d e s e r i b e d in t h i s b o o k are s t r i c t l y r e s e r v e d b y the p u b l i s h e r s . D u p l i c a t e d a n d I l l u s t r a t e d b y U r i c G. Lewis, N o r t h a m p t o n .

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T h e M y s t i c Seven* v/hose h e a d q u a r t e r s are at D e w sbu r y, Y o r k s h i r e , England, is a m a g i c a l s o c i e t y f o r m e d in M a y 1934. S e v e n l o c a l a m a t e u r a n d s e m i - p r o f e s s i o n a l m a g i c i a n s f o r m e d its f i r s t council. M u c h p r o g r e s s h a s "been m a d e d u r i n g the f i r s t 1 8 m o n t h s a n d the S o c i e t y h a s n o w 1 4 a c t i v e m e m b e r s . T h e V i c e - P r e s i d e n t s o f the S o c i e t y are C h r i s V a n Bern* H o r a c e Goldiii a n d Levante.

D u r i n g its f i r s t y e a r the f o l l o w i n g p r o f e s s i o n a l m a g i c i a n s were e n t e r ta in ed : H o r a c e G-oid.ln, L eva n t e , P a u l R u p e r t ( R u p e r t H o wa r d ) jldwerd Victor, C h r i s V a n Bern, i?red C u l p i t t a n d B i l l y O' Conner. 4 3 2 L e e d s Road, D e w s b u r y , "England. J o h n B. Vard, Hon. Secretary.

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B Y IIQRACD G O L D I N I t is a g r e a t p l e a s u r e to m e to h a v e t h i s o p p o r t u n i t y a n d X^x’i v i l e g e in w r i t i n g a p r e f a c e f o r t h i s v e r y c l e v e r a n d i n t e r e s t i n g b o o k aT H T5 ?IYST1RI33 0':? T H U M Y S T I C SUVHf". T h e sale of it s h o u l d b e p h e n o m e n a l , a n d I p r e d i c t t h at i t w i l l r u n i nt o s e v e r a l editions. I w i s h to c o m p l i m e n t t h o s e r e s p o n s i b l e f o r c o m p i l i n g same c o n t a i n i n g so m u c h o r i g i n a l m a t e r i a l a n d e f f e c t s n e v e r b e f o r e seen in p r i n t o r p r e s e n t e d b e f o r e aud ie nc e s. Best w i s h e s f o r its success.

T a l k i n g of Suc c ess : p e r h a p s the 7ollov/ing 7 M y s t i c P o i n t s o u g h t to b e of some a s s i s t a n c e to m y f e l l o w m e m b e r s of the A r t to e n a b l e t h e m to a c h i e v e it. It is n o t so d i f f i c u l t as some c o n j u r o r s be l i ev e . J’o r i n s t a n c e . ... P O I N T 1. T h e f i r s t t h i n g o n the r o a d to s u c c e s s is O R I G I N A L I T Y . S t u d y y o u r o wn t e m p e r a m e n t , y o u r o w n p e r s o n a l i t y and. s e l e ct y o u r e f f e c t s accordingly,

P O I N T 2 t D o n 't let J E A L O U S Y o v e r p o w e r you, or envy, w h e n y o u see a n o t h e r c o n j u r o r m a k i n g a success w i t h a trick. P O I N T 3„ 3e in a ? I T C O N D I T I O N b o t h p h y s i c a l l y a n d m e n t a l l y

w h e n y o u s t a r t to pe r form. f o r g e t everything3'file$, c o n c e n t r a t e o n 'That y o u are g o i n g to do a n d say.

P O I N T 4. v/hen y o u h e a r of s o m e t h i n g original, i n v e n t e d b y so m e o n e else, s o m e t h i n g that is b e t t e r t h a n w h a t y o u are doing, d o n ' t c op y it. F ur t h e r m o r e , d o n ' t get d i s c o u r a g e d , t r y to c r e a t e s o m e t h i n g f o r y o u r s e l f . O n e o r i g i n a l e f f e c t of y o u r o w n is f a r b e t t e r t h a n f i f t e e n c o p i e d effects.

P O I N T 5. T h e A r t of C o n j u r i n g is l i k e a play. T r i c k s a r e l i k e actors, the p r o d u c e r c h o o s e s the p l a y e r s a n d the t y p e s a c c o r d i n g to the p a r t they h a v e to p o r t r a y , t h e r e f o r e b e d i s c r i m i n a t e in the c h o i c e of tricks. P O I N T 6. S h o u l d y o u p u r c h a s e a t r i c k f r o m a dea le r, r e m e m b e r

T h a t the same i n s t r u c t i o n s f o r the p r e s e n t a t i o n a r e g i v e n to e v e r y p u r c h a s e r . It is e s s e n t i a l t h e r e f o r e , f o r y o u to e n d e a v o u r to r e c o n s t r u c t same to s u i t y o u r o w n individu a li t y.

P O I N T V, Last, b u t n o t least, p r a c t i c e y o u r t r i c k s wellc R e h e a r s e w a l k i n g o n a n d w a l k i n g off stage. P a y a t t e n t i o n to y o u r h a n d s w h e t h e r y o u are d o i n g a t r i c k o r not. P r a c t i c e to b o w a c k n o w l e d g i n g app l a u s e . H O R A C E GOLDIN. 3r e c M a g i c i a n ’s Club, L o n d o n ) [V. -Pres. M y s t i c Seven , D e w s b u r y )

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Pre-face b y H o r a c e Go 1 clin.

P A G 3

T h e M y s t i c S e v e n L i q u e u r G l a s s Trick, By. H o r a c e Goldin. 1. T h e S i m p - 3 e r n Speller. By. C h r i s V a n B e r n 2. T h e V a n - B e r n C a r d P e n e t r a t i o n M y s t e r y C h r l s V a n B e r n 3. E a s t e r n M i r a c l e s By Th e G r e a t L e v a n t e -5. T h e S w o r d C a r d E f f e c t By D o n a l d D e m a i n e 9. T h e C a r d a n d R i b b o n 'Effect By J o h n 3. v/ard 11. The G r e a t L o n g D i s t a n c e H i n d R e a d e r By J o h n B. v/ard 13. T h e X - R a y C a r d effect By J o h n B. v/ard 17. The L i g h t e d Gas T r i c k By L. A. D a w s o n 20. The S y m p a t h e t i c L i q u i d s By M a x L e s t r a n g e 21. T h e S i m p l e x S i l k P e n e t r a t i o n By "Cyro'1 22. The S i m p l e x R i b b o n E f f e c t B y ''Cyro" 23. M e r l i n ' s J o n d e r B l o c k s B y "Cyro" 23. I n v i s i b l e T r a n s i t By A r t h m r W i l m a r 24. T h e T e n C a r d jlffect By D a l t o n 25. A N o v e l C u p a n d Bal l E f f e c t By ? r e d L o d g e 26. T h e C o l o u r Spo t M y s t e r y By H. G. B e a u m o n t 27. P r o d u c t i o n of Bow l of \/ater a n d G oldfish. By •'Wu-Ling'1 28. Th e M i l k a n d P a g o d a M y s t e r y By "v/u-Ling'1 29.

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EFFECT, A l i q u e r glass, w h i c h can be for e x a m i n at i o n . G-ive the b o t t o m s e ven t u rns to the left w h e n tho in q u e s t i o n is c o m p l e t e l y r e m o v e d stem of the glass. P l a c e the o r e m o v e d in the eye as a p a r t p a r t f r o m the r o u n d p a r t m o n o c l e . A f t e r a f e w seconds, it is r e t u r n e d to the b o t t o m of the stem, a n d b y r e v e r s i n g the m o ve m e n t , s ev en t u r n s to the right, it is s c r e w e d on again, w h e n the g l a s s is a g a i n g i v e n f o r examinat i on.

T h i s t ric k m u s t b e r e p e a t e d t w i c e in o r d e r to g et the d e s i r e d effect. The f i r s t time p l a c e the g l a s s in the h a n d as p e r i’ig.I. The l e f t h a n d on top of the glass, the r i g h t h a n d _&n the stem - the r o u n d b o t t o m part. H o l d the glass

t i g h t l y w i t h b o t h hands, g i v e s e v e n twists to the l e ft w i t h the r i g ht h a n d only. Let the g l a s s stem s l ip t h r o u g h y o u r f i n g e r s and as y o u n e a r the s e v e n t h t u r n let it slip easier, i n c r e a s i n g the movem e nt , j’or reverse m o v e m e n t , s t a r t b y t u r n i n g q u i c k l y to the r i g h t a n d as y o u n e a r the s e v e n t h turn, turn it slow ly P u t gi va the ci o Cto gla li y o u a r e s c r e w i n g it tightly, on the f i n g e r s a n d stop. Then 5s f o r ex amination.

Y o u h a v e a g l a s s d i s c cut f r o m a s im i l a r l i q u e r g l a s s to the one y o u u s e f o r the trick. S e c r e t l y get p o s s e s s i o n of this. H o l d the t r ic k g l a s s in y o u r left h a n d (see J'ig 2) r e p e a t oper a t i o n s , s h ow d i s c w h i c h y o u h a v e '‘removed'1 a n d p l a c e same in y o u r eye as a m o n o c l e . V/hen y o u r e move m o n o c l e , to c o m p l e t e t r i c k turn s i dew a ys , slip d i s c i n s i d e of y o u r collar, p r e t e n d to r e p l a c e d i s c on to stem of g l a s s in the p a l m o f y o u r h a n d as in P i g 5. K e p e a t the m o v e m e n t s a n d then g i v e the g l a s s f o r e x a m

ination. If y o u are a g o o d p a l m i s t the d i s c c a n b e palmed.

Pig 3 sh ows the position of the g l a s s HOT to b e exposed to the

audi ence.

J.0JLi2 r-^le f i r s t p o s i t i o n to s t a r t the t r i c k s h o u l d b e as p e r ?ig.3, a n d a f t e r a f e w t u r n s take u p the p o s i t i o n s h o w n in P i g . 1, a n d t h e n p r o c e e d .

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P ag e 2.

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B y C hris V a n 3,$rn, 3/1 I.M. C- (Lond. ) Ph.D. V i c e - P r e s i d e n t M y s t i c Seven.

O f s p e l l i n g t r i c k s there is no end, the o n l y r i v a l of the i’o u r A c e Trick, so h e p r e p a r e d to p u z z l e y o u r friends., a n d m a k e f r e s h enemies. NH17. . .Yes IfHY/, a n d y o u w o u l d say the s ame if y o u sa w it a n d d i d n o t k n o w the secret. Wow, as w e a l w a y s gi ve credit, let Val I v a n s rise a n d how, f o r the i d e a i n the f i r s t f o r m w a s his. 'Vho h e got it f r o m w e do n o t k n o w o r care, h u t it is a d a r n e d g o o d thing. N o w l e t ’s get going.

EJ.j’JSCT 25 c ar d s ar e c o u n t e d f r o m top of p a c k f a c e d o w n o n r i g h t of table. A n o t h e r 25 are c o u n t e d o n l e f t of table. T h e two r e m a i n i n g c a rd s are di s carded. S p e c t a t o r s h u f f l e s b o t h h e a p s a n d

is g i v e n f r e e c h o i c e of either. W h i c h e v e r h e a p s p e c t a t o r c h o o s e s p e r f o r m e r u s e s f o r the experiment. A c a r d is t a k e n f r o m o n e of the hea ps, i n s e r t e d i n the other, a n d a g a i n shuffled. P e r f o r m e r t h e n t e l l s the s p e c t a t o r the c h os en c a r d a n d to p r o v e b e y o n d all d o u b t th a t h e k n o w s it, p r o c e e d s to s p e l l it f r o m the h e a p w i t h o u t a n y sl e i g h t s o r m o v e s whatever. 3>T07 H E R D ' S H O W ,. O n top of p a c k h a v e the f o l l o w i n g 25 c a r d s in a n y o r d e r : - Ace, 2, 6 a n d 10 D i amonds; 3, 7, 8 a n d Q of C l u b s ; 4, 5, 8, 9, J, Q, a n d K of Shades; 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 9 r Q a n d K o f Hearts. P e r f o r m e r r u n s t h r o u g h the p a c k s h o w i n g f a c e s to th e a u d i e n c e a n d f a l s e s h u f f l e s if d e s i r e d (not d i s t u r b i n g top 25 cards). S p e c t a t o r is a s k e d to assist.

MOVES.

1. S p e c t a t o r d e a l s 25 cards o n r i g h t of table a n d a n o t h e r 25 o n l e f t of table, d i s c a r d i n g the two remaining.

2. S p e c t a t o r s h u f f l e s b o t h heaps.

3. 7reo c h o i c e of c i t h e r h e a p is given.

4. If s p e c t a t o r c h o o s e s h e a p o n right, h e m a y r e m o v e any c a r d h e desires, a n d is g i v e n the c h o i c e of r e t u r n i n g it to e i t h e r hear). If r e t u r n e d to h e a p f r o m w h i c h the c a r d w a s taken, he a g a i n s h u f f l e s t h a t h e a p a n d p e r f o r m e r p r o c e e d s to n a m e the c a r d an d then s pell it out. If c a r d t a k e n f r o m the r i g h t is r e t u r n e d to the l e f t heap, s p e c t a t o r is a s k e d to r e m o v e a n y i n d i f f e r e n t c a r d f r o m th a t heap, so as to m a i n t a i n the b a l a n c e of t w e n t y - f i v e . He a g a i n s h u f f l e s T H A T h e a p a n d p e r f o r m e r n a m e s c a r d a n d p r o c e e d s to spell it out.

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P ag e 3.

If s p e c t a t o r c h o o s e s the l e f t heap, he is a s k e d to s e l e c t a c a r d f r o m the r i g h t h e a p a n d shuf f l e into the l e f t h e a p a f t e r d i s c a r d i n g one c a r d to m a i n t a i n the "balance of 25.

WORKING. C h o s e n cards are h a n d e d to the p e r ro r m e r who d e a l s t h e m out s i n g l y into f i v e h e a p s of f i v e cards. P e r f o r m e r p i c k s u p e a c h five, f a n s them, a n d asks s p e c t a t o r i f he sees h i s card, '.'/hatever h e a p h i s c a rd is in, that h e a p g o e s in t o the m i d d l e of the o t h e r f o u r h e a p s - two a b ov e a n d two below. Cards, are n o w d e a l t ou t as before, b u t P A C E UP. S p e c t a t o r is n o w a s k e d to i n d i c a t e in w h i c h h e ap he sees h i s card. (N, B. T h i s - i s - w h e r e

p e r f o r m e r g e t s k n o w l e d g e of the card, w h i c h w i l l a lw a y s b e the m i d d l e c a r d of that heap). H e a p s are n o w a s s e m b l e d as b e f o r e , w i t h h e a p c o n t a i n i n g c h o s e n c a r d in the m idd l e . ("j’a l s o s h u f f l e if d e s i r e d ) No m a t t e r w h a t the c a r d is it ca n n o w b e sp el le d. Deal c ar d s f a c e u p o n tho t a b l e w h i l e spelling, b e c a u s e some cards s p el l ou t in twelve l e t t e r s a n d o t h e r s t h i r t e e n l e t t e r s . If s p e l l i n g f i n i s h e s on the t w e l f t h card, the s e l e c t e d c a r d w i l l be next.

T3.??~5CT

Two s h e et s of p l a i n g l a s s 8 ;l b y 6 “ are p a s s e d to the a u d i e n c e f o r e x a m i n a t i o n an d f a s t e n e d t o g e t h e r w i t h small g u m m e d labels. T h e s e are t a k e n b a c k to the s ta ge a n d p l a c e d in a s t a n d in f u l l v i e w of the audience. T h e r e is no c o v e r i n g f o r them.

A p a c k of cards is t h e n s h u f f l e d a n d a s p e c t a t o r s e l e c t s one. A p a c k e t of e n v e l o p e s is t h e n h a n d e d to h i m a n d a n y o n e is t a k e n a n d examined. U a c h c o r n e r of the e n v e l o p e h a s o n e of the g u m m e d l a b e l s a t t a c h e d to it a n d a f t e r e n v e l o p e h a s b e e n i n i t ialled, it is t a k e n b a c k to the s t a g e an d is f a s t e n e d b y m e a n s of the l a b e l s to the c e n t r e of the glasses. S p e c t a t o r i n the m e a n t i m e h a s r e t u r n e d h i s s e l e c t e d c a r d to the p ac k, r e p l a c e d

the p a c k in its case, a n d h o l d s it in h i s hands. S p e c t a t o r is n o w a s k e d to n a m e h i s c a r d a n d o n l o o k i n g t h r o u g h the p a c k it is f o u n d to h a v e v a n i s h e d a n d o n l y 51 c ards are left.

P e r f o r m e r n o w goes to the s tage a n d p o i n t i n g to the e n v e l o p e on the glasses, says, "Is t h at the e n v e l o p e w i t h y o u r i n i t i a l s a c r o s s it? I e x p e c t y o u t h i n k t h a t the m i s s i n g c a r d is n o w in the envelope. T h a t is r a t h e r o l d - f a s h i o n e d 11. Taking.'tfoe^glasees out of stand, p e r f o r m e r r e m o v e s the e n v e l o p e a n d c a r d is f o u n d B I T t / m N the s e a l e d glasses.

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i n T H O D, shov/n sheets of glas of them B i’ig 1 The g l a s s e s A p i e c e of a n g l e m e t a l as in ?ig 1 is m a d e to h o l d two of glass 6 !l b y S ;,t Pours s h e e ts

s this size are required. Two are in A y'ig 1 .and two are in The end B is f a c i n g audience,

in this end are s e al e d as

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explained, w i t h a d u p l i c a t e card like that to be forced, b e t w e e n them.

The two l o o s e sheets an u p r i g h t p o s i t i o n in view.

are in end

A

in w h e r e they are A t t e n t i o n is n o w c a l l e d to the two she et s of glass, w h i c h are r e m o v e d f r o m the s t a n d a n d p a s s e d f c r e x a m ination. S t i c k e r s are f i x e d on the g l a s s e s to b i n d them t o g e t h e r e x a c t l y in p o s i t i o n s shown in j’ig 2. T h e s e l a b e l s can be s h a p e d as s hown o r \ r o u n d o n e s m a y be used. T h e s e are ' o b t a i n a b l e ready cut a n d g u m m e d at

any stationers. A f t e r g l a s s e s are s e a l e d

are r e t u r n e d to the s t a n d a n d are in f u l l view of the audience.

H a n d the cards to spectator. fo r c e a d u p l i c a t e of the c a r d b e t w e e n glasses. On top cf the p a c k

h a v e a c a r d w h o s e b a c k is t r e a t e d w i t h w a x or Dia chylon.

C a r d is retui-ned to p a c k w h i c h is u n d e r c u t b y p e r f o r m e r s o "that s e l e c t e d c a rd goes o n top of w a x e d one.. ’P a c k is s q u a r e d a n d s e c r e t l y p r e s s e d so that s e l e c t e d c ar d ad h e r e s to w a x e d one. C a r d s are r e t u r n e d to c a se a n d a s s i s t a n t is r e q u e s t e d to h o l d the same.

The p a c k e t of e n v e l o p e s is t h e n h a n d e d to s p e c t a t o r w h o s e l e c t s one a n d f o u r s t i c k e r s are f i x e d to each c o r n e r of e nv el op e, h a l f of each s t i c k e r on envelope. The e n v e l o p e is i n i t i a l l e d . 'Return to stage a n d m o i s t e n s t i c k e r s o n envelope. Say, "I shall n o w p l a c e this i n t i a l l e d e n v e l o p e on the f r o n t of the g l a s s e s w h i c h y o u see b e f o r e you'1. I n s a y i n g this

y o u m o m e n t a r i l y c o v e r g l a s s e s w i t h your b o d y and T I P T H ”j G L A S S E S . A N D >STAND jOWSR

t h u s b r i n g i n g No. 3 set u p w i t h the card between. At once p l a c e e n v e l o p e o v e r the g l a s s e s ( w i t h c a rd b e t w e e n ) a n d s t i c k the l a b e l s to the glasses.

NOT'7’.: The r i g h t s of m a n u f a c t u r e of this e f f e c t ar e r e s e r v e d b y the inventor.

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v/hen the s e c r e t a r y of the Ilystic S e v e n a s k e d m e to c o n t r i b u t e an a r t i c l e to ''its11 book, I h a d d e c i d e d on g i v i n g an e x p l a n a t i o n of small p r o d u c t i v e i l l u s i o n s that I h a d in mind. On t h i n k i n g the m a t t e r over, I d i s c o v e r e d that m o s t e v e r y o n e else w o u l d b e d o i n g the same thing. T h e refore, I t h i n k t h i s a r t i c l e o n O r i e n t a l H a g i c w i l l b e app r e c i a t e d , on a c c o u n t of i t.3

a u t h e n t i c i t y , i n the m e t h o d s of the m a g i c of the ‘ilast.

One d a y w h e n p r o c e e d i n g to the t h e a t r e at H a n k i n g , I saw a n u m b e r of p e o p l e c o l l e c t e d o n a v a c a n t p i e c e of l a n d w a t c h i n g , w h a t I t h o u g h t to be, C h i n e s e s t r ee t per f o r m e r s , a c r o b a t s m a g i c i a n s , jugglers. A l w a y s h a v i n g the ide a at the b a c k of m y m i n d th at t here m i g h t be s o m e t h i n g I h a d n o t s e e n b e f o r e , I p u s h e d m y w a y in t o the c r o w d a n d d i s c o v e r e d an o l d m a n of sixty, a y o u n g f e l l o w of a b ou t t h i r t y a n d two s ma l l b o y s of a b o u t s i x or n i n e y e a r s of age, g i v i n g a p e r f o r m a n c e of j u g g l i n g a n d g r o u n d ac ro b a t ic s . Th e o l d m a n in the m e a n t i m e h a d p i c k e d u p a c h o p p e r s i m i l a r to one u s e d b y a b u t c h e r in this c o u n t r y a n d was c u t t i n g u p l e n g t h s of b a m b o o a b o u t 4 f e e t l o n g a n d w a s p o i n t i n g e a c h p i e c e w i t h a knife. A p p a r e n t l y the i d e a wa s to u s e the m f o r p l a t e spinning. I t hought at the t ime it w a s r a t h e r u n u s u a l to see the p l a t e s p i n n e r p r e p a r i n g hi s b a m b o o sh a f t s in pu b li c . U s u a l l y t h e y h a v e them r e a d y f o r the p e r f o r m a n c e .

T h e o l d man, h a v i n g cut the b a m b o o into i t ’s v a r i o u s strips, t h r e w c h o p p e r d o w n o n a towel, t h e n t u c k e d the k n i f e b a c k in h i s belt. T h e n h e a n d the y o u n g m a n c a r r i e d out a p e r f o r m a n c e of p l a t e spinning. I n the m e a n t i m e the b oys w e r e p r e p a r i n g a t ab l e w i t h t r e s t l e a n d some b o w l s f o r a p e r f o r m a n c e of b e n d i n g a n d contort i on s . Th e e l d e r boy, in e s s a y i n g the t a s k of b e n d i n g b a c k f r o m the tr e e tl e o n the table to p i c k u p a b o w l of w a t e r w i t h his m o u t h , le t h i s f o o t slip a n d f e l l o f f the trestle. He wa s t o l d b y the o l d m a n to go b a c k a n d do it again, and^ this time

c o r r e c t l y .

In t r y i n g the t r i c k a s e c o n d time, he a g a i n fell. The o l d m a n w a s b y this time f u r i o u s l y h u r l i n g , w h a t I i m a g i n e d to be, C h i n e s e o a t hs a n d t o l d h i m to go b a c k a g a i n a n d do the trick. A n d in d o i n g i t . t h e b o y t h is t i m e f e l l c o m p l e t e l y f r o m the t r e s t l e . W i t h o u t a n y h e s i t a t i o n w h a t s o e v e r the o l d m a n p u l l e d out of h i s b e l t the k n i f e h e h a d b e e n u s i n g to p o i n t the b a m b o o a n d s t a b b e d the b o y in h i s stomach. B l o o d s p u r t e d in all d i r e c t io n s. The o l d m a n w a s f r o t h i n g at the mouth. O n p u l l i n g h i s k n i f e o u t of the b o y ' s a b d o m e n a n d

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P a g e 6 .

w h i l s t the b o y l a y on h i s b a c k on the c o n j u r o r ’s arms, a p o o l of b l o o d was to b e s e e n in the h o l l o w of h i s stomach. T h e n the o l d m a n t u r n e d the b o y o v e r an d o n the b o y ' s b a c k c o u l d b e rseen w h e r e the p o i n t of the k n i f e h a d b e e n p u s h e d through. Some of the s p e c t a t o r s t h e n m a d e some r e m a r k s to £ h e o l d m a n w h o w a s still f r o t h i n g at the m o u t h a n d t a l k i n g away. I n tho m e a n t i m e , the y o u n g e r m a n h a d t h r o w n a c l o t h o v e r the boy, who w a s n o w l a y i n g o n the f o r m - l i k e t r e s t l e f a c e d o w n war d s. The o l d man, s e e i n g the c h o p p e r l y i n g o n the towel, p i c k e d i t ^ u p a n d t h r e w the c l o t h p a r t l y o v e r the b o y ’s b a c k e x p o s i n g his h e a d a n d s t r u c k h i m a short sharp "blow o n the 'Sack o f the n e c k a n d t h e n t h r e w the c l o t h b a c k o v e r the b o y ' s h e a d , Y/e w i t n e s s e d b l o o d p o u r i n g f r o m b e n e a t h the c l o t h f r o m w h a t m i g h t b e the g a s h o n the b a c k of the b o y ’o neck.

A l l t h i s l e f t m e r a t h e r pert u rb ed. P r e s e n t l y i n t o the c r o w d came the u s u a l C h i n e s e P o l i c e m a n w h o t h r e a t e n e d to t a k e the e l d e r C / d n e s e o f f to prison. The e l d e r C h i n e s e t h e n s t a t e d t h a t if s u f f i c i e n t m o n e y w a s t h r o w n in, he w o u l d c al l on c e r t a i n sp ir i t s t h at he, the g r e a t Hagici an , c o u l d t h e n c aus e the b o y to come to l i f e again. P r o d u c i n g several m e d a l s o u t of a c l o t h b a g h e s h o w e d th e m to the P o l i c e Co n s t a b l e . T h e s e m e d a l s w e r e a p p a r e n t l y p r o o f that he w a s a M a gi c i a n , T h e y o u n g er m a n a n d the o t h e r boy, in the m e a n t i m e h a d t a k e n u p the c o l l e c t i o n . W h e n t h e y d e c i d e d the a m o u n t to be s u f f i c i e n t , the o l d m a n p i c k e d u p a towel, p u t it u n d e r n e a t h the cloth, a n d

v i g o r o u s l y r u b b e d b a c k w a r d s a n d f o r w a r d s on the b o y ’s neck. P r e s e n t l y he t o o k a w a y the chopi^er w i t h one h a n d a n d at the same t i m e r e m o v e d the c l o t h w i t h the other. T h e r e w a s n o m a r k w h a t s o e v e r o n t he b o y ’s neck, e x c e p t a f e w s m e a r s of w h a t m i g h t b e b l o o d , a n d the b o y a p p e a r e d to b e quite n o r m a l . T h e n t h r o w i n g the c l o t h c o m p l e t e l y o f f the boy, the o l d C h i n e s e h i m s e l f t h r e w h i m o v e r h i s knee, w i p e d the '’b l o o d 11 f r o m the b o y ’s stomach; the b o y bowed, w e n t a w a y an d £at down, a n d w a s

quit e normal.

P r o c e e d i n g to the T h e a t r e this p r o b l e m h a d w o r r i e d m e c o n s i d e r a b l y a n d I h a d no s o l u t i o n to o f f e r f o r it. W h i l e I w a s i n C eyl o n , I came i n t o c o n t a c t w i t h a n A m e r i c a n C a r n i v a l s h o w m a n w h o a l s o d i d some magic, I t o l d h i m of this e f f e c t I h a d seen at N a n k i n g a n d h e l a ughed, i n f o r m i n g m e that h e a l s o h a d se e n t h e m a n d e n g a g e d the t r o u p e , t h a t they w e r e n o w w o r k i n g f o r h i m in the Carnival, a n d if I c a r e d to come o v e r h e v/ould h a v e t h e m p e r f o r m it f o r m e a f t e r the show, a n d sh o w m e h o w i t w a s done. I d u l y w i t n e s s e d the p e r f o r m a n c e a g a i n a n d m a n a g e d to f a t h o m h o w it w a s done. C e r t a i n m i n o r p o i n t s o n w h i c h I was n o t q uite c e r t a i n w e r e a f t e r w a r d s c l e a r e d u p f o r m e b y the Chinese.

A f t e r the o l d m a n h a d cut the b a m b o o s t i c k s i n t o se ct i o n s , he t h r e w the c h o p p e r o v e r the towel. I n the m e a n t i m e the y o u n g m a n of the p a r t y v/as c a r r y i n g o u t h i s p a r t o f the p e r f o r m a n c e .

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Parte 7.

While th i s was h a p p e n i n g on e o f the b o y s t h r e w h a l f of the f o l d e d towel b a c k o v e r the chopper, c o v e r i n g it a n d e x p o s i n g in its p l a c e a d u p l i c a t e w h i c h w a s n o t h i n g b u t a h o l l o w m e t a l f a k e m a d e to r e p r e s e n t the c h o p p e r a n d f i l l e d w i t h a c o l o u r e d l i o u i d l o o k i n g l i k e blood. The k n i f e wa s also

d u p l i c a t e d

b y the Chi-iese h i m s e l f who a f t e r he h a d t u c k e d in the k n i f e p r o p e r into h i s belt, a n d w h i l e p i c k i n g u p so m e p r o p s d u r i n g p a r t of the p e r f o r m a n c e , s u b s t i t u t i n g the rea l k n i f e f o r a k n i f e m a d e on the sane l i nes as that f a m i l i a r i n o u r c o u n t r y ’//■herein the b l a d e p u s h e s u p into the handle. But in t h i s case, w h e n the b l a d e p u s h e d u p into the handle, it f o r c e d o u t a q u a n t i t y of b l o o d l i k e liquid, a n d w h e n this s t r u c k the b o y it w a s n a t u r a l l y a s s u m e d that w h e n the b l a d e p r e s s e d into the b o y ’s b o d y it c a u s e d the b l o o d to flow. Th e r e m a i n d e r of the g r u e s o m e p e r f o r m a n c e is an e x c e l l e n t act of s h o w m a n s h i p a n d w a s d o n e in a m o s t c o n v i n c i n g style.

rjl l ti r\i }J-i ip V r f i Sfc

T h e f i r s t f i r e - w a l k e r s I e v e r saw w e r e in the l i t t l e v i l l a g e of A l f o n s o , Cavite, Philii)pines. I h a d j o u r n e y e d a w h o l e day b y la u nch , car, hors e , a n d b y f o o t to see t h e s e m e n of w h o m t h e r e w e r e eleven. I sat in the m o o n l i g h t and l i s t e n e d to the drums, g o n g a n d cymbal, the w h i l e k e e p i n g time, w h i l s t a g u i t a r p i c k e d o u t a w a l t z tune, a n d saw these e l e v e n m e n w a l k a l a r g e f i r e of s h o r t b u r n i n g sticks a n d reduce it to ashes. I e x a m i n e d t h e i r f e e t a n d l o o k e d f o r f a k e s of e v e r y k i n d a n d f o u nd , l i k e m a n y o t h e r s b e f o r e me, nothing. I h a d a n i n t e r e s t in a c a r n i v a l p r o p o s t i o n i n A u s t r a l i a , a n d a f t e r d e a l i n g w i t h the G o v e r n m e n t s of the P h i l i p p i n e s and A u s t r a l i a , w a s p e r m i t t e d to take to A u s t r a l i a f c r the Sy d n e y E x h i b i t i o n , s i x T a g a l o g ? i r e W a lke r s. O n o c c a s i o n s t hese m e n w a l k e d o n f i r e t h i r t y t i m e s d a i l y a n d e x p e r i e n c e d no h u r t - a n d t h e y d i d N O T u s e a n y d ope o n t h e i r feet. The s o l u t i o n to this p r o b l e m is b o r n e o u t f r o m the f a c t that one m u s t go to the n a t i v e to l e a r n a l ot of things. We are too m o d e r n i s e d a n d s u p e r - s e n s i t ive to a l l o w o u r s e l v e s to w a l k o n fire. I can a s s u r e y o u that w a l k i n g on f i r e is o n e of the w o r l d ’s g r e a t e s t i l l u s i o n s . I know, f o r I h a v e d o n e it. H a v i n g seen f i r e - w a l k e r s in f i v e d i f f e r e n t co u ntries, I h a v e d i s c o v e r e d that th e p r o c e d u r e is p r a c t i c a l l y the same in all cases. The f i r e is b u i l t of s h o r t p i e c e s of soft w o o d a n d is u s u a l l y well b u r n t b e f o r e th e w a l k i n g t a ke s place. It is b u i l t o n a g r a s s y s u r f a c e o r a p l a c e w h e r e t he re is a lo t of soft earth. T h e w a l k e r s are n e v e r on the f i r e m o r e t ha n s i x steps, then t h e y m o v e of f w h i l e a n o t h e r ta k e s h i s place. T h i s a l l o w s the c o o l i n g of the f i r s t w a l k e r s feet, a n d p e r m i t s the g r a s s o r so ft d i r t to g e t b e t w e e n his toes a n d thus e x t i n g u i s h a n y small e m b e r s t h a t m i g h t h a v e l o d g e d there. T h i s w a s p a r t i c u l a r l y n o t i c e a b l e i n R a n g o o n w h e r e a f e w y e a r s ago I sa w the P e r s i a n M a h o m o d a n s d o i n g t h e i r y e a r l y f i r e - w a l k i n g stunt. T h e y h a d a f i r e 16 f e e t i n l e n g t h

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P a g e 8 .

"built in a t r e n c h a b ou t s i x i n ch e s deep, a n d at e a c h e n d w a s h e a p e d a p i l e of damp sand- The i n i t i a t e s h a d irever w a l k e d o n f i r e "before, b u t a f t e r s p e n d i n g sev er al h o u r s b e a t i n g a n d c h a n t i n g t h e m s e l v e s into a frensy, they f i n a l l y r a c e d a c r o s s the fire. T h i s w e n t on f o r p e r h a p s t h i r t y rainutes, u n t i l the f i r e v/as ”n o n est'*. One of m y stage staff h a d c a r r i e d out t hi s f i r e w a l k i n g the 2/ear p r e v i o u s l y a n d he c o n f i d e n t i a l l y i n f o r m e d m e

•‘that s a h i b c o u l d do it". A f t e r i n f o r m i n g h i m th at I w a s a f i r e - w a l k e r I g l e a n e d the f o l l o w i n g facts.

T h e f i r e m u s t b e w e l l b u r n e d a n d the g r o u n d s u r r o u n d i n g it m u s t b e cool a n d loose. If an y of m y r e a d e r s w i l l do th is t h 6 y can b e c o m e f i r e ~ v a l k e r s overnight.

O s,: :;s * V- 5l:

The b e s t d e m o n s t r a t i o n s of f i r e - e a t i n g is a c c r e d i t e d to the K a d r a s s i . I h a v e seen H a s s e n O h a t t e r g e j b i o w f l a m e s two f e e t l o n g f r o m h i s mouth, I also saw a P a r s e e w i z a r d p l a c e a r e d - h o t b a r o n to h i s tongue u n t i l the f l e s h seared. T h i s l a s t e f f e c t was p r a c t i c e d m a n y y e a r s ago, b u t h a s n o w b e c o m e m o r e o r l e s s decadent. It w a s r e s u r r e c t e d f o r m y be ne fi t.

I n d i a n f i r e - b l o w i n g is c a r r i e d o u t as f o l l o w s . O n the e n d o f a p e n c i l o r w a n d p l a c e a t h i c k n e s s of o r d i n a r y c o c o a n u t f i b r e -a bo ut h -a l f - -a n - i n c h p -a d w i l l do nicely. O v e r this s t r e t c h a p i e c e o£* c h e e s e c l o t h or t hi n musl i n ; p u l l all this t i g h t l y a n d

tie w i t h s t r i n g about one i n c h down. T h i s w i l l g i v e .you a d r u m s t i c k a b o u t the size of an egg. T h e n t a k e a k n i f e a n d t r i m of f the s h r e d s of f i b r e a n d cloth. R e m o v e thi s f i b r e b a l l f r o m the s t i o k a n d y o u h a v e a h o l e to m o r e t h a n the d e p t h of th e centre. I n th is p l a c e a p i e c e of f i b r e that h a s b e e n ignited. H a v e an a s s i s t a n t b l o w into the hole: this w i l l c a u s e a g e n e r a l smoulder. Get p o s o e s c;ion of this f ak e a n d l o o d it i n to y o u r m o u t h w i t h the a p e r t u r e t o w a r d s the audience. b r ea t h t h r o u g h y o u r n o s e a n d b l o w t h r o u g h y o u r m o u t h t h r o u g h the c l o t h a n d y o u h a v e a f l a m e of c o n s i d e r a b l e length. It is w i s e to do the b l o w i n g i n s ho rt puffs.

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p a g e 9,

B y D o n a l d D e maine. E x - C o u n c i l M e m b e r of the O r d e r of the M a g i ( M a n . ) CT A ca rd p a c k b y i e n c e a n d is i n t o the p a c k is s e l e c t e d f r o m a m e m b e r of the s h u f f l e d b* w h i c h is P r e s i d e n t of the M y s t i c S e v e n ( D e w s b u r y ) the aud- ck th e n

d i v i d e d int o two h e a p s a n d g i v e n to two a s s i s t a n t s to hold. T h e s e c a r d s are t h e n s c a t t e r e d f a c e d o w n all o v e r the s t a g e b y the two assi s ta n t s . T h e p e r f o r m e r is b l i n d f o l d e d a n d a s w o r d is p a s s e d to him. O n the s p e c t a t o r n a m i n g the s e l e c t e d c a r d the p e r f o r m e r i m m e d i a t e l y stabs w i t h h i s s w o r d a m o n g the s c a t t e r e d c a r d s a n d o n r a i s i n g the s w o r d the s e l e c t e d c a r d is s e e n on the point. i O T H O D . A n y o r d i n a r y p a c k m a y b e u sed, b u t f o r p r e f e r e n c e o n e w i t h a d e s i g n e d b a c k s u c h as an a d v e r t i s e m e n t . O n a n y c a r d c a r e f u l l y p l a n o u t a m o n g the d e s i g n s om e p a r t i c u l a r spot w h i c h y o u c a n b l o c k o u t w i t h p r i n t e r ’s ink. T h i s b l o c k e d - o u t p o r t i o n s h o u l d b e a b o u t the sise of a sixnence. Care m u s t b e t a k e n i n d o i n g this, e s p e c i a l l y if the b a c k of the c ards are r e d o r green. W h a t e v e r c o l o u r p r e d o m i n a t e s , the b l o c k e d - o u t p o r t i o n m u s t b e

in t h a t colour. T h i s a l l o w s f o r the c a r d to b e p a s s e d as an o r d i n a r y on e u n l e s s on e w e r e to comp a r e the b a c k s of them.

I n v i t e two a s s i s t a n t s o n th e stage. H a v e the p a c k f r e e l y s h u f f l e d b y on e of them. H a v e a n a s s i s t a n t o n e a c h s ide of you. A f t e r c a rd s h a v e b e e n s h u f f l e d a n d h a n d e d b a c k to you, t u r n to o t h e r a s s i s t a n t a n d r u n quicklt t h r o u g h the cards, saying, *'You n o t e t h e y are all d i f f e r e n t ? " S e c r e t l y n o t e p o s i t i o n of the c a r d w h o s e b a c k y o u k n o w to b e m a r k e d a n d b r i n g it to t]ie top b y m e a n s o f the pass. T h i s c a r d is n o w f o r c e d on a s s i s t a n t o n y o u r o t h e r side, u s i n g w h a t e v e r f o r c e y o u prefer. The w r i t e r p r e f e r s the k n i f e f o r c e f o r this as the a u d i e n c e can t h e n see w h a t is t a k i n g plac e . A f t e r c a r d h a s b e e n forced, tho s p e c t a t o r is r e q u e s t e d to n o t e i t a n d to h o l d it to the a u d i e n c e f o r t h e m to see w h a t it is. T h e p a c k i n th e m e a n t i m e ha s b e e n h a n d e d b a c k to the o t h e r a s s i s t a n t a n d the p e r s o n w i t h the s e l e c t e d c a r d r e t u r n s s u c h to the p a c k w h i c h

is s h u f f l e d b y the assistant.

H o l d i n g o u t y o u r h a n d s y o u r e q u e s t the a s s i s t a n t h o l d i n g the p a c k to d i v i d e it into two a l m o s t e nual p o r t i o n s p l a c i n g a h e a p on e a c h of y o u r hands. O n e a s s i s t a n t is t h e n r e q u e s t e d to s e l e c t ■e i t h e r h e a p a n d the o t h e r a s s i s t a n t t a k e s the r e m a i n d e r .

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r \

P a g e 1 1 .

^

-

---B y J o h n ---B, Ward,

s'ellow of the I n s t i t u t e of M a g i c i a n s , (Life M e m b e r M a g i c i a n ’s Club, L o nd.) ,Hon. Sec. M y s t i c Seven,

Club, ---D e w s bu ry ) L o n d B F ? E C T A p l a y i n g c a r d is s h o w n to b e t h r e a d e d on two l e n g t h s of g r e e n r i b b o n as s h o w n above. E a c h r i b b o n is p u l l e d b a c k w a r d s a n d f o r w a r d to p r o v e that the c a r d is g e n u i n e l y t h r e a d e d t h r o u g h the card. A n o t h e r c a r d of a d i f f e r e n t suit is th e n h a n d e d o u t f o r i ns pe ction. In t h i s c a r d are f o u r slots of the same w i d t h as the ribbon. T h i s c ar d is p l a c e d in

an e n v e l o p e a n d s e a l e d or in a R o t e r b e r g C a r d Box. Two s p e c t a t o r s are r e q u e s t e d to h o l d e a c h of the two ends of the r i b b o n w h i c h is t h r e a d e d t h r o u g h the cards. O n c o m m a n d of the p e r f o r m e r a c h a n g e t a kes place, the ca rd w h i c h w a s p l a c e d in the e n v e l o p e or c a r d b o x b e i n g n o w t h r e a d e d o n the ribbons, w h i c h •are

still b e i n g h e l d b y the two spectators, w h i l e the c a r d w h i c h w a s o r i g i n a l l y t h r e a d e d

r i b b o n s is n o w in the e n v e l o p e or box. c a r d s c a n b e e x a m i n e d a n d the ribbons r e m o v e d b y the a ss i s t a n t .

MU'i’IIOJj

R e f e r to the diagrams. F o u r 1" slots are cut in two d u p l i c a t e T e n of Spades. The b es t m e t h o d of c u t t i n g t h e s e is b y m e a n s of a

s a f e t y - r a z o r blade. C l a m p all f o u r cards t o g e t h e r a n d cut as o n e so that the slots w i l l b e of the same size a n d i n the same position. P r o c u r e two y a r d l e n g t h s of s m o o t h f " g r e e n r i b b o n a n d also an e x t r a s i x - i n c h piece. Th e

l a t t e r piece, d i v i d e d in t o t w o , ser ve s f o r the f a k e c a r d ( F i g . 2) T h e s e two short l e n g t h s ar e t h r e a d e d t h r o u g h th e s l o t s a n d a n o t h e r c a r d is th e n g l u e d at the b a c k to f a s t e n the r i b b o n s a n d to h i d e the slots. on the oBdjfch ca n be

The two y a r d l e n g t h s of r i b b o n are n e x t t h r e a d e d t h r o u g h on e of the T e n of S p ad e s as in ?ig.4.

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P age 1 irj o

If a R o t e r b e r g C a r d b o x is used, p r e p a r e such b y p l a c i n g the u n p r e p a r e d iueen of D i a m o n d s f a c e - d o w n in l o w e r h a l f of the box, c l o s i n g the cen tr e l i d o ve r it so that b o x a p p e a r s u n prepared. The f a ke ,ueen of Diamonds (*,ig. 2) is t hen p l a c e d over the t h r e a d e d Ten of Spades. A t a short d i s t a n c e the ribbons can be p u l l e d t h r o u g h the c a r d a n d the i l l u s i o n is perfect, ri b b o n s a p p e a r i n g to pass across f a c e of card.

If an e n v e l o p e is u s e d i n s t e a d of the box, such is p r e p a r e d by c u t t in g out the f r o n t a n d f la p of an en vel o pe a n d i n s e r t i n g such i n s i d e a si m i l a r envelope. The Q u e e n of D i a m o n d s (<'ig.l) is i n s e r t e d b e t w e e n the f a k e p a r t and the f ro n t of the g e n u i ne envelope and. the two f l a p s are stuck t o g e t h e r f a

so that the e n v e l o p e can be shown a p p a r e n t l y empty a n d ap pe a r s e n t i r e l y unprepared. (?ig.5) The T e n of Spade s (>1ig.3) is p l a c e d in the e nve l o pe a n d sealed. The e n ve lo pe is o p e n e d b y m e a n s of a p a p e r - k n i f e a ft er the change has b e e n c o m m a n d e d to take place.

Y o u are n o w r e a d y to present. H a n d out the g e n u i n e s l o t t e d Te n of Spad es f o r examination.

R e q u e s t the a s s i s t a n t to p l a c e it in the card b o x f a c e down, or into the e n v e l o p e if u s i n g such. Y o u h o l d op en the e n v e l o p e for h i m to drop in the c a r d a n d seal i t .H e is then r e q u e s t e d to h o l d the b o x (or e nv e l o p e ) in f u l l view. The f a k e Q u e e n of D i a m o n d s h e l d o v e r the g e n u i n e l y t h r e a d e d Ten of S p a d e s is then s h o w n a n d e a c h r i b b o n p u l l e d through. C a r d is t u r n e d a r o u n d so that the b a c k f a c e s the audi e n c e an d the two rib bo ns p u l l e d l e v e l so that the ca r d is in the centre of the ribbons, The c a r d and. its f a k e are then l a i d f a c e d own on p a l m of p e r f o r m e r ’s le f t hand. T h e left h a n d then sli ghtly b e n d s so as to grip the cards. The two a s s i s t a n t s are st an di ng one on r i g ht and o t h e r on l e f t of p e rformer. R e q u e s t one of t hem to p i c k up the two e n d s of the r i b b o n s o v e r h a n g i n g on y o u r t hum b side. As he gets h o l d of t h e m y o u p i c k u p the o t h e r two ends w i t h y o u r right h a n d to h a n d such to the o t h e r assistant; tu rn y o u r left p a l m dow nw ar ds, p a l m i n g off the f a k e card. R e q u e s t the two a s s i s t a n t s to k e e p h o l d of the r i b b o n s a n d to k e e p the t h r e a d e d ca rd f a c e d o w n w a r d s u n t i l such time as y o u tell t h e m to tur n it over. I n c i d e n t a l l y this will n ot u s u a l l y b e n e c e s s a r y as i m m e d i a t e l y th ey see the c a r d in the b o x or e n v e l o p e a f t e r the change, they n a t u r a l l y turn o v e r the c a r d to see if it is a duplicate.

R e q u e s t the a s s i s t a n t h o l d i n g the b o x to o p e n it a n d he f i n d s the Iueen of D i a m o n d s therein. If an e n v e l o p e is b e i n g used, yo u take this f r o m a s s i s t a n t find y o u r s e l f o p e n it w i t h p a p e r - knife. I n the m e a n t i m e the f a k e c a r d h a s b e e n p oc k ete d .

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By J o h n 3. ,/ard

P a g e 1 3 .

1 8 0 6 G D u / i N ELSI t r P R t D J O H r t r<?r» Au/Ctr h a r k y %'■ '£• T h i s e f fe c t h a s b e e n u s e d b y the i n v e n t o r f o r the p a s t 18 y e a r s a n d h a s b e e n t r i e d on several m a g i c i a n s in A m e r i c a a n d England. N o t a sing le one h a s b e e n able to give the c o r r e c t ex p l a n a t i o n . T h i s is the f i r s t o c c a s i o n it has a p p e a r e d in print.

K ? ? HOT

36 s lips of p a p e r , e a c h b e a r i n g 8 n a m e s are sent to a p e r s o n b y biail. A t the b a c k of e ac h list is a t t a c h e d a b l a n k p a p e r of the s a me size as the o n e b e a r i n g the names. U a c h p l a i n slip is e x a c t l y the same size as the r e st of the blanks. In all t h e r e are 6 4 n a m e s to s e l e c t from. 16 are C h r i s t i a n n a m e s , 16 are S urn a m e s , 16 B i b l i c a l a n d 16 Cities. The p e r s o n is r e q u e s t e d to s e l e c t any on e C h r i s t i a n n a m e a n d to d e t a c h the b l a n k f r o m its back. He t h e n l o o k s t h r o u g h each li st of C h r i s t i a n n a m e s a n d d e t a c h e s all the b l a n k s in the l i s t s in v/hich the s e l e c t e d n a m e a pp ears. He n e x t s e l e c t s a S u r n a m e a n d d e t a c h e s all the b l a n k s f r o m the l i s t s i n w h i c h hi s s e l e c t e d surname app ears. T h i s is r e p e a t e d w i t h the B i b l i c a l a n d the C i t y names.

N o w it s h o u l d b e n o t e d that __ t h a t an y one n a m e s e l e c t e d m a y

J’o r e x a m p l e tak e the n a m e ^R'UD. r e t u r n e d b u t h a d the n a m e F O X

e a c h b l a n k is of the same

the sam e size a n d h a v e the same n u m b e r of b lanks.

3 I G H T b l a n k s w o u l d p r o b a b l y b e , PARIS, R0M3, S C O T T a n d o t h e r s b e e n selected, ’SIGHT B L A N K S W O U L D S TI LL H A T S B7jUN D'STACHTUD. T h u s all l i k e l i h o o d of a c e r t a i n n a m e is prev en te d. A f t e r the f o u r n a m e s h a v e b e e n selected, the p e r s o n s h u f f l e s all the b l a n k s a n d r e t u r n s th e m to the p e r f o r m e r who b y r e t u r n of p o s t i n f o r m s h i m the n a m e selected.

p T I i O D

T h i s r e q u i r e s a l i t t l e p r e p a r a t i o n , but the w r i t e r c a n d e f i n i t e l y state that the e f f e c t is w e l l w o r t h it a n d h e h a d the n a m e s e s p e c i a l l y p r i n t e d on slips m e a s u r i n g 2 “

b l a n k s cut to the sa m e size.

b y 1 “ a n d C u t 7 2 p i e c e s of p a p e r all the same size. A n y size w i l l do b u t 2" b y lX'1 is v e r y convenient. N i n e of t h e s e s l i p s m u s t b e n u m b e r e d at the top w i t h the f i g u r e *’l . T h e s e are f o r the C h r i s t i a n names. ’Tine m o r e m u s t b e n u m b e r e d *r2 ,t w h i c h are f o r the Surnames. N i n e m u s t be n u m b e r e d ''3" w h i c h ar e f o r the B i b l i c a l n a m e s a n d n i n e m u s t be n u m b e r e d "4" f o r the Cities. N o w on one sheet of the o n es m a r k e d *'l" w r i t e a r o w of the

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f o l l o w i n g n a m e s in the o r d e r given: - SJDWIH, TOI.i, DICK, HARRY, H A G G I H , SAM, Fir©, SUSAN. On a n o t h e r s he e t m a r k e d "1" w r i t e JOHN, ALIC'3, SARAH, TOM, j'RHD, SAM, HDWIN, BOB. C o n t i n u e w i t h tho o t h e r sheets m a r k e d “'I" p u t t i n g e i g h t n a m e s o n e a c h as f o llows.

1.11ARY B O B 8A H F R H D SU3A2T H A R R Y D I C K HDWIN.

l . H T H H L K A G G I H J O H N D I C K H A R R Y ?R;3D 3 A K TOI.I.

1. H A R R Y SAM S USAN H A G G I H D ICK H D ./IN T O M FRHD. l . T O M H D W I N J O H N ^R'SD B O B S A M S A R A H ALIC'3.

l . ^ R H D D I C K H A R R Y H T H HL J O H N S AM M A G G I H TOil. 1. B O B HDv/IN 'iHiSlT?! F R H D J01ET T O M A L I C H HARRY.

1. ■3T.SI73 HTHHL H A R R Y T O M B O B A L I C H J A N H JOHN. T h e l a s t p a p e r in the list is the K H Y P A P H R a n d c o n t a i n s the n a m e JANH, the onl y p a p e r c o n t a i n i n g such.

N o w p r o c e e d w i t h the S u rn a m e s o n the s h e e t s m a r k e d ''2 " . V/rite e i g h t n a m e s on e a ch sheet in the f o l l o w i n g o r d e r

:-2, W I L S O N S COTT C A R R W N I T H B L A C K B R O W N F O X 3LLI3. 2. S P H N C H R 3 L A K H Y BRO./N F O X H L L I S WHITT! C A R R WILSON. 2 . B L A K H Y W I L S O N T A L B O T F O X J O N H S S C O T T R O B I N S O N WHITE. 2.J O N H S R O B I N S O N G R A Y S COTT F O X BRO./N W I L S O N B L A K H Y . 2. S C O T T W I L S O N J O N H S F O X B L A K H Y BRO\/N G R A Y R O B I N S O N . 2. FOX C A R R W H I T H G R H H N J O N H S BRO./N B L A C K S C O T T . 2 . G R H H N B L A C K J O N H S C A R R W H I T H F O X BROV/N S C O T T . 2. 'WHITT, BRO-VN H L L I S B L A C K C A R R V/ILSON S C O T T FOX. 2. T A L B O T G R H H N W H I T H S CO T T B L A K H Y R O B I N S O N S M I T H JONHS. T h o l a s t p a p e r is the K H Y P A P H R f o r l i s t '* S *' a n d c o n t a i n s the n a m e SMITH, the o n l y p a p e r h e a r i n g such.

- N o w p r o c e e d w i t h the B i b l i c a l n a m e s on s h e e t s l'3,(.... 3.M O S H S H V H P A U L D A V I D C A I N N O A H S A M S O N ADAM. 3. D A V I D A B E L A D A M H A G A R C A I N M I R I A M J U D A S NOAH. 3. N O A H H V H C A I N D A V I D M O S H S M I R I A M A B S O L H M SAMSON. 3 . H V H N O A H A B H L A D A H J U D A S M I R I A M D A V I D SAUL. 3. J O N A H M 0 3 H S M I R I A M D A V I D S A U L A D A H A B H L HVH. 3. H A G A R J U D A S C A I N A B H L A D A M D A V I D M I R I A M NOAH. 3 . C A I N S A M S O N A B S O L O M N O A H D A V I D M I R I A M H V H MO SH S . 3. A D A M M I R I A M S A U L J U D A S A B H L H V H N O A H DAVID. 3. P A U L H A G A R A D A M N O A H M O S H S S A M S O N J O B CAIN.

T h e l a s t is the K H Y P A P H R a n d is the o n l y one c o n t a i n i n g the n a m e JOB. N o w p r o c e e d w i t h the f i n a l l i s t s m a r k e d "4". 4 . H D I N B U R G H D H LHI T I K B U G T O O R O M H P A R I S L O N D O N G L A S G O W BHRLIN. 4. BHRLI1T G L A S G O W C H I C A G O P A R I S H D I N B U R G H R O M H D 3 L H I YORK, 4. G L A S G O W R O M H M A D R I D Y O R K P T K I N L O N D O N P A R I S C AL C U T T A .

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4. C A I R O P T K I N EDINB UR G H IIaD R ID Y O R K PaR I S L O N D O N R01-171=

4. Y O R K L O N D O N C A L O U T T ^ F 3 K I N M A D R I D G La SGO./ ROHiJ P.--RIS. 4 . R 0 i n GL-.SGOV/ E D I N B U R G H P A R I S B 3RLIN L O N D O N T I H B U C T O O

D ’-TLHI.

4 . 3 R U 3 3 T L 3 B'jRLIW L O N D O N P A H I S CaLCU TTa Y O R K H---DRID

GL ,3GOV/.

4. P A R I S M A D R I D Y O R K C A I R O '3DINBURGH L O N D O N P i K I N R0K':3. 4. C H I C A G O C A I R O Y O R K ROM'S B E R L I N D'SLHI J 3KU3AI. EH

EDINBURGH.

The last is the K**JY P A P E R f o r l i s t ''4'1 a n d is the o n l y one tha t co n t a i n s the n a m e J'SRUSALIM.

N o w to the h a c k of each l is t a t t a c h at the top e n d b y m e a n s of a stamp m o u n t or m u s i c - b i n d i n g strip ( p r e f e r a b l y all u n i f o r m size). Nov; take a sheet of p l a i n w h i t e p a p e r ( a b o u t 4 ‘'squars w i l l do) a n d l a y it on a s m o o t h surface a n d g e n t l y rub o n e side w i t h a c l e a n w a x candle. R ub one w a y o n l y a n d w h e n e ven r u b the o t h e r w a y so that a thin even c o v e r i n g of w a x is left. .:c.v if this w a x e d s h e et is l a i d on the p l a i n b l a n k s li p s o n the i n s i d e of s u c h (the side w h i c h is a g a i n s t the b a c k of the l i s t a f t e r a t t a c h i n g w i t h the g u m m e d m o u n t s ) a n d w i t h a p e n o r p e n c i l any 'writing m a d e on the u n w a x e d side of the p r e p a r e d w a x s h e e t w h i c h

l e ave s an i n v i s i b l e i m v r e s s i o n in w a x o n the b l a n k s l i p . T h i s is b e s t done w h i l e the she.ts are r e s t i n g o n a sheet of glass. In

the c e n tr e of e ver y b l a n k sheet of L I S T I w r i t e a small f i g u r e "I" t h r o u g h the w a x e d sheet. Do the same w i t h s h ee t s ''2“ w r i t i n g a small f i g u r e on each. Do the same w i t h l i s t s "3" a n d ‘‘4'1 re s p e c t i v e l y , N o w each K ‘3Y P A P 7® m u s t h a v e a small c i r c l e d r a w n a r o u n d the f i g u r e ( t h r o u g h the w a x e d paper, of c o u r s e ) ? Now all is r e a d y f o r p r e sentation.

Y/rite a l e t t e r to y o u r f r i e n d as f o l l o w s :

-*1 TTTor.i .Tr^nTA'Tn . ii -l - i x x i Oo. i . .LOxi C? I

1. Sele ct a n a m e f r o m any p a p e r m a r k e d ”1''. H a k e a n o t e f o r y o u r s e l f of such name.

2. T ear o ff the b l a n k p a p e r f r o m b e h i n d this l i s t of n a m e s f r o m w h i c h y o u h a v e c h o s e n one.

3. L o o k t h r o u g h e a c h list of n a m e s m a r k e d :t 1 ;l a n d if y o u f i n d the n a m e y o u h a v e f i r s t s e l e c t e d therein, d e t a c h the b l a n k p a p e r f r o m b e h i n d it. , I g n o r e all p a p e r s w h i c h do n o t h a v e

t h e . c h o s e n n a m e on it.

4. Ta k e u p a list m a r k e d " 2 l1, s e l e c t a n a m e f r o m it a n d d e t a c h the b l a n k f r o m it. M a k e a n o t e of n a m e selected.

5. R e p e a t w i t h all the l i s t s m a r k e d "2" as i n s t r u c t e d in N o , 5, 6. R e p e a t w i t h l ist s ''3" a n d ,,4" r e s p e c t i v e l y a f t e r f i r s t s e

l e c t i n g a n a m e f r o m t h e m a n d m a k i n g a n o t e of such.

7. K e e p all p r i n t e d p a p e r s a n d s e n d all th e b l a n k s to m e a n d b y r e t u r n p o s t I w i l l inform, y o u the f o u r n a m e s selected. All the b l a n k s m a y be s h u f f l e d if y o u d e s i r e . t o do so.

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P ag e 16,

O n r e c e i v i n g the b l a n k s b a c k y o u w i l l e a s i l y see w h i c h is the b a c k a n d f r o n t a n d w h i c h is the tor- a n d b o t t o m b y m e a n s o f the

r e m a i n i n g p o r t i o n of gumneci. p a p e r w h i c h a t t a c h e d the two together.

Tow take a small q u a n t i t y of P l u m b a g o a n d s p r i n k l e it o v e r the w r i t t e n side and e m p t y the P l u m b a g o b a c k in the box. Y o u w i l l f i n d the P l u m b a g o has 3t u c k to the w a x e d i m p r e s s i o n a n d l e f t

the f i g u r e s w r i t t e n t h e r e o n showing.

T r e a t e a c h b l a n k in the same m a n n e r a n d t h e n r e f e r to the c h a r t g i v e n below. i’o r examples h a d the C h r i s t i a n n a m e S A H b e e n s e l e c t e d , y o u w i l l h a v e s e v e n p a p e r s returned, w h i c h w h e n d e v e l o p e d w i t h P l u m b a g o w i l l e a c h h a v e a f i g u r e ''I'1 o n them.

If t hree b l a n k s e a c h w i t h f i g u r e ''3" on them a n d a n o t h e r wl the f i g u r e i t i t s u r r o u n d e d w i t h a circle, y o u k n o w the n a m e R O B I N S O N h a s b o ; n selected.

One o r d i n a r y b l a n k m a r k e d ''3'' w o u l d i n d i c a t e JONAH a n d s h o u l d one b l a n k m a r k e d "4" w i t h a circl e s u r r o u n d i n g it b e r e t u r n e d y o u w o u l d t h e n k n o w that JNRUSA7, NM h a s b e e n selected.

T r i i /' n ~r i ^ ‘T ... ‘_| ” 1 u j H r\ r < 1 <3 L i s t 1, I L i s t rJ. 1 L i s t 3, j L i s t 4. S l i p s R e t u r n e d M A R Y 1 .... ' S P ' M C N R 1 J O -r AH 1 B R U S S E L S 1 O r d i n a r y b l a n k S A R A H ‘ G R A Y 1 A 3 S 0 L 0 K < TIliBUCTOO 2 O r d i n a r y b l a n k s S U S A N _{1 73LLI3} _{S A U L} _{| C A L C U T T A} 3 it a J'lAGGlU i B L A C K 1 J U D A S | P N K I N 4 ■1 it D I C K 1 C A R R 1 A B ’SL , M A D R I D 5 it ii IjD.-'I :T , W I L S O N | 3 V 3 G L A S G O W 6 it a S A M _bro_m _{t ICERIAM} _{1 L O N D O N} 7 it it

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T h i s c a r d e f f e c t w a s i n v e n t e d 'by the w r i t e r fggaagBaigagggg^ o v e r 20 y e a r s ago a n d ha s f o o l e d se ve ra l

w e l l - k n o w n m a g i c i an s . T h i s is the f i r s t time the s e c r e t of its c o n s t r u c t i o n h a s b e e n d i v u l g e d a n d the r e a d e r h a s the a s s u r a n c e that the e ff e c t is well w o r t h the time a n d t r o u b l e s pent in p r e p a r i n g it.

D iVTSCT.

A p a c k of c a r ds is h a n d e d to a s p e c t a t o r w h o is r e q u e s t e d to s e l e c t an y c a r d a n d to p l a c e s uc h in w o o d e n or c a r d b o a r d c o n t a ine r , to close the l i d a n d to h a n d it to the p e r f o r m e r . By m e a n s of a small X - r a y tube the p e r f o r m e r is a b le to 11 see" t h r o u g h the l i d a n d n a m e the s e l e c t e d card.

M ETHO D

A p a c k of c a r d s s h o u l d b e u s e d f o r the c o n s t r u c t i o n o f tiiis e f f e c t w h i c h h a v e a r e v e r s i b l e d e s i g n on the b a c k s . S e c u r e a b o u t f i v e o r si x G i l l e t t e S a f e t y - k a s o r b l a d e s a n d a p o w e r ful m a g n e t. V/ipe e a c h b l a d e once or twice a c r o s s one p o l e of

the m a g n e t a n d such w i l l b e c o m e m a g n e t i z e d t h e i r m a g n e t i s m f o r years. (The a u t h o r ' s set is s t i l l as g o o d as w h e n f i r s t made) V/ith a p a i r of m e t a l - c u t t i n g shears or o l d

s c i s s o r s cut off p o r t i o n s f r o m each b l a d e about, h a l f - a n - i n c h b y q u a r t e r - o f - a n - i n c h . an d w i l l r e t a i n Co m p a q The " X - r a y 1 tube is of s h e e t sine m e a s u r i n g c o n s t r u c t e d of 2" b y 1". a strip P r o c u r e a small B o y S c o u t ' s whic o m p a s s s u c h as ca n be f o u n d on a s w h i s t l e o r i n a p e n c i l - s h a r p - en e r o b t a i n a b l e at the c o n j u r o r ' s d e p o t - W o o l w o r t h ' s . The s t r ip of z in c is n o w b e n t a r o u n d the c o m p a s s u n t i l it f o r m s a n e a t tube of s u f f i c i e n t c u r v a t u r e to r e tain the c o m p a s s at one e n d of the tube a n d y e t a l l o w it to b e p u s h e d ou t into hand. A strip of g u m m e d tape is f i x e d r o u n d this tube to k e e p it in p os i t i o n . ?ig.l. s h o w s the c o m p l e t e d tube.

N o w w e come to the p r e p a r a t i o n of the cards. ■•’r o m the p a c k s e l e c t 26 cards,

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P a g e 1 8 .

s e e i n g t ha t

t h e y

are w e l l m i x e d as r e g a r d s su its a n d values, L/itli the c ards f a c e down, the T O P R I G H T - H A N D c o r n e r r e p r e s e n t s p iAI-IOrTDS; tiae B O T T O M R I G H T - H A ^ D c o r n e r r e p r e s e n t s CLUB S; the

[b o t t o m LT5«T-HAND corner, H1ART3; and the T O P L ^73?- H A N D corner,

SPADES. N o w take any on e of the 26 c a r d s y o u i n t e n d to use, t o g e t h e r w i t h one of the m a g n e t i z e d p o r t i o n s of b l a d e a n d a p p l y |a l i t t l e S e c c o t i n e to one surface of the blade*

• We w i l l s u p p o s e the c a r d is the Two of Diamonds. V/ith t h i s c a r d f a c e - d o w n on table, s t i c k the p o r t i o n of b l a d e in the u p p e r r i g h t - h a n d c o r n e r of the c a r d (the d e s i g n of the cards, of course, all b e i n g the same way) at w h a t w o u l d b e 2 o ’ clock, (see ^ig. 2, the top c a r d of examples). P l a c e y o u r c o m p a s s o n it to get the c o r r e c t angle, m o v i n g p o r t i o n . o f b l a d e until-.you get I such. N o w take o n e of the s u r plus c ards and g l u e it o v e r the b a c k of the p r e p a r e d card, d e s i g n b e i n g t h a ^ s a m e way. Y o u n o w h a v e a t h i c k card. T a k e a n o t h e r card, w h i c h we w i l l say is the J a c k of Hearts. ^ix y o u r m a g n e t i z e d xiortion of b l a d e at w h a t w o u l d be 11 o' c l o c k in the b o t t o m l e f t - h a n d c o r n e r of f a c e d o w n c a r d a n d a p p l y o n e of the s u r p l u s cards to its back.

jF repare ea ch of the 26 c a r ds in this m a n n e r at the c o r r e c t c o r n e r a n d angle, P o r the K i n g of any suit the p o r t i o n of b l a d e is f i x e d in the e x a c t cen t r e of the card w i t h the p o r t i o n set at a n g l e to m a k e c o m p a s s p o i n t to w h i c h e v e r c o r n e r the suit m a y be. F o r exa mple, s u pp o s e it is the K i n g of Sijades y o u w i l l f i x the p o r t i o n o f b l a d e in c e n t r e of such card, so t hat the l h a n d of the c o m p a s s p o i n t s to the top l e f t - h a n d corner.

H a v i n g p r e p a r e d all y o u r 26 c a rds they wi ll no w r e q u i r e e a c h s a n d p a p e r i n g w i t h v e r y f i n e s a n d p a p e r to s m o o t h e d g e s a n d corners. O n c o m p l e t i o n yo u w ill h a v e w h a t is a p p a r e n t l y a c o m p l e t e p a c k o f t h i c k c a rds (and r e m a r k a b l e t h o u gh it m a y sound,

the a u t h o r ha s o n o n l y two o c c a s i o n s h a d any r e m a r k s to the f a c t that the cards are t h i c k e r t h a n u s u a l . ) T h e y w i l l b e a r m i n u t e i n s p e c t i o n if c a r e f u l l y prepared. R e g a r d i n g the h o l d e r f o r d e m o n s t r a t i n g the effect. T h i s is f—r b e s t p r e p a r e d b y p u r c h a s i n g a d r a u g h t - or c h e s s -b o ar d . Gut it in h a l f and i n the c e n t re of one of the f o l d i n g h a l v e s cut out a r ece s s t h e ‘ same- size as p l a y i n g cards. A l so cut out a small p o r t i o n to f a c i l i t a t e the r e m o v a l of any c a r d p l a c e d in the recess. Y o u n o w h a v e a h o l d e r c o m p l e t e w i t h l i d ( p o r t ion of b o a r d w h i c h is h i n g e d to f o l d o ver) w i t h a c u t - o u t part. ‘ ;r " O N . -- -O ' T V ..' c i o ■■ i V/f . -./t" 1 v ••