Some modern conjuring; a series of original experiments in the magic art

UC-NRLF

C 2 5E7 TZA

THE LIBRARY

OF

THE UNIVERSITY

OF CALIFORNIA

PRESENTED BY

PROF. CHARLES A. KOFOID AND

MRS. PRUDENCE W. KOFOID

SOME

MODERN

CONJURING

\

SOME MODERN CONJURING

A Series of Original Experiments
in tke Magic Art

Uvr2

i

' . ^BV DONALD HOLMES

Member

S. A. M.

Price One Dollar

LOAN STACK

GIFT

INTRODUCTION

THE value of suggestion is nowhere so clearly demonstrated as in the
Magic Art, and I have yet to see the book devoted to this subject
that has not imparted at least a few good ideas well worth retaining. I
therefore present this little series of original experiments to the lovers of
Magic, not so much for its value as a collection of up-to-date tricks, separate
and distinct from each other, but rather as a series of useful hints and ideas,
from which I trust both the amateur and professional may derive much food
for thought.

I have not considered it necessary, in a book of this size, to devote
any space to the definition of terms and phrases commonly used in conjuring
circles, for the tricks herein described would be of little practical use to one
unfamiliar with the rudiments of Magic, or current literature on the subject,
while to the advanced conjurer such information would only be superfluous.

In the near future I hope to publish a larger book devoted exclusively
to the beginner — a sort of A B C of Magic, I might say, brought right
up to date, in which I shall endeavor to confer upon the neophyte the
mysteries of modern Magic in a clear, concise manner, and lead him step by
step to the higher class of conjuring.

Donald Holmes.
October, 1909.

SOME MODERN CONJURING

CONTENTS

Page.
Watch, Handkerchief, and Bran 5-9

Egg and Handkerchief 9-11

Flying Glass, Watch, and Flag 11-14

Lamp-Chimney Color Change 14-16

Twentieth Century Trick 16-18

Quadruple Flag and Handkerchief Trick 18-19

Phantom Handkerchiefs 19-23

The Wedding Ring Trick 23-30

Invisible Flight of Handkerchiefs 30-32

Another "Invisible Flight" 32-34

The Latest Handkerchief "Flight" 34-38

Handkerchief and Paper Tube, First Method 38, 39

Second Method 39-40

Primary and Compound 40

A "Changing Tube" Suggestion 41

Handkerchiefs and Flag 41-42

Loading the Paper Cone 42-48

Numbered Cards 48-49

The Invisible Charlier Pass 49-50

The Transformed Handkerchiefs 50-55

Flag, Bran, and Orange Trick 55-60

Die, Canary, and Mystic Cage 60-63

A Novel Die Combination 63-66

The Holmes Invisible Servante 66-72

Color Changing Handkerchiefs 72-74

An Inexhaustible Black Art Table 75-77

SOME MODERN CONJURING.

THE WATCH, HANDKERCHIEF, AND BRAN.

In this mystifying little trick I shall present to the reader
a novel principle involving the exchange of one or more
objects in the most subtle manner, without the knowledge of
those present; said exchange being accomplished through the
agency of the conjurer's friend, the glass tumbler. The sev-
eral movements essential to its success are so commonplace
and natural that, with anything like reasonable care, detection
is impossible. This principle is of greatest value in so-called
transposition tricks involving the use of small objects, such
as watches, rings, handkerchiefs, etc., and possesses the unique
feature that the objects making such invisible flight may, in
many cases, be borrowed from the audience, and everything
may be freely inspected at the conclusion of the trick.

The suggestions here laid down are subject of much vari-
ation. In fact, when once the reader has acquainted himself
with this novel principle, he will doubtless find many good
uses for it, according to his own ideas and requirements.

Effect: A lady's borrowed watch and handkerchief are
deposited in a small tumbler, which is then covered with a
second handkerchief, secured with a rubber band, and placed
in the keeping of a spectator.

Having thus disposed of the watch and handkerchief the
performer visibly fills a second tumbler with bran, which is
covered in like manner with a handkerchief.

A transposition of the contents of the two tumblers is
now commanded to take place. The spectator removes the
rubber band and handkerchief from the tumbler in his pos-
session and discovers the bran therein instead of the borrowed
articles ; while the performer's glass now contains the bor-
rowed watch and handkerchief in place of the bran. Every-
thing may be freely inspected.

6 SOME MODERN CONJURING

Explanation: The aforesaid principle is based upon a
novel manipulation of the tumblers. Naturalness of manner
and neatness of manipulation are the main requirements in
presentation.

The necessary requisites and preparation are as follows :

Four plain tumblers, of the tapering variety. I use a
tumbler measuring three and three-quarters inches high, two
and one-quarter inches in diameter at mouth, and one and
one-quarter inches in diameter at bottom, which is ample for
drawing room use. Two of these tumblers nested stack only
one inch higher than a single glass. This fact should be duly
noted, as it enters into the success of the trick.

Two mercerized silk handkerchiefs, at least twelve inches
square. These should be on the order of the fancy silk hand-
kerchiefs much used today. For the present purpose, it is
just as well to have them different in color, say, one red and
one blue.

A small box filled with bran. A "tall" cigar box will
answer the purpose.

A Black Art table, with two open wells. I use a table
with oblong top, 16x24 inches, with square well openings so
placed that they appear diamond-shaped to those in front;
that is, the gold braid design appears laid out in diamond-
shaped blocks. The small well opening measures one and
three-quarters inches square, and is located in rear right-hand
corner of table top. The large well measures three and one-
quarter inches square at opening, and is located in center of
rear side of table top. This latter well should be padded with
black cotton, so that the dropping of any object therein will
be absolutely noiseless, a necessary consideration in drawing-
room work.

Now, if you have obtained a tumbler of the pattern and
dimensions above given, you will find that, if placed in the
smaller well, the top of the tumbler protrudes to the extent
of about one inch above the surface of the table.

One of the tumblers is beforehand filled with bran, and
placed in the small well, and one of the silk handkerchiefs
laid carelessly in front of it, with one side of the silk drawn

SOME MODERX CONJURING 7

over the mouth of the tumbler, so that both handkerchief and
glass may be picked up together.

The box of bran is placed at the other end of the table,
with the three remaining tumblers and silk handkerchiel
neatly arranged in front of it.

Presentation: The performer asks the loan of a lady's
watch, and to insure its safety while in his hands likewise
borrows a handkerchief in which to wrap it. Returning to
the table with the borrowed articles held well up to prevent
the idea of substitution, one of the tumblers is taken in the
left hand, while the right spreads the borrowed handkerchief
over it, and pushes the watch, as well as the handkerchief,
in this manner, into the glass.

This leaves the corners of handkerchief protruding at top.
They should be tucked in a little, just so they come flush with
rim of tumbler. This arrangement is essential to later devel-
opments. The left hand now places the glass on the table
just in front of the large well, while the right picks up the
silk handkerchief at that end of table, at the same time nip-
ping through the fabric, between thumb and forefinger, the
rim of the concealed tumbler of bran in the small well. It
is to be understood that the glass is seized with the thumb
inside and forefinger outside the front edge, the back of the
hand being presented to the audience ; and if held with the
fingers extended against the handkerchief in a perfectly nat-
ural manner, the presence of the tumbler is not suspected.

The silk is drawn over the visible tumbler containing the
borrowed articles, but, as a matter of fact, the instant the
silk shields it, the left hand permits the glass to slip into the
well, and seizes the concealed tumbler of bran under the hand-
kerchief, which is now lifted, still covered, from the table,
and the silk drawn round it. A rubber band is passed over
handkerchief and glass to make matters doubly safe from
deception, and the parcel placed in the keeping of a spectator,
with the request to hold it at arm's length, to prevent possible
injury to the lady's timepiece. This prevents any desire on his
part to "peep."

Now, from the standpoint of the company, the borrowed
watch and handkerchief have been disposed of in a manner

8 SOME MODERN CONJURING

prohibiting any tampering on the part of the magician. His
every move has been perfectly natural, neither the watch,
handkerchief, or glass being removed from sight for a single
instant until covered with the silk, when they are immediately
brought forward, so covered, and placed in the keeping of
the company.

The performer next offers for inspection the box of bran,
from which he fills one of the remaining tumblers on the
table. Taking the tumbler of bran in one hand, and the last
remaining tumbler in the other, he pours the bran from one
glass into the other several times, to impress upon the minds
of those present that no deception enters into the proceeding.
He then places the tumbler of bran on the table, in front of
the large well, as before, setting the empty glass to one side.

Now comes the novel part of the operation. The remain-
ing silk handkerchief is shown freely on both sides, and then
spread over the tumbler of bran. The upper corners are per-
mitted to drop in back, and as the right hand seizes the top
of the glass, through the silk, the left hand, under this cover,
is lowered to the well, and brings up the tumbler containing
the borrowed watch and handkerchief, nipped by the rim
between first and second fingers. As soon as the glass clears
the well, the thumb supports it on the opposite side. Mean-
while, the right hand lifts the tumbler of bran from the table ;
the left brings the other tumbler under the folds of the silk
handkerchief, and the tumbler of bran is permitted to settle
gently into the lower glass, the arrangement of the borrowed
handkerchief in this latter tumbler preventing any "chink"
of the tumblers in coming together. The left hand should
force the lower glass firmly over the upper one, to reduce the
height of the two to a minimum. The covered "tumbler" is
then left on the palm of left hand.

It will be found in actual practice that the closest observer
will entertain no doubt in his mind as to the fairness of the
proceeding up to this point. As far as substitution is con-
cerned, the tumbler of bran has obviously been covered with
the handkerchief, and lifted from the table; and as substitu-
tion is the sole source of suspicion in the mind of the average
spectator, he has not the remotest idea of a duplicate tumbler

SOME MODERN CONJURING 9

being smuggled into the folds of the handkerchief covering
the bran.

The performer now calls attention to what has so far
taken place : the borrowed watch and handkerchief deposited
in the tumbler now held by the spectator; while the bran is
in his own possession. That, by the mere pronouncing of his
mystic formula, the contents of the two tumblers will in-
stantly make an invisible transposition.

The spectator removes the covering from his glass, and
finds it filled with bran. This having been determined, the
performer likewise uncovers his own glass, disclosing the
borrowed watch and handkerchief therein. In removing the
silk handkerchief, the uppermost tumbler (which contains the
bran) is nipped, as before, by the rim between thumb and
forefinger, the performer standing behind the table during
the operation. While all eyes are drawn to the disclosure of
the watch and handkerchief in the (lower) tumbler, the right
hand is carelessly lowered to the table, and lays the silk
thereon, permitting the concealed tumbler of bran to slide
into the large well, and the trick is done. The tumbler is
immediately brought forward to the owner of the watch and
handkerchief, who identifies her property. Of course, all the
visible properties may be inspected as much as the company
pleases without offering a clue to the modus operandi.

Try this mystifying little trick in the drawing-room, and
note the result.

THE EGG AND HANDKERCHIEF.

The working of this trick is based upon the same prin-
ciple laid down in the "Watch, Handkerchief, and Bran." This
modern version of Colonel Stodare's old time trick is the only
one I have ever met with in which all the properties made use
of may be freely inspected "before and after." Besides, it
gives you an opportunity to jolt the knowing spectator, who
will be inclined, in the beginning, to deride your effrontery
in presenting the trick.

Effect: A raw egg, a small tumbler and a colored hand-
kerchief are offered for free inspection, after which the egg

10 SOME MODERN CONJURING

is deposited in the tumbler, and the latter covered with the
handkerchief. To make doubly secure a rubber band is passed
over the glass, which is left in plain view upon the table. A
small green silk handkerchief is next examined, which is sub-
sequently transformed into the egg in the performer's hands ;
and upon uncovering the tumbler the green silk is found
therein, instead of the egg. To disprove the old theory of
"an egg with a hole in it," the performer now brings forward
the egg, together with a basin, into which he breaks the egg
as a proof of the latter's genuineness.

Explanation: Requisites as under:

Two raw eggs.

Two small tumblers, of the type already referred to.

A large colored mercerized handkerchief.

Two small green silk handkerchiefs.

A "handkerchief egg,y} celluloid preferred.

A white enameled basin, or soup plate, having a depth of
about two inches.

A Black Art table, having a large and a small open well,
as already described.

A rubber band.

Place, beforehand, one of the green silks in one of the
tumblers in such manner that the silk just fills the glass*.
This tumbler is deposited in the large well of table. The
handkerchief egg is vested or pocketed. The basin is placed
at right end of table, in front of the small well, with one raw
egg concealed behind the basin. The remaining egg, tumbler,
green silk, mercerized handkerchief, and rubber band are ar-
ranged in view upon the table.

Having offered the egg, tumbler, and mercerized handker-
chief for inspection, the performer returns them to the table,
setting down the glass, containing the egg, just in front of
the large well. The large handkerchief is now spread over
the tumbler, the latter being seized through the covering by
right hand. Simultaneously the left hand secretly brings up
the duplicate tumbler (containing the duplicate green silk),
and pushes it over the upper, original tumbler, under cover of
the handkerchief, in same manner described in the "Watch,
Handkerchief, and Bran;" the silk in the lower glass being

S O M E M ODER N C O NJ U RING 11

pushed to the bottom thereof, thus preventing any "talk."
The two tumblers, appearing as one under cover, are placed
in view upon the table, and the rubber band passed over same.
The visible green silk is now offered for inspection, and
in taking up a position some distance from the table the per-
former obtains the handkerchief egg from his vest (or pocket),
and by this means transforms the silk into tht egg. The
latter is laid upon the table in usual manner. The tumbler
is then uncovered, revealing the green silk therein. Of course,
the upper glass, containing the egg, is removed with the hand-
kerchief in manner now familiar to the reader, and dropped
in the large well of table top in the act of laying down hand-
kerchief; while the (lower) tumbler is exhibited with the
green silk, and, with the mercerized handkerchief, passed
once more for examination. Professing to note unkind suspi-
cions toward the egg on the table the performer obligingly
brings forward the egg with the basin, dropping the fake egg
into the small well and obtaining the raw egg concealed be-
hind the basin as the latter is picked up between the hands.*

THE FLYING GLASS, WATCH, AND FLAG.

This, I venture to say, is a decided improvement upon the
little trick described by Professor Hoffman in "More Ma^ic,"
p. 364, under the title of 'The Flying Glass, Watch, and
Handkerchief." It will be remembered that in the version
there set forth the watch, handkerchief, and glass were first
deposited in a borrowed hat, but, under some pretext, were
removed (exchanged), and the three articles then passed in-
visibly into the hat at a distance. In my own version of
the trick, the three articles do not from the viewpoint of the
company, approach the hat until they have been "passed"
into it by so-called magical means.

Effect: A lady's borrowed watch is wrapped in a small
United States silk flag and both deposited in a tumbler. A
borrowed hat is placed upon a side stand at a distance. The

-This method of exchanging an egg for a substitute is taken from
Robertson-Keene's "More Novel Notions."

12 SOME MODERN CONJ URING

watch now vanishes from the flag in the tumbler; the flag
melts away in the performer's hands; and the tumbler shares
the fate of watch and flag. All three articles are then taken
from the hat.

Explanation: Arrangement similar to "Watch, Handker-
chief and Bran Trick." Requisites:

Two small tumblers, as specified in foregoing tricks.

Two 8x12 United States silk flags.

A large, double mercerized handkerchief, preferably col-
ored, containing cardboard disc for vanishing a tumbler.

A hand box vanisher.

Black Art table, provided with a large and small well.

A side stand on performer's left.

Previous to presentation, one of the flags is placed in
one of the tumblers, which is deposited in the small well of
Black Art table. The mercerized handkerchief is spread over
the protruding top of tumbler, as already explained.

The handkerchief vanisher is hooked on the table drape at
performer's right hand rear corner of table.

The remaining flag and tumbler are placed in view upon
table.

Performer begins operations by borrowing a lady's watch
and a gentleman's hat (silk or derby), the latter being placed,
mouth downward, on the left end of table. Thj watch is then
fairly wrapped in the flag, and a spectator permitted to satisfy
himself that the watch is so wrapped; after which the flag par-
cel is placed in the tumbler, and the latter covered with the
mercerized handkerchief. That is to say, the tumbler is placed
just in front of the large well on the table, and the concealed
tumbler is drawn from the small well in the act of picking
up the handkerchief; and under cover of spreading the hand-
kerchief over the visible tumbler the latter is dropped into the
large well, the procedure up to this point being identical with
the "Watch, Handkerchief, and Bran." The performer, hold-
ing the covered (substitute) tumbler in right hand, takes a
step or two away from the table, then suddenly recalls him-
self. Perhaps the company suspect some deception in the
covering of the glass. As he would not deceive them for the
world, etc., he will gladly remove the handkerchief, and dis-

SOME MODERN CONJURING 13

pense with its services, which he does accordingly. As this
substitute tumbler contains a flag, the company are led to
believe that the watch is likewise contained therein, and do
not suspect an exchange at this stage of the trick. The hand-
kerchief is thrown on the table, the tumbler being retained
in right hand, while the left reaches for the hat. He states,
"Since you suspect the tumbler perhaps you likewise suspect
the hat. You will observe it is quite empty." He shows the
interior of the hat, then replaces it mouth downward upon
the table, this time in front of the large well, sideways to
the company. This brings the left hand behind the hat. He
continues, "I will place the tumbler, containing the watch and
flag, here in plain view of all upon the table ; and the hat —
this little stand is just the place for it." During the momen-
tary hesitation, as if seeking a suitable location for the hat,
the left hand first and second fingers, under cover of the
hat, reach into the well and seize the rim of the original tum-
bler (containing the watch and flag). The hat is then lifted
by the brim between thumb and forefinger of same hand, when
the mere act of raising it loads in the tumbler; and the hat
is carried to the side stand and placed thereon, mouth upward.
Returning to the table, he decides to pass the three arti-
cles— watch, flag, and glass — into the hat, by the invisible
process of mystic transmigration. To make the process still
more difficult, he will undertake to pass the articles singly
instead of together. First the watch. He taps the glass with
his wand, immediately shaking out the flag with his right
hand, and thus proving, according to conjurer's logic, that
the watch has just made an invisible flight from the glass
into the hat. At the same time the left hand rests for an
instant at the rear table edge, and palms the hand box. The
hands are now brought together, and the flag duly vanishes.
Only the tumbler remains. This follows the flag by means
of the double handkerchief, the tumbler being dropped into
the well, just vacated by the other tumbler; the performer
moving away from the table with the handkerchief distended
by means of the cardboard disc therein, and after suitable
"hanky panky" draws the handkerchief through his hands,
proving the evanishment of the tumbler. It only remains to

14 SOME MODERN CONJURING

remove the original tumbler, flag, and watch, one after the
other, from the hat.

If the performer does not care to make this last use of
the well in the Black Art table he may have a chair on his
right provided with a bag servante, for the reception of the
last tumbler.

It will be noted that the above method possesses the ad-
vantage over the other version referred to in that the tumbler
containing the flag and watch are apparently not removed
from sight, or, at any rate, do not approach the hat, until the
latter has been disposed of on the side stand.

Remarks : The above three tricks, based upon this par-
ticular method of substituting the tumblers, are given as ex-
amples of the many different effects obtainable by such means.
Several other tricks, involving the same principle, will be
given later on. I have tested the same thoroughly in the
drawing-room, and, to my knowledge, no one has ever sus-
pected the presence of more than one tumbler under the
handkerchief at one and the same time. Many other clever
effects are obtainable in like manner. For instance, a certain
number of coins may be deposited in the tumbler and caused
to vanish therefrom while covered, and vice versa. Again,
many well-known tricks may, I venture to say, be improved
upon by this exchange, as, for instance, the 'Wedding Ring
and Flag," described in " Later Magic," p. 204, in which an
exchange of tumblers takes place on the servante of the table.
Such exchange is far more easily effected by the method
above outlined. Probably other uses will occur to the reader.

THE LAMP-CHIMNEY COLOR CHANGE.

This very effective color change occurred to me in the
use of the lamp-chimney vanish. It requires considerable
practice, but, once mastered, the effect is astonishing to the
uninitiated.

Effect: A silk handkerchief (blue, for instance) is pushed
into an ordinary lamp-chimney, which is held in both hands
in a horizontal position before the body, as in the regular lamp-
chimney vanish. The performer now counts three, elevating

SOME MODERN CONJURING 15

and lowering the arms with each count, and at the third and
last count the handkerchief instantly changes to, say, a green
color, and, with the lamp-chimney, is immediately handed out
for inspection.

Explanation: The blue handkerchief is provided with a
little pocket of same colored silk in one extreme corner, with
opening in the point or corner of the handkerchief. The
green silk is beforehand crumpled up (not folded), and pushed
into the pocket, one corner of the green being left in such
position as to be readily pulled from the pocket. A sleeve pull
is arranged in right sleeve in regular manner for the lamp-
chimney vanish.

In presenting the trick, the performer inserts the blue
silk through the loop of the pull, and pushes the handkerchief
into the lamp-chimney, shaking down the corners of the silk
to the opposite end of the chimney, for the apparent purpose
of arranging the handkerchief nicely therein. In actual prac-
tice it will be found that the corner containing the little pocket
may be kept on the side nearest the performer's body ; the
fingers of the left hand are inserted into the small end of
the chimney, and draw down the corners of the silk, at the
same time obtaining possession of the corner of the concealed
green silk in the pocket. This corner is brought outside the
chimney and secured with the thumb on the side next per-
former's body, being quite invisible to those in front by rea-
son of the blue handkerchief filling the chimney

The same up-and-down movements are now executed
with the lamp-chimney as in the regular "vanish ;" the blue
silk flies up the sleeve, and the green silk, by reason of being
retained by the left thumb, is drawn out of the pocket with
the evanishment of the blue and expands along the lamp-
chimney. The keenest eye cannot detect the substitution of
the green silk for the blue.

As I have said, considerable practice is necessary to pre-
sent this color change with success. The precise method o\
loading the green silk into the pocket of the blue must be
determined by actual practice ; and the pushing of the doubled
blue silk into the lamp-chimney, and the obtaining of the co.
ner of the green from the pocket, must be carefully performed.

16 SOME MODERN CONJURING

By using handkerchiefs with colored centers and white
borders, vide the Odin Color Changing Handkerchiefs and
Twentieth Century Trick, the chances of failure in executing
the Lamp-Chimney Color Change are considerably lessened,
as the corner of the green (centered) silk could then protrude
from the pocket without attracting attention. For the same
reason flags will be found specially adapted to this color
change, as set forth in the trick next following.

THE TWENTIETH CENTURY TRICK.
With Novel Variations.

I suppose almost every performer has his own particular
version of the Twentieth Century Handkerchief Trick. The
following series of effects will be found an effective variation:

Effect: Two silk handkerchiefs are knotted together at
extreme corners and placed in a goblet on the table. A United
States silk flag, a hydrometer glass and a piece of plain paper
are then introduced. The paper is formed into a long tube, and
inserted in the hydrometer glass to render same opaque, the
flag being then pushed down into the tube and glass with
wand. Flag vanishes from hydrometer glass, and mysteriously
joins itself between the knotted handkerchiefs in goblet.

Performer next produces, by magical means, a small Brit-
ish flag. Handkerchiefs and United States flag, still joined,
are returned to goblet and British flag pushed into common
lamp-chimney, which is held horizontally between hands.
Performer declares that he will cause the British flag to van-
ish visibly from the lamp-chimney, and become joined to the
string of silks in goblet. At the count of three the British
flag vanishes from the chimney ; or, more properly speaking,
the British flag transforms itself into the United States flag
in the lamp-chimney. Disclaiming any intention on his part
of such a proceeding, the performer hands the lamp-chimney
and United States flag for inspection, and, bringing forward
the goblet, draws the string of silks therefrom, when the miss-
ing British flag is found joined between the handkerchiefs in-
stead of the United States flag.

S O M E MODERN CONJURING 17

Explanation: As will be readily surmised, the above
series of effects is really a pleasing combination of the Twen-
tieth Century and Lamp-Chimney Color Changing tricks ;
while the introduction of the new hydrometer glass vanish adds
a touch of novelty. The evanishment of a flag or handkerchief
by means of the Hydrometer glass is possibly new to many
amateurs, but as this ingenious idea is not my own, I would
not be justified in disclosing the secret of its working here.
The truly magical idea involved in its construction places it
in the foremost ranks of the now multifarious so-called hand-
kerchief "vanishes." The apparatus is obtainable from any
reliable dealer in magical goods.

Reverting to the trick under consideration : The first
stage is, of course, the ordinary version of the Twentieth Cen-
tury trick, one of the handkerchiefs being double, so as to form
a pocket for the concealment of the flag.

The additional requisites consist of duplicates of the two
silk handkerchiefs, two duplicate United States flags, two
British flags (same size as United States), hydrometer glass,
piece of paper, lamp-chimney, sleeve pull, etc.

One of the British flags is provided with pocket of same
colored silk in one corner, in which one of the United States
flags is inserted beforehand, in readiness for the lamp-chimney
color change. One corner of the United States flag is permit-
ted to protrude from the pocket, as its color blends with that
of the British flag, and is therefore unnoticeable. This British
flag is prepared for magical production, according to perform-
er's own idea.

The remaining British flag is joined between the dupli-
cate handkerchiefs, and the string formed into a compact par-
cel, which is vested.

In presentation, the performer vanishes the visible United
States flag from hydrometer glass, reproducing it between the
joined handkerchiefs in goblet. The prepared British flag is
then magically produced. Before returning the handkerchiefs
and United States flag to the goblet they are rolled into a
rather compact parcel and exchanged for the vested parcel
according to performer's own method. The lamp-chimney

18 SOME MODERN CONJURING

color change is now executed with British flag, resulting in
its transformation into the unprepared United States flag.

It will be noted that everything may be freely inspected
at the conclusion of the experiment, lamp-chimney, United
States and British flags, and handkerchiefs.

QUADRUPLE FLAG AND HANDKERCHIEF TRICK.

In the "Magician Annual," 1907-1908, Robertson-Keene
explains an ingenious arrangement for successively passing, by
magical means, two silk handkerchiefs between two others, se-
curely joined at extreme corners ; his idea being to have one of
the original joined handkerchiefs made double (vide Twen-
tieth Century Trick), in which duplicates of the two handker-
chiefs making such invisible journey are concealed. Person-
ally, I prefer the following method for the drawing-room,
though there is nothing particularly new, either in effect or
manner of working, about it :

Effect: Two colored silk handkerchiefs are joined to-
gether and placed in a goblet. A small United States flag is
caused to vanish from the hydrometer glass, and is found
joined between the silks in goblet. The string of silks is re-
turned to the goblet, and a small British flag produced, by
magical means, or otherwise. This latter flag now vanishes
from the performers' hands, and upon again drawing the string
of silks from the goblet both the United States and British
flags are found securely joined between the handkerchiefs.
The string could now be transformed into a large United
States silk flag with very good effect.

Explanation : Requisites as under :

A double red silk handkerchief, with opening in corner; a
duplicate red silk, not double; two blue silks; two 8x12 United
Slates silk flags ; two 8x12 British silk flags ; hydrometer glass ;
a piece of cartridge paper 6x15 inches for hydrometer; wand;
an ordinary goblet, and a handkerchief vanisher, preferably the
extra finger tip, provided with triangular piece of a British
flag.

Join in a string, corner to corner, and in order named, the
double red silk, one British flag, one United States flag, and

6' O M E MODERX CO N JURI N G 19

one blue silk. Then double the British flag, and push it into
the opening of the double red handkerchief, inserting a small
pin at the opening of the pocket, so that the flag can not be
drawn out of the double handkerchief. The string now appears
to consist only of the red silk, United States flag, and blue silk.
Roll into a compact parcel, with portions of only the red and
blue silks visible, and vest parcel.

Prepare remaining British flag for magical production ;
pocket the finger tip fake, or whatever form of vanisher you
use ; and arrange in view on table the goblet, hydrometer glass,
paper, ordinary red and blue silks, and United States flag.

In presentation of trick, the ordinary red and blue silks
are joined fairly together, and formed into a parcel. Exchange
by your own particular method for the parcel of four, which
drop in goblet. Offer hydrometer glass and paper for inspec-
tion, and insert paper in glass in shape of cylinder. Spread
United States flag over top of the hydrometer glass and push
it down with the wand into the paper tube. Flag vanishes
from tube and is found knotted between the red and blue
silks in goblet. Return the string of silks to goblet, inci-
dentally removing pin inserted in mouth of pocket of red
handkerchief, showing plainly, without verbally calling at-
tention to the fact, that no substitution takes place. If the
company suspected substitution in the first instance, they
will have no grounds for such suspicions in the second. Pro-
duce British flag according to your own idea, and vanish by
the extra finger tip fake, or otherwise. The handkerchiefs
are then drawn sharply out of the goblet, which has the
effect of drawing the concealed British flag out of the double
red handkerchief.

THE PHANTOM HANDKERCHIEFS.

This neat combination is a sort of reversal of the effect
obtained in the Twentieth Century Trick.

Effect: A red, a purple, and a blue silk handkerchief are
joined fairly together in usual manner, in order named, and
pushed into a glass cylinder, which is left upright on the
table. A piece of paper is next formed into a neat tube by

20 SOME MODERN CONJURING

rolling same round a candle, the latter being withdrawn and
the ends of the tube sealed with ribbon. The empty tube is
then inserted in an upright position in the candle-stick. Per-
former states that he will cause the purple silk to pass in-
visibly from the red and blue silks in glass cylinder into the
sealed paper tube. Silks are accordingly drawn from cylin-
der and found to consist of the red and blue only, joined to-
gether; while the missing purple silk is extracted from the
paper tube.

Performer is about to separate the red and blue silks for
the purpose of again knotting the purple one between them,
when he recalls himself. Such a proceeding would hardly be
considered proper from a magical standpoint, and he will
therefore let the spirits do the work for him. He accordingly
pushes the three handkerchiefs (red and blue joined, purple
separate) into the glass cylinder, as before, and upon fanning
the cylinder the three silks again become joined as in the
beginning, the purple between the two.

Proceeding with the second stage of the trick, another
piece of paper is formed into a cylinder, and the string of
handkerchiefs pushed therein, a portion of the red silk be-
ing permitted to protrude at top, in which condition the tube
is placed upon the table in view of all. A fourth silk hand-
kerchief, of a green color, is now introduced (by magical
means, or otherwise), and pushed into a common lamp-chim-
ney, which is held in both hands in a horizontal position be-
fore the body. The magician counts three, and at the third
and last count the green handkerchief in the lamp-chimney
visibly changes to the purple one previously joined to the
red and blue ; and upon drawing forth the string of silks from
the paper cylinder, the green silk is found joined between
the red and blue, in place of the purple.

Explanation: Eleven silk handkerchiefs are required for
this experiment: Three red, three purple, three blue, and
two green; a Conradi glass changing tube, with mirror par-
tition (or a mirror glass) ; two pieces of plain paper about
8x10 inches; a candle, prepared as described later on under
ihe "Handkerchief and Paper Tube," second method; a

SOME MODERN CONJURING 21

candle-stick ; a handkerchief changing tube ; a common lamp-
chimney; and a sleeve pull.

One red, one purple, one blue, and one green handker-
chief are placed in view on the table. This green silk is
provided with a little pocket in one corner, into which is
packed one of the purple silks, as described above under the
Lamp-Chimney Color Change.

One red and one blue handkerchief are joined together
and tucked into one side of the Conradi tube, this side being
turned to the rear in placing cylinder upon table, in order that
it may appear, for the time being, empty.

One of the purple handkerchiefs is loaded into the shell
of the candle, and the latter inserted in candle-stick and
placed on table, together with one of the pieces of paper.

Remaining red, 'green, and blue silks, joined in order
named, are loaded in changing tube, and the latter placed on
two hooks at back of side stand, on top of which is laid the
other piece of paper.

Lamp-chimney is placed on the other side stand, and
when the performer has adjusted his sleeve pull he is ready
for operations.

He first picks up the red, purple and blue silks from the
table, and joins them together in usual manner. The mid-
dle, purple silk is then doubled, and the other two twisted
round it into a loose parcel, which is pushed into the empty,
front compartment of the Conradi tube. As both "sides" of
the tube now contain red and blue silks exposed to view, the
tube may be handled pretty freely without disclosing the
presence of two sets of handkerchiefs therein. It is placed
upright on the table, with the side containing the red and
sHue silks only, to the front. Paper tube is next formed by
the aid of candle, and inserted in candle-stick. Purple hand-
kerchief passes from Conradi tube to paper tube; the two
silks being shaken out of the former, and the latter torn
across the middle, disclosing purple silk therein. In order
to again join the three silks, the joined red and blue and the
separate purple one are returned to the front compartment
of the Conradi tube, which is reversed in placing same upon
table. The fanning process is then enacted, or any other

22

SOME MODERN CONJURING

Fig. 1. The Wedding Ring Trick.

S OME MOD E R N CONJURING 23

suitable pretext, and in due time the string of silks, all joined
together, are drawn from the tube. Performer now forms
cylinder from piece of paper on side stand, loading in the
changing tube. The red, purple, and blue silks are pushed
therein, and thereby exchanged for the red, green and blue
string, a portion of the red being permitted to protrude at
top. In standing the cylinder upon the table, changing tube
is dropped in servante or Black Art well.

Green handkerchief is now introduced, together with
lamp-chimney, and the former pushed into the latter, silk
being passed through loop of pull in regular manner ; the
corner of the concealed purple silk in pocket being secured
by thumb at left end of chimney, in manner already de-
scribed. By this means the green silk is visibly transformed
into the purple one ; and the handkerchiefs, upon being with-
drawn from the paper cylinder, consist of the red, green,
and blue.

THE WEDDING RING TRICK.

If one may judge by present day conjuring literature, new
and novel tricks with rings appear to be sadly lacking. I
therefore take pleasure in submitting the following "original
conception," which I can recommend as most subtle and mys-
tifying.

Effect : A wedding ring is borrowed and knotted in the
center of a rose-colored silk handkerchief, which is then de-
posited in a tumbler. The performer, having satisfied all
present that the ring is actually knotted in the handkerchief,
covers the tumbler with a large silk handkerchief, and passes
a rubber band over it to make doubly secure. The glass,
thus covered, is placed in plain view upon a side stand. A
green silk handkerchief and a common lamp-chimney are next
introduced. The green silk is pushed into the chimney, which
is held between the palms in a horizontal position. At the
count of three, the green silk changes visibly in the lamp-
chimney to the rose-colored silk, and, with the chimney, is
immediately passed out for inspection ; and upon uncovering
the tumbler, the green silk is found with the borrowed ring
knotted therein quite as securely as it was originally knotted

24 SOME MODERN CONJURING

in the rose-colored handkerchief. Now, without any substi-
tution whatever, the tumbler is carried down to the owner of
the ring, who unties the silk and identifies her property.

The above is, of course, too short to be considered an
independent trick, but it is just one of those short, snappy
effects that work in well in almost any part of the program,
and more especially a series of handkerchief effects.

Taking the above, however, as the "first stage" of the
trick, I present as a second part a version of Mr. Frank
Kennard's "Mutilated Parasol Trick,"* the combination of
the wedding ring and parasol giving a very pleasing effect.

Second Stage: The lady having removed her ring from
the green silk handkerchief, the performer begs further in-
dulgence, and returns to the stage with the ring on his wand,
which he places across the tumbler to keep the ring in view
of those present. He then introduces a small United States
flag, in which the ring is knotted as before, and deposited in
a cone of newspaper formed before the audience. This is
placed in an upright position in the tumbler. The performer
next introduces a little red silk parasol, which, after spreading
and closing, he returns to its paper wrapper. Stating that
he will cause the flag and ring to pass invisibly from the paper
cone into the parasol parcel, he fires his magic pistol and
immediately opens out the paper cone. To his consternation
he finds the cover of the parasol therein, the flag and ring
having vanished. Drawing the parasol from the paper wrap-
per, it is found devoid of the silk covering, while the flag
is found in pieces attached to the bare ribs. The borrowed
ring is missing. Performer replaces silk covering on the
frame, and returns parasol to the paper wrapper. His nerves
being a little upset at this unexpected turn of affairs, he pro-
ceeds to refresh himself, with due apologies, with a glass of
wine, which he pours from a bottle brought on by his assist-
ant, lie then restores the mutilated parasol with a tap of the
wand. The parasol is removed from the paper, wholly restored,
and upon spreading it the flag is brought to light, likewise re-
stored, but enlarged to about twice its original size. As the

*See C. Lang Neill's "Modern Conjurer," p. 255.

SOME MODERN CONJURI N G 25

borrowed ring is still missing, the magician, as a last resort,
breaks the wine bottle, discovering therein a live dove with
the wedding ring attached to its neck with a piece of ribbon.

Explanation : Requisites and preparation as follows :

Two rose-colored and two green silk handkerchiefs. One of
the green silks is provided with a little pocket of same col-
ored silk in one corner, vide Lamp-Chimney Color Change.

A large colored silk handkerchief.

Two small tumblers, of the tall, tapering variety.

Rubber band.

Black Art center table, provided with large open well in
rear center of top.

Common lamp-chimney.

A sleeve pull.

Two "dummy" wedding rings.

United States silk flag, 12x18 inches.

United States silk flag, 24x36 inches.

A newspaper prepared with secret pocket in usual man-
ner for vanishing flag.

Obtain at a dry goods store two small parasols. Discard
stock covers and make two covers of red silk. One silk
cover is permanently attached to one parasol frame. Divide
a duplicate 12x18 United States flag into three mutilated
pieces, and attach at equal distances apart to the extreme
ends of ribs of parasol with bare frame.

A piece of heavy brown wrrapping paper, about 36x60
inches. Fold one of the shorter ends of the paper over about
six inches, and secure with glue, forming a narrow pocket
across that end. Insert the bare parasol frame in this pocket.
Place covered parasol on same end of paper, and roll up.

A pistol.

Dove Bottle. Windecker Bottle preferred.

Wine glass.

Tray.

Small hammer.

A live dove.

A side stand on performer's right and left.

26 SOME MODERN CONJURING

The parasol parcel is leaned against left side stand, parasol
handles uppermost. On same stand is laid the prepared news-
paper.

Arranged on Black Art center table are the green silk
handkerchief with pocket which contains the duplicate rose-
colored silk; the wand, on which is slipped one of the dummy
rings (wand being so placed that ring is concealed) ; the 12x18
United States flag ; and rubber band.

The right side stand is placed well forward, and a little
to center of stage. It is provided with a shallow bag servante.
On this stand are placed one of the tumblers and the remain-
ing rose-colored silk handkerchief, a portion of the latter be-
ing permitted to hang over the servante, at back.

The remaining "properties" are placed in readiness "be-
hind the scenes."

Before making his entrance, the performer "loads up" as
follows : Sleeve pull arranged in right sleeve ; 24x36 silk
flag folded in a compact parcel and vested on right side ; loose
parasol cover, folded small, placed in right pocket ; remaining
dummy ring placed on tip of second finger of right hand, in
readiness for ring change.

Entering, the performer requests the , loan of a lady's
wedding ring, which he receives on the tip of right forefinger,
concealing the dummy ring by bending the fingers into the
palm in the usual manner. Returning to stage, he steps be-
hind side stand, substituting borrowed ring for dummy by
the finger change during the journey. The left hand now
removes the (dummy) ring from right second finger and holds
it well up in view of all, while the right hand draws the silk
handkerchief off the stand, at the same time permitting the
borrowed ring to slide off the forefinger into the servante.

The dummy ring is now knotted in the center of the rose-
colored silk, and deposited in the tumbler. As soon as the
performer removes the tumbler from the stand, the assistant
comes forward and draws the side stand back to the right of
stage, to "balance" with the other stand on extreme left. This
enables him, by grasping the top of stand front and back be-
tween both hands, to palm the ring out of the servante, which
he forthwith carries behind the scenes, and quickly knots the

SOME MODERN CONJURING 27

ring in the center of the ordinary green silk handkerchief.
The knotted silk is then placed in the duplicate tumbler, in
such manner that it just fills the glass. The latter is then
covered with the large silk handkerchief. The assistant takes
these in his right hand, nipping the rim of the glass through
the fabric between thumb and forefinger (see the 'Watch,
Handkerchief, and Bran"). This arm is permitted to hang
by the side, in which position the hand appears to hold the
large handkerchief only, the presence of the tumbler not be-
ing noticeable. The lamp-chimney is held well up in left
hand, and in such position the assistant enters on the per-
former's right (if he must enter on the left, the position of
the articles with respect to either hand must be reversed), and
advancing to the center table, places the lamp-chimney there-
on. In laying down the handkerchief the tumbler is per-
mitted to slide into the well in table top.

Meanwhile the performer has been taking up the re-
quired time for the operations of his assistant behind the
scenes. Professing to hear murmurs to the effect that the
borrowed ring is not fairly knotted in the handkerchief, he
obligingly brings forward the tumbler, which he places in the
keeping of a spectator well apart from the owner of the ring,
and, removing the ring from the silk, requests the gentleman
to knot it in the handkerchief himself. The performer then
returns to the stage, and, walking behind the center table
(on which the lamp-chimney and large handkerchief have
now been placed by the assistant), he picks up the large hand-
kerchief, placing the glass, which contains the rose-colored
silk and dummy ring, just forward of the well in table top.
He shakes out the large handkerchief, showing it freely on
both sides, and spreads it over the tumbler, quickly obtaining
possession of the duplicate tumbler in the well with left
hand, while the right lifts the original, covered tumbler. As
he moves away from the table, the left hand, under cover of
the large handkerchief, pushes the duplicate tumbler (contain-
ing the borrowed ring knotted in the green silk) upwards
over the original glass in manner already explained in the
"Watch, Handkerchief, and Bran." The rubber band is passed

28 SOME MODERN CONJURING

over the handkerchief and glass, and the parcel left in view
on right side stand.

The green silk handkerchief is next introduced ; picked
up with the "pocket" corner concealed in the hand, and the
silk shown freely on both sides. It is then doubled over the
loop of the sleeve pull, and pushed into the lamp-chimney,
lie left fingers obtaining a corner of the concealed rose-colored
silk from the pocket. Lamp Chimney Color Change then
executed, and the rose-colored silk and lamp-chimney offered
for inspection. Returning to right side stand, performer re-
moves the covering from the glass, carrying away the upper
tumbler, in manner now familiar to the reader, by nipping the
rim through the handkerchief, and disposing of it in the ser-
vante in laying down the handkerchief ; all eyes being drawn
to the duplicate tumbler in left hand, which contains the green
silk and borrowed ring. The glass is carried into the audi-
ence, and the owner of the ring requested to identify her prop-
erty. Before leaving the stage, the magician picks up his
wand, with the dummy ring thereon concealed in right hand.

Second Stage: Receiving the borrowed ring once more,
this time on the wand, it is exchanged for the substitute by
the wand change, the wand then being laid across the tumbler
on right side stand to keep the (dummy) ring in view, while
the opposite hand lays the large silk handkerchief carelessly
to one side, slipping the palmed borrowed ring thereunder.

Small silk flag is now introduced, and dummy ring knotted
therein. While this is taking place, the assistant enters with
the pistol, which he places on center table, and removes the
large handkerchief (together with borrowed ring), lamp-
chimney, and other articles dispensed with by the magician.
The performer next forms the paper cone from the prepared
newspaper, and in picking up the knotted flag, obtains the
little parcel made up of the loose parasol cover, from right
pocket. The flag is transferred to right hand, the two parcels
of silk appearing as one; and in apparently placing the flag
in the paper cone, the parasol cover is dropped into the cone
proper and the flag and ring into the secret pocket of the paper.
Top of cone is then turned down, and cone placed upright in
tumbler.

SOME MODERN CONJURING 39

The little red parasol is next introduced. The brown
paper parcel is seized by the free edge of the paper, and per-
mitted to unroll by its own weight, the covered parasol being
taken in opposite hand when it makes its appearance. As the
duplicate parasol frame is concealed in the narrow pocket of
the brown paper, no one suspects its presence there. The
performer spreads the visible parasol, and places it for a
moment over his shoulder, permitting all to see, without
verbally calling" attention to the fact that his hands are other-
wise empty. The parasol is then brought to the natural posi-
tion before the body for closing, under cover of which the
right hand obtains the large flag parcel from vest, and drops
it into the parasol in the act of closing the latter. The para-
sol is then wrapped in the paper as before, a portion of the
handle being pulled out a little way ; that is, the audience be-
lieve it to be the handle of the parasol just exhibited, but as
a matter of fact it is the handle of the duplicate parasol that
is drawn out. The performer now states that he will cause
the flag and ring to pass invisibly from the paper cone to the
parasol parcel. He fires his pistol, immediately opening the
cone. The parasol cover being discovered therein, to the evi-
dent discomfiture of the performer, he crumples up the news-
paper and tosses it aside, thereby disposing of the flag and
dummy ring; and proceeds to ascertain the extent of the dam-
age to his parasol. The parasol with bare frame is drawn
from the brown paper roll, and the mutilated flag found sus-
pended from the ribs. The silk cover is spread over the frame,
and the parasol returned to the paper once more.

While all this is taking place, the assistant enters with
the bottle of wine and glass on the tray, which he places on
right stand. Of course, the bottle has been duly prepared
with wine in the upper receptacle, and the dove, with the bor-
rowed ring attached to its neck, in the lower.

Having refreshed himself with a little wine, the per-
former proceeds with the restoration of the flag and parasol.
He brings forward the parasol parcel, and, tapping it with his
wand, pronounces his mystic formula, immediately withdraw-
ing the original, unprepared parasol from the paper, and, spread-
ing it, "discovers" the silk flag under one of the ribs, like-

30 SOME MODERN CONJURING

wise wholly restored, but enlarged to about twice its original
size.

Noting that the lady is getting a little uneasy for the
safety of her ring, the conjurer institutes a search for the
missing article, and, as a last resort, calls for a hammer, which
the assistant brings on, and the bottle is broken, resulting
in the discovery of the ring attached to the dove's neck.

I generally work the Flower Trick in here, as it follows
the Wedding Ring and Parasol in natural sequence, blending
the whole into a series of experiments most striking and mysti-
fying in effect. For this purpose, at the close of the above
trick, I detach the top and upper section of center rod of one
of the side stands, and, spreading the parasol, invert the latter
in the base of stand (see frontispiece). The stand illustrated
is the Thayer type of black-and-gold side stand, which is par-
ticularly adapted to the amateur's use, and, as in the present
case, combines many uses not obtainable in the metal base
and center rod stand.

If the ferrule of the parasol is too small for the socket in
the top of lower section of center rod, a wooden spool, bored
to proper size for receiving the ferrule, may be slipped into
the socket, which holds the parasol firmly in position.

The flowers are now "produced" from the paper cone in
the regular way, being shaken into the inverted parasol with
very good effect.

INVISIBLE FLIGHT OF HANDKERCHIEFS.

In a recent issue of "The Sphinx,"* Herr Jansen con-
tributes, under the above title, a clever method of effecting
the magical transposition of two silk handkerchiefs, deposited
in separate paper cylinders. The following is my own method
of working the same trick, which possesses the advantage
(I might say improvement) that everything may be freely
inspected both before and after the experiment. The effect is
practically identical with TTerr Jansen's version, and 1 will
therefore follow the lines of his description.

*See "The Sphinx," Vol. 7, No. 9.

SOME MODERN CONJURING 31

Effect: Showing both hands empty, performer exhibits
two ordinary pieces of newspaper, 6x8 inches ; also two unpre-
pared silk handkerchiefs, red and white, which he removes
from a glass goblet. One of the papers is now formed into
a small cylinder, into which the red silk is pushed, and ends
of tube pressed in on handkerchief, thus sealing the parcel.
The same process is repeated with the second paper and white
silk. The two parcels are then placed in empty goblet, and
a spectator requested to choose one of them. This being
done, the chosen package is opened by the performer, and
handkerchief drawn out into view a little way to ascertain the
color, which, let us suppose, is white. Silk is tucked back into
paper, and end of cylinder again closed. This parcel is held
by performer, while the other parcel (which would naturally
contain the red silk) is held in the glass by spectator. A
transposition of the silks being now in order, spectator opens
the package in the glass, which is found to contain the white
silk instead of the red, while package in performer's posses-
sion contains the red. Handkerchiefs and papers immediate^
offered for close inspection.

Explanation: To obtain the above effect, I utilize a
little "fake*' commonly employed for the evanishment of a
silk handkerchief; namely, the so-called "extra finger tip,"
provided, as usual, with little triangular piece of (in this case)
white silk. All the visible properties — pieces of newspaper,
handkerchiefs, and glass goblet, — are quite unprepared, and
may therefore be subjected to the most rigid inspection if re-
quired. Each of the papers is in turn formed into a cylinder
about one inch in diameter, for the reception of one of the
handkerchiefs, and ends of tube in each case are pressed in
on handkerchief. Both cylinders are then dropped in goblet.
Performer must be able to identify the paper containing the
red silk, which is easily done if due notice is taken of some
conspicuous type on newspaper. Spectator is now requested
to hold goblet over head, and to choose one of the parcels
therefrom. This confuses him as to the exact position of the
papers. If he chooses the red handkerchief parcel, performer
takes it from him, leaving the white handkerchief parcel. If
he chooses the white handkerchief parcel, he is permitted to

32 SOME MODERN CONJURING

retain it ; the result always being that spectator holds the
white handkerchief. During the choosing of the parcel, per-
former finds ample opportunity to slip the finger shell on tip
of right forefinger. He then opens one end of his parcel
enough to permit the insertion of his forefinger. The fake
is thereby introduced into the tube under pretext of pulling
out a piece of the silk. The little corner of white silk is
drawn out of the fake and cylinder into view a little way,
performer stating that, as he appears to hold the white hand-
kerchief parcel, spectator must therefore have the red. The
corner is then poked back with forefinger, fake removed there-
on, and end of cylinder again pressed in. Spectator now opens
his paper, and of course finds the white silk therein instead
of the red. Performer then offers him the other paper, from
which the red silk is extracted.

In Herr Jansen's version, one of the papers is specially
prepared (and can not therefore be left in the hands of spec-
tators), having a corner of a white silk handkerchief, four
inches long, glued to upper edge of same. In exhibiting this
paper the piece of silk is concealed by fingers, and rolled inside
of cylinder. Of course this paper must be identified from
the other, unprepared paper, and in forming the cylinder, the
end containing the piece of silk must likewise be borne in
mind.

The trick is carried along the same lines already laid
down, red handkerchief being placed in cylinder containing
white silk corner, which is drawn out to view, as already ex-
plained. It is needless to add that this parcel must be opened
by the performer himself, and the piece of silk again concealed
by the fingers.

ANOTHER "INVISIBLE FLIGHT

>>

This may follow the transposition of the red and white
silks as an additional effect.

Effect: Having presented the "Invisible Flight of Hand-
kerchiefs/' performer-now exhibits two more pieces of news-
paper, <S\10 inches, one of which he forms into a small cornu-
copia, which he secures with a pin, and places temporarily in

SOME MODERN CONJURING 33

goblet on table. Red handkerchief is now rolled smallci
and smaller between the palms, until it is all but concealed
in left hand, one corner of the silk being permitted to pro-
trude to show all fair. Handkerchief is then pushed into
paper cone, top of which is turned in all round on handker-
chief, and cone laid on table.

Remaining piece of paper is likewise formed into a cone ;
the white silk is crumpled up and dropped into the paper, and
top turned in as before. This parcel is deposited in goblet,
and entrusted to the keeping of a spectator.

For fear some of those present may doubt the presence
of the red silk in the first cone, performer tears off the apex of
same and draws a portion of the red silk into view ; then
tucks it back in paper, and twists up end.

Red silk now passes invisibly from paper and joins the
white silk in paper held by spectator. The first paper is
tossed out and found empty, and upon opening the other, the
red silk is found securely joined to the white silk.

Explanation: The transposition of the red and white
silk is effected by Herr Jansen's method, i. e., a corner of a
white silk is attached to upper edge of one of the small
papers. This piece of silk, by the way, I make only three
inches long by one and one-half inches at broader end, and
instead of gluing it to the upper edge of paper in the center,
I affix it temporarily in the upper left hand corner of the
paper by means of a pellet of wax. Cylinder is therefore
formed beginning with this edge of paper, thus bringing the
piece of silk within cylinder.

For the second stage of the trick, the following requisites
and preparation are necessary :

Two pieces of newspaper, about 8x10 inches; extra finger
tip fake, provided with corner of red silk ; a duplicate of the
red and white handkerchiefs, which are knotted together at
extreme corners, and then made into a compact parcel with
red silk concealed within the white, parcel being vested.

Presentation of second stage : Cornucopia formed and
placed in goblet. With finger shell in position on left fore-
finger, performer now "rotates" red silk into palms by the well-
known process, palming the ball of silk in right hand. This

34 SOME MODERN CONJURING

latter hand now quickly removes the fake from left forefinger,
reverses its position, and leaves it in closed left hand with the
little corner of silk protruding between finger and thumb ; and
in turning to the table (on the right), the parcel of silk is
pocketed or vested, and cornucopia taken in right hand. The
left hand, apparently containing the handkerchief, is then in-
serted in the paper, simulating the motion of pushing silk
well down into same. As a matter of fact, the finger shell
is merely dropped, open end downwards, into apex of cone.
Hand is withdrawn, obviously empty, and top of cone turned
down.

White handkerchief is next taken and crumpled up, being
secretly exchanged by your own particular method for vested
parcel of two joined handkerchiefs. This is dropped in second
cone, placed in goblet, and handed to spectator.

There is pretty sure to be some wise person in the audi-
ence who suspects deception in the placing of the red silk in
the first cone of paper ; and performer now endeavors to satisfy
the skeptics that the silk was actually so placed. He tears the
apex off the cone, pulls out the little corner of red silk, pokes
it back, securing fake on forefinger, and the trick is practically
done. The red silk naturally "vanishes" from first paper,
and the spectator holding the goblet finds the missing hand-
kerchief knotted to the white in the paper in his possession.

THE LATEST HANDKERCHIEF "FLIGHT."

I have recently been working up the following idea,
based on the visible transposition of two silk handkerchiefs,
placed in tumblers at some distance apart, said transposition
taking place in full view of the audience without any covering
of the tumblers whatsoever. While I have not as yet fully
perfected all the minor details of construction in the apparatus
involved, or the precise method of presentation, I take pleasure
in presenting the root idea to my readers, believing that it may
be put to some practical use in more ways than one.

The effect under consideration is about as follows:
Two glass-topped side stands are placed at right and left
of stage, well down front. A glass tumbler and a silk hand-

SOME MODERN CONJURING 35

kerchief are in readiness on each stand, — say a green silk on
the right and a yellow silk on the left. Performer offers the
green silk for free inspection, if desired, and then pushes it
into the tumbler on right side stand, leaving it thus in full
view of those present. The yellow handkerchief is then
shown and placed in the tumbler on left side stand, in like
manner. Now, at the report of a pistol shot, a transposition
takes place as quick as a lightning flash. The green handker-
chief appears in the tumbler on left side stand, while the yel-
low handkerchief appears in the tumbler on the right. The
handkerchiefs are removed from the tumblers and freely
shown, or offered for inspection.

Explanation : This surprising effect is accomplished by
the use of two mechanical stands, two little "fakes," two bot-
tomless tumblers, and four unprepared silk handkerchiefs, two
of each color. The construction of the stands and fakes will
best be understood by reference to Fie. 2.

The fake, A, consists of a cylindrical metal tube about
two inches in length by one inch in diameter. The lower
end is provided with a double catch, CC, while the interior
is fitted with a sliding partition, D, impelled upwards under
the action of a strong coil spring, unless pressed to the bottom
of tube and retained by the two catches, EE.

The side stand may be fitted either with wood or glass
top, without drapery. The standard, HH, is hollow, and con-
tains a sliding piston, F, provided with a socket, G, at top
for the reception of the double catch, CC, on the fake. The
piston, F, should be at least twelve inches shorter in length
than the hollow standard, and may be retained in the upper
end of the latter, so that the top of the piston comes flush
with table top, by means of a spring catch, L, in rear side of
table standard. This spring may be released at pleasure by
the pull of a thread, permitting the piston to slide to the bot-
tom of the standard. The piston is weighted to insure prompt
response to the release of the spring, L, and the bottom of
the hollow standard should be provided with a rubber pad to
break the fall of the piston.

If, now, the fake, A, be placed over the top of the piston,
F, in table top, and the double catch, CC, pressed into the

;i4

latter ham
iv\ erses il
little c< >rn<
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serted in
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is merely
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ence who
the lii
the skeptic
apex off tl
it back, sec
done. The
and tin
kcrchil

JUR1 X

and.

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n the i«' of a hand-

' t ll-ki iwn • u ii short, re-

. ' which is affixed tiny hook.

land attched to tin

wand. The

•i. In rollig the papei

prepared the latt. projects an

the righ hand seizes
ppos nd pr

ping and

sealed to

Ii t the paer, the plug

hand, a^ -nal.

re 1 ilk into

the tub< .

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manner: I [old hand

ringing tl air o rners

ilk int< i warn with blunt

iding with
ch pi to tl center of

Second Method.

as pi " that ] >er tube is

•

m candle,

ized papr, the shell

r in h than 1 1 1 - • i did. The

with a short n of a real

lard "dummy' ndle, but in tis case the

• t the h< 'tt< -m. and n< »t the ' dupli-

chi< ed up small and pushecto the bot-

andle inserts d i m top rhe i 'pen

flush with wick end oi did candle

in the former, without contaling wick

Thus prepared, the candle nol ap-

either end may be shown with npunity

38 S O M E M ODERK CONJURING

silk, both being locked to the piston through the bottomless
tumbler on left side stand.

Pistol is now fired by performer ; the assistant releases
the springs on each stand simultaneously ; the pistons drop
down, taking the visible handkerchiefs, as well as the tubes
therein, with them ; while the sliding partitions, D, expel the
concealed silks into the tumblers, in which they expand freely.

The hollow space, KK, in top of table standard, is only
sufficiently deep to receive the handkerchief and tube. The
rest of the standard is bored only for the reception of the
sliding piston, F, which is thereby held true to the opening
in table top.

The sliding partition, D, in tube, should be provided with
a circular piece of cloth, as described later on under "A Chang-
ing Tube Suggestion," to obviate the risk of the concealed
silk getting jammed when expelled from the tube.

The dotted outline in the drawing shows the position of
the bottomless tumbler with respect to the tube and the piston
in table standard. In some respects a wood table top would
be preferable to the glass, as brads could then be so placed
that the proper position for the tumbler with respect to the
piston head, could be readily determined.

It will be readily noted that the above idea may be util-
ized for various other effects. By the use of a single table,
a silk handkerchief may be merely "vanished" from the tum-
bler, or changed to a totally different color, in full view of
the audience ; a yellow silk could be visibly transformed into
a live canary, or a handkerchief into a bouquet of (spring)
flowers. Undoubtedly many other effects will suggest them-
selves to the mind of the reader.

HANDKERCHIEF AND PAPER TUBE.

First Method.

Effect: A piece of paper is freely shown, then formed
into a tube round the wand, which is withdrawn and the ends
of the tube sealed with pieces of ribbon. In this condition the
empty tube is placed in the keeping of a spectator. The per-
former then causes the evanishment of a silk handkerchief,

SOME MODERN CONJURING 39

stating that he will pass it invisibly into the sealed tube, and.
upon opening the latter, this is found to be the case.

Explanation: The trick depends upon the use of a hand-
kerchief wand, one of the well-known types with short, re-
movable plug in one end, to which is affixed a tiny hook.
A duplicate silk handkerchief is beforehand attached to the
hook on the plug, and both pushed into the hollow wand. The
working of the trick will now be plain. In rolling the papei
round the wand, the unprepared end of the latter projects an
inch or so beyond the edge of the paper; the right hand seizes
this and draws out the wand, while the opposite hand presses
on the plug through the paper, thereby retaining plug and
handkerchief in the tube. Ends of tube are then sealed to
prevent discovery of silk. In opening out the paper, the plug
on the handkerchief is masked by the hand, as usual.

Caution: Take care how you load the duplicate silk into
the wand, otherwise, in withdrawing the latter from the tube,
the silk is pretty apt to extend beyond the end of the cylin-
der. To avoid this, fold in following manner : Hold hand-
kerchief by center ; then double, thus bringing the four corners
and center together. Push the silk into wand with blunt
end of lead pencil, beginning with double fold and ending with
the corners and true center. Attach plug to true center of
silk and push home.

Second Method.

Effect: Same as preceding, except that paper tube is
formed by means of a candle instead of the wand.

Explanation: The "candle" consists of a genuine candle,
over which is fitted a loose shell of glazed paper, the shell
being about one inch greater in length than the solid. The
lower end of shell is closed with a short section of a real
candle, vide standard ''dummy" candle, but in this case the
piece is to represent the bottom, and not the top. The dupli-
cate handkerchief is pleated up small and pushed to the bot-
tom of shell, and solid candle inserted on top. The open
end of shell should come flush with wick end of solid candle
when the latter is in the former, without concealing wick
on the solid candle. Thus prepared, the candle does not ap-
pear "faked," and either end may be shown with impunity

40 SOME MODERN CONJURING

Have the faked candle burning in candlestick. Show
piece of paper and lay on table. Blow out the candle and lay
on the paper with the wick end just flush with right-hand
edge of paper. Form tube round the candle, and remove
latter by seizing wick. Opposite hand retains the shell candle
by pressure through cylinder. Ends of latter then sealed with
ribbon, as in preceding method. As soon as solid candle is
removed, the concealed handkerchief expands nicely along the
tube. Extract silk by tearing tube across the middle, thus
destroying presence of shell candle.

By using an ordinary "dummy" candle, loaded with a
second duplicate silk, in place of solid candle, two separate
productions are obtained ; that is, a handkerchief passed into
the sealed tube, and thence into the candle.

"PRIMARY AND COMPOUND."

Effect: Say you have just presented the "Color Change
through a paper tube," obtaining a red, a white, and a blue
silk. Place the empty paper cylinder in an upright position
on china plate. Spread first the blue and then the red silk
over the top of the cylinder, permitting the corners to hang
down. Discard white silk. Now, with the wand, push centers
of the blue and red silks into the cylinder, at the same time
seizing the latter with opposite hand, and turn over, moving
away from table. When centers of silks make their appear-
ance at opposite end of tube, withdraw wand and continue
pulling out the handkerchiefs ; and upon shaking out the latter
the "compound" color resulting from the blending of the
"primaries" (blue and red) will be found in the mysterious
addition of a third purple silk.

Explanation: This novel multiplication involves, again,
the use of the handkerchief wand, same type as above men-
tinned. Load with purple silk and attach to hook on plug,
in manner aforesaid. Push the blue and red silks through the
paper cylinder with the "plug" end of the wand, and remove
plug in pulling the handkerchiefs from opposite end of
cylinder.

SOME MODERN CONJURING 41

A "CHANGING TUBE" SUGGESTION.

Ever have the last handkerchief out of the changing tube
get "jammed" between the sliding partition and the tube? If
so, try this little "wrinkle," and see if it ever jams on you
again.

Assuming that the sliding partition is an inch and a
quarter in diameter, cut a circular piece of rather stiff cloth
material one and three-quarters inches in diameter, and glue
the center of the cloth to the center of the sliding partition
by means of a dab of thick glue. Let dry thoroughly. Then
load the tube on prepared side of the sliding partition. Trie
little circular piece of cloth protects the handkerchief first
loaded into tube from jamming as the partition is forced along
the tube.

If the glue does not stick to the metal, bore two tiny
holes, close together, in partition, and secure the cloth with a
few stitches.

HANDKERCHIEFS AND FLAG.

I have found the following at times a convenient means
of transforming handkerchiefs into a flag.

Effect: A red, a white, and a blue silk handkerchief
are rolled up small in the hands, and immediately drawn out
in the shape of a large United States silk flag, which is imme-
diately offered for inspection.

Explanation : Arrange under coat an ordinary pear-
shaped Bautier pull. Spread the flag on a flat surface, and
turn two diagonal corners in to the center so that they just
meet. Continue the folding in like manner until the flag is
made into a long strip, with a corner exposed at each end.
Beginning with one end, roll the flag tightly round the ex-
terior of the Bautier tube, wrapping the bulk of the silk round
the mouth of the tube, and taking care not to bring any of
the folds as far down as the tapered end, where elastic is
attached, otherwise some difficulty will be experienced in slip-
ping flag off the tube easily. Tuck free end of strip into a
fold close to mouth of tube, and place the latter under vest
convenient for palming, elastic arranged as usual,

42 SOME MODERN CONJURING

Work the red, white, and blue silks into tube, right side
to audience. Under cover of right hand, which retains pull,
the left now slides the flag off the free end of tube ; the thumb
and forefinger of same hand then seize the free end of flag,
through thumb and forefinger of right hand, and draw the
flag with a quick upward movement out of the hand. The
right hand is naturally brought against the coat during thi
movement, under cover of which the pull is released, leaving
hands and flag free for inspection.

This is one of the few methods which does not prohibit
free inspection of the flag.

LOADING THE PAPER CONE.

In working up a programme of tricks for drawing-room
presentation, some time since, it was my desire to "produce"
from an apparently empty paper cone a number of rainbow-
hued Liberty silk handkerchiefs. I decided that the method
of secretly introducing the "load" into the cone must be just
a little bit different, in one or two respects, than any of the
orthodox methods in use — a method that would completely
mystify even those present who might have some knowledge
of the secrets of modern magic. At the same time I resolved
that my method should be independent of tables, chairs, or
similar accessories of the conjurer, and that my hands should
not approach my body throughout the process of forming the
cone. This truly magical idea naturally demanded consider-
able hard study and experiment; many ideas which suggested
themselves were tried out and found wanting, but the follow-
ing has come as near my original idea as I have yet been
able to reach. It will be found easy and particularly mystify-
ing.

Effect: The performer steps forward with sleeves drawn
back and hands obviously empty. He exhibits a piece of
drawing paper some sixteen inches square, which is held at
extreme fingertips throughout the experiment, so that the
palms are at all times in view. At the same time, the move-
ments of the hands are such as to preclude any possibility
of "back hand" work. Hands and paper are likewise held

SOME MODE R N CONJURI N G 43

well away from body. Having thus shown hands and paper
freely on all sides, he now twists the paper into a neat cone,
or cornucopia, and after the customary hocus-pocus of mystic
passes, proceeds to extract from the cone a quantity of vari-
colored silk (or whatever the production shall consist of).

Explanation: The accompanying photographs will make
matters clear. For the handkerchief production I use about
eighteen handkerchiefs of the finest Liberty silk, assorted in
the most beautiful colors obtainable. To prepare the load, all
the handkerchiefs (but one) are spread flat, one upon the
other ; not with all the corners together, but with the corners
of each handkerchief diagonally to the preceding one, like a
star. The stack is then made into a compact "bun," by turn-
ing the corners in to the center, and the remaining handker-
chief is used as a wrapper for the parcel.

To hold the load secure, I make use of a common flower
holder, each of the two pieces being covered over with black
velvet, glued on. I shape the parcel of silk so that when the
spring clips are placed round it, the expansion of the silk
prevents the clips from separating, the same as in making up
a load of spring flowers.

I now take a piece of No. 000 black silk thread, twenty-
four inches long, and pass one end through the spring clip,
next the silk, joining the ends in a knot, to torm a loop.

Before making my entrance for the trick, I slip the thread
loop over my left wrist, and then push the silk parcel just
within my outside lower coat pocket, on left side. Particular
attention must be paid to the precise position of the parcel in
the pocket. If the latter is provided with a lapel, it should
be pushed inside the pocket before introducing the load ; and
the load should be placed about the center of the pocket, just
below the opening — no more.

Most amateurs work in ordinary dress, and I am basing
my explanation upon that style of coat. If evening dress is
worn, however, a special pocket, opening on the side, at the
edge of the coat at the hip, will answer the same purpose, and
permits even greater freedom in the withdrawal of the parcel
from the pocket.

44

SOME MODERN CONJURING

Fig. 3.

Fig. 4.

SOME MODERN CONJURING 45

This arrangement, while restricting the movement of my
left arm to some extent (the hand will have about ten inches
play), still permits me to hold that arm in a perfectly natural
bent position beside the body.

The piece of drawing paper is sixteen inches square, fairly
stiff, and is rolled up and permitted to spring open a few times
beforehand, to give it a slight bend.

I enter with my sleeves drawn partly back, as the thread
would not permit of this operation after placing the parcel
in pocket. My coat is buttoned in front. This is essential
to the free withdrawal of the load from pocket at the psycho-
logical moment, at the same time convincing the knowing
spectator that the vest opening does not enter into the suc-
cess of the trick.

The paper is held at fingertips of right hand, concave side
of sheet outermost. I do not call particular attention to the
emptiness of my hands, as they are plainly seen to be so. I
merely show the paper freely on both sides ; then pass it to
left hand, which receives it with concave side to the rear. In
receiving the paper, the fingertips only are employed, and
the palm of left hand is not concealed from those in front
for a single instant. (See Fig. 3.) My right hand free, I
extend it, showing freely front and back. I stand perfectly
erect, and, acting in unison with right hand, my left hand
simultaneously elevates the paper, not in front of the body,
but a little to one side, as in Fig. 3. If the wise spectator is
watching for me to obtain something from the vest opening,
he is disappointed, for the coat is buttoned and is not covered
for a single instant by the paper. This perfectly natural
movement (the elevation of the left hand) draws the thread
taut on the wrist, and the concealed parcel of silk is pulled
from the pocket and swings unseen behind, but not touching,
the paper. It is to be understood that, as the right hand is
extended, the left elevates the paper straight up to the extent
of three or four inches, and, acting in perfect unison with the
movement of the right hand, the slight movement of the
paper is unnoticeable.

There is a little knack, difficult to describe, but easily
understood and acquired in actual practice, of holding the

16

SOME MODERN CONJURING

Fig. 5.

SOME MODERN CONJURING 47

paper in such manner that the concealed "load" does not
strike the sheet as it swings from the pocket, and thus reveal
its presence; but there will be very little "swing'' to the load
if the paper is elevated straight up. At the same time, the
slight bend of the paper effectually masks the presence of the
load to right or left.

I state, "I shall hold the paper away from my body
throughout the experiment," at the same time extending the
arms. It will be noted that the palms of both hands are
always in view of the audience, and none of the fingers are
employed to suspend the load behind the paper. Fig. 4 de-
picts the load suspended from wrist behind the paper, as
not seen by those in front.

The right hand now seizes the lower left hand corner
of paper and brings it up, behind the sheet, nearly to the
upper right hand corner, where the left thumb secures it (see
Fig. 5). This brings the concealed parcel into the "trough"
of the fold. The right hand side of the paper is then rolled
over to the left, to the rear, and the cone is complete. Mean-
while, the left hand has remained at the upper edge of paper,
about center (mouth of cone at completion), as the loop is
still on wrist. While the right is "rolling" the apex of the
cone, the left fingers close into palm, and the thread slips
over the hand and falls into the cone, and both hands grasp
the cone at apex. The load is now ready for production. A
slight pressure of the fingers, through the paper, on the spring
clip, releases the silks (as in the Flower Trick), and they
expand freely within the cone. After the usual series of
mystic passes, the mouth of the cone is presented to the
audience, showing the receptacle apparently filled to overflow-
ing with the rainbow-hued silk. These are removed, one after
the other, and draped about tables, chairs, etc., to make a
good display, and the production may end with a large flag,
dove, etc., loaded into the cone under cover of returning the
silks to the paper ; an old dodge, but good.

There is no reasonable chance for failure if (1) the per-
former will place the load carefully in position in coat pocket,
permitting free withdrawal ; (2) if care is taken not to extend
the left arm to such an extent that the concealed load is pre-

48 SOME MODERN CONJURING

maturely jerked from its hiding place; and (3) if the proper
size paper is used which shall screen the load as it swings
from the pocket and hangs behind the sheet. The precise
length of thread loop and size of paper will vary with the
individual, according to length of arm, etc.

I have used the above method of loading the paper cone
in many different ways with good success. It is particularly
adapted to the introduction of the first parcel of flowers in
the Flower Trick. I have even used it for loading a paper
ribbon coil into a borrowed hat, the latter being taken endwise
in left hand from the right, when the mere elevation of the
hat swings the load unseen into the hat. The loading of a
five-inch coil into a hat by such means is not to be recom-
mended unless the performer has perfect confidence in him-
self.

If arrangement of programme prohibits entering with the
thread loop already in position on the wrist, the loop may
be permitted to hang from the pocket, to be readily obtained
at pleasure under cover of turning that side away from the
audience, after drawing back the sleeves.

NUMBERED CARDS.

In many homes, or communities, and especially at church
entertainments, the use of the playing card, even for con-
juring purposes, is objectionable. To overcome this difficulty,
the magical dealers now supply packs consisting of cards
numbered consecutively from one to fifty-two, same being
provided with indicators precisely like the regular playing
card. Special packs of numbered cards, such as forcing packs,
"longs and shorts," etc., are likewise obtainable, so that the
conjurer is no longer restricted from presenting his most
cherished card problems at church entertainments, or similar
affairs where the playing card is tabooed.

Personally, I have found the numbered cards better
adapted for certain series of tricks than the playing cards, as
I have the cards printed by a local printer, and any peculiarity
required in the "construction" of the pack is easily arranged
for. For this purpose I obtain from the dealers about five

S O M E M ODERN C ON J U RI N G 49

hundred ''Magicians' business cards," which, as the reader
undoubtedly knows, are a card the same size as an ordinary
playing- card, and printed on the back with a very neat con-
juring design, the face being left blank for the insertion of
the magician's name and address. Five hundred of these cost
about a dollar and a half. Out of this lot sufficient packs
may be made up (special or ordinary) by the local printer
to answer almost any purpose desired.

As regularly furnished by the dealers, the numbered
cards have the figures printed in the center, and must there-
fore be held "right side up" in order to read them correctly.
I venture to suggest an improvement in this custom, by
printing the figures at both ends of the cards, so that, like
an ordinary playing card, they may be read either end up.
The advantages offered by this arrangement will be readily
noted. Not only does the double numbered card permit of
various "tricky" combinations, aided by the printer, but in the
case of forcing packs (as used in the Dictionary Trick, etc.)
the numbers to be forced may frequently be changed at small
expense, if the arrangement above set forth is utilized. Again,
in the case of card tricks requiring special packs, such packs
are generally limited to but one or two effects by reason of
special construction, and in several instances I have greatly
improved upon the original idea, for my own use, by having
the numbered pack made up by the local printer.

I am confident that the reader, if he is working in magic,
will likewise find many good uses for the numbered cards
along the lines suggested above.

THE "INVISIBLE" CHARLIER PASS.

This variation in the execution of the Charlier one-handed
card pass will be found useful 'where it is desired to leave
the chosen card second from top of pack at completion of
pass, an indifferent card occupying the top place.

Card being chosen, offer pack with left hand in usual
manner, top half being lifted and supported by the thumb, as
in regular Charlier method. Chosen card being replaced in
middle, right hand approaches and seizes top card of pack

50 S O M E MODERN CON JURI N G

lengthwise between thumb and second finger, and as half
turn is made to the left, the right hand holds top card in
a vertical position, and the regular Charlier pass is executed
behind this card, as in the Herrmann pass.

The pack is then squared up behind this card, leaving
chosen card second from top.

The entire series of movements blend into one, and are
invisible to those in front, even if executed slowly.

I have found this sleight handy where certain persons
watch for the pass, as top card can then be shown, if re-
quested, or slipped to bottom of pack.

THE TRANSFORMED HANDKERCHIEFS.

This medley of effects is really a combination of Herr-
mann's well-known 'Transformed Handkerchief' and "Sun
and Moon" tricks, with the addition of several modern "wrin-
kles ;" so it is the arrangement that is new, not so much the
effect.

Effect: The magician states his intention of showing the
ladies a little lesson in needlework, and borrows for the pur-
pose a lady's handkerchief, incidentally producing an egg from
the pocket of a spectator while in the audience. A boy is
requested to step forward from the company, and assist in
the experiment to follow. He is seated on the stage, and
"handed" a lemon to" hold by way of amusement. Performer
now lights a candle on center table, by which he sets fire to
two little pieces of tissue (red and blue), producing from
the ashes a red and a blue silk handkerchief. The youthful
assistant is invited to cut the centers from the three hand-
kerchiefs (including the borrowed one), handing him a pair
of scissors for this purpose. The centers are actually sepa-
rated from the handkerchiefs, and are shown to be so cut.
Next, a cornucopia is formed from a piece of newspaper,
shown empty, and placed upright in a tall goblet on center
table. Into this are tossed the three mutilated handkerchiefs,
together with the loose centers. On top of these the per-
former empties the contents of the egg, dropping in shell and
all. Passing the cornucopia several times over the candle

SOME MODERN CONJURING 51

flame, he immediately extracts the handkerchiefs from the
paper, fully restored, but — something has apparently gone
amiss, for the centers have become attached to the wrong
handkerchiefs. The blue center is now a part of the red;
the red center is on the borrowed white ; and the center of the
white is on the blue. Performer regrets such a state of af-
fairs, etc., stating that possibly his volunteer assistant is some-
thing of a magician himself. However, he will do his best to
rectify the mistake. He accordingly wraps the three handker-
chiefs in a piece of paper, and immediately bursting same,
produces therefrom a large United States silk flag. This
only serves to further complicate matters, for the lady is
now without her handkerchief in any form. Performer offers
her the flag to make good her loss, but she naturally declines
to accept it, so he sets about to find the missing article. Lay-
ing the flag aside, he suddenly turns to the boy, who has so
far remained seated at one side of the stage, and requests him
to remove the missing handkerchiefs from his pocket. The
youth, looking rather foolish, searches his pockets, but fails
to throw any light on the mystery. Meanwhile, the performer
has relieved him of the lemon, and turned to place it on the
center table. About this time the audience discover the three
handkerchiefs, knotted securely together, with the lady's hand-
kerchief between the red and blue silks, hanging in a string
down the boy's back. As the handkerchiefs still bear the
wrong centers, there is but one recourse left, and that is the
agency of fire. The magician therefore rams the handker-
chiefs into the funnel of his pistol, and fires at the lemon on
the table. He then brings the lemon forward, together with
a basin, which is handed to the boy to receive the rind, and
upon cutting open the fruit the egg, completely restored, is
brought to light. This is broken, and the lady's missing
handkerchief extracted therefrom, likewise restored. This is
carried down to the owner without substitution. Wondering
what has become of the two silk handkerchiefs, the performer
now removes the burning candle from the candlestick, and,
wrapping it in paper to extinguish the flame, produces there-
from the red and blue silks, both quite whole as before.

52 SOME MODERN CONJURING

Explanation: Requisites and preparation as under:

A candle in a candlestick. Former is a "dummy" candle,
duly loaded with a red and a blue silk handkerchief. These
are placed on center table, together with two 4x5 sheets of
paper, one red, one blue ; a piece of plain white paper about
8x8 inches ; a tall goblet ; and a box of safety matches. The
sliding cover of the match-box is pushed part way open, and
in the empty portion of the cover is concealed a little packet
prepared thus : A red and a blue silk handkerchief (duplicates
of above), are rolled separately .into compact bundles, and
wrapped together in black tissue, which is glued to retain the
silks. On outside of this tissue Avrapper are pasted scraps of
black tissue, the packet resembling a small quantity of burnt
paper.

On left side stand are placed two pieces of newspaper.
The under sheet is really double, having a pocket, formed by
pasting together three sides of one-half of the paper all round.
Into this is inserted a 24x36 United States silk flag, neatly
folded, and the open side of pocket closed with paste. The
upper newspaper is prepared for vanishing handkerchiefs in
manner familiar to the reader.

On right side stand are placed a pair of scissors, a sharp
knife, and an unprepared lemon.

It is also necessary to prepare several parcels of hand-
kerchiefs.

Parcel No. 1. Consists of a red silk handkerchief, from
center of which a piece five inches in diameter has been re-
moved, and replaced with a piece of blue silk. This hand-
kerchief is knotted to a lady's white linen handkerchief simi-
larly prepared with a red silk center; and a blue silk hand-
kerchief with white linen center is joined to the white one.
Beginning with the lowermost corner of the blue, the hand-
kerchiefs are rolled into a very compact parcel, and in the
final corner of the red handkerchief, which is now outermost,
is sewn a tiny plate of tin (say, one-half inch square), to
which is soldered a pin point, pointing toward the center of
the handkerchief. This parcel is vested on performer's right
side.

Parcel No. 2. Duplicates of above three handkerchiefs
with wrong centers. They are taken by their centers, laid

SOME MODERN CONJURING 53

one upon the other, and then rolled into a compact parcel,
thus bringing all the corners at outermost end of the roll.
This parcel is placed in left hand trousers pocket.

Performer also vests, in center, a lady's substitute white
handkerchief.

In readiness behind the scenes are the magic pistol ; a
small, white-enameled basin, two inches deep; a raw egg;
and the wand. Also a lemon and an egg prepared thus : Con-
tents of both removed in usual manner, and eggshell inserted
in lemon. These are placed convenient to assistant's hand,
together with loose end of lemon.

Presentation: Performer enters with raw egg palmed in
right hand, which carries wand. Lady's handkerchief bor-
rowed, and egg magically produced. Inviting boy to assist,
performer returns to center table with egg and handkerchief,
obtaining substitute handkerchief from vest, and adding to
borrowed one. Stepping behind table, egg is laid thereon,
and borrowed handkerchief dropped on servante. Substitute
tossed on table. (At this point the magician's assistant brings
on the magic pistol, which he places on center table, obtain-
ing borrowed handkerchief from servante. He goes behind
scenes and quickly inserts the handkerchief into tne ho41ow
egg and lemon, replaces end of latter with piece of sharp
wire ; then brings on openly the basin, with prepared lemon
concealed behind same. Basin is placed on center raoie jusi
in front of large Black Art well, with lemon concealed behind
basin.) Meanwhile, the performer steps forward to receive
his volunteer assistant, and seats him on the right of stage,
drawing forward with left hand a chair for this? purpose. This
enables magician to palm Parcel No. 1 from right vest. As
soon as young man is seated, performer moves chair a trifle,
placing right hand (with palmed parcel) lightly and naturally
on his back, thus bringing the little hook on red silk in con-
tact with his coat, and the handkerchiefs unroll and string
down his back with removal of hand. If the boy is placed
slightly facing the audience, the handkerchiefs cannot pos-
sibly be seen from the front. Lemon is immediately handed
boy from right side stand, with instructions to hold it tightly
to prevent its evanishment.

54 SOME MODERN CONJURING

He is bound to inspect it more or less, and finds it un-
prepared, of course. Magician now walks behind center table,
and takes safety match-box in left hand, removing a match
with the right, and lighting the candle. In closing the box,
the black tissue parcel is propelled into left hand. Exhibiting
red and blue pieces of tissue, they are ignited in candle flame,
and quickly reduced to ashes in the hands. Black tissue
parcel now brought partially to view, being taken for aslies.
Tissue broken and red and blue silks slowly materialized.
Silks brought forward with borrowed (substitute) handker-
chief, and boy requested to cut out the centers. For this
purpose, the performer holds the handkerchiefs in left hand,
drawing out the centers with the right ; and the boy cuts the
centers fairly out with the scissors. Spreading the handker-
chiefs to demonstrate the damage, the performer tosses them
with the loose centers, upon right side stand, and forms the
cornucopia out of the uppermost piece of newspaper on left
stand. It is shown perfectly empty, and then placed in the
goblet on center table, performer meanwhile obtaining Parcel
No. 2 from left trousers pocket. The visible mutilated hand-
kerchiefs are then crumpled between the palms, really quickly
rolled up small, and the secret parcel permitted to unroll suf-
ficiently to display the corners of the three different colored
handkerchiefs (with wrong centers). It is therefore Parcel
No. 2 that is dropped into the regular compartment of the
cornucopia, the secret pocket being opened before the hand
is withdrawn. As he has his left side turned to the audience
at this time, he is enabled to vest the original mutilated hand-
kerchiefs at this time. Returning for the loose centers, he
drops these into the cone in like manner; that is, into the se-
cret pocket, and pushes them down with wand. The egg is
now broken on the basin, and dropped, shell and all, into the
secret pocket of cone, on top of loose centers. A few passes
are made with the cornucopia over candle flame. Performer
then bares his arm and gingerly removes the three handker-
chiefs from the paper, spreading them out to the view of the
company, and appearing not to notice the wrong centers on
the handkerchiefs until apprised of the fact by murmurs from
the company. Being considerably disconcerted at this turn

SOME MODERN CONJURING 55

of affairs, he finally sets about to rectify the mistake. He
brings forward the second piece of newspaper from side stand,
and wraps the three handkerchiefs therein, "screwing" up
the paper till it bursts, and reveals the flag therein. This is
shaken out, while paper, containing handkerchiefs, is crum-
pled up and tossed aside. As the lady does not care to accept
the flag in place of her own property, the magician at last
turns to the boy. and requests him to produce the missing
handkerchiefs from his pocket. While he is searching his
clothes", the performer relieves him of the lemon and places
it on the center table. If the boy does not of his own accord
turn his back to the audience, he is assisted by the performer,
who places him in the desired position, revealing the string
of mutilated handkerchiefs on the back of his coat. These
handkerchiefs are duly loaded into the magic pistol, and fired
at the lemon on the center table. In bringing the lemon for-
ward, it is exchanged for the prepared lemon behind the basin
in manner already described under the "Egg and Handker-
chief," vide "More Novel Notions," and the handkerchief dis-
covered in the egg in the lemon is therefore the original bor-
rowed one, and is immediately returned to the owner without
.substitution. It only remains to wrap the candle in the piece
of paper, extinguishing the flame, and in crumpling up the
packet the fake candle is destroyed and the unprepared red
and blue silks extracted therefrom.

THE FLAG, BRAN, AND ORANGE TRICK.

This very effective combination trick is good in any part
of a programme, though, personally, I prefer to use it as an
appropriate finish to a series of handkerchief experiments, the
ultimate change from handkerchiefs to flags following in nat-
ural sequence. Of course, there is nothing particularly new
in the effects obtained, same being a sort of combination of
Hermann's well-known "Rice and Orange Trick," and the
"Congress of Nations," so it is really the suggestion, and not
a "new invention," that I wish to give.

The arrangement involves the use of several pieces of
so-called "general utility" apparatus, and if the amateur will

56

SOME MODERN CONJURING

Fig. 6. Flag, Bran and Orange.

S O M E M ODER X CONJURI N G 57

devote a little study with regard to detail and manner of pre-
sentation, he will find the effect most pleasing, not to say
mysterious, to his audience.

The arrangement, as I will give it, is subject of almost
endless variation, depending considerably upon the skill of
the individual performer.

Effect: The performer brings forward a small drawer
box, from which are taken three silk handkerchiefs, red, white,
and blue. Closing the now empty drawer, the box is placed
on the floor in view of all. The three silks are shown separate,
then joined together by a knot in upper corner, in which
condition they are instantly transformed into a small United
States silk flag.

An elegant nickel-plated vase, of graceful design, is next
introduced, and offered for free inspection, the performer inci-
dentally producing an orange from the hair or whiskers of
a spectator while in the audence. The vase is filled with bran
from a box containing this commodity, and covered with a
shallow lid.

The flag and the orange are now caused to vanish, one
after the other, from the performer's hands, passing invisibly
into the covered vase, while the bran makes way by passing
into the drawer-box. Performer, showing hands empty, now
takes flag and produces therefrom hundreds of tiny red, white
and blue flags. These finally give way to a number of silk
flags of different nations, ending with the evolution of the
original flag into a mammoth United States silk flag.

Exp^nation: Very little explanation will suffice. The
vase is commonly known at the dealers as the Bran or Candy
Vase, which is a beautiful piece of apparatus, and makes an
imposing appearance on my center table. The vase proper
is provided with a metal inner bowl, fitting nicely therein, and
the lid is likewise provided with a bran tray, which serves the
same purpose as the bran "fake" in the well-known Bran
Glass.

The drawer proper of drawer-box is beforehand filled with
bran, outer drawer being pulled out and three small silks (red,
white, and blue) placed therein. The silks may be trans-

58 SOME MODERN CONJURING

formed into the flag by the method best suited to the per-
former's skill or taste.

Of course, duplicates of the flag and orange are before-
hand placed in the vase fake (inner bowl), and the latter in-
verted over the bran tray in the box of bran. By the way, I
use for the bran a box without lid and open at one end. The
box, containing the bran and "fakes" duly arranged therein,
I place in readiness on a chair, or low stool, with the open
end of the box to the rear. The open end of the box permits
greater ease in loading the inner bowl into the vase proper ;
and I always make it a point, after the flag and orange have
made their invisible journey, to offer the bran box for inspec-
tion, together with the vase. The skeptics may then prod
^heir fingers into the bran without being any the wiser for their
pains, no duplicate vase being materialized therein, of course.

The production of the tissue flags and silk flags of differ-
ent nations is too well known in conjuring circles to warrant
description here. I prefer to obtain the first "load" of flags
from Black Art wrell in center table, in the act of picking up
visible flag after "passing" flag and orange into vase.

As I have said, the above arrangement is subject to
considerable variation. If the performer desires to elaborate
ipon it in the way of apparatus, he may substitute for the
drawer-box a pair of nickeled cones, one being provided with
a flap to contain the bran, vide "Rice and Orange Trick." In
this case the original flag could be evolved from three little
pieces of red, white, and blue tissue, which are converted, while
burning, into three silken streamers, and thence into the flag.

Again, the flag may first be "passed" into an egg; the
egg into an orange; and the latter into the bran vase, the
orange alone being found in the vase. The orange is then
cut open, disclosing the egg, and the latter upon being tapped
with the wand, reveals the missing flag.

A pretty effect may likewise be obtained by using a Turk-
ish Hag instead of the United States, thereby lending an orien-
tal aspect to the trick.

Again, I can recommend the following variation as an
effective combination, especially for opening a program:

SOME MODERN CONJURING 59

After usual introductory remarks, performer forms a
small piece of note paper into a tiny tube, from which he
extracts a small United States flag". This is rolled up small
in the hands, and vanished, being reproduced from candle.
Candle taken from tail pocket, alight. A second paper tube,
somewhat larger than the first, is next formed, through which
United States flag is pushed by wand. Upon withdrawing
flag at opposite end of tube, a small British flag is found in
the folds of the United States.

Performer next borrows a wedding ring, which he knots
in center of British flag, and deposits the parcel in a glass
tumbler, which is covered with a silk handkerchief and se-
cured with a rubber band. The United States flag is then
pushed into a common lamp-chimney, which is held hori-
zontally between the hands, when United States flag visibly
changes to British flag; and upon removing from tumbler,
the borrowed wedding ring is found securely knotted in the
missing U. S. flag.

Bran vase next introduced, and filled with the commodity
from box, and covered with lid. Orange, magically produced,
vanishes from performer's hands, likewise British and United
States flags. Orange and flags reproduced from vase ; bran re-
turns invisibly to box. ,

The two small flags are now pushed through the paper
cylinder, as before, resulting in their transformation into
one large United States silk flag.

With the reader's perusal of the foregoing pages, the
working of the above arrangement will be readily understood,
same being- an effective combination of the following tricks:

Flag and Candle.

Primary and Compound (see post).

Wedding Ring Trick (first stage).

Flag, Bran, and Orange.

The magical production of the first flag from tiny paper
tube is an effective production, and is accomplished as fol-
lows :

Beforehand, form a paper tube from a 3x3 piece of note
paper, and glue same. When dry, pack in flag and press ends
of tube upon flag. A 4x4 piece of note paper is in view on

60 SOME MODERN CONJURING

side stand. Performer makes his entrance with flag tube con-
cealed in bend of left elbow, fold of coat sleeve drawn over
same. Visible piece of paper is exhibited and taken in left
hand, the latter then drawing back right sleeve. Right hand
then draws back left sleeve, paining flag tube from bend of
elbow, and the visible paper is formed into tiny tube round
flag parcel. Forefinger then inserted, and flag slowly drawn
out, after which the tube (both tubes) is destroyed. A few
experiments before a mirror will soon enable you to get the
flag parcel into position for forming tube with both palms
practically in view of audience throughout.

Sometimes I omit the Wedding Ring feature in the above
combination, and after presentation of the Flag, Bran and
Orange trick, I state that, for the benefit of those who failed
to grasp the theory of the last experiment, I will repeat it,
contrary to my custom, and in a still more simple manner.
I then perform the "Watch, Handkerchief and Bran," which
brings the above series of effects to a bewildering termination.

THE DIE, CANARY, AND MYSTIC CAGE.

Effect: A solid die is exhibited, covered with a cloth
and slipped in a skeleton stand which just contains the die.

Die box shown empty, and doors closed. Nickeled chim-
ney cover likewise proven empty.

Die passes invisibly from skeleton stand to die box ;
thence to nickeled chimney cover.

Canary bird taken from cage and placed under chimney
cover. Die placed in a glass box, which is in turn placed in
skeleton stand and covered with cloth.

Bird passes from chimney cover to glass box. Die leaves
glass box and is found once more under cover.

Canary is now placed in paper bag, which is blown to
pieces by pistol shot, canary instantly appearing in uncovered
cage.

Explanation: The various requisites consist of:

A skeleton stand, containing a loose skeleton die frame,
vide "Chinese Bird Cage Illusion," into which solid die slips
easily. All parts of stand and frame painted black.

SOME MODERN CONJURING 61

A glass box without lid, bottom covered with black felt,
to fit in skeleton frame and stand.

A solid die.

A metal shell die, with hinged lid.

A nickeled chimney cover, fitting over shell die.

A glass box, without lid, bottom covered with black
cloth, with several white spots thereon, to represent sixth side
of die. This box is slightly smaller than solid die.

A cloth die shell, or hood, fitting over small glass box.

A sliding die box.

A mechanical bird cage for the magical appearance of
one or more canaries without covering.

Three canaries of like appearance.

A cloth of some soft material.

A paper bag, prepared in usual manner for evanishment
of bird.

A pistol, and a china plate.

Preparation: On center table, the skeleton stand with
die frame therein ; glass box ; sliding die box with two doors
open, box appearing empty ; paper bag ; pistol ; and the me-
chanical cage, containing two canaries, one visible and one in
secret chamber.

On right side stand : Fake die consisting of small glass
box (in which is placed the third canary) covered with cloth
die hood, thus appearing as a solid die on all six sides, the
cloth covered bottom of glass box supplying sixth side.

On left side stand : Nickeled chimney cover, containing
shell and solid die, arranged thus : Solid die is placed on top
of shell die, and cover slipped over all.

Presentation: Fake die is taken from right side stand
and exhibited. Chimney cover then picked up with shell and
solid inside, and cover and shell slipped over visible fake die,
"just to show how it fits." Chimney cover is now inverted,
which process apparently "shoots" the die through the cover,
and out upon table, proving, indirectly, the emptiness of
chimney cover; but, as a matter of fact, in inverting the cover,
the concealed solid die slips out, and the fake die remains in
cover, in shell die, in original lower end of cover, by pressure
of fingers on latter. The cover is then replaced in its orig-

62 SOME MODERN CONJURING

inal position on stand, and the solid die carried to center table
and slipped into the skeleton stand, which it just fits. Stand
is now inverted, permitting die to fall into the hand, with
skelton frame on the die. If die is held in such position that
the sixth side, which is not covered by skeleton frame, is pre-
sented to the audience, the frame is not noticeable. Die is
immediately covered with cloth, performer standing behind
center table, and while opposite hand exhibits the skeleton
stand, the covered die is permitted to slip out of skeleton
frame and cloth into servante, leaving cloth unchanged in ap-
pearance by reason of the frame retained therein. The cov-
ered frame (supposedly the die) is then placed on top of
skeleton stand, slightly crosswise to prevent its falling there-
in. The reader will note that this part of the trick is exactly
like the Chinese Bird Cage Illusion, from which I have taken
the idea for the Die Trick.

Leaving the covered "die" on top of skeleton stand for
the time being, the performer next shows the sliding die box,
the doors of which he closes, and replaces box on table. He
then permits the supposed die to fall into skeleton stand, still
covered by the cloth, and commands the die to pass invisibly
into die box. Cloth removed from the skeleton stand, show-
ing latter empty, as the die frame is not distinguishable from
frame of stand, in which it fits. Die taken from sliding box,
and returned. Usual opening and closing of doors in slid-
ing box, then all four opened, showing evanishment of die
from box. Chimney cover lifted, together with shell die, re-
vealing fake die (hood over glass box) thereunder. This die
is now placed in large glass box, and latter placed in skele-
ton stand, and covered with cloth as before. Assistant now
steps forward with the china plate held in both hands before
him. Performer takes bird from cage and places it upon the
plate, covering with the chimney cover. Transposition now
takes place, cloth being removed from skeleton stand, carry-
ing away die hood, revealing canary in (double) glass box;
and on lifting chimney cover, shell die is found on plate. Of
course, performer can not lift this die from the plate, as it con-
ceals the bird, so he quickly passes on to the last stage of
trick, the assistant setting plate and die down on table.

SOME MODERN CONJURING 63

Performer now takes visible canary from glass box in
skeleton stand, and places it in the prepared paper bag, im-
mediately blowing the latter to pieces with the pistol. Assist-
ant off stage releases spring, and concealed canary appears
simultaneously in cage on table.

A NOVEL DIE COMBINATION.

This is another variation in the old-time die trick, in
which the principle involved in the Chinese Bird Cage Illu-
sion is still further utilized.

Effect: A solid die is removed from a box which just con-
tains it ; die is covered with a cloth, and slipped in a skele-
ton stand.

A nickeled chimney cover is shown empty, and placed on
a china plate, and an orange, magically produced, is dropped
in chimney cover.

A transposition now takes place, the die appearing under
the chimney cover, while the orange is found in the skeleton
stand.

A (sliding) die box is next shown empty, and the doors
closed. The chimney cover is replaced over die on plate.
The orange, upon being taken between the hands, passes into
a state of invisibility, and returns to the chimney cover, while
the die passes into the die box, from which it is removed,
exhibited, and returned to the box.

After the usual "sliding" stunt with the die box, die
finally vanishes therefrom, and returns to the little box from
which it was originally taken.

Explanation: Requisites as follows:

A solid die.

A metal shell die, with hinged lid.

A nickeled chimney cover.

A skeleton stand, provided with 'die frame, as in the
preceding trick.

A sliding die box.

Two oranges.

A china plate.

64

SOME MODERN CONJURING

A

V

Fig. 7.

SOME MODERN CONJURING C5

A box and a "fake" die constructed precisely like the box
and folding cage in the Chinese Cage Trick. The accom-
panying drawing (Fig. 7) will explain the details of construc-
tion to those not familiar with the above mentioned trick. It
will be noted that the box proper (AA) is provided with a lid
both at top and bottom. The solid die fits nicely in the space
B. The space represented by CCC, access to which is gained
by the lowermost lid in the drawing, is provided for the ac-
commodation of the fake die, D, which consists of an ordinary
"shell" die, with a sixth side sliding easily writhin it, and pre-
vented from falling out by the presence of slight projections
on the corners of the shell. This movable sixth side permits
the shell die to be inserted in the lower compartment of the
box, CCC, the movable side resting, for the time being, in
the top of the shell, the sides of the latter slipping into the
narrow space between compartment B and the sides of the
box proper. The movable side of the fake die is slightly
weighted, so that when the die is taken out of the box, that
side drops into its normal position of its own accord, and the
die may thus be exhibited on all sides as a solid cube.

The box is prepared for use by placing the fake die, D, in
compartment, CCC, and the lid closed upon it, this side of
the box being turned downward to represent the bottom. The
ordinary solid die is then placed in compartment, B, and the
box is placed on side stand on performer's left.

On right side stand are placed the china plate, and the
chimney cover containing shell die with hinged lid.

On center table are placed the skeleton stand, containing
die frame, and the sliding die box, with two doors open so
that the box appears empty. The cloth is placed on same
table.

One orange is vested for magical production, and the
other placed on servante of center table.

Presentation : Performer brings forward the little box
from left side stand, supporting the bottom lid on palm. Solid
die is removed and passed for inspection, and a spectator re-
quested to blow the dust from interior of box. This indirectly
shows that the box is now empty. Orange produced from

66 SOME MODERN CONJURING

pocket of same spectator. In returning to stage, box is re-
versed and set down on side stand with the lid closed.

Solid die now slipped into skeleton stand, tipped out with
frame thereon, and covered with the cloth, and while exhibit-
ing the stand the die is permitted to slip out of frame onto
servante, as already explained in the preceding trick. Covered
frame set crosswise on top of skeleton stand.

Chimney die exhibited, and wand passed through same
to prove empty. Fingers seize hinged lid of shell die within,
at top of chimney, so that when orange is dropped therein it
passes through to the plate, proving, conclusively, that noth-
ing but the orange is now covered by the chimney.

The covered die frame is now dropped in skeleton stand,
under cover of which it becomes an easy matter to palm the
orange from servante into the stand.

Die therefore passes from skeleton stand to chimney
cover on plate, and the orange appears in skeleton stand, from
which it is removed and laid on table in front of Black Art
well or trap.

Shell die covered on plate with chimney, and sliding die
box introduced, and doors closed. Orange then taken in hands
(passed down trap), and kneaded away over chimney. Latter
lifted with shell die therein, disclosing orange on plate. Die
produced from sliding box, and replaced. "Sliding" business
then enacted, and die eventually vanishes, and is taken from
the little box on side stand.

THE HOLMES INVISIBLE SERVANTE.

I take pleasure in acquainting my readers with my so-
called "invisible servante," which I can recommend as novel,
thoroughly practical, and extremely useful. It is so simple
in point of construction that anyone can have the few neces-
sary parts turned out at any local carpenter and blacksmith
shop, and assemble them himself on any conjuring side stand
base, provided with center rod and flange.

The table of which the invisible servante forms a part
is a light side stand, with circular top, which may be revolved
freely at pleasure. For my own personal use, I prefer a stand

SOME MODERN CONJURING 67

with a top only 12 inches in diameter, which is covered with
black velvet, with velvet drape three inches deep, finished
off with a two and one-half inch gold bullion fringe. This
type, combined with the novel servante arrangement, makes
a very handy table for secretly obtaining, or disposing of,
sundry small articles during the course of a programme, as it
may be brought forward or set aside at pleasure ; and the
small table space afforded gives the necessary pretext for
many essential moves. At the same time, the comparative
"skeleton" construction of the stand suggests to the mind of
the average spectator the absence of concealed mechanism,
while the revolving top serves to strengthen this impression
materially.

The accompanying illustrations explain the secret of its
construction. The stand consists, in addition to the base,
center rod, and flange, of the following parts (see Fig. 8) :

A is a circular piece of wood, five inches in diameter
by one-half inch in thickness, painted a dead black. The
edges should be sand-papered very smooth before painting.

B is the table top proper, 12 inches in diameter,
"dressed" as stated above. The under side is painted dead
black.

C, in the detail drawing, is a small angle iron, measur-
ing l/2 inch on each of its three angles. There are four of
these little pieces employed, which may be cut and bent out
of zinc or brass, and painted black. Each is provided with
a screw hole in one end.

To set up the table, lay the piece A exactly in the center
of B (the under side, of course). Then screw the little angle
irons carefully on B, as shown at CCCC, at points equidistant
round A, permitting the free end of each iron to overlap A,
and thus prevent B being separated from A. The little metal
angles should be perfect, and lap over A nicely without bind-
ing A to B, for a reason presently explained.

Now screw flange of center rod exactly in the center of
under side of A, and when the flange is in trim screwed
on center rod (D) of base, the table will appear as in the

r

IF

J

Fig. 8.

SOME MODERX CO X JURIXG 89

lower drawing in Fig. 8, H H representing the drape and
fringe.

It will now be found that the top proper of table may
be revolved either way at pleasure. B turning on A. B should
revolve without any "'wabbling" if the little angle irons have
been properly adjusted.

We now come to the servante. This is supported behind
the table by a peculiar-shaped arm I see E and F in Fig.
8) of common band iron, approximately y2 inch wide, and an
eighth of an inch thick. It will be noted in the drawing that
the horizontal end of this piece is screwed to the under side
of the stationary top. A. just inside of the course traveled
by the angle irons (CCCC) ; two screws being employed to
attach the arm to A. The iron has a slight "drop." or bend.
just beyond the screw holes, in order that the angle irons may
pass over this stationary arm when table top CB) revolves.
The arm then extends horizontally nearly to the outermost
edge of the table top proper (B), but inside of the drape
(HIT), being under the top. It then drops at right angles,
passing downward to a point a fraction of an inch below the
bottom of the fringe on top B : thence bending upward
(forming a V-shape) to a point about one inch below the
level of top B. Thus end F of the iron arm is outside
of the drapery of table, at what is normally the rear side, and
therefore out of view of the audience.

The servante proper is attached to the arm CE) at F.
As already stated, the apex of the "V" of this iron piece drops
just a fraction of an inch below the fringe on table top (B),
and thus it will be readily noted that, although a small
servante is concealed behind the stand, the top of the latter
may be revolved at pleasure without causing any disturbance
of the drapery.

I will here call attention to one very important feature in
making up a table of this type. All parts of the iron servante
support (E) are painted dead black, with the exception of
that portion in the apex of the Y-shape bend of the iron,
where it is exposed against the gold bullion fringe, and drops
below it for a fraction of an inch : and that portion so exposed

70

SOME MODERN CONJURING

Fig. 9.

SOME MODERN CONJURI N G 71

against the fringe, on all sides of the iron, must be painted
with gold paint to match the fringe.

In the drawing-room, where the audience are seated on
the same level with the "stage," it will be found that those
in front of your tables are unable to see the bottom edge of
that portion of the fringe or drape for the time being hanging
behind the table ; but the bottom of such fringe or drape at
back of table will be visible if table is slightly elevated, as
on a regular stage or platform. Therefore, the iron servante
support passing under the fringe at back of table is not in
view to the drawing-room audience ; but painted to match
the gold bullion fringe, the iron is absolutely undetectable at
very short range, even with the table elevated.

I have said that the servante proper is attached to the
iron support at F. Of course, the servante room afforded by
this arrangement is limited only by the style of drapery on
the table ; but in any case the weight should be reduced to
a minimum, in order to prevent any "sagging" of the V-shaped
iron support. In the case of a very small servante, for merely
obtaining or disposing of sundry "fakes," changing tubes, etc.,
the velvet drape may be dispensed with altogether, dense gold
bullion fringe supplying the little concealment necessary for
the servante, and heavy wire may be substituted for the iron
servante support.

L, M, and N, Fig. 9, depict three types of these little
servantes, which I have found best adapted to this particular
stand. All may be readily affixed or removed from the sup-
port by means of a little tin tube, or cap, one inch in length,
which fits rather snug over the end F. The servante proper
is soldered to the cap in each case.

Servante L is merely a three-inch piece of wire, bent up-
ward at the ends, to which are soldered two little forks, the
servante being intended to accommodate a handkerchief
changing tube, or similar "fake."

Servante M is in the form of a shallow tray, open at back,
with a similar fork at each end.

Servante N is a light wire frame, to which is attached a
small bag of cloth or net.

72 SOME MODERN CONJURING

In the presentation of many tricks, the revolving table
possesses many advantages distinctly its own. Take, for in-
stance, the well-known "Color Changing Handkerchiefs" with
a paper tube, the author's version of which, involving the use
of the above table, follows.

THE COLOR CHANGING HANDKERCHIEFS.

The effect of this ever-popular handkerchief trick may
be greatly enhanced by the aid of the above described table.
Three white silk handkerchiefs are joined together at ex-
treme corners in a long string, in which condition they are
pushed together into a paper cylinder, being withdrawn at the op-
posite end "dyed," respectively, old-rose, green, and yellow (or
any other combination of colors). Handkerchiefs and paper
tube may be inspected.

Requisites and preparation :

Six silk handkerchiefs, all one size ; three white, one old-
rose, one green, and one yellow ; a metal changing tube with
sliding partition, which is provided with circular piece of
cloth as a guard against "jamming," as already mentioned; a
piece of drawing-paper 6x9 ; a small rubber band ; and a light
side stand provided with "invisible" servante, as above de-
cribed. The servante proper is of the type depicted at N,
Fig. 8.

Previous to presentation, the old-rose, green, and yellow
silks are joined together in a string, in the order named, and
packed, in like order, into the changing tube, which is then
placed on the forks of the little servante of stand. The end
of the changing tube for the time being closed by the sliding
partition is to my right as I take a position behind the stand.

The piece of paper and rubber band are placed in view
on top of stand, and the three white silks are dropped care-
lessly on the paper.

Presentation: Everything in readiness, I come forward
and pick up the three visible handkerchiefs, showing them all
separate and unprepared. The stand is on my left. I take
the handkerchiefs by their upper corners in right hand, and
with the left carelessly revolve the table top, immediately

SOME MODERN CONJURING 73

drawing the paper off the back with same hand. I show the
paper, both sides, and in replacing it upon the stand (which
has now ceased to move), I take pains to have the rear edge
of paper overlap the concealed changing tube to the extent
of about one inch. I now draw back my sleeves a little, and
proceed to join the handkerchiefs together in a long string.
Showing them thus fairly joined, I draw the piece of paper
off the back of the stand with left hand, precisely as before,
thumb above, fingers below, the latter seizing the changing
tube and bringing it away behind the paper as the latter is
drawn off the stands. The right hand immediately places the
string of handkerchiefs upon the stand. This latter hand,
being free, now seizes the lower right hand corner of the
paper, and brings it up in front of the upper half of the sheet.
Simultaneously, the left hand releases the upper half, which
changes places with the lower half as the latter is raised to
the left fingers. There is a little knack in the movement to
avoid the disclosure of the changing, tube resting on left
fingers, but, properly performed, the effect to those in front
is that the conjurer carelessly reverses the paper in his left
hand during the course of his remarks. The paper is then
formed into a hollow cylinder round the changing tube, and
secured with the rubber band. This operation leaves the
cylinder in left hand, the changing tube being permitted to
slide to the lower end, where it is retained by the fingers
grasping the paper a little below the middle.

I next draw the string of silks off the stand, and insert
same into the lower end of the cylinder. My patter, at this
time, is to the effect that, while the ordinary commercial dyer
must of necessity "run" each piece of fabric through a sep-
arate "bath" to obtain the desired shade, I desire to empha-
size the superiority of the "mystical process" by passing the
joined handkerchiefs through the "dye tube," when I shall
remove same with each handkerchief "dyed" a different shade
from the other, despite their being joined together.

By the time the lost corner of silk is pushed out of sight
(into changing tube), the yellow handkerchief begins to ex-
pand at top. At this point I take up a position nearly behind
the stand, with my right side to the audience. I make sure

74 SOME MODERN CONJURING

that the original string of (white) silk is tucked well out of
sight into changing tube, and that the operation has forced
the concealed silks completely out of changing tube. This
is very important. I then seize the exposed corner of yellow
handkerchief at top of cylinder with right hand, and slowly
draw the string of colored silks upwards from the cylinder.
As the handkerchiefs, tied cornerwise, measure some forty-
five inches, the hands are thus separated to some consider-
able extent ; and as the right hand develops the silk, drawing
the attention of those present in an upward direction, the
left hand, acting in unison with the other, draws away from
the right, and is lowered to the rear table edge. This brings
the lowTer end of the cylinder behind the table, and the chang-
ing tube is quickly dropped in servante. Of course, the cylin-
der is lowered to the stand for an instant only, the movement
being unnoticeable. As a pretext for using the table during
this stage of the trick, I now permit the colored handkerchiefs
to fall upon the stand, immediately showing the paper tube
empty and tossing the same into audience. I then draw the
handkerchiefs off the stand with the one hand while the other
again revolves the top. The apparent off-hand revolving
of the table top proves conclusively, in the mind of the
average spectator, the utter impossibility of anything being
concealed behind the drapery of table ; while the plain felt top
precludes the idea of ''Black Art" traps to those who may
have knowledge of such expedients in Magic.

The above will serve as a very good example of the many
good uses to which this "invisible servante" may be put. It
is particularly effective in the evanishment of a glass of water,
and similar objects, where the use of the orthodox servante
table may be suspected.

SOME MODERN CONJURING 75

AN INEXHAUSTIBLE BLACK ART TABLE.

This is another mechanical table of the light side stand
type, with Black Art top. A table of this kind, if provided
with more than a single "well" opening, restricts the amount
of solid table surface for general use. Hence the idea given
below is intended to overcome this difficulty, said side stand
being provided with Black Art top with but one opening,
which, however, by means of a revolving top, may be shifted
to give access to two or more wells, or none, at pleasure.

Figs. 10 to 13, inclusive, set forth clearly the construc-
tion of the table. It will be noted that there are really two
tops on the stand, A, and D, A being the top proper, which
rests on D, this latter top being two inches less in diameter
than the former. A is covered with black velvet, on which the
usual design in gold braid, or ribbon, is laid out. For the sake
of illustration, I have shown this design in Fig. 10 as a sort
of conventional flower, the shaded petal, B, being the opening
in the wood, the edges of which are covered with velvet. The
false top, D, is provided with two openings, E and F, Fig. 11,
in which are placed the usual black velvet bags, velvet side in.

In assehbling the table (see Figs. 12 and 13), top D
is screwed to the center rod of the base with usual flange. Top
A is provided with a square-headed bolt, H, which is
permanently attached- to the top (A) with a countersunk
screw plate, and a socket is provided in the center rod into
which the bolt fits nicely, so that there may be no "wabble"
to the table top. Top D therefore has a corresponding bolt
hole, but round, so that when A turns with the bolt top D
remains stationary, being screwed to flange of center rod.

C, Fig. 12, is a pin working not too freely through a tiny
hole in the edge of the table top proper (A). G, Fig. 11, is a
small piece of metal screwed to the under side of top D, from
which it projects to the extent of about three-quarters of an
inch, and is provided at this end with a tiny slot, as shown,
into which the pin, C, slips easily.

Thus, if the pin (C) is raised, the table top (A) may be
revolved indefinitely; but if slight pressure is brought to
bear on the pin, while the table top is in motion, the projecting
slot piece (G) acts as a stop when the pin reaches it.

76

SOME MODERN CONJURING

A

D

Fl<j. 10.

Fig.//.

Fi«j. IZ

/

F'1- '3

Figs. 10 to 13, inclusive.

SOME MODERN CONJURING 77

The stop (G), it will be noted, is placed directly opposite
well, F, and the pin (C) opposite the opening, B. Therefore,
if, in the beginning, the table top is adjusted with the opening,
B, directly over E in top D, this well is accessible, and may
be dispensed with, when it has served its purpose, by revolving
top A. During such revolution the pin (C) is pressed down,
which stops top A with the opening (B) directly over well F.

If, for any reason, it should be desired to again shift the
table top, the pin is raised, and the top shifted so that the
opening B passes beyond well F. This would naturally bring
the opening in top A over the solid surface of top D (which
should be painted dead black), creating a shallow depression,
in depth the thickness of top A, which may be utilized to good
advantage for concealing sundry small objects, such as coins,
rings, etc.

Of course, the false top (D) could be provided with up-
wards of four pockets, any of which would be equally acces-
sible through the opening (B) in top A; but such an arrange-
ment would hardly be necessary or advisable.

II, Figs. 12 and 13, represent the plush or velvet drape on
top A, which conceals the presence of the bags suspended
from D.

Personally I have found the above type of Black Art side
stand a very convenient one. Not only is it specially adapted
to drawing-room work, where the conjurer's tables must, of
necessity, occupy the minimum of space; but, as already
set forth^two wells are readily available through the one
opening, and the revolving feature precludes the possibility,
in the mind of the average spectator, of anything being con-
cealed on the back of the table.

(<

The End."

THAYERS

Magic Shop of tke'West

MANUFACTURER OF

Fine Conjuring Tables

AND HICH GRADE SPECIALTIES IN

Magical Wo odcr aft

To the progressive magical entertainer the question of tables is a
very important one, and quite deserving of much thought and attention.
In this particular line I am in a position to offer you exceptional ad-
vantages in the selection of artistic tables of a style different from any
now on the market, and at a cost surprisingly low, ranging from a neat
portable side stand (see black-and-gold stands illustrated elsewhere in
this book) for $3.00 to a handsome stage center table for $25,00.
Am still selling my original "Eureka" Tables, Set of three, for $ 1 0.00.

THE "EUREKA" TABLES

Note tke f ollowing points concerning this elegant set :

Top of Center Table 14x20 inches. Side Stands
12 inches diameter. Height from floor 34 inches.

All legs and center shafts made from best selected
■white maple, turned and fitted with the utmost
care and certainty, and when set up for use they
stand steady and firm.

The finish is black and gold, with a last final
lacquer that gives lustre, and prevents tarnish to the
gilded parts.

Tops are felt covered, but are left solid so each
performer may construct traps, etc., to fit his own
special requirements.

Center Table supplied with rich crimson velvet
drape, decorated with gold bullion fringe and trim-
mings.

All three tables weigh less than 15 lbs., and easily
pack in any suit case, with ample room to spare.
The "Eureka" Set, Center Table and 2 Stands, $10.

Large

Enough

to

Grace

arty

Stage

1

Small
Enough

to

Adorn

any

Parlor!

If you want a novelty in the way of stage apparatus, my new Com-
bination Coin-Ladder-Table will give them something to think about.

This, and several other novel features, are included in my new Table
Booklet, which I will gladly mail to any address for stamp.

Have you seen my

Latest Obedient Coins?

California Orangewood Wand.wjth Manzanita Tips ?
Demon Card Frame ?
I Eureka Billiard Ball Set?

"JIAGICAL GOODS THAT SATISFY"

F. G. THAYER, 101 W. Union St., Pasadena. Cal.

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