Rope routines are my hobby in magic. I have been developing a series which begins with the stretching of a rope and then follows with cord manipulations and cut and restored effects. I needed an effective climax.

The idea of informing the audience that the performance was ended; or of bidding them farewell, by conveying this message with rope has proven very practical and surprising. I used a very heavy cardboard 12 by 18 inches in size. The message is outlined with pencil. Small tacks or nails 3/8 of an inch long and preferably with a broad head are successively placed on either side of these lines so as to form between them a channel or groove into which the cord is fed and thus maintained in place. The board and nails are uniformly painted black. A white or yellow border sets off the appearance. One or two of the popular manipulative ropes are used; the size is determined previously by actual measurement of the length required to fulfill the wording. Knot ends to prevent fraying.

The cardboard is held in the left hand while the right hand feeds the rope into the channel or groove in the same succession as if writing words. The board may be held either towards or away from the audience during this operation.

It is impressive how with but little experience and practise one becomes adept at forming the message, in fact, almost as rapidly as if it were written with chalk.

The black painted nails are imperceptible on a black background and as casually looked upon the board does not appear unduly faked. For the words “Good Bye”, two cords are best used. However, I have also made similar boards with the single words “Adieu” or “Finis” which require only a single rope, generally that used in the preceding effect.

While not a trick or super mystery this ending is novel to an audience. I have heard later a description of the rope being thrown at the board, its forming the words alone. While complimenting my speed as a result of practise such a statement at least serves to show that the effect certainly was noticed and remembered which is the least a performer can desire of any trick.