Into a ten ounce bottle put the following : 1/2 ounce of Gum Sandarac; 1/2
ounce of Gum Mastic; 8 ounces of Grain Alcohol (use Denatured Alcohol
if Grain is not obtainable); 1 ounce of Liquid Carbolic Acid.
(Editor’s note : Death to the guy who wets his thumb or finger every time
he deals a card !)
Shake the bottle to dissolve the gums. Then let it stand for several days
to fully dissolve them. Strain through a fine white cloth which action
removes all foreign substances.
Daub a wad of cotton into the fluid and then rub it across (back and forth)
the part of the card to be roughened. Stroke the card’s surface only once
in each spot and try not to make more than a very thin layer of fluid upon
the card’s surface. Let the cards stand for a day or so before using. Don’t
attempt to match them with other roughened cards until they are well
dried out.
These ingredients are ready for you at your corner pharmacy provided
you think the effect worth the trouble. Otherwise your favorite magical
dealer could prepare them for you. The trick, regardless of method, is
one which is far superior to most closing tricks and it lends itself to the
making of friends in the audience because of its apparent frankness. And
you give them what ? The gloved wand. So be it.