This is a suggested “variation” of The Incredible Thumb Restraint utilizing an extra long thumb tip, with all due credit to its originator, Mr. Frank M. Chapman. In the December 1937 issue of GENII was explained how Mr. Chapman was suspected of slipping a thumb free by his physician who had just witnessed an exhibition of the Thumb Tie effect. The doctor tried to circumvent such a happening by having his subject, or patient, hold out his thumbs, not crossed as in the usual versions, but side by side. Around these he bound several inches of stout adhesive tape. Out of these conditions Mr. Chapman evolved his method of release and return to the fetters, meanwhile accomplishing the usual manifestations.

No claim of either superiority or improvement is being made here to his version. I have merely eliminated the gimmick.

Procure a roll of adhesive tape 3/4 in. in width, and preferably of the watershed variety. Mr. Chapman suggested the taping of an assistant’s thumbs as a preliminary “test.” Should you wish to include this, and it is a rather effective bit of business, especially when tried upon one who previously during the performance has labeled himself as a “wise guy”, first cut off a piece of tape eight inches in length and then unroll some fifteen inches of tape from the roll.

Place the cut off piece, smoothly, upon the unrolled tape, adhesive surfaces together, beginning at a point eight inches from the end of the unrolled tape, after which the tape is rerolled.

The test piece is cut from the roll just 3/4 inches SHORT of the DOUBLED portion. Naturally, it does its work well in holding the spectator picked for this part of the presentation.

In the taping of your own thumbs, the 3/4 in. adhesive end is attached firmly to the inside portion (only) of the left thumb, the doubled tape continuing OVER the top of the thumb. Separate fingers and place the KNUCKLES of the two thumbs together. As the tape is wound around them separate slightly for slack at the instant the adhesive surfaces of the tape begin coming together. However, it will be found by experimenting that little if any slack is essential.

The glazed inner surface of the tie permits the right thumb to be withdrawn and inserted within the tape with any necessary rapidity. Two or three winds, or layers, of the tape stabilizes the tie amply, but this may also be judged by experimenting. For the “standard” figure 8 addition, tear off a piece of the tape 1/4 in. wide for the purpose. This is about the only case which necessitates a little slack.