Good methods for the appearance of spirit (?) writing on slates are many,
and there seems to be no end to ideas. The method explained here was
shown to me by one of the cleverest of amateur magic fiends and it has
supplanted my present almost impromptu method.
In his hands the psychic has four pieces of silicate of the flap type. With
a handkerchief or dry cloth he casually wipes the upper surface of the top
piece, turns it over, cleans the under side and puts the cleaned slate on the
table. This is done with all four pieces of silicate in the most open and
easy manner and then all four are spread in a row. The spectator is asked
to indicate any two of them, and two are laid aside. Two are picked up, put
together and the spectator may hold. Upon sliding them apart, nothing is
found. A few moments later they are separated but still nothing is found.
Finally, on the third attempt, a real chalk message completely covering the
entire side of one is found and all four pieces may be left with the sitters.
Exactly one simple move makes this whole thing possible as well as
perfect. When the four pieces are being held in the left hand, the message
is on the upper side of the third slate from the top. Dr Daley uses pieces
of silicate 5 x 7 inches as the most practical size. The left little finger
holds a break between the third and bottom piece at the start. The top
piece is cleaned and then turned over with the right finger and thumb at
the lower right corner (inner). When this side has been cleaned it is slid
off and dropped on the table. The top surface of the next slate is now
wiped off and the same manoeuvre is made but this time two pieces are
turned together as one ! In short, you merely make a two card turnover
with silicate flaps ! The newly presented surface is cleaned and the piece
slid off to the table. Therefore the underside of this second piece carries
the message and the remaining two pieces are cleaned in the same manner
as the others.
On the table are four pieces in a row, and in the most open manner all
have been cleaned on each side. The spectator indicates any two. No
matter which ones he takes, he must or must not include the message slate
and the performer either keeps the two indicated or lays them aside and
proceeds to use the remaining pieces. The message slate is dropped on top
of the other and the two held. To look at them the first time, the top one is
slid off with the right hand but nothing has been written on the upper side
of the lower slate, and the piece slid off is put back on the bottom.
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Again they are held (message is on the bottom of the lower slate) and this
time the top piece is opened out like a book but still nothing has appeared.
This top piece again is put underneath the other and in handing them
to the spectator the two are turned over. This time when slid apart, the
message looks directly up at them.
Once used, I think this method will be found highly effective and practical.
I certainly like it and have found it to be one of the cleanest methods of
which I know.
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