Of all the classics of magic, the flying ring effect is one of the prettiest.
In this masterful method however, no pull or body attachment is used.
The effect is just the same as with the original version wherein a borrowed
ring passes from one hand to the other while they are enclosed with
handkerchiefs, which also may be borrowed. Follow the instructions as
given here and you’ll have one of the nicest program effects you ever
have used.
Duplicate a wedding ring in the five and ten cent store. Good imitations
are to be had there and with this in your right vest pocket, two men’s
handkerchiefs and two rubber bands complete the preparation. Place the
two handkerchiefs on the table over the edge and with the two ends on
the table close together. Get the ring on your first finger and keep this
finger folded into your palm. Go into the audience and ask for the loan of
a wedding ring. Have the owner slip this ring on the second finger of your
right hand. Go back to the front, picking up a gentleman on your way to
accompany you and help. He is to be at quite a distance from the owner
of the ring. As you go to the front, bend in the second finger and extend
the first.
The assistant removes the ring from the first finger, it being natural, and he
never suspects the use of another finger. As repeated performances prove,
neither does the owner. Stand with your right side to the audience as you
have the ring taken. Tell him to hold the ring tightly in his fist.
Walk back to the table and pick up one of the handkerchiefs with your
right hand. As you do so, push the borrowed ring under the tip of the other
handkerchief ! This is done in an instant and is never detected ! Hand the
handkerchief picked up to the spectator with a rubber band. He lays the
ring in your hand (duplicate). Then tell him to cover your hand with the
hank. As he does, you hold your arm up and the ring drops down your
coat sleeve ! He puts the band around your wrist to hold the handkerchief.
As he does this, pull up your right sleeve which prevents the ring from
dropping out should you forget and lower your arm. Let the audience get
a casual look at your left hand which is empty.
Go over and pick up the other handkerchief with your left hand, grasping
the ring under the tip as you do. Have the spectator take this handkerchief
and you close your left hand into a fist. This hand is also covered and
banded. Hold the hands far apart and command the ring to travel.
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Remember that up to now no one knows what is going to happen. They
have no reason to suspect a thing being wrong with the left hand as the
misdirection is quite perfect. Have the assistant remove the handkerchief
from the right hand. The ring is now gone ! Thank him and dismiss him.
Now walk directly to the person who loaned the ring, keeping the left
hand high in the air. This person removes the band and handkerchief and
finds their own ring !
You will find this perfectly practical in working. In the pull method only
one ring is used but the effect is not any better. The pull method is not
easy to set, it sometimes is noisy, and there is always the possibility of
losing half of one’s shirt during the journey of the ring. Don’t manipulate
the hands during the effect. Don’t call attention by ‘flashy’ moves that
the hands are empty. They should be ! The audience will never have
any reason to suspect otherwise. Just give it plenty of practice to make
the routine smooth. You’ll wind up with an effect you will be proud to
perform.