Editorial

When I first thought about putting out a monthly barrage of tricks, mystical whatnot, et cetera, I didn’t have the faintest idea of what such a time clock procedure might portend. I had (and still have) ideas for such a sheet such as have been had by no other purveyor of magical wisdom. Such thoughts gave me great courage though, and I have become somewhat of a martyr (you just can’t be a martyr in entirety when you love it the way I do) to a monthly cause.

There was a time when a month seemed like a long while to me but that time is gone forever. The reception accorded such an unpresuming sheet as The Jinx has surprised even ye egotistical owner, publisher, editor and head office boy. I now walk the streets and feel myself dedicated to a monument that will become heavier and heavier. (Ed., I hope)

To the few dear brothers who promised me material and then forgot to follow through I offer my sincere apologies for not being able to hold up the sheet any longer. I’m paying good cash for complete tricks of any type so I cannot understand why there should be a delay. Perhaps it is a case of being surprised that anyone would actually pay for contributions along magical lines. I can use two good, clean and complete effects a month and the more varied the nature the better. If I can’t use it, it will go sailing back without any quibbling, but if I can, rest assured I will be only too happy to receive it and will forthwith remit by check. If interested, write me at Waverly, New York.

While in this strain or vein of illy concealed sarcasm I may as well acknowledge the desire of several to furnish me with columns of news and notes provided I would wait for three or four issues in order (I am assuming) that they might not be in the position of the man who dove into the pool and found it too shallow.

I’ve tried to make it clear that I don’t need any news, etc., except for possible late items which can be used to fill. I’m not doing anything other than producing a monthly sheet of good, sound and practical tricks for the magicians at large who buy and have bought magical books for years. The fact that I will never include a trick that isn’t a complete program item and will always keep to the straight and narrow as far as what is practical is concerned, should be the selling point as far as The Jinx is concerned.

I want also to make a solemn promise that The Jinx will not be late again. The first of every month will see this sheet of uncompromising effects in the hands of your dealer and in the mail to subscribers. I detest alibis but two weeks in Chicago on business upset my schedule and although I had planned finishing it during my stay there, Dorny and the boys squashed that idea very effectively.

After a belated return to New York I again became skittish and wandered away to Glens Falls with Gordon Peck, than whom there is no more sincere or clever amateur in the country, and with whom there can be no rest.

So please, forgive and forget. I’ve just made arrangements that Ye Jinx shall be around on time henceforth, and a staff artist sits with brush in hand so that one will be mightily intrigued by the illustrations in issues to come.

I dedicated the first copy to a memory and intended dedicating this one to the expectation of another, but I think I shall just sit tight for a while and hope for the best while anticipating the worst.