Jinx #9 – June 1935 – A Matter of Policy
Ten cards – five Republicans and five Democrats. Arrangement done in front of everyone. Have the two sets of five separate at the start. Show them as you start the story and drop Democrats on top of Republicans face down. Carelessly mix as you continue. Fan, draw out the middle cards leaving two top and two bottom, and drop on top. Now remove third and fourth cards from the top and drop on top. The cards are now set to be stood in line from left to right and the elimination started. The setup is D-R-D-D-R-R-D-D-R-R.
Improvement by Andrew Brennan
Summer Extra 1935 – Horrors !!!
At Woolworth stores is sold a scratch pad called the World’s Biggest Little Tablet. It is made up of five different colored pages, about 30 of each. Put your Horror words on these and you reveal the information without ever being near the subject.
Suggestion by L. Vosburgh Lyons
Jinx #11 – August 1935 – The Card Unharmed
For a much better effect use an automobile driver’s card, a lodge card, or any personal membership card belonging to the spectator or reporter. The apparent mutilation strikes right at home.
Improvement by Monty Crowe
Jinx #17 – February 1936 – The Spectator’s Choice
Instead of the 6th and 22nd card being noted on the run through, note the 11th and 27th from the face of the pack as you fan them from left to right.
Jinx #18 March 1936 – Thoughts in General. Paragraph Two.
Practice this effect with a deck tied each way several times with heavy thread. It will save a lot of trouble when getting the knack of the throw.
Suggestion by Scotty Lang
Jinx #18 – March 1936 – Death Flight !
For the second envelope, turn the stack over and take the top one. Have it sealed and finish pressing down the flap with its face down on the stack. Turn it over singly and openly, and then, either in getting the pencil again, or in offering the envelope for marking, turn the whole stack over again (like a deck of cards). This gives them the original cards which have been on the bottom of the stack of envelopes and makes a different switch for the second time as well as putting both marks on the same side of each envelope.
Improvement by Andrew Brennan
Jinx #21 – June 1936 – Prophecy Plus
Use inch and a half sponge balls trimmed from different colored rubber sponges obtainable at Woolworth stores instead of handkerchiefs for the force. Silks do not mix well and getting caught in each other more than one will come out of the bag when selection is made.
Improvement by L. Vosburgh Lyons
Jinx #21 June 1936 – Think It Over
All animal men do know, and all magicians should know, that it’s cruel, harmful, and painful to hold a rabbit by the ears, as they are very sensitive. A rabbit should be held by the back of the neck with its weight resting on the palm of the other hand.
Correction by Orville Meyer
Summer Extra 1936 – Dice and a Book
Use with a telephone directory wherever you are. Vary by having two of the figures represent the page, the third figure the column, and the last figure the name in that column. It is easy for spectator to find the name and telephone number as he never has to count down more than nine, i.e., 3119 would be page 31 first column, ninth name. When there happens to be a nought in the last one such as 3020, the page would be 30, second column, and then, as long as there is a nought, you can tell them to look at the first name. You would be able to instruct them in this because you’d know all the time what they were looking for.
Variation by Frederick F. Clark
Jinx #22 – July 1936 – The Card Phenomenon
Have the spectator count off a number from five to ten instead of any number up to a dozen.
Correction by Charles Larsen
Jinx #23 – August 1936 – Calendar Conjuring
The following formulae can be substituted to advantage in the computing of the dates selected. When the sum of a four figure square is given, subtract 16 and divide by 4. This gives the smallest figure in upper left corner. Add 1 to get the figure to the right and 7 for the figure directly underneath, and 1 to that for the figure to right of lower first figure. For 4 figures in a vertical row subtract 42 from sum and divide by 4 for the smallest or top figure. For 5 figures in a vertical row, subtract 70 from sum and divide by 5. You do not have to be told whether four or five figures are being used as only one of these formulae will come out even. For any 7 figures in a horizontal row, subtract 21 from sum and divide by 7. For a rectangle of 6 figures, two wide and three deep, subtract 45 from sum and divide by 6 for smallest number in upper left corner. For a rectangle of 6, three wide and two deep, subtract 27 from sum and divide by 6 for the smallest number in upper left corner.
Suggested by Dr Jacob Daley
Jinx #24 – September 1936 – A Mental Test Revamped
After making a circle on paper, have the spectator write a short question and the initials of any card. Explain that the reason for the card is to check their thought with yours. In short, if you fathom the card, you know you will be well on the way toward gaining correct knowledge of the question, which is then answered. Get all of the information as described, when running through the deck for card.
Variation by William Larsen
Jinx #25 – October 1936 – Numismatigic
Use a magnet from a slot machine of the “one armed bandit” type. They are only about two inches long and can be concealed in the hand easily. They are strong enough to pick up an eight inch pair of shears, and are used in machines to stop iron and steel slugs. Can be obtained from anyone who repairs these machines.
Improvement by E.J. Oeinck
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