Ervin Subtleties

A NEW TORN CIGARETTE PAPER WRINKLE

Versions of the torn and restored cigarette paper with duplicate waxed to thumb nail were deceptive close-up methods. For a small audience and under more stringent conditions, try this. Wax rolled duplicate to front or ball of the thumb instead, this portion of thumb being kept downward while presenting. Thumb should be dry and free from perspiration. For best results, apply wax, either diachylon or magician’s wax, after slightly warming.

In presenting, after tearing and rolling the first sheet, remove the duplicate roll, squeeze the two together, and show them as one between the thumb and first finger, the torn packet against the thumb. This is pressed into the wax as the whole sheet is transferred to the fingers of the opposite hand, and is easily kept from view as you proceed with the restoration. This stunt will bear repetition by rolling and apparently discarding the whole sheet, detaching and discarding the torn packet instead, affixing the whole sheet roll to the thumb in its place.

AN INVISIBLE CARD SHINER

Card shiners are not outdated by any means. I have knowledge of several prominent card men who make quite constant use of them. An invisible substitute for the little device, should you have fear of being caught with the goods, is this. Paint an elongated circle upon the inner surface of the first joint of the left forefinger with transparent “lacquer” nail polish. Apply smoothly, permit to dry, and apply a second coat if the “thumb prints” are prominent. With a little experimenting it will be found that the indexes of cards may be easily read in the so applied mirror. The commodity is harmless, and is readily removed by applying more of the lacquer, wiping off when dissolved. When deck is held in left hand and someone allowed to open the cards at any point and note the index, a bit of handling will show how the reflection can be gotten to give you the card’s identity. With the lacquer applied to the right forefinger, cards can be glimpsed as dealt from anyone’s shuffled deck.

A PAPER CUP AND SILK ROUTINE

Requirements are three paper cups, two silks, a small container of water, and a paper cone. One of the cups is bottomless. Two are loaded with silks by sealing them compactly in the bottom with paper discs and melted paraffin. Nest the cups with the bottomless one at top. First show the inside of the nest and then separate to show unprepared (?). Re-nest the cups in the same order, and pour in the water. Remove the bottomless cup as though it contained water, place it in cone which is then crushed and tossed aside. Apparently produce the water in the two remaining cups, pouring it from one to the other. From one empty cup produce a silk by pushing the sealed disc in. Pour water from second cup into empty one and produce the second silk in the same manner. Now drink the water, toss the cups aside, and proceed with some number using the two silks.