Because I once mentioned the plumes production from Sach’s immortal
book Sleight of Hand, as a sterling piece of magic for the modern nite club
performer, I received, and still get, quite a few requests that, because of the
book being so hard to find these days, I reprint the instructions. Heeding
those requests because I really think the effect should be in use by one
performer at least, the trick is put down here with no apologies to those
who haven’t asked for it, and who, in spite of themselves, may find it just
what it is, a very perfect opening number.
This is a trick requiring a great display of dexterity, combined with
considerable boldness. The performer produces, from a large handkerchief,
enough plumes, each nearly two feet in length, to cover the floor of an
ordinary room. The plumes are rather expensive articles to purchase, but,
when once obtained, form an excellent stock in trade.
The method for producing them is to take off the coat, and then, grasping
a large quantity by the lower ends in each hand, replace the coat. The
compressible nature of the feathers enables a dozen or more plumes to
be concealed up each sleeve. Care should be taken that they lie along the
back of the arm. The performer, thus padded, comes on with a large silk
handkerchief in his hands, but contents himself with remaining well at the
back of the stage, and also refrains from turning his back to the audience.
He waves the handkerchief to and fro, to show that it is empty, and then
says that he will try and find something in it.
To do this, he spreads it over one hand, and, with the other, seizes the
end of one plume through it. At the same moment, with a sharp swift
movement, the handkerchief and plume are withdrawn, the underneath
hand falling to the side, assisting thereby in the withdrawal of the plume,
and also keeping the ends of the remaining ones out of sight. The hand
holding the handkerchief is inverted, and the plume will be revealed.
Under the pretense of removing this plume, the disengaged hand seizes
another plume through the handkerchief, and withdraws it with the same
movement which casts the one exhibited to the floor. The second one is
then shown, and the process of drawing another one out repeated from
each arm alternately, the production of the plumes being made as rapidly as
possible, the motive being to bewilder the audience, who, if the performer
does not make any blunder, will never imagine that they are concealed up
the sleeve.
It is well to draw out a couple at one time once or twice, for the sake of extra
effect, and with the same object in view, have the plumes of several colors.
Some should be all white, some all red, and others all blue, whilst another
variety can be of two or even three colors. Never attempt to produce a
plume until the handkerchief has fallen well over the arm from which it
is to be withdrawn, and let the whole trick be executed with great dash.
Sometimes larger plumes are placed around the body and drawn out from
the vest, the handkerchief being spread over the chest for the purpose. The
attendant who picks them up should make the best show he can with them.
Some performers place the plumes in fan-shaped vases or receptacles,
but the operation hampers the performance of the trick too much, and
also leads to too many undesirable movements, to be recommended. An
excellent ruse is to conceal one plume beneath the carpet, with the end just
through a hole or slit in the seam. The handkerchief is spread on the floor,
and the plume produced. It is undoubtedly a very difficult trick to perform
well, but it produces a great effect. It may be performed in a small way by
means of ostrich feathers laid inside the shirt sleeve, the coat sleeve being
turned back.
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