EFFECTS ALLIED TO THE CUPS AND BALLS THE TRAVELING SUGAR Four lumps of sugar are placed on the table in the form of a square, reading from left to right A, B, C, D, each about 9 inches apart. A fifth piece is palmed in the right hand. Left hand placed over "C" (palming it) and right hand over "B" (releasing palmed piece). Right hand over "D" (palming it) and left hand over "B" (releasing palmed piece). Left hand over "A" (palming it) and right hand over "B" (releasing palmed piece). Result, all four at "B". Left hand disposes of…
2. - The Two Balls, Placed one under each of the End Cups, pass successively under the Middle One. A ball is apparently placed under "C", really palmed. "A" and "B" are raised to show nothing under them, really for the purpose of secretly inserting the ball under "B". Second ball is presumably placed under "A", but palmed as before. Performer now pretends to pull the first ball through the top of "C", showing the palmed ball at the fingertips. This is apparently placed in the left hand (palmed) which then simulates the action of throwing it under "B". Right…
6. - To Pass a Ball from Center to Either of the End Cups Freely Chosen by a Spectator. Arrange the three cups in line A.B.C. on the table, secretly leaving the palmed ball under "C". This done, place the three visible balls, one on top of each cup. Take the center ball, and seem to place it under "B", really palming it. Next take the ball upon "A" and actually place it under that cup, secretly inserting with it the palmed ball. Take the remaining ball, and pass it invisibly from the hands (palming it) under "C", raising the…
You, of course, are challenged, whereupon you raise "C", followed by "B", amidst shouts of "No ! No ! The other one !" Here turn over "A" with the right hand, showing the inside; at the same time secretly pick up with the left hand two of the large balls from the servante. Then remark "Surely, ladies and gentlemen, you don't imagine for a moment that I should attempt to deceive you by such a mean expedient as this." Here you put the left hand with the two balls in the left pocket as if taking a ball from thence…
7. To Cause The Disappearance of a Ball Placed Between Two Cups A ball is known to be between two cups (as shown at "G" in the Fig.), which are then picked up and placed in the left hand, the fingers of which are inside the lower one. The right hand now takes hold of the upper cup and a slight upward jerk is made with both hands, whereby the ball is impelled upwards, while (practically simultaneously) the left hand quickly withdraws the lower cup and the right hand deposits the other on the table, consequently over the ball. 8.…
"Ladies and Gentlemen, -- In an age so enlightened as our own, it is really surprising to see how many popular fallacies spring up from day to day, and are accepted by the public mind as unchangeable laws of nature. Amongst these there is one which I propose to point out to you, and which I flatter myself I shall very easily dispose of. Many people have asserted, and amongst others the celebrated Erasmus of Rotterdam, that a material object can only be in one place at one time. Now, I maintain, on the contrary, that any object may be…
A white serviette to be used in place of a table cloth. An ordinary pocket handkerchief. In place of the five-eighth inch cork balls, some performers use cork or parti-colored cloth balls 1 to 1 1/4 inches in diameter. These, however, cannot be used, on account of their size, for the pretty passes where balls appear and disappear from between cups placed one over the other. This goes to show that : The exact number and variety of the balls (or other objects employed) will of course vary according to the effects the performer may elect to produce. A table…
GENERAL EFFECT As I have already stated, the performance resolves itself into two distinct elements : (1) The magical production of a ball beneath a cup; and (2) its disappearance from such place. The general procedure is as follows : (1) The performer commences by calling attention to the fact that his hands, also three cups, are quite empty. He may then produce a ball from his wand or, with it, knock over one of the cups and find the ball underneath. Replacing the cup he takes up the ball in his right hand, transfers it to the left, and…
I like this title. It immediately suggests sleights. There are none. I like this title. Effect: Two volunteers each hold one end of a six-foot length of twine. A ping pong ball, with a hole through its center, has been threaded on the twine and made secure with a knot. The ball, which may be marked, on center of cord is covered with a handkerchief. Under its cover the ball is removed uninjured. The knot remains. Nothing is secretly concealed in the hands at any time. Method: The holes, one on each side of the ball, are made with the…
For a number of years I have had a very successful item in my program, an effect which is one of those "in between" things which add a lot to the performance because of the careless and off-hand manner in which it is done. Most people consider it an "extra" bit put in on the spur of the moment, all of which enhances their opinion of you. After a rope trick you can pick up a ping-pong ball and after a try or two cause it to roll back and forth along the length of the rope. There is nothing…