Just a few years ago I would have taken this idea, put a full page ad in the Sphinx, supplied a book and deck of cards, made a price of about three dollars, and sold from 100 to 150. I'm rather proud of the way it has worked out, and it is a direct result of the effect Between the Lines that received much in the way of plaudits in the May issue. Whereas Between the Lines was a straight book test with the word revealed at the finish, The Oss of Lhasa is a prophecy, fair and very square,…
Book tests come and go about the same way as do Four Ace Tricks, for it seems as though one is on the search continually for improvement. Of course, favorite methods vary according to the individual. I've seen some people who would swear by a method that to me seemed cumbersome, drawn out, and obviously a fake because of the round about way of getting to the word. However, one advantage of using, or at least, knowing several methods for a test makes it possible for one to repeat it at some later time without fear of anyone following the…
Natural looking methods for the selection of a book page and word are seldom seen. With the following method, the principle of a recent illusion, and an older die and frame trick, has been brought into play, and provides a most perfect way of getting to the proper page. Some of the complicated methods seen should always be performed in a show where there is an intermission. Then one could start the selection before intermission, during intermission perform all of the intricate and complicated means of selecting the page, and after the intermission finish the test. By doing this, the…
Back on June 9th, 1932, I met this cute principle which I've used many times since for an almost impromptu book or magazine test in homes and at parties. With a minute's access to the book and four minutes with the deck you have as clean cut a test as is possible unless you happen to be one of those genuine telepathists. The deck stack of 14-15 is generally known now among magicians, but that is as far as they have gone with it. To those who don't know the set up idea it is a case of arranging the…
Very few magi haven't a set of the five dice used in Heath's Dyciphering Dice Trick, it being one of the few highly effective pocket tricks of the past several years. After using it for a time I discovered several points which make for a subtle test in connection. Produce the five dice and mention that they are used for some money game, (without going into that part further) as an excuse for their being numbered with three digits to a side. Let someone shake and roll them. You line them up in a row, and turning your back ask…
Simplicity is ever a virtue in magical effects. This should find favor with many because it is effective, to the point, and there is little chance for the subject to miss. Writing a prediction on a slip, the performer folds and deposits it in a cup. A deck is mixed and spread on the table. A spectator freely chooses one and is given a small book of poems or fiction. He is asked to open the book to the page corresponding with the number of spots on the card and then count to the word at the same number. The…
I thought for quite a while before deciding to release this secret because I've used it a lot for press work and the effect is absolutely original. I had it listed as a dollar trick should I ever let it go, but Spring has made me weak so here it is. Pick out a friend from the telephone book. Count down and remember its position from the top of its column. Make 26 one inch square cards containing letters of the alphabet. Make 25 more all containing the first letter of the friend's last name. Put the 26 duplicate letters…
Down through the years have come many books on the art of magic and allied subjects. Of late the production of such literature has increased until hardly a week goes by without the appearance of a book, brochure or manuscript. Many are good and many are not. The titles given here is an impartial and unbiased opinion of my own as to what books constitute a working library on the art of mystifying. Every included work has its value and I take my stand now that the shelf of magic, as herein listed, covers every phase and known principle necessary…
By that title one might think I was kidding about this but there have been so many fanciful titles applied to such effects that I couldn't resist the urge to write the above. This method and presentation has been a great favorite of mine for homes and spots where it could be presented in an apparently impromptu fashion.Many times one is out for an evening and the opportunity arises when a book may be glanced at, either from the table or bookcase. At the same time one is alone quite often for a few minutes when such a test may…