Back in the days when "Soapy" Smith reigned as king of the con men from Kansas City to San Diego and thence north to Skagway, three card monte ranked with the walnut shells as a standard and consistent source of what it takes to live. This effect makes use of the modified Mexican Turn-Over sleight so often used in monte. I first described it in conjunction with a trick in Jinx issue #57. The patter scheme might be built around the plainsmen and prospectors of '49 who were always eager to bet their shirts on anything remotely resembling a certainty.…
This is a routine of more or less standard items, which, when combined, offer an interesting experiment that can find a spot on almost any club or home program. The impression upon the audience, when numbers are merely thought of, is very good as I have proven to my satisfaction. The patter is based upon "the magic of numbers" (lots of material can be found on that subject) plus the fact that some scientists have been investigating the possibility of photographing thought waves, notably among them being Nicola Tesla. The performer starts by showing a chart containing 16 squares of…
In this effect the head of a borrowed paper match is caused to change color. The trick is impromptu and can be done anytime, anywhere. Begin the trick with a blue headed paper match concealed in the right hand, held between the thumb and forefinger as shown in the first drawing. Ask someone for a paper match with a red head. Hold the red headed match upright in the fingers of the left hand. Explain that you intend to pull off the head of the match. Grasp the head tightly between the thumb and finger of right hand and pull…
One of the cleanest, and most novel forces which I have seen is with the use of one of the novelty cigarette boxes of Japanese make and on sale at many five and ten cent stores, as well as novelty shops. From the sketch it can be seen (end view) how the box operates. The outside container has a center upright the length of a cigarette, and curved in at the top to allow of a cigarette laying there. Into this is put a sort of inverted container with a slot in the top to match the center upright. As…