The letter which follows has been mailed to stockholders in The Sphinx Corporation. It speaks for itself. October 4, 1940 Dear --------; I wish to interest myself in The Sphinx Corporation to an extent which will provide me with not less than 51% of all outstanding shares. For all such shares as have been issued by that corporation I am prepared to pay four thousand dollars ($4000.00) cash. For not less than 51% of all shares issued to date I will pay pro rata for the transfer of such shares to my name. I understand that you are a stockholder…
While there are many tubes and boxes for the purpose of appearing, changing, and vanishing handkerchiefs, this easily constructed tube will be found compact and a device of untold uses. The extremely simple mechanical detail can hardly get out of order and the tube may be picked up at any time during your performance to serve as a secret assistant. It is approximately two and one-quarter inches in a diameter and about six inches long. Constructed of heavy tin or spun brass each cylinder should be made to fit the individual performer's hand, to be perfectly practical. Most such appliances…
From "A Matter of Policy", a political effect to appear here five years ago, comes this idea for a modern story. It seems very timely in English speaking countries as well as in South America. Tell about Rep. Martin Dies and his Committee on Unamerican Activities. In other countries he may be substituted for an equivalent investigating group. Someone had the happy thought that if people in each community were lined up at random and every fifth person deported or confined, the country would be rid of fifth columnists. You shuffle a deck of cards and deal a face down…
The magician remarks that luck; chance; or fate; call it what you will, has an effect on everyone's life. Napoleon had his lucky star; Lincoln his lucky chestnut; and Rockefeller his lucky dimes. All of us have our lucky days; fortunate colors; lucky numbers, etc. To illustrate, the performer relates the story of a kindly old Witch named Tituba who lived in Salem, Mass. many years ago. This old lady told fortunes; found lost articles; and helped the poor people with their troubles and problems by invoking the powers of the spirits. The wise old woman would wrap some horse…
This is one of those simple yet hardly believable little stunts to do on quick notice without complicated set-ups or gimmicks. It is perfect for a home effect but it is necessary that the home have a few goldfish of the contented type. The magician awaits the opportunity to "show-off" his powers, and brings in a glass of water and a carrot from the ice box. He takes a jackknife from his pocket and starts to whittle away. "Do you remember that craze, several years ago," he says, as he benignly cuts and chips at the carrot, "when the college…
Each one of us has but to close his eyes to visualize magicians of the past and present in endless array as though he were walking through a gallery dedicated to "If this be magic, let it be an Art." There we see the oil paintings and brilliant water color portraits of Herrmann The Great, Kellar, Thurston, Houdini, Goldin, DeBiere, Devant, Ching Ling Foo, Chung Ling Soo, Okito, Carter and Nikola. Turning our head we see pencil sketches, sharp black and whites familiar to the public such as Downs, Clement de Lion, Bertram, Dr. Byrd Page, Claude Goldin, Herbert Brooks,…
Lenz is a yoga adept and has written many articles for the Budget, official magazine of the British Ring, about Yoga and the like, all of which have proven most interesting, and bear proof of his knowledge of such subjects. His Fire-eating exhibition shown at the British Ring Dinner last February broke the daily London papers and was fine publicity. He gives here such an effect that surely would cause a sensation. While not everybody will rush to try it, a few of the braver souls in magic will give it a trial and be assured of much attention and…
(Note by Cedric: Arthur Dowler has been tearing the hearts out of the cafe mongers on his voyage to New York, and the Normandie bartender never will be quite the same. It creates instantaneous enthusiasm. It appeared new to many of the boys although not original with Arthur. I am sure, however, it will be of interest and indeed a new item to most Jinx readers.) The effect is that a beer bottle cap (Coca-Cola and Orange Soda caps worked as well for me. Ed.) is shown and placed downwards on a table or hard surface, that is, the closed…
Use two large silver mugs with handles. Into one mug put one glass of rye or bourbon whiskey; into the other mug, put one glass of boiling water. Ignite the whiskey, and while blazing, mix both ingredients by pouring them from one mug to the other four or five times. Extinguish the flame on the last pouring by capping with one mug. Sweeten with one teaspoon powdered sugar and serve with a piece of lemon peel. (Editor's admonition: No amateur should attempt to make this unless first he takes the precaution of turning in a fire-alarm because unless good old…
Here's a candid picture of Oscar, the cute poltergeist who did miracles in Sefalaljia (Jinx #69). Oscar measures just 8 inches from the tip of his flat little black snoot to the tip of his dainty tail. Why anyone should want to know his plane area, I can't figure out, but suppose somebody did - could you be of any help? We'll be coy and hold back the simple truth until the next Jinx issue.