Through the pages of now rather dusty literature has been detailed time and again the life and exploits of Alexander Hermann. Much space has been devoted to his constant penchant for impromptu performing at odd moments regardless of where he might be, and this cultivating of notice by the populace near him undoubtedly helped no little in making his name quite one of word of mouth. The story about his finding coin after coin in objects of fruit picked up from a curbstone cart, with the subsequent refusal of the vendor to sell any more of the supposedly money bearing…
This advertising idea was devised some 3 years ago and used by me at magical conventions and conclaves in case you've seen some "brother" doing it. Its simplicity is what makes it practical for you to always have it with you and ready. Too many such ideas require much preparation and after a trial the performer "can't be bothered". The cards are playing card blanks with your name and adjectives printed thereon. "You'd like my card ? Certainly ! But I'd like to explain a printer's error. You see, I told him I wanted them printed in red... I'm in…
Brunel White's splendid book, Original Mysteries for Magicians, describes The B.W. Feke Hat on page 41. I naturally studied his fake from various angles because a tricked up hat can be of great value to magicians, if not alone for production possibilities, for use in any number of other tricks. I consider my idea superior, after having used it for a period of over 15 years when I was playing vaudeville, inasmuch as the hat can be left in the audience without anyone detecting the secret workings. Procure two derbies and from one sever the brim and trim the remainder…
John Mulholland met a friend outside The Sphinx building -- a friend he had not seen for twenty years. After the usual greetings, John said "I suppose you're married ?" "Oh, yes," replied his friend, "I've been married eight years. Here comes my daughter now." The child crossed Forty-second Street towards them. As she came up, John shifted his cane and extended a hand saying "Hello, my name's John. What's yours ?" The little girl appeared shy but finally said, timidly, "My name is the same as my mother's." John smiled, knowingly. "Then your name is Margaret", he said. "That's…
This puzzle lamp circuit is not a trick by any stretch of the imagination. I made it up essentially as a little house party diversion for the children, and then discovered that the young ones weren't interested but the older ones would spend half the evening gambling with it. It is a hookup of four standard four-way snap switches (in England they call this type a three way switch) and five light bulbs. One of these is a red light. The switches and lights may be mounted on the cover of a shallow box and the wiring concealed underneath. Or,…
Jean Hugard, in the Sept. Jinx #48 described an effect of Robert Houdin's and requested possible solutions. Here are two methods which I have started using. From the book Meet the Boys of the Pacific Coast I picked a very clever tip utilizing colored carbon paper. Its success depends upon people not knowing such a thing exists. I have found it to be true. APPARATUS 1 - Small memo-pad, the type that is bound by a spiral wire. Plain paper inside. Size about 2" by 3 1/2". 2 - A piece of red or green carbon paper and a pencil…
"Of all mysteries in the realm of magic," the performer says, "the East Indian Needle Feat is supreme." (See Jinx #1 - Ed.) He patters on "In the presentation of that oriental deception, one which must have been developed from the feat of laying on sharpened spikes, the fakir swallows from 25 to 50 needles and follows this repast with several yards of thread and a glass of water. After incantations of doubtful origin the needles and thread are up-chucked, and the sewing appliances found threaded upon that product of the spinner's art." (Note before going farther, where in hell…
Embodied in this effect will be found a demonstration of both magic and mindreading, a triple mystery and a novel presentation. The performer tells the following story : There once was an old man, a friendless recluse known to his neighbors only as Mr X. (Small white card, Fig. 1, is shown and placed in drug envelope representing Mr X's home) One day Mr X applied for police protection, stating that he feared for his life. A guard was assigned to his home. (Envelope is folded and stood tentwise (^) before a spectator who acts as guard) Although it was…
An unprepared glass tumbler is shown and in it is placed a red silk handkerchief. This is put on the table and a sheet of paper is next placed over the glass so that its shape is seen at all times. A borrowed hat is placed on top of the covered glass and by holding it at the sides the performer pushes it down, and the glass and contents pass through the crown into the hat! On the inside of the paper used to cover the glass is glued a piece of red silk by one corner. At this point…
In effect this is practically the same as has been done before, but the method is far advanced in simplicity and safety is the important feature. The performer at no time has a loose needle in his mouth, his mouth is absolutely empty at the start and will stand a physician's examination, and there is no secret loading of the inevitable threaded packet. For personal use, I found Crowley #4 Sharps a practical size. From magicdom's largest supply house (Woolworth) obtain a large spool of white linen thread. Have the center of this spool bored out making a hole about…