The magician shows what he calls a map to buried treasure. He crumples it into a ball and gives it to a spectator to hold. Then he says that he would like to take his audience back a hundred years or more to the time when that particular treasure was buried and the map made. The pirate loot was hidden upon an island in a remote part of an ocean so the performer puts a plate upon a glass of water to illustrate this location. Next he shows a pail of sand, saying that pirates always made certain their ill-gotten…
A borrowed and marked quarter, or shilling, is dropped into a borrowed wine glass. The performer borrows also a handkerchief with which he covers the glass. A sort of drum head is formed by his snapping of a rubber band around the glass and hank. He next shakes the glass and the coin is heard to rattle about inside. By one corner the handkerchief is yanked from off the glass. The coin is gone without a single false move or gesture upon the performer's part. And the marked coin is found inside the pocket of he who loaned the handkerchief.…
If it is that the effect counts in magic, this seemingly supernatural happening can be said, and proven by actual performance, to be far above the method by which it is accomplished. While much magic is accomplished by sleights and trickery of a sort that depends upon misdirection and subtleties, the following makes use of subterfuge and downright "brassy" nerve. Some playing cards are shown to have their faces blank. The spectator takes his pick of one. Next he has free choice of an empty envelope from among several offered him. The blank card is put into the envelope together…
Taken from Hatt and Plate's Magician's Tricks and How They Are Done, this idea has been given an original method to eliminate the undesirable sleights. It is a fast and surprising introduction for a four-ace trick. In effect it is an unexpected transformation of cards. To prepare, place three kings face up on top of the deck. Next put an indifferent card face up on top of these and cover all with a face down king. On top, lastly place the four aces, all face down. Start by dealing the four aces into a face up row on the table.…
Always there seems to be a good reception for "sucker" tricks, and in the following, one can always be sure of getting a "rise" from his onlookers. The performer has a deck of cards shuffled and one selected by the spectator who marks it. The card is replaced among the others and the performer openly wraps the deck in a handkerchief. During this action, it is evident to the watchers that underhanded business is afoot, for they see the performer's cramped right hand and even catch a glimpse, perhaps between the fingers, of a palmed card. The performer suddenly realizes…
Effect: The deck is cut into two halves. The spectator has one and shuffles into it a noted card. The performer does likewise with his half deck and a second noted card. Then the magician takes both halves, holds his face up, the spectator's face down, and gives them one magic, dovetail shuffle. The cards are spread and the two noted cards are found to have fallen together in the shuffle side by side! An impossible example of unparalleled dexterity, as a circus poster would say! Working: You don't do any of the things you pretend to do! First, borrow…
Mr. Magician: I earnestly beg of you to give this effect just one trial; I am firmly convinced that you will then continue to finish your act with this one effect; it is fast and snappy. The full action takes just two minutes and the climax is one that enables the performer to make his exit to much applause. That is the reason why this card effect has such a name; I have been using it now for three seasons as a finish to my act, whether on stage, platform or cabaret. APPLAUSE is not difficult; it does not begin…
Magicians abroad have been very much amused with this stunt and, in turn, have made good use of it as a pocket trick. It has a slant on an old idea that makes it a fine thing for Jinx readers, and will fool even those who know the old version. Originally the idea came from the fertile brain of Tom Sellers. This improvement, however, gives it a 100% kick. Two wooden safety matches are held perpendicularly with heads downwards between the thumb, first and second fingers of the left hand. The match to the right suddenly moves downwards very slowly…
Deveen's fine cigarette act is consistently working the best vaudeville halls in England. World traveler, his experiences in magic and knowledge of magicians prove most interesting. His book Expert Cigarette Magic was a best seller a few years ago and still is a standard item of literature. In Deveen's own hands the following sleight, with the flourishes that hallmark the professional artiste, is a complete illusion. -- Cedric. Commence with the cigarette between second finger and thumb of right hand. The cigarette is held at one end. The third finger now replaces the grip of the thumb, cigarette thus being…
(Editor's Note: Some of the magician-detectives that have been lately popping out from every book and magazine do other things beside their unmasking of murderous maniacs, their outwitting of international spies, bloodthirsty vampires and invisible men. THEY CONTRIBUTE THEIR PET EFFECTS TO THE JINX! Way back in issue #56 Clayton Rawson's fictional zombie, The Great Merlini, gave us RED VIBRO. And now the genie from Stuart Towne's brain and typewriter, Don Diavolo, The Scarlet Wizard, steps out of the pages of fiction to give you, and your audiences, a trip into the future of the fourth dimension!) "You have all…