The performer shows two packs of cards. One pack has red backs and the other has blue. From the red pack a card is freely selected. The performer takes a bunch of about a dozen cards from the pack and the selected card is replaced among them. A rubber band is placed around the packet and it is set in full view in a clip on the table. The same procedure is then adopted with the blue backed pack. A card is chosen and replaced in a small group of a dozen cards. These are also fastened with a rubber…
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…
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…
One of the many variations in card spelling, but with a different twist, is the following. Set your deck by having all cards that spell with twelve letters on top. There are 14 of them in all: the 4-5-9-J-K of Hearts and Spades, and the 3-7-8-Q of Clubs. Above these put four indifferent cards. Hand the deck to a spectator with the request that while your back is turned he is to count off any number, say up to a dozen, in one pile. You direct him to pocket these for the moment and deal another pile of the same…
In most versions of the now very popular business of having a card thought of and finding it, it is necessary to go through several mixings and runs through the deck, with a bit of adroit, and sometimes not so adroit pumping and eliminations. This version has simplicity of method behind it. It is done quickly with little or no asking of the spectator this or that. Try it out a few times and see how perfect is the effect on the layman. Prepare any deck by arranging ten cards of mixed suits from Ace to ten, the ten spot…
It is with regret that I can't insert the name of the originator of this effect, but the instructions were on a single sheet in my file and offhand I can't remember the source as it wasn't marked*. Being on the road has its difficulties and I'm unable to check back by letters. If the person will drop me a line, I'll be only too glad to make good because I've used the effect a lot and have found it very effective to say the least. Just try it out and see why, because of the directness in working, it…
Although there isn't much originality in this effect, it is one I have been using quite constantly and with which I have had much success. To the audience you have performed quite a miracle in psychic tests. Your assistant or medium goes out of the room and the performer then spreads a deck of cards face down on the table. A spectator is asked to step forward and take three cards in a bunch from the pack. He is then to give two of the cards to different people in the gathering and keep the other for himself. All of…
One of the greatest effects in thought transmission is the coding of pictures freely drawn by the audience. It goes without saying that it is at the same time the most intricate of methods. Julius Zancig was most adept at this feat and developed it over a period of years through undisputed ability plus a thorough grounding in transmission secrets. What I am presenting here is a poor substitute for what that master could accomplish, but in itself and as far as it goes, the effect is quite marvelous to an audience and at the same time satisfying to the…
A most unusual test that can be introduced into a program at any time is one which needs no preparation in one version and but a little in another. It is one of those tricks that can be done before practically any sized audience and it is just as effective if presented for a single person. Professional performers know only too well how rare and hard to find such an effect is. The first version is impromptu with any cards that may be borrowed. The performer states that what he is about to do must not be confused with card…
Some things come to light through accidental discovery and others by hard work after the conception of an idea. This is one of the latter. I play solitaire a lot and thought how effective it would be if one could play such a game and win at will. Obviously, the deck would have to be stacked. I wondered if I could take a commonly arranged deck according to one of the popular magical systems and win at one of the best known solitaire games. The game described below is known as ‘canfield’ and it can be beaten with a deck…