The boys on the front cover may not be of the best looking calibre, that is, as far as sketches go, but as a clan of conjuror thinking magi they can be depended upon to break down any problem of magic submitted to their collective brains. This elite crew of mystical trouble shooters are engaged in modernizing, by method, some of the classics. In the Jinx #73, the effect of rising cards was rather well taken care of, and in the present issue the effect of a torn and restored strip of paper will be made to look more attractive…
THE GREAT MERLINI; b. Barnum&Bailey circus car en route through Illinois, Aug. 15, 1882; s. Victor and Edna (Bradna) M.; educated at intervals; Eton, Heidelberg, Beirut, Paris; m. Mary Cordona, Jan. 1, 1914; children, Michael, 1916, dec., Roberta, 1921; carnival and circus magician, 1903-1912; full evening show 1912-1929; magic dealer 1930- ---; Inventor of many effects and illusions including The Vanishing Elephant (Method #5), Haunted Alarm Clock, The Card From Hell, etc., etc.; Authors : Legerdemainiacs, The Psychology of Deception, Sleight--of--Hand For Experts, Sawdust Trails; Editor : Conjurer's Monthly 1920-28; Decorations : Sacred Order of White Elephant presented at command…
Cigarette tricks are always popular and the following effect on those who know the old cig vanish via the thumb-tip is quite mystifying. It is an excellent close up item and it has everything in magical elements. You will need a thumb-tip, a bag of Bull Durham tobacco, a booklet of cigarette papers and one ordinary cigarette. That's all. The thumb-tip is tucked slightly behind your hanky which is in the same pocket. The regular cigarette is placed into the lower right side vest pocket, protruding a little so that it may be easily secured at the opportune moment by…
Different sized envelopes are used, three in all. Three spectators are asked to step forward for a simple test of matter through matter. Each is given an envelope to examine. This being done, one man seals the smallest envelope and marks his initials across the pasted flap. He himself puts it into the next larger size envelope. The holder of that one seals and initials in the same manner as the first. This set of two he places in the largest envelope and the third person seals and initials, the nest of three sealed and marked envelopes being then placed…
So many have asked me for something along mental lines that can be done practically impromptu and yet has the appearance of genuine mind reading without cards, etc., that I am disclosing a secret that I have been using for a long, long time, in fact, since October 1929 it being so dated in my notebook. I know this may sound difficult or rather long winded, but if you follow the routine with the material at hand, you will grasp the principle very quickly and have no difficulty. All that is needed is a thumb tip and seven or eight…