TESTED -

- MAGIC !

By
ERIC

P.

WILSON.

- = p
M.I.M.C. (LONDON)
 TESTED
MAGIC

BY

ERIC P. WILSON
*

Illustrated by James Morgan.

* *

Printed and Published by the Author

London
176, Hamilton Road S.E.27.
1923
 CONTENTS.
Page
A Useful Opening Item ... ... 7
“Ladies and Gentlemen” ... ... 11
“Bow Wow” ................................ . 13
Voila! ................................................... 16
A New Idea in RagPictures ... 20
A Self-Contained Risingand Falling Ball 22
? ? ?
No.l. A Subtle (?)Vanish ... 27
, , 2 . "O’ER” ... 28
, 3 . Cover ... 28
The Glass Through Hat ..................... 30
For Ventriloquists Only .................. .. 37
A Stump Stunt ... ... ... 41
A Subtle Slate Move ..................... 47
 , PREFACE.

Most magicians I suppose at some time or

other, have had the following experience.
After reading the published description of
some new effect, and deciding that it was
just the ideal experiment for their programme,
they have been disappointed to find, that when
"TESTED” it would not work.
In the following pages I have endeavoured
to get over this, inasmuch “THAT EVERY
ITEM HAS BEEN TESTED,” and to twist a
common phrase, “Not found to be WANTING.”
ERIC P. WILSON.
 The State Library of Victoria
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A USEFUL OPENING ITEM.

I recommend this to those magicians who ap­
preciate a smart effect, and a desire to travel
light.
The stage is bare, and performer enters car­
rying a newspaper, and remarks to the effect,
“That although he is down to entertain the
audience with magic, he has unfortunately lost
all his apparatus, and so proposes to read a
few news items instead.” As it does 110c beein
to interest them however, he siys, “Well! There
isn’t much in it, unless you except "THIS”,
-“THIS” being a small tabic, covered with
apparatus, which is suddenly produced from ti e
newspaper.
The basis of the construction of the table
( which is of course collapsible) is a Japanese
sunshade, the ribs of which are c it to form the
size of the top required. The paper top is left
on and covered with black silk. On this cover,
in various positions, loops of black silk are
sewn, to hold cards, silks, and other pieces of
8 TESTED MAGIC.
apparatus required by the performer.
The handle is shortened, and has fixed at
the end a tin tube—A.Fig.l. To the bottom
e id of this tube, three pieces of tin shaped as
—B.Fig.3 . are soldered, into which three wooden
legs are fastened by small pieces of wire to form
hinges. From the top of each leg there runs a
length of strong elastic, which passes through
a small hole in the side of the tube, and then
up the tube itself, to a staple secured in the end
of the handle.
As will be noticed from the illustrations, no
mechanism is used for retaining the legs in their
folded position, ( see Fig.2 . ) or for the purpose
of opening the top. This is unnecessary, because
concealed in the newspaper is a tube of white
cloth, exactly the same length as the legs, into
which the table, in it’s folded condition, is plac­
ed to prepare the effect for presentation. ( see
Fig .4 ).
TO WORK.— The table has simply to be
lifted out of the tube and the legs, pulled by
the elastic, immediately open, and the action of
swinging it down to the floor automatically
opens the top. The newspaper is folded and
placed aside, the tube ( being made of cloth)
naturally allowing this.
The top or knob of the sunshade should not
be removed, as this suitably decorated, forms
TESTED MAGIC. 9
 TESTES) MAGIC. 11

the base of a small stand for displaying cards

etc.
It should be noted that in these sunshades a
small wooden peg will be found, about four inch­
es from the ferrule, the object of which is to pre­
vent it opening too far. In the above table
this peg is shifted to a point three inches from
the top, the tamiliar wire clip which keeps it
open being moved correspondingly.
The length of the table when folded is twen­
ty inches, and it’s weight about twelve ounces.
In conclusion, any piece of apparatus that is
on the large side, must be placed in the loops
after the table has been folded.

* * *

“LADIES and GENTLEMEN"-

Although there may be nothing extraordin­

arily magical about the following, it is one of
those little wheezes that will put the performer
on good terms with his audience.
During the opening speech the right coat
sleeve is rolled to the elbow, after which the
left arm is extended, when this sleeve is seen to
roll itself up.
The apparatus (? ) is very simple and easy
12 TESTED MAGIC.

to make, the rolHng being performed by means

of four pieces of elastic, three of which are sewn
at the top and bottom of the sleeve in a stretched
condition. (Two of these three pieces can be
seen by referring to the outer dotted lines in the
illustration, the third piece being at the back of
the sleeve).
The fourth piece serves two purposes, as be-

sides assisting in the rolling, it is used to keep

the sleeve down until the effect is presented.
To do this a small fake consisting of a finger
tip is used, it being fixed to the free end of this
elastic, which is not sewn at the bottom but ex­
tended and passed through a loop, placed about
four inches up the sleeve. The finger tip is
placed on the middle finger and a knot made
in the elastic at the point shown in the illustra­
tion. It will thus be seen, that if the elastic
from the finger fake to the knot is tight, the sl­
eeve cannot be pulled up.
Preparation and Working.—The left shirt sleeve
 TESTED MAGIC. 13

is rolled to the elbow, and the coat sleeve pull­

ed down to it’s fullest extent. The middle fin­
ger is then inserted in the finger tip, with the
elastic that is attached to it lying straight along
the palm.
The right sleeve is rolled, after which the mid­
dle finger of the left hand is bent until the fake
is pressed against the fleshy part of the thumb.
A beckoning motion is made with the right hand,
and the left finger with fake on is slightly rai­
sed allowing the fake to slip off, so that the sle­
eve is pulled to the elbow and at the same time
the finger tip vanishes up the sleeve.

* * *

“BOW WOW”
This effect, though primarily designed for the en­
tertainment of children, has been found to go
exceedingly well with all classes of audiences.
It is very easy to work but requires presentation.
The effect in brief, is that the performer ent­
ers carrying a small thin tray covered with a
handkerchief. On this handkerchief rests an op­
en opera hat, looking over the edge of which
can be seen a small dog. Advancing toward
the footlights the conjurer suddenly crushes the
14 TESTED MAGIC.
hat flat:—The Dog Has Gone! The hat and
tray are immediately shown back and front, the
handkerchief dropping to the floor.
The apparatus consists of an opera hat, and
one of the familiar toy "Glove Dogs” which can

be obtained at most toy-shops.

To the open end of the dog a black silk
sleeve about 6 inches long is sewn. A hole is
next cut in the side of the hat, between the
springs, large enough for the performer’s hand
to pass easily through. (To find the exact pos­
ition of this hole, the hat should be placed on
a small tray, held in the left hand, the bow of
the hat being on the right. The hole is then
cut in the quarter nearest the body). To com-
 TESTED MAGIC: 15

pkte, the free end of the black sleeve is sewn

round the edge of the hole and everything is
ready. Any tray or silk can be used.
PREPARATION and W ORKING:- On a thin
tray about 12 or 14 inches square, place a silk
of sufficient size to hang over the front (ie. side
that faces audience) about 3 inches. The hat is
now stood on this, the hole at back and near bo­
dy. The left hand holds tray at front and right
hand is placed into dog,, the THUMB in the left
paw and the SECOND FINGER in the right.
The FIRST FINGER is placed in the head,
the hand thus being in a position to operate the
dog. All is now ready to present.
PRESENTATION:—Walk on platform work­
ing dog, front of tray facing the audience, and
when about middle of stage has been reached
make a half-turn and advance toward footlights.
When a few feet from them draw the dog
into the hat, tucking the head and paws UND­
ER the black sleeve, at the same time with­
drawing the hand and hold tray with it at back.
The hat is now crushed with the left hand,
and it only remains to hold the hat with this
hand and the tray with the right, allowing the
silk to drop to the floor to complete the effect.
NOTES.
The use of a “Puppy Barker”, off stage, before
16 TESTED MAGIC.
the performer enters, greatly adds to the Effect.
The silk is used of course to hide the fact
that performer’s right hand is not holding the
tray when he first enters.
The Effect should be presented smartly, but
not too quickly.
LET THE DOG BE SEEN.
* * *

VOILA!
I suppose the majority of magicians at least on­
ce during their programme, roll a sheet of paper
into a tube. This being so, I thought it would
be rather a novel idea to have a sheet of paper,
which when required, would roll itself up.
The following is my method and for an am­
using effect is hard to beat.
A large piece of thin paper is held between the
thumb and finger of each hand as shown in the
illustration. Suddenly it starts rolling upwards
until it is a perfect tube.
The mechanism which is very simple, consists
of three thin brass springs obtained from the
inside of the cheap tape measures now on the
market. They are stuck by means of seccotine
between two thin pieces of brown wrapping paper
 TESTED MAGIC.

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A knot should be made in the thread at

the point where it touches the floor.
 TESTED MAGIC. 19

in the positions indicated by the dotted lines;A.

A .A . in the illustration. At the top and bottom
edges, between the pieces of paper two strips of
fairly stout cardboard are gummed, and to the
lower piece a length of thread is fastened of
sufficient length to reach the floor when the pa­
per is held as illustrated.
P R E P A R A T IO N :—The sheet of paper is laid
over the back of a chair with the inside of the
springs to the rear, (the inside of spring refers to
that part which is inside when it is coiled) and
the thread at the bottom.
P R E S E N T A T IO N :—The paper is picked up
with the right hand at the top and the left hand
at bottom, thus keeping it fully extended. The
foot is now placed on the thread which allows
the left hand to be removed from the bottom
and take up the position as illustrated, after
which it is only necessary to raise the foot sli­
ghtly to allow the paper to roll. The thread
of course disappears IN S ID E the tube.
It should be noted that when the paper is
first shown it can be folded sideways (casually)
whieh apparently proves it unprepared.

* * *
20 TESTED MAGIC.
A N EW ID E A
IN R A G P IC T U R E S .

This form of entertainment, which owing to

it ’s novelty appeals to all classes of audiences, has

not been exploited much by magicians owing I

believe to the amount and weight of the apparatus
required. The method I am about to describe
not only does away with the above, but also
allows of more variation in the actual construction
of the pictures themselves.
The idea is that instead of using fasteners to
fix the pieces of rag to the frame, small magnets
are used, the background consisting of a thin
 TESTED MAGIC. 2 1

coloured metal sheet.

As will be seen only one frame need be carried,
and by moving the small magnets different pic­
tures can be made up from the same pieces of
rag; for instance during the course of a story
parts of the picture can be easily moved to
illustrate certain points, with very amusing results.
Another useful point is, that wilh a little
practice the frame can (after a picture has been
set) be turned on it’s side when an entirely
different picture is to be seen.
The idea for this method was, I must con­
fess, taken from a new shop window sign that
has been placed on the maiket. The letters
used have magnetic feet but for our purpose
full stops only are required, though the letters
may be used with advantage for the titles of
the pictures.
A special frame and set of stops can be ob­
tained very cheaply, and their purchase is recom*
mended to those magicians in search of a change
from their usua] programme.
2 2 TESTED MAGIC.
A SELF-CONTAINED
RISING AND FALLING BALL.

The following, which is a self-contained method

of working the above effect, has one or two
little points that will I believe appeal to the
artistic magician. The effect of the ball stopping
at any chosen point, can be done while it is
rising.
The .ball is threaded on ribbon instead of cord
which fact alone makes this method possible.
The mechanism for the rising, consists of a
small spring tape measure, the measure of wh­
ich is removed and a length of narrow ribbon
fixed in it’s place.
To construct the necessary apparatus a cel­
luloid ball should be obtained and cut in half.
To the open part of one of the halves a piece
of cardboard with two small slits in it and shaped
as—Fig.3 . is fastened by seccotine. The re­
maining half ball is gummed in position and
the ball is finished, except for two slits which
should be cut in the top and bottom directly
over the centre slit in the cardboard and of the
same length as the longer slit. A length of
wide ribbon is next required which is fastened
round the edge of the tape measure, the free
end being extended for about one inch at the
point where it leaves the measure (this point is
TESTED MAGIC. 23

ha n
 TESTED MAGIC. 25

at the edge of the hole through which the tape

passes when it is wound up). The edges of the
ribbon for the inch referred to above, are sewn
together, thus making a kind of tube for the
narrow ribbon to run through (see Fig. 2 ).
Both ribbons are now passed through the hole
in the top of the ball and then through their
respective slits in the partition and out of the
bottom. A small tin is then fastened to the end
of the wide ribbon to form part of a tassel, to
correspond with the tape measure at the top.
To the end of the narrow ribbon a small
celluloid band (of the same colour) is fixed.
This band which passes round the wide piece is
for the purpose of pulling the ball up when the
button in the tape measure is pressed. To finish,
a silk tassel should b t fastened at each end for
decorative purposes, (see Fig. 1).
PRESENTATION and WORKING:— The
lower tassel is placed under the right foot and
the top one is held in the right hand, the ball
being at the top.
The falling being performed in the usual man­
ner needs no explanation so we will pass on to
the rising. The ball is allowed to fall right to
the bottom of the ribbon and it is only necessary
to push the button to make it rise. If it is
required to stop the ball on it’s upward move­
ment the button has simply to be released.
26 TESTED MAGIC.
To repeat the rising effect the ball must be
PUSHED down the ribbon, the button being
pressed as this is done, making a kind of free
wheel movement.
In conclusion, the space between the slits
in the cardboard partition must not be too
great, otherwise it will be found there is too
much friction for the ball to rise. To fasten
the ribbon to the spring of the tape measure,
three inches of the measure should be left when
it is cut and the ribbon SEWN to it.
The tape measure that is used must be of
good quality, as a cheap one while it will cer­
tainly work the effect, will not last more than
a dozen times, as I have found from experience.

* ¥ *
 TESTED MAGIC. 27

? ? ?

It must be understood that the first two of

the following items are simply for the purpose of
introducing a little humour into one’s programme.
I make no apology for including them in
this book as since the time when I first conceived
them, some dozen years ago, I have never seen
them described or presented by any of the
magical fraternity.

Ill II II
N o.l. A SUBTLE (?) VANISH.
The performer stands* facing the audience
with his right hand and arm outstretched, the
thumb pointing to the floor. The left hand is
brought up and curled round the right thumb
and quickly removed, when the thumb is seen
to have vanished (?). The left hand is shown
to be empty. To finish, the thumb is produced
by placing the closed left hand in the position
usually occupied by the thumb and slowly with­
drawn downwards.
WORKING:— The thumb is simply curled
into the right palm. Need I say that this little
stunt must be performed in all seriousness.
28 TESTED MAGIC*
N.o.2. "O-ER I"
To the handle of a small jug fix a length of
black cord elastic, which when it is fastened to
the middle linger of the right hand, will allow
the jug to hang at a point about two feet from
the floor. (The hand is held level with the
performer’s mouth to find this length).
To perform, the performer enters carrying the
jug in the right hand, with the elastic coiled in
the palm. When the front of platform is reached
the jug is lifted to the mouth as if a drink is
to be taken, and when it just touches the lips
it is DROPPED, and before the spectators have
realised that it is not smashed it is again in
the performer’s hand, having naturally returned
there by the pull of the elastic.
The expression on the faces of the audience
and the gasp as the jug drops, will I am sure
delight the humorous magician.
ll S§ II

No.3. COVER,
This little problem, which is a great favour­
ite of mine, will be found Tiseful as a break be­
 TESTED MAGIC. 29
tween two long items.
The assistance of a small boy is obtained,
and when he is on the platform a piece of tissue
paper about 12 inches square is shown. The
paper is torn and the boy requested to count
the number of pieces; they are now rolled into
a small ball which is placed in the boy’s left
hand. He is next asked to state a number
between 1 and 12, and the performer explains
that he will endeavour to remove that number
of pieces invisibly. The requisite number of
passes being made, he is asked to count the pieces
he has and finds there is only one; the original(P).
The performer shows his hands empty.
WORKING:—This is simplicity itself, when
the paper is first shown it is slightly crumpled
and the part held in the hand, has the duplicate
ball between the folds. The paper is torn and
the pieces rolled into a ball, and changed for the
duplicate which is placed in the assistants hand'.
The performer now steps behind the boy and
asks for the number as stated above, and under
cover of his (the boy’s) body calmly pockets the
pieces.
The idea of holding the paper slightly crumpled
does away with any awkward moves, as to my
mind there is no necessity to try and prove
there is only one piece as it is only shown as
such at the begining.
30 TESTED MAGIC.
THE GLASS THROUGH HAT.
(A SLEIGHT-OF-HAND METHOD).
Wishing to get the maximum amount of
effect with a minimum of apparatus, I devised
the following method of presenting and working
the above well known effect.
A small glass containing; a coloured silk, is
stood upon the outstretched fingers of the right
hand and covered with a handkerchief. An
open opera hat is now rested on the handkerchief
and glass and the usual effect takes place; the
glass is seen to apparently pass through the
handkerchief and hat from which it is removed
with the silk still inside. The hat is shown to
be empty and the handket chief perfectly whole.
The only special apparatus required is the
glass, which really consists of two glasses fit­
ting one within the other as in the familiar
die and shell. The inner glass is slightly shorter
than the outer one thus leaving a small space
when it is in position, large enough to hold a
silk in a crushed condition (see Fig.l.)
WORKING:—The glass, with the lining ill
position, is held in the right hand in such a
manner that the silk cannot be seen. A du­
plicate silk is taken and placed in the glass,
after’ which the fingers of the right hand con-
TESTED MAGIC. 31
 TESTED MAGIC. 33
cealing the original silk, can be safely removed.
The next move is of course to secretly in­
troduce the glass into the hat, this is easily done
by making use of the old die and shell load
(see Fig.2.). It will be found that when the
the inner glass has fallen into the hat, the silk,
which is secured to the shell glass will expand
thus showing no apparent difference to the
spectators. The hat is now placed aside.
The next move, which is one of the most
difficult in the experiment, is worked as fol­
lows:—The glass is placed upon the outstretched
fingers of the right hand, (right side of body is
facing the audience) and as the handkerchief is
brought up to cover it, the middle fingers are
bent into the palm, and at the same time the first
and fourth fingers grip the sides of the glass,
the position now being as Fig.3. (The left hand
steadies the glass to facilitate the bending of the
fingers).
The hat, containing the duplicate glass, is
now carefully rested on the handkerchief, and
as soon as it is steady the left hand is removed.
To simulate the passing of the glass through
the hat, the space between the first and fourth
fingers is gradually widened, allowing the glass,
to slowly sink until it's top is level with the
knuckles of the bent middle fingers. The result
of this is shown in Fig.4 .
34 TESTED MAGIC,
The glass is now taken from inside the hat,
attention being drawn to the fact that the silk
is still in position. The hat is removed with
the left hand and shown to be empty, and there
only remains one thing to be done, viz:—to
prove the handkerchief free from guile. To
fully appreciate the manner in which this last
move is attained the reader is requested to
carefully study Fig.5 . which illustration it should
be noted is taken from the front (ie. as seen
from the audience). The hat is held between
the fingers and thumb and brought up underneath
the glass, the handkerchief being gripped at the
point A.Fig.5. as this is done. Immediately the
corner just referred to is held by the fingers,
the glass is dropped into the hat. The left
hand and hat are now moved away from the
right hand, the handkerchief being left stretched
between the hands.
To finish, the hat is placed on a chair and
the handkerchief shown to be perfectly whole.
NOTES.
Real glasses should be used, which of course
must not be too large. There is no talking
when the inner glass is dropped into the hat,
owing, to the silk being between.
TESTED MAGIC. 35
 TESTED MAGIC. 37
FOR VENTRILOQUISTS ONLY.
Although this idea is only of use to ventril­
oquists, I think it will be found interesting to
magicians.
It is a combination of Living Marionettes
and Ventriloquism, and was originated for the
purpose of working two characters on the min-
ature stage simultaniously, with only one perfor­
mer. The method follows:—
To one of the small marionette bodies a
ventriloquial head (full size) is fitted, the whole
figure being seated at a model piano on the
stag£. It is of course now obvious that if some
means are found to operate the head movements
etc., without interfering with the working of the
performer’s own figure, a new and really novel
entertainment can be given.
The way in which this is done can be seen
by referring to the illustration on page 39.
The small stage is placed upon a table, the
front of which is covered with a large cloth.
A. A .A. are three lengths of fairly strong
cord, which run from the levers working the
mouth, eyes and arms of the figure, (it is of
course obvious that only essential movements
can be worked) to three keys fixed to a small
board placed on the floon
The working is now easily seen; the keys
38 TESTED MAGIC.
are pressed by the performer’s feet and the
figure plaj's and sings etc.
In conclusion, the use of strainers in the
centre of the cords, allows a tablfe of any reas­
onable height to be used.

H ® HI

TWO TIPS.
In connection with the above, the production
of a mouth coil from a vent, doll is always
sure of a good laugh, especially from the youn­
ger members of an audience.
Another little wheeze,,which may not be well
known, is for the performer to recite "The Charge
Of The Light Brigade” and at the words "Cannons
To The Right Of Them, Cannons To The Left
Of Them,” the figure’s head is moved corres­
pondingly . Lastly, at the words "Cannons All
Round Them,'’ it is only necessary to turn the
head completely round, to get the final laugh
AND applause.
* *
TESTED MAGIC.
 TESTED MAGIC. 41

A JjTUMP STUNT.
(AN ALWAYS TOPICAL EFFECT.)
This experiment, which with a little alteration
in the presentation is always topical, is strongly
recommended to those magicians who favour
interesting plots. The story is as follows:—
■ "At the last cricket match between the
Surrey and Yorkshire teams, a rather amusing
incident occured. There were present two small
boys who had made up their minds that directly
the match was over they would obtain one of
the stumps as a souvenir. Well, this is how
they managed it:'—On the morning of the match
they purchased a small cricket ball, like this
(ball is shown). It was wrapped in a piece
of paper at the shop, and at the same time
they begged from the shop-keeper another piece
of paper, like this.
In the afternoon off they went to the ground,
one boy carrying the ball and the other the
spare paper. It was a very good game, and
our young friends thoroughly enjoyed it, but
at the same time they were anxiously waiting
for the finish. Well this came at last, and as
soon as the players had left the pitch, the boy
with the paper ran across, picked up one of
the stumps, wrapped it in the paper and made
his way to the exit. In the meantime the boy
42 TESTED MAGIC.
with the ball had already gone*
Now things began to happen, before the boy
with the stump reached the exit, it's absence
was noticed and the policemen on the gates
were instructed to stop anyone carrying a sus­
picious parcel. When the boy arrived he was
immediately stopped and asked what he had
m his parcel.” He answered "Nothing!” which
naturally did not satisfy the constable who
ordered him to show what was in it. Instead
of unwrapping the parcel however, the boy held
it like that (the stump is held between the hands)
and said “It’s only a iricket ball, as indeed it
was.” (parcel changes to ball). The policeman
was very astonished but let him pass through.
A few minutes later two small boys could be
seen unwrapping a small parcel which proved
to be the missing stump.”
APPARATUS.
Two small balls are required, two stumps, and
two pieces of paper.
One ball is made on the principle of the Devant
cannon ball, the other being a small hollow one
of rubber, with a slit cut in it to allow it to bs
crushed practically flat, (Fig.l.) One of the
stumps (which are about twenty inches long) is
solid and has at the top a small wire loop.
The second stump is made from a barber’s
pole suitably coloured and shortened. Fig.2.
TESTED MAGIC.
 TESTED MAGIC. 45
One piece of paper is about 14 inches square,
and the other 4 inches wide by two feet long.
PREPARATION.
The solid stump is placed in a long waistcoat
pocket on the left hand side. The Devant
ball (folded) which during the effect has to be
palmed, is concealed, it’s position being a matter
for each individual performer.
The sheets of paper are laid on the table,
the long piece on top, with the solid stump and
rubber ball.
WORKING.
The solid ball (ie. the rubber one) is taken
and wrapped in the long paper strip and placed
on the table. The stump is next covered and
at the point in the story where it changes, the
Devant ball is palmed in the right hand.
The stump is then crushed, paper and all,
into the inner half of the ball which is subse­
quently turned over to show the result of the
change.
The next move which is the change of th2
ball to the stump, is accomplished in this manner;
The ball is held in the right hand just above
the level of the waistcoat pocket containing the
stump. The left hand takes hold of the end
of the paper and starts to unroll it downwards,
at the same time the right thumb being passed
46 TESTED MAGIC
into the loop at the top of the stump.
As soon as the thumb is in position thef-
right hand unrolls the paper upwards, the left
remaining steady. The result of this is that
the stump is produced BEHIND the paper.
To finish, the paper is turned over and the
stump allowed to fall to the floor, which not
only proves it’s solidity but also makes a good
finish. The ball is left crushed in the hand
and;is disposed of when the paper is laid aside.-

NOTE:—The Devant ball can be made from a

cardboard one, the two halves being fixed
together by shoemaker’s eyelets.

* * *
 TESTED MAGIC. 47

A SUBTLE SLATE MOVE.

One of the weakest points in the working
of the spirit slates, at least to my way of
thinking, is the use of cover to dispose of the
flap. In the method I am about to describe
the slate is never out of sight, and there is
also a logical conclusion in the use of chalk.
The slate is shown and rested on the top
of an ordinary cigar-box, in which a new piece
of chalk has already been placed.
A card is chosen (the effect described is
only for the purpose of illustration) and sub­
sequently vanished. The slate is now lifted
and the name of the card found written in
chalk on the underside. The box is opened
and the chalk found to be slightly shorterj
obviously having been used, which little fact
being in keeping with the experiment, makes
a good finish.
WORKING:—
The chalk is of course changed, which sleight
■will not be difficult for the average magician.
The disposal of the flap is accomplished
in the following manner. A shallow tin tray
is made, it’s inner side being painted black to
match the slate, and the outer side being faked
to represent the lid of the cigar-box. The box
48 TESTED MAGIC.
is also faked by cutting away the recess pieces
at each end, allowing the lid to simply drop

on the box.
It will thus be seen that the flap will fit both
 TESTED MAGIC. 49

the slate and box lid, which fact makes any

farther explanation unnecessary.
In conclusion it may interest my fellow magic­
ians to know, that if the necessary apparatus
is well made, a member of the audience can
lift the slate from off the box without any
fear on the performer’s part.

* *

Copyright
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