m J fc p C iC E ^ s co m plete;
ENCYCLOPEDIA OF M/\CIC ^ BY JOSEPH DUNNINGER
B ooks like Dunninger’s Complete Encyclopedia o f Magic are h ard to find. T h e reason is clear enough: it isn’t every day that a great co n ju ro r— or m agician, as he prefers to be called— tells the w o rld his secrets, and Joseph D u n n in g er is one o f the m ost rem arkable exponents o f his art. So this book, up till n o w only available at a m uch higher price, is a rarity in a still underpublished field. D u n n in g er is one o f the last o f the great m agicians, the perform ers o f live vaudeville and theatre w hose spectacular effects and im penetrable illusions have m ystified and delighted countless m illions o f people. In m o re than fifty years as a m agician he amassed an unparalleled fund o f experience and know ledge, the fru it o f w hich is this extraordinary book. T he m an is as fascinating as his w o rk : a p ro d u ct o f the age o f B arn u m and Bailey, o f vaudeville, burlesque and music hall, he is an outrageous, unabashed s h o w m a n ; his life is dedicated to im pressing friends, audiences, the Prince o f W ales, the w o rld ; and his encyclopedia very definitely bears the im press o f his personality. continued on back flap
co m plete;
ENCYCLOPEDIA OF MACIC
COMPLETE
CYCLOPEDIA SPR IN G B O O K S w London New York Sydney Toronto
Published by The Hamlyn Group Limited London • N ew York • Sydney • Toronto Hamlyn House, Feltham, Middlesex, England Distributed in the U .S.A . by B O N A N Z A BOOKS a division of Crown Publishers, Inc. O n e P a rk A v e n u e N e w Y o rk , N .Y. 10016 Manufactured in the U nited States o f America i
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Introduction This, D unninger’s Encyclopedia of M agic, is the largest, the m ost com plete, and undoubtedly the m ost im portant volum e on m agic and stage illusions ever published. It contains more explanations and inform ation than any other com bined fifty books on magic. M uch of the m aterial in this book has been originated by me, and this material has been the basis for hundreds of effects used this day by m agicians on TV , in nightclubs, theaters and various branches of enter tainm ent throughout the world. M ost of the m aterial in these pages was originally published in three separate volum es under the title: “D unninger’s Popular M agic.” T hese books were published by Mr. H ugo Gernsback, one of the world’s outstanding scientists and inventors. Som e contributors to the original “Popular M agic” publications were: A1 FIosso, Dr. Jaks, Dr. Joseph Krauss, W alter B. Gibson, scientist H. W in field Secor and numerous other im portant writers. T h e three volum es of “Popular M agic” are today the m ost sought after magic books in the U nited States. An im portant N ew York book dealer has been paying forty to fifty dollars per volum e, for each copy securable, of “Popular M agic” V olum e two. In addition to all the im portant material from th ese volum es, numerous outstanding effects have been added, thereby bringing the Encyclopedia up to date. M any of the tricks and illusions herein explained have been sold separately by m any dealers of magical equipm ent throughout th e world. W ere one to total the prices paid for these secrets, it would am ount to m any thousands of dollars. Mr. L yle Stuart, the em inent publisher of this work, has suggested that I include a m odern brief autobiography. T o me, it seem s rather difficult for any author to do this, w ithout seem ing to exaggerate his talents. Therefore, I have chosen to republish the original introduction and brief biography, as were first published in the previous volum es of “Popular M agic.” You will find them at the end of this book. T o om it any part of the original publication would be to deprive this book of som e of the flavor of the original work. Since this m aterial was first published I have m ade numerous th e atrical strides such as presenting m y perform ances in im portant theaters throughout the world. For m any years I have appeared on the various networks, dem onstrating programs of thought reading together with magic
and illusionary effects. M y television network shows received the highest ratings for any thirty m inute show in all T V history. In conclusion, m ay I sincerely add the hope that those who m ight choose magic and m ystery as a hobby will find this volum e m ost reward ing. T o the m any who may, on the other hand, decide to m ake this tim ehonored art the m eans of their profession, I trust that th ey m ay m eet with successful recognition. R espectfully yours, J
o se ph
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u n n in g e r
N o t e ; T hanks is herewith extended to Mr. H ugo Gernsback for perm is sion to include the m aterial in this E ncyclopedia which originally appeared under the author’s byline in “Science and Invention” and “Everyday Science and M echanics.”
Contents 5
IN T R O D U C T IO N M A G IC F O R E V E R Y B O D Y T h e B locks of th e Yogi A H in d u M y s te ry T h e T e le p h o n e M y ste ry
12
S k e tch w ith F ire Ice in B oiling W a te r
12
S IM P L E M E N T A L T E L E P A T H Y U n iq u e T e le p h o n e B ook T e s t M y stic S la te W ritin g C a b in e t R e ad in g B u rn e d M essage M essages from th e G r e a t B ey o n d A C lev er P a rlo r E x p e rim e n t
13 13 13 14 14
11 11 12
T H E M Y S T E R IO U S P A IN T IN G T h e V a n ish in g D ra w in g F u ll to E m p ty C ig a re tte B ox C h an g e F u ll a n d E m p ty W in e G lass R o se P ro d u c e d from W an d O F F T H E B E A T E N T R A IL M y ste rio u s B e e r D rin k in g G lasses T h e S p irit R a p p in g H a n d V a n ish in g In k from B o ttle S ilk P ro d u c tio n from E m p ty G lass
S P E C T A C U L A R IN N O V A T IO N S X -ra y S ig h t W alk in g T h ro u g h a R o p e B a n k -n o te T ric k V an ish in g T u m b le r D ag g er T h ro u g h C heek R isin g C ard
IS
S O M E U N IQ U E E F F E C T S T h e D isa p p e a rin g T a b le C a n d le to F la g C hange T h e R e d a n d W h ite P e n c il P ro d u c in g W in e from P a p e r T u b e
15 16 16 16 16
A S H A R P S r iO O T I N G M A G IC IA N H a n d k e rc h ie f D y e in g B o ttle C oin V an ish T o m and R e sto re d C ard Bow and A rrow T e c h n iq u e
A FE W M A S T E R M Y S T E R IE S T h e V an ish in g H o rse a n d R id e r Im p ro m p tu H a n d k e rc h ie f V anish C a tc h in g F ish in M id -A ir
17 17 17
M y stify in g Ju g g le r T ric k s H. R . H . P rin c e of W ales A sto u n d ed
18 19
S IM P L E M Y S T E R I E S T H R I L L M A N Y R e a d in g C a rd s F a c e D ow n T h e H y p n o tiz e d T ea sp o o n s T h e V a n ish in g R in g T h e D isa p p e a rin g S ta tu e
N IG H T S O F M Y S T E R Y T h e M y stic F r u it C u ttin g A p p le on P e rso n 's N eck S trik in g S a fe ty M a tc h e s on S hoes T h e M a g n e tic C ig a re tte T h e R e v e rs in g C olors
20 20 21 21
C R Y S T A L G A Z IN G T h e B on-B on B ox C a n d y V anish C ry sta l G lo b e V isions All M ay See C ig a re tte P a p e r T ric k H Y P N O T IS M A S A N A R T A n g u lar S e m i-L e v ita tio n R e a d in g C a rd s from B ack E m p ty a n d F u ll W in e G lass T h e K n o ttin g H a n d k e rc h ie fs
21 22
22 22
23 23 23 23
S L E IG H T O F H A N D W ine B o ttle to R a b b it C h an g e C olor C h a n g in g K in g T u t B a la n cin g B illia rd B a ll on C ard F a n A S im p le M in d R e a d in g E ffec t
24 24 24 24
T H E M Y S T E R IO U S B O X P a ssin g V ase T h ro u g h G lass T h e D isa p p e a rin g C an d le T h e C olor W ritin g P e n c il T ric k M a tc h B ox H o ld e r
25 25 25 25
T H E M A G IC IA N IS T H E L I F E O F T H E P A R T Y C a n a ry in E le c tric L ig h t B u lb B illia rd B all B a la n c e d on W an d S ilk H a n d k e rc h ie f in C o rk e d B o ttle T h im b le T h ro u g h K e rc h ie f E ffect S T A G E A N D L Y C E U M T R IC K S G old F ish V a n ish from Bowl T h e V a n ish in g M id g e t R a b b it from C losed O p e ra H a t R e d to W h ite B illia rd B all T H E M A G IC W A N D C a b in e t for V an ish in g L ad y F u ll to E m p ty M a tc h B ox C hange T h e J u m p in g B lac k C h e ck e r T h e C lock D ia l M y s te ry T H E C O N J U R E R ’S A R T R isin g a n d F a llin g S k u ll P ro d u c in g K e rc h ie f from Spool of T h re a d E x p lo siv e S o a p B u b b le s V isib le H a n d k e rc h ie f E x ch an g e T H E M A G N E T IS M O F M A G IC In v isib le B illia rd B all T oss A N o n -M a g n e tic M a g n e t V a n ish in g C a rd S p o ts H a n d k e rc h ie f A p p e a ra n c e on W an d
A M IR A C L E M A N ’S M E T H O D S T o m and R e sto re d C ard T h e V a n ish in g P a p e r M a tc h e s T h e M y stic C oin a n d G lass A F la sh lig h t L oad
26 26 26 26
S IM P L E D E C E P T I O N A p p e a rin g F lo w e r B o u q u e t T h e H a t B ru sh L oad T h e P a d d le S e le c to r A C oin P u ll
A B A L L A N D A S IE V E R isin g a n d F a llin g B all H a n d s D ip p e d in W a te r R e m a in D ry G ra v ity D e fy in g G lass Sieve F u ll of W a te r
27 27 27 27
H O M E ST U N TS FO R A M A TEU RS T h e V a n ish in g R a d io S e t R e a d in g T h ro u g h C a rd Box M a tc h e s to H a n d k e rc h ie f C h an g e C u t a n d R e sto re d H a n d k e rc h ie f
T R IC K S F O R L Y C E U M A N D C L U B T h e P h a n to m C ard M y ste ry T h e S p irit C olors T h e T ra in e d G oldfish W h istle on S trin g
28 28 28 28
S E E IN G IS B E L IE V I N G T h re e C oin V a n ish a n d A p p e a ra n c e R e m o v in g a T h u m b S ta n d for C h a n g in g B ra n to W a te r R isin g C a rd E ffec t
T H E Z O D IA C M Y S T E R Y T h e Iro n S p id e r Coin M o n te T h e D y ein g M a tch b o x e s C ig a re tte V anish
29 29 29 29
S H O W IN G T H E M H O W F lo w e r P ro d u c in g C one U n iq u e C ard F ra m e T h e E d u c a te d B e e tle T h e B lac k A ce C h an g e
...........
K E E P IN G T H E M G U E S S IN G P ro d u c tio n of S p irits fo r M e d iu m s C oin S h o w er fro m F in g e r T ip s B illia rd B all to H a n d k e rc h ie f C h an g e T h e M y stic S k u ll
44 44 44 44
H O W P R O F E S S IO N A L S D O I T C u t a n d R e sto re d D e rb y w ith L oad B u rn e d and R e sto re d B a n k -N o te H a n d k e rc h ie f T y in g C y lin d e r L iq u id from F in g e r-T ip s
45 45 45 45
M A N IP U L A T IN G F O R F U N T h e S p irit M e d iu m ’s C h a ir T h e D isa p p e a rin g C oin T h e V anishing T a b le L am p T h e S in k in g B all
46 46 46 46
B E H IN D T H E S C E N E S W IT H M A G IC T h e F lo a tin g B all (N e w V e rsio n ) H a n d k e rc h ie f in G lass V anish T a b le R a p p e r for S p irit S ean ces D isa p p e a ra n c e from T a n k of W a te r
47 47 47 ........................... 47
T H E P E R F E C T M Y S T E R IE S F lo w e r G ro w th in T e n t V anishing B o ttle M essages from S e a le d E n v e lo p e s C olor C hanging T u b e
48 48 48 48
S T A G E A N D P A R L O R T R IC K S S h o o tin g T h ro u g h P la te G lass T h e M a g n e tic K n ife P ro d u c tio n s from an O p e ra H a t T h e M a g n e tic W an d T ip
49 49 49 49
T H E S P O O K S O F M A G IC P ro d u c tio n of S p irit P ic tu re s V an ish in g G lass of W in e from T ra y T h e G h o st F ra m e for M essages R e a d in g C a rd s from B a ck
50 50 50 50
P A P E R T R IC K S
51
L IF T IN G S T U N T S F O R Y O U R P A R L O R O p tic a l Illu sio n H e ro 's F o u n ta in F ire U n d e r W a te r S tu n t
52 53 53 53
PARLOR SO RCER Y
54
P O P U L A R H O M E M A G IC
55
P A R L O R JU G G L IN G
56
STU N TS FO R T H E SM O K ER
57
H A N D K E R C H IE F T R I C K S
58
S C IE N T IF I C M A T C H -B O X P U Z Z L E S
59
B A L L O O N T R IC K S
60
C H E M IC A L M A G IC
61
S C I E N T I F I C T U M B L E R T R IC K S
62
T H E M A G IC S P I R I T B E L L C o n stru c tio n of th e B ell a n d S ta n d T ric k s w ith th e "F ix e d P a c k ”
80 81 81
T h e S te a m C a ro u se l O p tic a l Illu sio n M a tc h B ox T r ic k
81 81 81
T H E M A G IC " F IR E -B O W L ” An In te re s tin g C a rd T ric k
82 83
T h im b le Ice F a c to ry P a rlo r T ric k
83 83
T H E " T A L K IN G S K U L L ” M y ste rio u s S hadow Illu sio n
84 85
T H E R A P P IN G H A N D G h o st S p e c ta c le for A m a te u r S ta g e “ S p ir it” S la te -W ritin g
86 87 87
T H E M Y S T IC R O U L E T T E W H E E L “S ilv e re d E g g ” In e rtia E x p e rim e n t O ra n g e F ire w o rk s
88 89 89 89
T H E C O IN W A N D “ P e rp e tu a l M o tio n " A d v e rtisin g D e v ice
90 91
T H E W O N D E R F O U N T A IN S T h re e M agic P e n c ils— A M a g n e tic H o a x
92 93
P A R L O R T R I C K S E A S IL Y P E R F O R M E D T h e T h re e C olored C a n d le s T h e D isa p p e a rin g C oin T h e D a n cin g P la y in g C ard T h e M oving R in g T ric k A P o k e r G a m e T ric k
94 94 95 95 95
T h is C lock T e lls "B u g " T im e T h e "M ag ic W a n d ”
95 95
A F E W G O O D P A R L O R T R I C K S W IT H O U T A P P A R A T U S F iv e C ard M o n te 96 T h e D isa p p e a rin g C a rd 96 T h e R in g s of H in d u sta n 97 E le c tric a l S p irit W ritin g
97
J A P A N E S E L A N T E R N S A N D P A R L O R T R IC K S T h e D isa p p e a rin g G o b le t L a n te rn s from N o w h ere
98 99
C h em ical S tu n t W a te r a n d Oil E x p e rim e n ts C oin T ric k
99 99 99
T H E BLA C K A N D W H IT E S L A T E S M y stifica tio n in C a n d le T ric k s
100 101
S H O O T IN G T H R O U G H A W O M A N H in d u R o p e T ric k E x p o se d H ow to M a k e an A m m onia F o u n ta in
102 103 103
T H E M Y S T E R IO U S C A N D L E S M y stic -C o lo re d S hadow S ta r
104 105 106 107 107 107 108 108
S C I E N T I F I C C O IN P U Z Z L E S
65
H E R O ’S M A G IC H O R S E
67
S A W IN G A W O M A N IN H A L F
68
T H E O B E D IE N T C A N D L E S P a p e r B u tte rflie s th a t F ly M u sical G lasses W ill-o '-th e -W isp C h e m ic al E n te r ta in m e n ts P o c k e t S h o ck in g C oil
T R IC K S T A G E M A K E S D W A R F S
69
T R I C K S O F M E D IU M S
109
S C IE N C E O D D S A N D E N D S
112
T H E M A G IC IN P H Y S IC S (I llu s io n s ) M y ste rio u s J a p a n e s e M irro r M agic “ S e ttin g S u n ” P ic tu re A lla h ’s C a n d le T h e E n c h a n te d C o rn u c o p ia U ltra-C o in T ric k T h e H e ad le ss W iz ard C a n d le -E a tin g T h e S p irite d M a tc h A n ti-G ra v ita tio n a l C h a ir A M a tc h le ss P ro b le m T h e F lo a tin g G lass P o w erfu l S p irits M e sm e riz ed P e n c il P h a ra o h ’s F in g e r T h e M ag ical D u m m y R ain b o w W a te r T h e H a u n te d E y e-G la sse s A V oice in th e D a rk F ire -W a te r A R a p id -F ire M a g ician B u rie d A live— In d ia 's G re a te s t M y s te ry Ice a n d C ig a re tte T ric k
114 115 115 116 116 116 117 118 118 119 119 120 120 120 121 122 123 124 124 125 125 126 128
E A S IL Y P E R F O R M E D M A T C H T R I C K S D IC E T R I C K S S I M P L I F I E D
63 64
H O W E L E C T R IC I T Y M A K E S P O S S IB L E M O D E R N STA G E W O N D ERS R e v o lv in g a n d E le v a tin g S ta g e F loors M y ste rie s of S ta g e -C ra ft W ater, Snow and R a in E ffects S un, M oon and S ta r E ffects M isc e lla n eo u s S ta g e T ric k s S cene P a in tin g
70 70 71 72 72 72 73
P la s te r M ask s S im p ly M a d e
73
M Y S T IC F E A T S O F H IN D U F A K IR S “ M o d e m M a g ic ” and H ow T h e y D o It
74 76
S C I E N T I F I C S T A G E IL L U S IO N S M an in H o t O ven T ric k T h e D isa p p e a rin g E le p h a n t T h e E le ctrifie d G lass T ru n k T h e M a il-B a g E sc a p e T h e M irro r a n d W atch T ric k M ilk -C an T ric k and S te el B o ile r E sc ap e M an and G irl T ra n s fo rm a tio n
77 77 77 77 78 78 78
E le c tric Snow S to rm
78
T H E C A U S E O F IL L U S IO N S T h e " T a lk in g T a b le ” B alan cin g E gg
79 79 79
T h e S p irit T a b l e .......................................................................................... M y stic C oin T ric k T h e E d u c a te d C oin ........................................................................... A M a g n e tic P e n c il T h e V an ish in g C igar A M a tch less M a tc h T ric k T h e O b e d ie n t C ard G h o stly P o w er A N ew In k T ric k T h e G h o st P ro d u c tio n E n c h a n te d C an d les Q u e er A rith m e tic A B lo tte r T ric k W a tc h O u t T h e T o p s y -T u rv y P e n c il Eggs E x tra o rd in a ry T h e P e lle t T ric k T h e S p irit of th e S w eets M y stic Ju g g le ry T h e D isa p p e a rin g C oin A S p iritu a l A p p a ritio n T h e S p in n in g H a lf D o llar M e rc u ry ’s Coin C ham eleon W an d T h e D e v il’s K ey R in g T h e J u m p in g S poons W o n d er B locks T h e M e sm e riz ed T u m b le r T h e "S o le " of th e W izard T h e E n c h a n te d P e lle t N ovel C a rd R isin g E ffect T h e E n c h a n te d C h a p ea u T h e C olors of D ia b lo H y p n o tize d C ard s Im p ro v ed C a n d le a n d H a n d k e rc h ie f T ric k L ights O u t A N ew C ig ar T ric k T w e n tie th -C e n tu ry C a b in e t Illusion A N ew L em on T ric k A N ovel T ra n s fo rm a tio n T h e M u sical F o rk T h e H ig h P rie s t of B a al T h e M a g n e tic C igar E n c h a n te d M irro r T h e S p oo ky D o lla r P ie ce Im p ro v ed M ise r's D re a m T h e O b e d ie n t T im e -P ie c e B ew itched O ranges T h e R e v erso M a tc h T ric k T h e C ry sta l C a sk e t T h e P e n e tr a tin g H a n d k e rc h ie f T h e G h o stly K ey T h e B ook of M y stic K now ledge T h e O b e d ie n t Eggs W hich is W hich? E n c h a n te d A shes C ig a re tte -to -H a n d k e rc h ie f T ra n s fo rm a tio n A C h a m e leo n G love A S tra n g e D isa p p e a ra n c e T h e T ra v e lin g T a b le -K n ife P a p e r L e v ita tio n T h e D e v il’s T o u ch F ly in g G o b le ts M u ltip ly in g C igar T h e B a la n cin g Ace C a g lio stro ’s T e le p h o n e D em on D e c a n te rs W iz ard ry U n u su al T h e W iz a rd ’s B o n n e t E n c h a n te d H a n d k e rc h ie f P ro d u c tio n M e n ta l W iz ard ry A C h in ese B all M y ste ry A C ard and F la g T ric k T h e S p irite d H a t T h e D iso b e d ie n t M a tc h T ric k S u g a r T h e C ry sta l C lock K ing T u t ’s Coffin In d ia n S n a k e P o t M agical F in g e rs PU PP E T S— HOW TO M AKE AND O PER A TE T H E M T h e H e ad , M a k in g th e M old M a k in g th e H e ad , A lte rin g th e F e a tu re s P a in tin g , H a ir, M o v e a b le M o u th s B o d y C o n stru c tio n
128 129 130 130 131 132 132 133 134 135 136 136 137 138 138 139 140 140 141 142 142 143 144 145 145 146 146 147 148 148 149 150 150 151 152 152 153 154 155 156 156 157 158 158 159 160 161 161 162 162 163 164 164 165 166 167 168 168 169 170 170 171 172 173 173 174 176 177 178 178 179 180 180 181 182 182 183 184 185 185 186 186 187 188 188
D im en sio n s for 14 In c h F ig u re T h e C o n tro lle r, S trin g in g th e P u p p e t T h e P ro fe ssio n a l C o n tro lle r S p e c ia l E ffec ts, T h e B alloon T h e T u rn -O v e r D oll T ric k C h a n g in g P u p p e ts T h e D a n c in g S k e le to n , A n im als T h e B a ll Ju g g le r, T h e P o le B a la n c e r T h e C o n to rtio n ist V a u d ev ille P u p p e ts , S c e n ery F o re s t S cen e, F o re s t C o tta g e S im p le In te rio r In te rio r of a F a rm C o tta g e O th e r S cenes M a n ip u la tin g th e P u p p e ts C o n tro llin g th e S trin g s, T h e S ta g e G iv in g th e P e rfo rm a n c e T h e M a tc h a n d B ox T ric k M e n ta l T e le p a th y D e L uxe W an d V a n ish D e L uxe T h e P h a n to m D e rb y E n c h a n te d G o b le t A M in d R e a d in g S e c re t P ro d u c tio n C y lin d e r B all C a tc h in g W an d A D em o n H o u le tte T h e R isin g of th e C ard s A n y th in g to P lease! T h e Idol of H an N am e M y C ard! M agical M a rk sm a n sh ip D iscovered! A U sefu l P ie c e of A p p a ra tu s M y stic C ard D isco v ery T h e H in d u ’s G ift M y stic F ly in g C ard T h e E y e s D eceiv e T ra n s fe rre n c e of T h o u g h t T h e G lass B ow l V an ish N ovel C ard P a in tin g M arvelous! T h o u g h t F o re to ld In to T h in A ir T h e S u lta n 's F a v o rite In v isib le P e n e tra tio n T h e D re a m of K ing M idas C ard M a n ip u la tio n S im p lified E g g -S tra o rd in a ry M agical M u ltip lic a tio n M a g n e tic H a n d T h e C oin th a t V an ish ed T h e P a ssin g of th e P h a n to m C oins M ag ical T ra n s fo rm a tio n M agical Ju g g le ry T h e C ig a re tte from N ow here T h e G lass a n d C oin T ric k T h e C lin g in g C igar P igeons from H a t O u t of th e A ir T h e D isa p p e a rin g L ady T h e D e m o n ’s M a tc h e s S h o o tin g T h ro u g h a G lass G h o stly M usic P sychic M essages S p irit W o rld M essages T h e H y p n o tic C ane C olor T e le p -a th y H a rk Ye, S p irits! Second S ig h t H a t of M y s te ry T h e S p h e re D issolves! T h e M y s te ry Box "G o o d n ess G ra cio u s M e !” As Y e Sow! T h e B ell and B ox S e a n ce In v isib le T ra n s p o rta tio n H a n d k e rc h ie f P ro d u c tio n W a te r P itc h e r L oad S ilen c e a n d N u m b e rs T h e M y stic B lock S ta rtlin g R e p ro d u c tio n E ffec t W h ere Is th e R ing? F in d th e L em on T h e M e sm e riz ed K n ife T h e M ira c le T u b e
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A N ew C ard B ox T h e P a p e r P ro b le m A ccid en ts W ill H a p p e n U n iq u e H a n d cu ff T h e M a t of C agliostro S o m e th in g to T h in k A b o u t C ircle ts o f S te el C a b in e t of T ra n s fo rm a tio n s T h e M ira cle S la te T ru n k E sc a p e C h in ese B ox T ric k J a p a n e s e M agic Im p ro v e d S p ir it C lock T h e P h a n to m C ig a re tte M u ltip ly in g M a tch e s E n c h a n te d O ranges M y stic M a te ria liz a tio n T h e F lo w e r T h a t C olors T h o u g h t W aves A P o ssib le Im p o ssib ility T h e V an ish in g L am p T h e E n c h a n te d L em on C u t and R e sto re d R ib b o n T h e D re a m of F u C hong T h e M y s te ry R ose A S trin g P ro b le m H a n d k e rc h ie f P e n c il A W inged R in g A C lev er P o c k e t T ric k A M a tte r of F a n c y A T im e ly B ill T ric k T h e H a n d S to ck s W a tc h th e W atch ! B ill a n d P e n c il M y s te ry L e v ita tio n of C ry sta l H in d u S a n d M y ste ry T h e E n c h a n te d C igar C h in ese P la te P ro b le m A B a rre l of P le n ty New R isin g C ard A M y stic S m oke T h e G h o st F la m e A S p irit S la te T h e X -ra y E y e C ard M in d R e a d in g E x tra o rd in a ry M in d R e a d in g C a lc u la to r W atch in B alloon N ew P ip e T ric k J u m p in g P e g P en cil R u b b e r B an d P a lm T h e P a trio tic L iq u id s Boxes of P le n ty M iracu lo u s Eggs T h e O b e d ien t B all T h e P u z z le B locks T h e C h a m e leo n B ands T h e M y stic B read T h e P a p e r B ird s C olored L iq u id s A N ew C oin Box H in d u R ice T ric k C o lu m b u s O u td o n e T h e E n c h a n te d A q u a riu m H a n d k e rc h ie f and C o n fe tti T ric k M y stic K n ife T ric k G old a n d S ilv er T h e O b e d ie n t S pools T h e Yogi C oin Illusion T h e C ry sta l H o u le tte
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Second S ig h t M y s te ry S ilk s F ro m N ow here An A nnoying T e le p h o n e T h e D ia b o lic H a n d k e rc h ie f A C a n d le T ra n s fo rm a tio n A T u m b le r T ric k T h e T u b e of P le n ty T h e Y ogi B o ttle ......................... M ind R e a d in g T h e D em on B illia rd B all T h e G lass C h im n e y N ew C a rd M y s te ry L iving or D ead A S p o n g e T ric k D e v il's F in g e r R in g H y p n o tiz e d O b jects R isin g C ard s from H a t A P h a n to m T r e a t H e rc u le s’ F in g e rs T h e V an ish in g B ird T h e M a g n e tiz e d W an d T h e H in d u Sacrifice M y ste rio u s M a rk sm a n sh ip A H in d u P h e n o m en o n T h e E n c h a n te d B alloon S econd S ig h t T h e C y lin d e r from O ly m p u s M e p h isto p h e le s' G lass P la te R isin g C a rd s Im p ro v e d A T e m p le B u d d h a M y s te ry E n c h a n tm e n t T h e B oard of P le n ty M y stic Box T ric k P a sse-P asse B oxes V anishing H a n d k e rc h ie f N ew S la te E ffec t E n c h a n te d B a llo t B ox S p irit R a p s in B ro ad D a y lig h t E n c h a n te d S e rp e n t S k u ll M ag n etism C h am eleo n F in d th e Ace F ly in g G old F ish N ew R isin g C ards F ly in g C ig a re tte s T h e M y stic H a n d of D a n te Im p ro v ed O b e d ie n t B all An X -ra y E y e T h e V anishing T a b le T h e C oin in th e E gg M e sm e riz ed S a lt-C e lla r R o p e C om edy T ric k A N ew T h u m b -T ie D e a th -D e fy in g C a sk e t R e a d in g B u rn e d C ard C h in ese L a n te rn T h e M y stic B o ttle T h e M y stic Box P a p e r M agic T h e P e n e tra tin g E y e A n o th e r V a n ish in g H a n d k e rc h ie f A H in d u M y ste ry T h e E n c h a n te d P e rfu m e V ial
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P O P U L A R V E N T R IL O Q U IA L E N T E R T A I N E R S p irit P ic tu re s M agic T u m b le r T h e G h o st F ra m e T w e n tie th C e n tu ry M in d R e a d in g “ D U N N IN G E R " — A n A u t o b io g r a p h y
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Magic for Everybody T h e B lock* o f Y ogi
R IO R to beginning this series o f articles upon popular conjuring, mind reading, telepathy and general m yster ies purporting to be on the mental order, a few w ords of introduction w ill be in place. I t is not my desire to e x pose the co n ju re rs’ greatest m ysteries o r to lay bare the secrets o f fam ous illusions. T o my thinking the general theatre-going public enjoy the m ystification due to m odern stage illusions and deciding fo r them selves how the trick is done, an explanation p rio r to w it nessing a dem onstration w ould be injurious to the interest supposed to be excited. T h e average theatre-goer w ould no m ore desire to know in advance how an illusion is a c complished, than he would care to be told the story o f a play before seeing the same acted. T h e average stage effect such as pro duced by present day illusionists may involve an investm ent of thousands of dollars and the secret o f an effect of this kind would be o f no value to the readers of this paper be cause it is doubtful w hether anyone not a professional would care to invest such a sum of money to duplicate the effect simply for one’s amusement. It is, therefore, my desire to expose a series of effects, w hich cost but little to construct and can be accom plished w ith little practice, yet will be such as to appear to be bordering upon the impossible and will have to all appearances as m ysterious an effect as would be found in m ore costly and difficult experim ents.
P
THE
A H in d u M y ite ry
T h e T e le p h o n e M ystery
In spite o f the w eird and m ystifying effect produced by the perform ance o f this trick, the secret is extrem ely simple but still re m arkably clever. W ith reference to the diagram , one will find th a t in the black block, which really consists o f tw o pieces of wood
BLOCKS O F T H E YOGI
T h is w eird and startlin g effect is one th at I originated some eight years ago and which has been the means of m ystifying quite a num ber o f professional m agicians. Two small blocks o f wood are passed around fo r thorough inspection. It is found th at both are three inches long, one and one-half inches wide and about one-half inch in thickness. Closest inspection will reveal no difference o th er than the color. T he one is painted a b rig h t verm ilion or red, the o th er block a dull black. T h e p erfo rm er requests a sub ject from his audience to take these blocks into another room w ith him and to place the blocks in different side pockets. T he subject re-enters the room and the p er form er is a t once able to state w hich pocket holds the red block and w hich the black one. Still another test is m ad e; while in another p a rt o f the house, th e blocks are separately w rapped in sheets a f paper and the perform er is still able to indicate the packages containing the red and black re spectively.
P ro f. Jo se p h D u n n in g e r, M a s te r M agician, a n d M ind R eader, A u th o r of th e Seriea of M agic A rtic le s W h ic h F ollow .
carefu lly glued together, is secreted a piece o f m agnetized steel. T h e red block is like w ise treated but the m etal (zinc or copper) th erein concealed is not magnetic. Its p u r pose is only to give it the proper w eight to be in positive harm ony w ith the o th er block. T h e p erfo rm er has a small compass con cealed betw een the fingers o f his hand. T h is compass has a plate case w hich is flesh col ored so as not to be easily noticed. N a t urally all th at rem ains to be done in o rd er to discover the package o r pocket containing the black block is fo r the p erfo rm er to pass his hand over such package o r pocket, apparently only fo r effect, but in reality the reader will understand fo r the purpose of having the block indicate its presence as the m agnetized steel w ill cause the compass needle to move. M any o th er experim ents w ith the blocks will suggest them selves to
O n e B lock of W o o d is R od. th e O th e r B lack . B o th » re w ra p p e d in N e w s p a p e r an d T h e n P la c e d in th e V eat P ocket*. W ith a S lig h t F lo u rie h of H ia H a n d th e M ag ician In fo rm s th e H o ld e r o f th e B lo c k s in W h ic h P o c k e t E a c h of th e C olored B lo c k s is L o c a te d . A p a lm e d C o m p a ss e n d a M a g n e t C o n ce a le d in O n e o f th e B locko S o lv e th e M y ste ry .
the readers as one will readily see th a t the array of possibilities is unlimited. A H IN D U
M YSTERY
Several y ears ago a certain H indu mystic w as practicing his apparent pow ers o f w itch craft and enchantm ent in one of o u r largest cities and succeeded in obtain ing large sums o f money from many of o u r forem ost society leaders and business men by his illusions. T h is m ethod o f a getrich-quick schem er became the talk of the tow n until his psychic pow er cam e to a sad ending through police detection. I will herew ith lay b are a m ethod w hich he em ployed w hich proved to be one of the best mechanical methods fo r w eird im pression th a t has ever been practiced. Briefly, here is the method of his operation. T h e subject would en ter the m ystic’s p arlo r, w hich was found to be elaborately trim m ed w ith an a rra y of zodiac charts, ancient hierogliphics, incense pots, skulls and o th er w eird uncanny objects to make the psychic’s w ork m ore im pressive. A fte r w aiting fo r five o r ten minutes, the w eird-looking gentlem an w ould enter the room from behind a p air of antique p o r tieres. T h e s u b je c t w o u ld be u sh e re d to a chair directly in fro n t of a table, upon w hich lay a pad, a candlestick containing a b u rn ing candle, tw o incense pots and several pencils. T h e H indu w o n d er-w orker w ould seat him self upon a chair directly opposite the subject. A fte r a b rief interview w ith reference to th e m onth, day and y ear in which th e subject w as born and o th er ap parently necessary questions relative to his horoscope, the H in d u w ould finally ask him to take a sheet o f p ap er from his ow n pocket if necessary ar>d to w rite upon it five o r six questions, w hich h e w ould w ish to have answ ered. A fte r these had been w ritten he was requested to pu t this paper into his pocket or to burn it in the flame of the candle as his desire w ould dictate. A fte r a few m om ents o f cerem ony, the H indu would begin to call the subject’s questions and in a low m ysterious tone answ er them to the subject’s en tire satisfaction. N ot alone would this in form ation be given to the spectator, but a series o f questions and e x periences w ith his friends who, w hile apparently unknow n to the m ystic w ere called by name. Follow ing this, th eir ad dresses would be mentioned, n atu rally produc ing a bew ildering and uncanny effect upon the subject, w ho could not possibly doubt th e genuineness of the occult pow ers a fte r a dem onstration as convincing as tins.
A D e ck of C ard s is Shuffled up, P ie c e d I n to th e M a g ic ia n ’* P o c k e t an d O n e W ith d ra w n . T h e H o ld e r of th e C ard N o w T e le p h o n e s to a T o w n S om e F ifte e n M iles D is ta n t, W h e re th e In d iv id u a l A n sw e rin g th e P h o n e C o rre c tly In fo rm s H u n of th o N u m b e r of S p o ts o n th e C ord e n d I ts S u ite. A P r e p a re d D e ck C o n ta in in g C ard s of B u t O n e S u ite, a D o u b le P o c k e t, a n d S orao F rie n d W h o K n o w s th e T r ic k . A re th e Sole R e q u ire m e n t*