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Magicians Only

Parti Patter, Plot and Presentation Part II Patter for Standard Problems Part III Original Effects in Magic

By CHARLES WALLER OF AUSTRALIA

PUBLISHED BY F. G. THAYER 334 S. SAN PEDRO ST., LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA



Publisher's Note The publishing of any book of magic always calls for the serious consideration of two things : First,—that it's contents shall bear the stamp of originality ; prove both instructive, and of a highly interesting character. Second,—that it's features shall abound in that type of material, which to both the professional and amateur entertainer alike, is manifest in the one word—"practicability." It is a pleasure and an honor to have had a part in bringing this, the second of Mr. Charles Waller's commendable volumes into existence, and it is here that we take the opportunity of extending to him our congratulations, and to whom also, the Magicians of the World have incurred a debt of gratitude for this superb product of his conceptive genius, grown from the seeds of experience through his long and diligent devotion to the Art of Magic. If this book never does more for it's reader than to inspire a web of mystic and fascinating reveries, while lounging beside some cool quiet stream during a summer vacation, or before the glow of a cosy fireplace in winter, then it is that both author and publisher can feel that "FOR MAGICIANS ONLY" was a task well worth while. Shall I say more? The book is now open before you. Read, and judge for yourself. F. G. THAYER, The Publisher.


Copyright, 1923 By F. G. Thayer


Contents Part I. Chapter 1. Chapter 2.

Chapter 3. Chapter 4.

Chapter 5.

Patter, Plot and Presentation What Magic Is. Presentation : Apparatus and Sleights. Dress and Environment. Silence or Speech. Music. Programme Material. Presentation (continued) Magical Dressings. Patter: General Remarks. Purposes of Patter. Plot. The Dramatic and the Humorous. The Magic Sketch. Magical Introductions.

Part II. Chapter 6.

Chapter 7.

Patter for Standard Problems

Paper Magic The Afghan Bands. The Ta,le of an Elephant. The Coin Fold. The Princess Card Trick. Kismet. Manipulation with Cards. Miscellaneous. The Filtering Ink. The Chinese Rice Bowls. The Magic Numbered Bricks. The Wine and Water Trick. The Man in the Moon. The Growth of Flowers. The Phantom Die. The Little Match Girl.


Chapter 8. Chapter 9.

Chapter 10.

Stolen Jam. The Chinese Rings. The Hindoo Lota. The Scientific Milkman. In Dumb Show. The Water of the Ganges. The Bricklayer's Nightmare. A Paradoxical Perplexity. The Orange, Skittle and Drawer Box.

Part III.

Original Effects in Magic

Pop! My Lady's Fan : a. The Productive Fan. b. The Easy Money Fan. c. An Attractive Fan. d. Rising Card Fan. e. Some Smiles and a Fan. The Elongated Donkey The Aerial Knot Throw a Six Wedding Bells The Elfin Torches The Top That Tours "An Empty Bottle of Beer" Percolation Phenomenal "Any Bites?" A Vase of Flowers Stringing the Ring Magic Broth The Girl Behind the Pen "Oranges and Lemons" The Harlequin Cigarette Mirage The Wide, Wide World 6

Page 71 74

80 86 88 92 98 100 110 112 116 119 .122 124 128 131 134 137 142


Introduction The first sections of this book were written to give concrete expression to certain ideals, that from time to time I have allowed to creep between the lines of my contributions to magical journalism. Doubtless, scattered throughout the world, there are many magicians who think with me that a conjuror's patter should be something more than a necklace of cheap jokes. In the section devoted to practical magic, very little will be found in the way of card tricks. Every book and every journal published in the interests of magicians, abounds with this class of material. I have thought fit, therefore, to devote the space to what I believe to be strongly in demand to-day— strong, striking effects with apparatus neither too cumbersome, nor too costly in construction. I have thought long before including "The Top that Tours." This, because despite its ingenuity the idea calls for more construction than I generally favor in my conceptions. Finally, I decided to give the notion its opportunity because the apparatus constructed by my own unskilled hands was so satisfactory in operation as to warrant the belief that with expert manufacture the "Top" would prove a valuable addition to the magicial effects of today. In recommending my ideas and ideals to magicians the wide world over, I can only conclude with a certain cheery expression, fast threatened, alas, with extinction by the spread of prohibition H E R E ' S L U C K ! CHARLES WALLER.


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