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J. G. THOMPSON, Jr.

"MY

BEST"

A collection of the best originations conceived by eminent creators in the inventive field of twentieth century magic. .

Compiled and edited by

J. G. THOMPSON, JR.

Illustrations by TOM FITZGERALD

JOHN J. CRIMMINS, JR., Art Editor

Published by CHARLES H. HOPKINS & CO. PHILADELPHIA

TO Jacqueline Jeanne and Julia Frances, my daughters, without whose untiring efforts and valuable counsel this volume would have been completed in one half the time actually required.

ill

PREFACE It is with a great deal of pleasure and considerable personal satisfaction that I offer this volume to the magical fraternity as a merited tribute and permanent monument to the present-day creative geniuses in the field of magic. Year in and out they have supplied the motive power, in the form of new tricks and ideas, to keep the machinery of prestidigitation movingâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;often without any form of reimbursement, for even recognition in the eyes of the public is reserved for the performing magician only. In saluting them here, I hope, in part, at least, to provide the laurel wreaths so richly deserved. For me, preparation of this volume has been an experience I would not have missed but also it is one I would not care to undertake again at the moment. Although it presented me with an opportunity to come in contact with the most brilliant minds in the realm of mystification, the path was beset with many difficulties, recognized partially by one discerning soul, who commented as follows: "I had always supposed that collecting a book of other people's material would be an easy way of publishing, but my procrastination with you gives me a hint of the labor and time and worry you have in contacting all the people, in writing and rewriting their contributions, in reminding them to comply, in selecting and rejecting wisely and tactfully. It must be much easier to put out your own stuff." From the beginning, no one was as enthusiastic regarding the possibility of success of the venture as I. Many, with whom I discussed the project, were downright pessimistic, others posted gentle warning signs, but all, without exception, tried to be helpful. Throughout, I constantly marveled at the cooperation received, especially in view of the fact that I only knew ten of the contributors personally at the outset. Not being acquainted with more proved to be a handicap only in that I have undoubtedly missed many "names" who should be represented. This I sincerely regret. It was quite interesting for me to observe many of my preconceived ideas vanish into thin air. In the first place, I toiled long and earnestly over the letter of solicitation, hoping to cover every angle clearly and concisely so that further correspondence would not be required. O, wishful thinking! A second, third, fourth, fifth and often more letters were laboriously pecked out on my long-suffering typewriter via the completely unorthodox "two-fingers" system before the desired results were obtained. By actual count, I wrote over 500 letters and am not finished as I struggle over this! IV

Secondly, I innocently believed when I sent out a huge bundle of requests for material that within a few days the mails would be flooded with replies. Nothing was farther from the truth, for the tricks and sketches dribbled in over a period of months. Almost universally, the originators couldn't decide upon their "best." One summed up his difficulty in poetryâ&#x20AC;&#x201D; Well, now you know I'm in a fix, Trying to give you the proper trix. Write me soon on this score. While waiting your reply, I'll think some more. The two I mentioned have had their test And so, I believe they are "My Best." Their next thought inevitably resulted in a request for me to choose the tricks, which I was forced to refuse, since compliance would have defeated my purpose. This inability to make what appeared on the surface to be a simple decision puzzled me until recently when I attempted to select two of my own few originations. Then all became crystal clear and I thoroughly sympathized with those whom I had been tormenting. A similarity of ideas cropped up now and thenâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;completely understandable to one who, not too many years ago, re-invented the "Mene Tekel Deck" as well as several other tricks which had been on the market for years. I wish to take this means of expressing my sincere appreciation to the following editors for their generous cooperation in permitting me to republish gems which rightfully belong herein: John Braun, "The Linking Ring"; Bruce Elliott, "The Phoenix"; Max Holden, owner of "The Jinx" rights; Jean Hugard, "Hugard's Magic Monthly"; The Larsens, "Genii," and John Mulholland, "The Sphinx." I am deeply grateful also for the guiding hands of John J. Crimmins, Jr. and Charles H. Hopkins, whose assistance and advice were invaluable. Finally, as you read on, drink a toast of gratitude and God speed to the authors and inventors, who made this book possible and without whose day to day output of creations, magic would indeed become a very dull affair. J. G. THOMPSON, JR. Middleburg, Pennsylvania April 25th, 1945

INTRODUCTION When Jim first broached the idea for that which has become the book which you now hold in your hands, I was appalled by the amount of work which would be necessary. I am still appalled by all that industry, perhaps more so, now that I have just gone through the proofs of the book and seen what Jim has managed to cajole, browbeat and in one fashion or another, pry out of the worst group of correspondents in the world, magicians. By nature and conditioning, I think Jim is about the only person in the world who could have brought his idea to fruition. By conditioning I mean his work as a bank president. By nature, because he has a bull dog tenacity which will not drop an idea once it has come into existence. Look through the table of contents and then have your brain reel as mine does, when you realize that in some cases nine or ten letters had to go out to a contributor before the trick came back. Whatever kudos there are floating around I certainly think belong to the Thompson scion. Jim has always had a knack for breaking down and arranging tricks and ideas in logical sequence. As witness of which, take the work he has done for so many years, indexing "The Jinx" and then "The Phoenix." That knack has stood him in good stead in his maiden publishing venture. This book, "My Best," unless I miss my guess by more than is my usual want, will be one to stand beside your other texts on your book shelf. Would that there were more such texts rather than the too many badly mimeod abominations which too often in this bizarre occupation of magic, occupy space in our book shelves. The quantity and quality of the material which Jim has anthologized, edited or whatever you choose to call it, is, to my mind, amazing. Here are secrets which too often magicians cuddle to their bosoms and refuse to allow the prying eyes of others to see. In sheer number, unless I miscounted, there are at least three or four more magicians represented than even that encyclopedia, "Greater Magic," has within its telephone book size format. Prefaces, introductions and the like merely stand in the way of the main course, so . . . get out your thinking cap and get right to work on the best tricks of the best brains in magic. Take it away, Jim . . . BRUCE ELLIOTT VI

CONTENTS C-K5

PREFACE

INTRODUCTION

PART I—CARDS CHAPTER

I. DISCOVERIES AND REVELATIONS

CHAPTER

II. CARDS IN MOTION A. Transpositions B. Flying Pasteboards C. Rising Cards III. MEETING OF THE MINDS

CHAPTER

IV. POTPOURRI

CHAPTER

9-34 35-68 35-42 42-58 59-68 69-121 122-153

PART II—MISCELLANEOUS MAGIC CHAPTER CHAPTER CHAPTER CHAPTER

V. POCKET TRICKS

154-196

VI. TRICKS FOR THE HOME VII. TRICKS FOR THE HOME AND STAGE VIII. STAGE EFFECTS

197-218 219-278 279-346

PART m—BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES CHAPTER

IX. BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES OF CONTRIBUTORS GENERAL INDEX

Vll

347-378 381-384