aiami
Immic 24
ASTOUNDING EFFECTS w/M M e , MENTALISTS MIRACLE GIMMIC afutl treatise onthe proper handling of
Ithe
NAILWRITER
THE
" SWAMI GIMMICK " CONTENTS PART ONE
TYPES
Page THE SWAMI GIMMICK WRITER THE UNDERNAIL WRITER " C " TYPE WRITER THE BAND WRITER THE OVERNAIL WRITER " BOON " STICK ON WRITER THE THUMBTIP WRITER THE COLOUR WRITER
Page
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THE BALL PEN INK WRITER THE LIQUID INK WRITER . . THE STYLUS WRITER .. THE WHITE SWAMI WRITER THE MACHINED T I P WRITER THE TOE WRITER DIFFERENT TYPES OF WRITERS CONCLUSION . . .. ..
PART TWO How To USE YOUR SWAMI GIMMICK GETTING THE GIMMICK INTO POSITION HOLDOUTS GETTING THE GIMMICK OFF .. How TO HANDLE THE SWAMI WHEN ON WHAT TO WRITE ON THE CARD .. HOLDING THE CARD BEFORE WRITING HOLDING THE CARD WHEN AND AFTER THE TECHNIQUE OF WRITING .. THE STYLE OF WRITING AND WHAT TODO USE OF DIFFERENT COLOURS .. THE WINDOW ENVELOPE .. .. THE CARBON IMPRESSION TECHNIQUE THE INK WRITER .. .. ..
No. No. No. No. No. No. No. No. No. No. No.
1. THE SPECTATOR AS A TELEPATHIST 2. TRANSMITTING A NAME .. 3. THE DATE ON A COIN .. 4. STRAIGHT TO THE POINT . . 5. A STAGE TRICK .. .. 6. AROUND THE WORLD .. 7. A CARD TRICK .. .. 8. LIVING AND DEAD . . .. 9. A CLOSE UP QUICKIE .. 10. Two PERSON TELEPATHY . . 11. A MEDIUMISTIC EFFECT .. 12. TIME AND SPACE .. ..2
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PREPARATION OF A PREDICTION .. THE FINGERNAIL .. .. .. OTHER WAYS TO HOLD THE CARD. . THE VISIBLE PENCIL .. .. MODESTY AND MENTALISM.. .. CONCLUSION PUBLICITY STUNTS .. WRITING IN A GLASS TUMBLER .. BURLING HULL'S PENNY .. .. THE SELOTAPE PENCIL .. .. THE N.C.R. IMPRESSION ENVELOPE THE COLOUR INDEX .. .. MISDIRECTION .. .. .. THE MAGNETIC HOLDOUT . . ..
Broadway
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TRICKS .. N O . 13. THE CARD IN GLASS No. 14. THE WEEK AHEAD PREDICTION No. 15. ANOTHER PUBLICITY STUNT No. 16. THE SEVEN CHAIRS .. No. 17. ANY DATE OF THE YEAR . . No. 18. THE WHITE SWAMI .. No. 19. THE SEX DETECTOR No. 20. HEADLINE PREDICTIONS .. No. 21. TOPICAL EFFECTS . . .. No. 22. A NEWSPAPER TEST .. No. 23. DARTBOARD PREDICTION . . No. 24. MATCHES AND CIGARETTES
LOUIS TANNEN, Inc. 1540
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TECHNIQUE
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PART THREE No.
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New York, N. Y. 10036
No part of this Publication may be Reproduced without Permission
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DIFFERENT TYPES OF WRITERS When contemplating the use of a Swami Gimmick, the first essential is to discover the type of writer that suits you best.' You should examine each variety and test it for your own requirements ; assess the value of any particular model according to the ease with which you can use it— that is the governing factor. Then concern yourself with the other important considerations ; does it fit comfortably ? does it write legibly ? can you get it on and off inconspicuously ? is it firmly held when on the nail or in position? can the lead be replaced? will the lead break in use? and so on. The only really satisfactory way to find out is to try each model, and for what it costs to buy one of each type at the start—is nothing compared with the value of what you get for your pains. The following list gives examples of all the major types of writers ; any that have been omitted are regarded as " special " models that have been the particular fancy of a single performer and not accepted as a standard item :— A.
JTI
B.
Described as " The Swami Gimmick ". This variety has been appended the title " The " as it is one of the very early models which was used extensively by " Swami's " and Mediums. In general, Mediums made use of writers far more than magicians ; it was quite a common thing for a writer to be the only apparatus used to earn a substantial income as a medium. Slade, the famous fraudulent medium worked a great deal with " spirit writing " produced by trick methods with chalk, and by billet switching and use of a writer. Some examples of his technique were, in our opinion, classics of mentalism. The-Swami- Gimmick is_ihe__smaIlesLty_p_e of lead_holder you can get It can be used on the thumhnajl or first finger—but usually the first. It is a very small square shaped metal holder which has the lead held in a metal tube mounted on the holder or clamp. It has a leading and important advantage over all other types—its size. Being the smallest it is the type which is least visible, but, unfortunately, it also has a strong disadvantage ; due to its' compactness, it is easily pulled off the thumbnail and may fall off accidentally. Moreover, the absence of " wings " (see later types) make it unsteady when writing. Provided that you have a fairly long nail upon which it may be fixed firmly, this type will be found practical. The leads can be replaced when used.
Described as " C " Type. Otherwise, and more commonly called " the undernail writer ". This title is not strictly correct as it is, if you consider, misleading. « The lead fits on the holder which jams on the thumb. Part of the /^S^x holder goes under the finger nail but the lead stays on top. Hence * the term given should only be applied to the variety of writers that project the lead actually under the nail—such as do exist. We would prefer to calLiLlLC_" type becaus£Jlis_shaped like the jettfep" C " —or, as you might say in modern times, this is the " Delta"Witvgi Swami Gimmick ". It appears very much like a delta wing aircraft— though not as large . . . ! The " C " Type is probably the most used variety^. It features reliability when working, fits comfortably and rigidly by virtue of
its two wings which project ouiwaidS-irgilL the mainuholdej, and, running under the trAimbnaillock the gimmick firmly on. The a^KntionoF^vTngs ha'sTo~a~Targe extent improved the old type of gimmick. They spread the strain over a wider " gripping area " of thumbnail and in consequence, cut out practically all unwanted movement of the gimmick when in use. Mnst_ " C. " types are designed_to take_ne_w leads for refilling_tnit not all. The best are made of a fairly pliable metal which allows youTo bend the gimmick to fit your thumbnail with exactness. They should be flesh coloured or made of dull metal—not because they are liable to be seen by the audience, but because they will make you feel happier. The " C " Type is made in several sizes allowing for both short and wide nails. It also comes in two types of lead (disregarding colour) as we have the ordinary medium-soft lead and then a rather extrasper.iaUjgjsgjyith tjnipk heavy blackjgad which has, as an additional improvement, a machined tip-carefully; rQunHecHo give thick letters or numbers in use". J he dim'cultywUntnistypeTs making new lead§.
D.
E.
Described as The Band Writer. In reply to the question, " Do you use a Swami Gimmick " I have frequently received the answer, " I can't my nails are too short". It is somewhat surprising how many magicians and mentalists are unaware that several writers exist that do not fit on the nail at all. The Band Writer is an example. This is a pliable metal clip or band that fits on the hall of the thumb or any finger. The band is designed to hold a small tube into which fits the lead. This type suffers from lead breakage in use j£j^ou_do_j2at_take < ca^ It would not "be angerous if ^ou ^vefe proficient The~size is much larger than models already mentioned, but being flesh-colonreH as it m^t hp iit iis no more visible than a common thumbtip. It does feature one asset_oyerjhe^ rest of the family ; because of the clfpTarrangement, TFrnay be fixed to all sorts ot odd nositions oruihe-tbamh and fingers. Occasionally this may be of use as we shall see. This type is best for fixing on a toe to write on a card in your shoe—as may be done for several good effects, and, funny as it may seem, is quite easy and very practical. Band Writers rarely have facility for replacement, of , the lead and whilst on this subiecl,Jie warned—never use a bandwriter thatjias the lead simpjvjtuck to the clip. Ejtamine it and be sure itTs mounted in"^ttfez5iiich^goeTl^ro^^_]J]e__cJhpJiQjding •' ' "' s same firmly in__pj3Sition. Described as the Overnail Writer. This model is not widely known but has been in existence for about twenty years. It really is a " C " Type plus a clamp which gives just a bit more ' lock ' to the nail. It fits only the thumbnail/— and is very firm in use as it features three 'wings as supports. Two go under the_j3au\JLad^^n^jcxtnT^_ouLoyermthe_top of the nail. 'It has a shghTdraw-back in that it cannot be quickly goiJnlfl-J3flsitipn or removed without considerable force. The jeads_can__usualiy be rejjlacecLwJieji exhausted. Described as an " <Ad]Tesive writer ". This variety invented by my good friend Eric Mason and sold under the name of " BOON " is a later innovation in the family of 5