TRICKS THAT MYSTIFY.
UOLDSTONSBE5T\
\ v
JS THE I WORLDS ^ BEST
MORE MODERN CARD TRICKS BY
WILL GOLDSTON.
BOOK ONE. COPYRIGHTED THROUGHOUT THE WORLD.
ALADDIN HOUSE, 14, GREEN STREET, LEICESTER SQUARE, LONDON, W.C. 2.
BOOKS
BY WILL GOLDSTON.
+SECRETS OF MAGIC +LATEST CONJURING. IMAGIC FOR THE FORCES, {LOOKING INTO THE FUTURE. TRICKS AND ILLUSIONS (9th impression). PAPER TRICKS (2nd impression). +THE YOUNG CONJURER—Part I and 2. THE YOUNG CONJURER (Both Parts Revised.) EASY MAGIC—Part I and 2. SIMPLE CONJURING (5th impression). EASY ROAD TO MAGIC. CARD AND BALL TRICKS. EFFECTIVE MODERN TRICKS. +TRICKY TRICKS FOR TRICKSTERS. fINDOOR PASTIMES. +MODERN CARD TRICKS, f JUGGLING SECRETS. - MAGICIANS' ANNUALS—1907-8-9-10-11-12-13. f ANNUAL OF MAGIC. +PANTOMIME AND VAUDEVILLE FAVOURITES. +EXCLUSIVE MAGICAL SECRETS. MORE EXCLUSIVE MAGICAL SECRETS. FURTHER EXCLUSIVE MAGICAL SECRETS. CARD INDEX OF EXCLUSIVE MAGICAL SECRETS. SENSATIONAL TALES OF MYSTERY MEN. TRICKS YOU SHOULD KNOW. +MORE TRICKS AND PUZZLES. MORE TRICKS AND PUZZLES (Revised). fMAGICAL SCRAPS. GREAT MAGICIANS' TRICKS. SECRETS OF FAMOUS ILLUSIONISTS. TRICKS THAT MYSTIFY (Which includes) MORE MODERN CARD TRICKS. MAGICAL SLEIGHTS AND TRICKS. MAGICAL HINTS, VALUABLE INFORMATION, &c WILL GOLDSTON'S WHO'S W H O IN MAGIC. A MAGICIANS SWAN SONG. fOUT
OF
PRINT.
M GREE N S
W i l l Goldston, Ltd. -
L O
NDOLNE'"cT
INTRODUCTION TO " TRICKS THAT MYSTIFY." I told a friend the title of this book he said :—" That's a good title, but—are there any tricks that do not mystify ? " Alas ! I confessed that there are some tricks which do not mystify—to any extent, especially if they are presented by incompetent magicians. I could give examples, but perhaps it would not be wise to do so ! It seemed to me that in giving this book the title which it bears I was practically telling the magical public that all the tricks described in this book are really good tricks. I am sure there is not a " dud " among them. To ensure that the book should live up to its title I " skimmed the cream " from the very latest magical secrets and others that I had in my collections. It has been said many times that if a reader of a book on magic finds only one good thing in it—that is to say, a trick which he can make his own—he has received good value for his money. I am fairly certain that every reader of this book will find dozens of good effects in it. Therefore, if the old saying I mentioned is true, every purchaser of this book will receive value for his money many times over. Honestly, I think he will. I have given of my best. Many people have asked me at various times WHEN
VI
INTRODUCTION.
how I manage to get hold of so many first-class magical secrets. I buy some, but the majority are given to me, for I have the privilege of enjoying the friendship of all the leading magicians, not only in this country but in America and, indeed, throughout the civilised world. These magicians, knowing that I write books on magic, very kindly help me to do so. And that is " how it is done." I could not write my books without such expert assistance. Now that I have given the secret away, my readers will understand that when they read this book they are really consulting some of the best brains in the world of magic. There are tricks here to suit all kinds of performers, from the enthusiastic amateur on the look-out for a new and effective pocket trick to the finished professional who wishes to add to his repertoire. I have tried to write a book that will please all magicians. But, strictly speaking, it is not one book. There are really four books in one. The " Miscellaneous Tricks " would make a nice book by themselves, and the same claim can fairly be made for the section devoted to " Card Tricks." In the general hints to magicians—practical and valuable —and the suggestions for programmes suitable for different occasions, there is certainly enough material for a third book. Then, what about " Who's Who in Magic ? " My friends say that that should have been a separate book, but although I am a magician I do not forget that I am also a business man and I
INTRODUCTION.
vii
believe in the policy of giving the best possible value for money. I am confident that I have done so with this book. The " Who's Who " Section is a real novelty. A reference book of this kind has been wanted for many years. Another novelty in a magical book is the reproduction in facsimile of the signatures of many famous magicians. Readers will notice that I have included the autograph of H.R.H. The Prince of Wales, who, in common with several members of the Royal Family, is keenly interested in magic. No doubt many readers will find interest in studying the different styles of penmanship of famous magicians. I hope that every reader of " Tricks that Mystify " will derive as much pleasure from studying the book as I received from writing it. WILL GOLDSTON.
Vlll
CONTENTS. Page INTRODUCTION
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THINK A GOOD FORCE .. .. A F O R C E FOR O N E C A R D T o V A N I S H A CARD .. QUICK W O R K ! . . . • STILL QUICKER ! . . •• THOUGHT READING . . SPINNING THE PACK . . FROM CARDS TO FLOWERS IN THE DARK .. ..
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9 I 0 I 1
•• . . .. •• •• .. . . . . ..
•• . • •• •• •• . • •• .. . •
•• •• •• •• •• •• •• •• ••
•• •• •• •• •• •• •• •• ••
..
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••
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18 19
A NEW RAINBOW . . T H E REVERSED CARDS . . T H E WEIGHT OF THOUGHT T H E CARD FOUNTAIN . .
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•• .. . . ..
• . . .
20 22 23 25
.. T H E LOST CARD A CARD READING A F U N N Y CARD
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26
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35 40 40
A'USEFUL CARD STOP !
T H E FAN
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.. .. BOX . .
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T H E BEST FOUR ACE TRICKS READING THE CARDS .. T H E PROFIT . . . .
CUT THE CARDS THINK . .
.. . .
YOUR OWN CHOICE T H E JUMPING CARD
.. .. .. .. . . . . . . . . . .
WHERE WILL YOU HAVE FLIGHT ! . . . . . T H E THOUGHT READER . T H E DEVIL'S THOUGHT . T H E UNITS . . . T H E SHOWER OF CARDS . MARVEL CARD LOCATION
IT ? . . . . .
I 2 I 2 J
3 S 16 J 6 *7 J 8
1
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28 30 31
41 . .
42
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42 44
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45 46 47 48 49 51 33
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55 58
DR. BROCHU'S CARD LOCATION . . THE PERPETUAL ALMANAC ..
INTRODUCTION TO MORE MODERN CARD TRICKS. If the vote of magicians and their men audiences could be taken there is no doubt that card tricks would come out on top as the most popular tricks in the world. Go where you will, you can be certain of finding a pack of cards, and with these in his hands a finished performer can entertain an audience for hours. Therefore, I am inclined to think that " More Modern Card Tricks " will have a warm welcome from my readers. I have included a number of original tricks in this section and some which, although not entirely new, are not generally known. I would specially point out that the tricks which are the most difficult to perform are not necessarily those which will produce the best effect on an ordinary audience. It is the effect which matters—and nothing but the effect ; the method by which the effect is produced is of no interest to the audience. I mention this because I know from experience that some magicians spend far too much time in practising very difficult tricks and far too little in rehearsing tricks which are comparatively easy. Magicians are apt to think that because a trick is easy therefore the audience are bound to see through it. That idea is entirely wrong, and some of the tricks in this section, if shown in the proper way, will prove my point. Of one thing I am certain—there is not a " dud " among them !