The best tricks and how to do them

THE BEST TRICKS AND HOW TO DO THEM BY

DAVID DEVANT

Phone: Holborn 9012.

Established 1888.

Actual Manufacturers.

DAVENPORT'S AGICAL

NOVELTIES.

CATALOGUE AND FHEE SAMPLE THICK, 3d.

Attoaishin; Changeable Card*.

Price 6d.

Wood, 1/6 Ivorine, 8/8 Full Directions.

Mystic Skeleton.

A Wonderful trick.

TJd. post tree.

Great Chain Release Trick.

Complete with Directions, 1/3

Coin and Cap Trick.

To vanish a Penny.

Price 1/-

Small Lists.

Trick.* and Jokes fret.

Ftuay Kinetaatofraph.

Electric Snnff. id. Box. Best 1/- Bottle.

1/-

Wieard/s Pack of Cards

. . 3/-

With inttructions for 75 Tricks.

Great Phantom Card Trick 6d.

3 Can) Trick 3d.

Improved 8d.

Topper Card Trick . . . . 6d.

Card and Match Box . . 4d.

Magio Card Frame . . . . 8/"Wondrrful Card Hox . . a/.

Scent Bombs. 3 in Box. Poet ljd.

Explosive Cigarettes . .

Snake Cigarettes ..

Box of Jokes Actor's Make-Up Boxes Sputter Card Trick ..

Hannted Aoe Trick . .

Yogi Card Wonder . .

Box of 10 Can Trirks Box of -<0 Card Trirks Box of 30 Cola Tricks Box of 10 Conjuring Tricks Box of 20 Conjuring Tricks Chemical Cabinets . . ..

Boxes of Puzalftfi .. ..

Id. per Box. 10 for 7Jd. 10 for 9}d.

1/3, 2/6, 8/6 1/3, 2/6, 8/6 1/XI6d.

8/6 7/6 86 8,6 21/J 9 7,9, 18/9. 21/9d , 1/3, 3/6, 10/6

We ean supply any Book or Triok mentionad ia this book at Lowest Poaaible Price*.

Beat Quality Always Trade Supplied.

L. Davenport 15 New Oxford St., London, W.C.1.

BOOKS ON CONJURING. Card Tricks Without Sleight of Hand or Apparatus.

B Y L. WIDDOP. Stiff Boards. Price 2s. tut, post free 2s. 3d.

A Volume which will give the Amateur or Semi-professional, who does net wish to spend a great deal of time in practice, material for entertaining p e r formances.

Card Tricks presented in new forms and with up-to-date patter.

Conjuring with Coins Including Tricks by

NELSON DOWNS And other well-known Conjurers.

EDITED B Y NATHAN DEAN.

Stiff Boards. P r i c e 2s. net, post free 2*. 3d.

A splendid collection of Tricks in which Coins »r« used. Many simple Tricks are shown and others of a mote advanced character requiring apparatus.

The beok is illustrated with Photographs and Diagrams showing the working of the Experiments.

Handkerchief Magic

BY WILL BLYTH,

Author of '•Pf*er Ungic," '• Match Stick iitgic," frc.

Tricks and Arausaments with a Pocket Handkerchief, with a Foreword

BY CLIVE MASKELYNE. Stiff Boards. P r i c e 2s. ntt, jjostfree 2a. 3d.

Water Wizardry A New and Original Collection of Experiments with Liquids.

B Y ARTHUR AINSLIE. With Illustrative Diagrams.

Stiff Boards. P r i c e 2s. »*f, post fru 2s. 3d.

Paper Magic Tricks and Amusements with a Sheet of Paper.

BY WILL BLYTH, ttemb r of th» Inner Magic Circli.

With a prefatory note by NEVIL MASKELYNE,

Stiff Boards. P r i c e 2s. net. post free 2s. 3d.

A Collection of Entertaining and Amusing Models, Toys, Puzzles, Conjuring Tricks, etc., in which Paper is the principal material usedIllustrated with 147 Diagrams.

More Paper Magic

By WILL BLYTH, M.I.M.C, S.I.CM., Author of "Match Stick Magic," etc., etc., with a Foreword by NRVII- MA^K'LYNE,

M.I.M.C, President of the "Magic Circle."

A further collection of Entertaining and Amusing Models, Toys, Conjuring Tricks, etc., in which pape. is the only or principal material required.

Illustrated by «33 Diagrams.

Stiff Boards.

P r i c e 2s. net, post free 2s. 3d.

Simplified Conjuring for All

BY NORMAN HUNTER, A.I.M.C. A collection of New Tricks needing no special skill or apparatus for their performance, with suitable patter. Magic for Men, Magic for Ladies, Miscellaneous Magic.

Illustrated with 63 sketches, showing how the tricks are performed.

Stiff Boards.

P r i o e 2s. net, post free 2s. 3d.

New and Easy Magic

BY NORMAN HUNTER, NEW A EASY Author of "SimIMACIC plified Conjuring for All." Illustrated by 54 Diagrams.

A further series of novel magical experiments needing no special skill or apparatus for their performance, w i t h s u i t abla patter.

Stiff Boards. Price 2a, net, Post fret 2s. 3d.

The above volumes may be had of all Bookstllers, or post free from the Publishers,

C. ARTHUR PEARSON, Ltd., 17 Henrietta S t , London, W.C. 2

CONJURING FOR ALL. Tricks for Everyone

Match Stick Magic

Clever Conjuring with Common Objects.

BY DAVID DEVANT.

Being a Collection of Enter aining, Amusing and Instructive Puizles, Games. Scientific and Constructional Experiments, Conjurin, Tricks, etc.. to perform which only a few match sticks are required.

BY

Illustrated with 154 Photographs, showing the complete working of the experiments.

Price 2a. net, post fret 2s. 3d.

The contents include :—Tricks at the Writing Table—Tricks in th* Smoking Room—Tricks at the Work Table—Trioks at the Dinner Tabl«—Tricks in the Garden —Card Tricks—Thought Reading Tricks.

Modern Card Manipulation

BY C. LANG NEIL. With upwards of 100 Illustrations.

P r i c e 2s. net, post free 2s. 3d.

Contains Explanations of all the oest Card Tricks jf the leading Conjurers. The tricks ire illustrated with actual Photographs taken at the various tagrs of performance, and thus the amateur is enabled to follow the nethods employed vita ths greatest ase.

Impromptu Conjuring Tricks which can be performed without Apparatus, Preparation, or Sleight of Hand.

BY WILL BLYTH. Illustrated with 83 Diagrams.

Stiff Pictun Boards. Price 2s. net, post free 2s. 3d.

WILL BLYTH, M.I.M.C, With a Foreword by Illustrated by 160 Diagrams.

Stiff Bvards. P r i c e 2s. nit, pest J're* 2s. 3d.

Ventriloquism

BY HAROLD C. KING, and

Juggling

BY JOHN T. CLARK. Stiff Boards. P r i c e 2s. ntt, post free 2B. 3d.

Two subjects of interest to the Ami tent or Semi-Professional Entertainer contained in one volume. Both are dealt with in a lucid and interesting way.

Original Magic for All A series of original magical problems requiring no special skill for their performance.

BY BERT DOUGLAS. Illustrated by 64 Diagrams.

Stiff Boards. P r i c e 2s. net, post fret 2s. 3d.

A very useful volume for those who wish to learn a few easy after dinner tricks.

They include Tricks with MatchboxesCorks—String—Knives — Dice — Pencil Rjng—also several catches.

The book is divided into Three Sections: I. Magic for Men. II. Magic for Ladies.

HI. How to create new magical effects, patter, magical dressings, adapting original effects.

Simple Conjuring

My Mysteries

Tricks

^hat Anybody can Perform.

By WILL GOLDSTON. With 68 Illustrations. Stiff Wrapper.

P r i c e 2s. net, post Jrtt 2s. 3d.

BY C. IVOR SMITH. A Collection of Tricks and Illusions suited to the capacity of the Amateur or Semi-Professional Conjurer.

Stiff Boards. P r i c e 2B. net, post fret 28. 3d.

Mr. Nevil MaEktlyne in his preface A Splendid Collection of Tricks, with Bays:—" The excellent tricks described are and without Apparatus, within the scope BO fully explained that no one who really of the beginner who wishes to amuu bis desires to accomplish them should fail." friends at evening parties, etc.

The above uolumes may be had of all Booksellers, or pott free from the Publishers.

C. ABTHUfi PEARSON, Ltd., 17 Henrietta St., London. W.C. 2

THE BEST TRICKS AND HOW TO DO THEM

"AMUSEMENT" SERIES Stiff picture boards.

100

Price 2/- net each. RECENT VOLUMES.

TRICKS YOU

CAN

DO.

By

HOWARD

America's leading Magician. Ball Tricks— Card Tricks—Cigar and Cigarette Tricks—Coin Tricks— Dice and Domino Tricks — Egg Tricks — Handkerchief Tricks—Liquid Tricks—Match Tricks—Paper Tricks— Pencil Tricks—Ring Tricks—Spirit Tricks.

THURSTON,

BROADCAST CONJURING TRICKS. By CYRIL SHIELDS, the well-known wireless magician. With a foreword by DAVID DEVANT. Mr. Shields dedicates his books to his many friends and the hundreds of children who wrote to him when he was giving lessons in Simple Conjuring Tricks from 2 LO during the children's hour, and to all other boys and girls under sixty.

HAND SHADOWS. The Complete Art of Shadowgraphy. By Louis NIKOLA. With numerous Illustrations showing how the Shadows are produced.

CHARACTER MONOLOGUES and How to

Perform them. By BERNARD NEWMAN. The Author gives instructions on " Getting it over " to your audience, Choice of Types, Costume and Make-up. Amongst the Characters depicted are: A Curate's Confidences — A Dude's Drolleries—A Rustic's Reminiscences—Schoolboy Studies'—A Skivvy's Sauce—A Frenchman's Fancies—A Tramp's Tale—A Charlady's Confidences—A Country Contretemps—Infant Impressions—A Sexton's Secrets—A Dustman's Diversions—A Plumber's Plaint—A Farmer's Fantasy—The Oldest Inhabitant's Oration—A Veteran's Visions—The Dairymaid's Diversions—The Policeman's Patrol—A Porter's Plaint, etc.

The aboue volumes may be had of all Booksellers, or post free from the Publishers.

C. ARTHUR PEARSON, Ltd., 17 Henrietta St., London, W.C.2.

THE BEST TRICKS AND HOW TO DO THEM by

DAVID DEVANT AUTHOR OF " TRICKS FOR EVERYONE," ETC.

London

C. Arthur Pearson Ltd. Henrietta Street, W.C.

First published 1931

Printed in Great Britain at Tht Mayflower Press, Plymouth. William Brendon & Son, Ltdj

CONTENTS CHAPTER

I. II.

PAGE

C O I N

T R I C K S

T R I C K S

W I T H

.

.

.

B A L L S

III.

CARD TRICKS

IV.

MISCELLANEOUS

TRICKS

MISCELLANEOUS

TRICKS

V. VI. VII.

.

. .

.

.

.

A FEAT OF MEMORY

.

LAYING

.

THE GHOST

.

.

.

1 5

.

3 1

.

47

.

. 6 6

(continued) .

.

. .

. .

81 108

. 1 2 0

INTRODUCTION ONE way of discovering the worth of a trick is very simple. Test it by performing it to an audience.

If the trick passes that test it is a good trick.

All the tricks described in this book have been tested in that way and have passed the test.

I have not attempted to describe all the good tricks in existence, for the simple reason that it would be impossible to do that in a book of this size.

But I have selected my material very carefully.

All the tricks I have explained are well within the reach of any amateur conjurer who wishes to give an entertaining performance to his friends.

A word on that point. A trick is not necessarily a good trick because it is difficult; some of the best tricks are quite simple and easyâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;when you know them.

To learn a trick properly it is necessary to look at it from two points of viewâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;that of the audience and that of the conjurer. The conjurer has to make sure that the magical effect he is producing is perfectly clear to the audience ; otherwise, when the performance is over people will merely ask each other: " What is he supposed to have done ? " 11

RECITATIONS, GAMES, Etc Card Games And How to Play Them.

BY PETER ALSTON. Stiff Boards. Prioa 2a. net, post free 2». Sd. A Guide to all the popular games played to-day. Whist, Solo, Auction and Progressive—Bridge, including Royal Auction •nd Continental — Baccarat — B< r quo— Cribbage — " Nap " — Poker — P.quc*— Vingt-et-Un—Patience Games, etc., etc.

Match Stick Magic.

Being a Collection of Entertaining, Amusing aad Instructire Pu«eles, Games. Scientific and Constructional Experiments, Conjuring Tracks, etc., to j>ertorifl which only a few match sticks are required.

BY

WILL BLYTH, M.T.M.C, With a Foreword by David Devant.

Illustrated by T6O Diagrams.

Stiff Boards. P r i c e 2s. net, post free 2s 3d.

Ventriloquism.

Pearson's Reciters.

In Stiff Pictorial Boards.

P r i c e 2s. tut, e«ch, post free 2s. 4d.

The Humorous Reciter and Reader.

Contains Choice Selections from th« Writings of J. K. Jerome, I. M. Barrie, F. An'tey, F. C. Burnand, W. W. Jacobs, Robert Barr, and all the best humorous writers.

The Irish Reciter and Reader.

Contains Selections from all the Best Writers of Ireland, including—William Alexander, D.D., Katherin?

Tynan Hinkson, Dora Singerson Shorter, Alfred Peroival Graves, W. B. Yeats, Douglas Hyde, Lady Wilde, " Mr. Dooley," Lady DufJerin, Laurence Sterne, Samuel Lover, and many others.

The New Reciter and Reader.

The Contents include choice selections from th* Writings of Rudyard Kipling, Teunyson, Bret Harte, Clement Scott, Lord Wacaulay, and many other eminent writers.

By HAROLD C. KING, and

Juggling.

BY JOHN T. CLARK Stiff Boards. Price 2s. net, post free 2s. 3d.

Two subjects of interest to the Amateur or Semi-Professional Entertaint r contained in one volume. Both are dealt with in a lucid and interesting way.

Indoor Games for Children and Young People.

Edited by E. M. BAKER. In Stiff Pictorial Paper boards.

Pric« 2s. net, post free 2s. 3d.

The Contents include :—Indoor Games for a Wet Day—Games that can be played alone—Sunday Games —Game? for Chr stmas and Birthday Parties—Homo Sta^e Entertainments—Guessing Games— Table Games — Writing and Letter Games — Round or Parlour Games—Artistic Productions— Home Thratr cals — Tableaux Vivants—The Art Exhibition—Forfeits.etc.

Recitations for Children.

A Charming Collection of Poems (chiefly e»tyright\ specially selected as being suitable for Yxung People, with instructions for Reciting.

BY JEAN BELFRAGE. Second Edition.

The above volumes may be had of all Bookielltrt, or post free from the Publishers,

C. ARTHUR PEARSON. Ltd., 17 Henrietta St., London, W.C.2.

AMUSEMENT FOR EVERYBODY. Speeches for all Occasions

BY AN OXFORD M.A. Cloth. P r i c e I s . 6d., post free I s . 9d.

Inolnding suitable Toasts for Festive Gatherings, Duties of a Chairman, Rules and .subjects for Debating Clubs, etc.

The Drawing-Room Entertainer

A Practical Guide to the Art of Amateur and Semi-Professional Entertaining.

BY CECIL H. BULLIVANT. P r i c e 2s., post free 2s. 3d.

The Contents include :—Ventriloquism —Conjuring—Popular Entertainments— The Drawing-Room Comedian — The Sketch Artist — Variety Programmes— Methods and Management—How Best to Secure Engagements.

How & What to Dance The Pearson Puzzle

BY GEOFFREY D'EGVILLE. Book Contains instructions for all the Popular and Up-to-date Dances.

Cloth. Price I s . 6d. net, post Jree I s . 9d.

The Contents include : The Etiquette of the Ball Room—Organising a Dance— ROUND DANCES— SOUARK DANCBS— COUNTRY DANCES—MORRIS DANCING— MAYPOLE DANCE, etc.

Plays for Amateur Actors Containing Eleven Original Humorous Plays.

With Hints for Amateur Theatricals.

Stiff Paper Boards. P r i c e 2s. net, post Jree 2s. 3d.

The Amateur Performer How to run a Small Concert Party, with hints for every member of it.

BY W. J. SEYMOUR. Stiff Boards. P r i c e 2s. net, post free 2a.' ZA. Contents: The Stage—'Gags"—"Noises Off"—The Opening Chorus—DoubleTurns — Sketches — Listening In — Concerted Number!—The Pianiit—The Stage Manager, 4c.

A Collection of the best Puzzles, Jokes, Riddles, etc.

PUZZLE BOOK

EDITED BY MR. X.

Stiff Boards.

P r i c e 2s. net.. post free 2s. 3d.

The Contents include: Provoking Paragraphs—Tongue Twisters and Palindromes — Letter Juggling—Missing Letters and Punctuation Puzzles — Trick Verses— Enigmas—Kiddles—Mathematical Puzzles —Tricks for Winter Evenings—Coin and Counter Puzzles—Match and Match-Box Puzzles — Eye Twisters and Optical Illusions, etc.

Money Magic

BY WILL BLYTH, M.I.M.C. Tricks and Amusements with Coins.

Part 1. —Money Tucks with Apparatus or Special Coins.

Part 2.—Money Tricks without Apparatus or Special Coins.

Part 3.—Simple Impromptu Money Tricks and Amusement-.

Stiff Picture Boards P r i c e 2a. +tt, post free 2 s . 3 d .

Heard This One?

A New Collection of the most Amnslcg Anecdotes.

Collected and Retold by CHARLES VIVIAN. Stiff Boards. Prica 2s. post fm 2«. 3d.

The aboue volumes may be had of all Bookseller*, or post free from the Publishers,

C. ARTHUR PEARSON, Ltd., 17 Henrietta St., London, W.C. 2

USEFUL HANDBOOKS ON

Character Reading & Fortune Telling.

T? a r .a C r a C e S

And How to Read Them.

BY IRMA BLOOD. Cloth. P r i c e l a . 6d. net, free Is. 9d.

A person's character is revealed by his or her feature*. The mouth or the nose can tell On» Wbs Knows certain traits which may be good or bad. By means of this book " Yeu can know thyself and know thy friends."

Learn ta read character frox the face, and you will be successful in business and lucky in love.

Birthday Luck A* Indicated by the Planets.

Hand Reading Made Easy

BY NOEL JAQUIN. The World's Expert.

Crown &vo. Cloth.

Price 2s. 6d. net, post free 2 s . lOd. Mr. Noel Jaquin is one of the greatest experts in the science of hand reading. He makes no claim to tell fortunes from the hand, but in this book he describes how correct interpretation of the linei of the hand may frequently solve the problems of everyday life, domestic happiness, the choice of a right career, and the guarding of one's health.

BT " A R I E S . " Paper Wraffn.

P r i c e Is. 6d.net, fvstfree Is. 9d.

This volume will tell you how to cultivate the good aad avoid the evil influences which are at work to affect your life. If you are ignorant of them you may miss many opportunities of happiness and success. This book will guide you.

The Fortune Teller BY

PROFBSSOR P. R. S. FOLI. Cloth. P r i c e I s . 6d., ptst free I s . 9d.

The subjects dealt with include:— Augury by Birds — Astrology — Gipsy Fortune Tellers—Crystal Gazing—Advice and Mints f*r Beginners in Fortune Telling—Luoky Stars—Lines 01 tbaHands in Palmistry—Precious Stones and their Meanings — Rings and Bridecake — Wedding Rings—Teacup Fortune Telling — Good and Bad Luck — Quaint Ceremonies, etc.

Lucky Charms and Omens What they Mean !

A Dictionary of Superstition* BY

"EALA"

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Fortune Telling by Cards

BY PROFESSOR

P. R. S. FOLI. Cloth.

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This Volume includes all the best known methods of Reading the Cards.

And How to Read

A Popular Guide to Phrenology.

BY STACKPOOL E. O'DELL, The Eminent Phrenologist.

With jo Illustrations.

Cloth. P r i c e Is. 6d., post fret I s . 9d.

Some of the Contents of this Useful Hand-Book are :— The Aspiring Head — The Domestia Head—How to Discern Temperaments— How to bn Happy—Intellectual Heads— Mechanical and Business Heads — Men Women Ought and Ought Not to Marry— The Professional Head — The Reflective Head—A Born Cook—A Servant who will do Her Best—How to Choose Servants— Head showing Activity, Matrimonial Temperament, Refined Mind, Vitality, etc.

These handbooks may be obtained through your Bookseller, or will bt forwarded fret on receipt of Is. 9d., from

post

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