WS2SEEEM
CDLDSTDN5
IpU^RTERLY 4 OFFICIAL ORGAN OF THE MAGICIANS' CLUB
1934
SUMMER NUMBER
GOLDSTON'S MAGICAL QUARTERLY.
SUMMER NUMBER. Contributors include :— HORACE GOLDiN LOUIS GAUTIER "MURRAY" BETTY ROSS BRIAN GODFREY "HERMALIN " LOUIS NIKOLA LESLIE ELLIOTT STEPHEN de SOBOLL J. O'NEILL FISHER W. A. SEYMOUR CECIL KEECH G. W. HUNTER "CYRO" HOWARD SPENCER LE WALKE SHU FOO YAI CARLO ROSSETTI WILL GOLDSTON
PRICE TWO SHILLINGS.
PRICE 2/-
TONS SPECIAL LINES NEWEST HANDKERCHIEF MYSTERY. en and 1 white) are tied securely by a member of the audience. The lid on a pretty table in full view. The performer shows an empty erchiefs. The silks are now imprisoned and the bottom of the plate :ring the plate the performer draws the white handkerchief slowly )late. Now listen :—the plate is lifted from the table, when only 2 e 2 green silks firmly tied together ! A distinct novelty, entirely 'he complete apparatus supplied for the sum of ^12. A NEW CHANGING TRAY. 30 years supplying apparatus to the leading magicians of the world, osition to offer such a perfect tray as this. We can safely say that ob as this tray been invented before. The tray is well constructed ards, envelopes or a parcel the size of a pack of playing cards. Whilst est pressure of the thumb works the release and the change is made. THE BEST YET ! f rising cards. Silent and sure. £5 5s. Od. G. W. HUNTER'S MATCHBOX. sed through a closed matchbox whilst the drawer of the box is full of ns a hole in the centre, but the drawer has no hole. A cigarette is )ox is closed. 1/6 post paid. With specially illustrated directions 2/HE PRETTY CHANGING FLOWER. our 3 times. A most pleasing effect for any audience. 2/-. Small TEST TRICKS AND PUBLICATIONS ON SALE. DSTON'S BEST IS THE WORLD'S BEST. f the " Magazine of Magic " 1 / 2 post paid.
stonld
Small list free anywhere.
14 GREEN STREET LEICESTER SQUARE LONDON - W.C.2
Further revelations of the Master oj
ON SALE
MAGIC
MAGICIAN'S SWAN SONG
By WILL GOLDSTON
Profusely illustrated with 16 pages of Photographs and numerous excellent Diagrams.
Demy 8vo. 12s. 6d. net. His new book, however, covers very much more ground than " Secrets of Famous Illusionists " and it may be said with absolute truth that no illusion of any importance has been omitted. How does the magic kettle work, producing, as it does, any drink demanded by the audience. How did Horace Goldin manage to saw a horse in half— or make people think that he did ? How can Eastern magicians drink a whole barrel-full of water ? How can a genuine oil lamp, while burning, be made to vanish from the hands of the conjurer ? These and a hundred other questions are answered in this book, which also contains much good advice and instruction for amateur conjurers. This book is profusely illustrated with photographs and made beautifully clear by numerous diagrams, as was the author's previous book.
Daily Mail— " Will Goldston probably knows the secrets of more mysteries than any other man. In this book he tears aside the veil and reveals in all their nakedness illusions which have baffled—and delighted— us for years." Times— " A very entertaining book. It is not merely a revelation of secrets long jealously guarded, but it brings us into direct contact with the personalities which the popular imagination has often invested with almost superhuman powers."
CONTENTS. I.: The History of Magic—Ancient Magic. CHAP. II.: The History of Magic—Medieval Magic. CHAP. III.: The History of Magic—Modern Magic. CHAP. IV. : Some Specimens of Modern Magic. CHAP. V.: Eastern Magic. CHAP. VI: Mind-Reading Magic. CHAP. VII. : Some Famous Illusions. CHAP. VIII. : More Famous Illusions. CHAP. IX. : Tricks of Escape. CHAP. X.: The Flotsam and Jetsam of Magic. CHAP. XL : Optical Illusions. CHAP. XII.: My Own Tricks. CHAP. XIII. : Tricks of Bogus Mediums. CHAP. XIV. : Some experiments in Ghost Hunting. CHAP. XV. : A Miscellany of Magic Performed by Famous Illusionists. CHAP. XVI.: Magical Furniture. CHAP. XVII. : Seven Lessons in Magic for the Beginner. FOREWORD.
CHAP.
WILL GOLDSTON Ltd.
ALADDIN HOUSE, 14 GREEN STREET, LEICESTER SQUARE, LONDON, W.C2
Saf
:
TON Telephone:
WHItehall 3304
Telegrams: • Mysticity Lesquare London "
UARTERLY
SUMMER ISSUE
1934 CONTENTS Page 3 4 4 6 5 6 7
Editorial ... A Word to Student Members Elections to M.C.L. ... An Original Bowl and Silk Production The Human Penetration Mystery Coincidence Extraordinary ... Could You DealMeaNap Hand ? Simplified Reckoning with Hammond's Set-up Pack ... A Good Production Tube Cutting a Cigarette In Half ... For the Billiard Balls A New Egg Bag A Vanishing Egg Hermann's Pillory Escape ... Confetti Cup
8 9 10 11 11 12 13 14
Long Distance Telepathy The Dangerous Amateur Multum in Parvo An Open Letter to His Worship Joseph G. Lightner, Mayor of Odessa Harry Houdini as I Knew Him The Indian Rope Trick " Psychic " Showmanship ... Spiritualism and Magicians Book Reviews News of Magicians ... Obituary Notes and News Reports of Magical Societies The Magicians'Club Anthem Correspondence
Page 14 15 16 17 19 21 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29
EDITORIAL NOTICES. Contributions are invited, and must be accompanied by a stamped, addressed envelope. The Editor will not hold himself responsible for the safety of any MSS. Short contributions of 250 to 500 words are the most welcome. All MSS should be typewritten on one side of the paper only.
The entire contents of this issue is Copyrighted. RATES OF SUBSCRIPTION. One Year 7/6 postpaid. Foreign Countries $2.00. Single copy 2/- (50 cents). Goldston's Magical Quarterly is supplied to the Wholesale trade and all Magical Dealers. ADVERTISING RATES. Front cover £5 5s. Od. Inside cover £4 4s. Od. Other pages £3 3s. Od. Half page £1 15s. Od. Quarter page £1 0s. Od. Inch displayed 5/-. Small advertisement 2d. per word, minimum 12 words. Trade 4d. per word. Minimum 12 words.
Managing Editor P u b l i s h e r s :
. W I L L
.
.
G O L D S T O N ,
"ART
. L T D . ,
IN MAGIC"
ELMER ECKAM, Prop. 1407 E. Main St. Rochester, N. Y.
WILL GOLDSTON L O N D O N ,
W . C . 2
MIgBBffi
HORACE COLDIN THE
ROYAL
ILLUSIONIST
HORACE COLDIN The World's Greatest Creator of Sensational Illusionary Effects. The Unchallenged Master Magician. Now touring Spain. Presenting a full evening's entertainment. A positive sensation and the talk of every town. No Greater Attraction has ever played the Continent. ••••••••a
Permanent Address:
C/o. Will Goldston 14 Green Street Leicester Square L o n d o n , W.C.2
Cables & Telegrams:
Mysticity, Lesquare, London.
GOLDSTON'S MAGICAL
QUARTERLY
When the old " Magazine of Magic " ceased publication, magicians all over the world were genuinely sorry. Ever since that time there has been a steady flow of letters into my letter-box from magicians. There has been a good deal of sameness about many of those letters. The writers have begged me to start another magical journal on the lines of the old one. But that—to use the familiar phrase—was " easier said than done." I had more work to do than I could get through comfortably; there was certainly no time for any fresh ventures. Inclination said : " Go on. Do what your friends ask you to do; they will give you all the support you want for a really good, new, magical magazine." The voice of common sense spoke differently. I knew from experience what labour was involved in running a magazine and I knew that I had not the time for the work. I had to wait for the right time. The time has now arrived. But even now I am unable to do all I should like to do. For the present, this journal will be published quarterly, for the simple reason that it is easier to bring out four copies of a journal a year than to see twelve to press. I sincerely hope that in time I may be able to produce the magazine once a month, but, to be frank, that time may not be for a year or two. Meanwhile, I am sure that my magical friends will agree that half a loaf is better than no bread. It would be quite an easy matter, of course, to bring out a magical magazine —of a kind—once a month from this date, but the " kind " would not be my " kind," because, at the moment, I could not put my best work into a monthly magazine. I have not the time for it. My magical friends will also agree, I feel sure, that whenever I have put pen to paper in the interests of magic I have always strived to give out the best that is in me. Second-rate material of any kind does not appeal to me; I will have none of it. Each number of this journal will be full of interesting matter for magicians. The make-up will have my special attention, for there is no surer way of putting a reader " off " a magazine than that of slip-shod work. The old proverb tells us not to judge by appearances, but the proverb is wrong ; we all do judge by appearances, and rightly so. I am quite sure that bad, indistinct printing, paper of poor quality, rough, amateurish illustrations, badly produced, would soon bring down the circulation of the journal to vanishing point. But let not readers be alarmed. All these matters will have my constant attention. And the contents will be of the same high standard. I shall not be content with anything but the best. For proof of that statement I need only direct attention to the contents of this number. The contents of this number are first-class. The contents of succeeding numbers will be of the same high standard. I shall make each number as nearly perfect as I can make it, but I realise that, in the space at my disposal, I may possibly err in not giving readers just the particular material they require. Therefore, I am proposing to be original. As a, rule an editor tries to discover what his readers want, and then goes on to satisfy their demands. I am going further than that. I invite all readers to tell me what they want. I shall welcome all suggestions. If there are any features which readers think might be dropped with advantage, or if there are any new features which they would like introduced, I trust they will tell me so. In all probability, no editor of a magazine has ever succeeded in pleasing all his readers. I am going to try. My task will be considerably lightened if readers will tell me candidly just what they want; I will then endeavour to carry out their wishes to the best of my ability.
GOLDSTON'S MAGICAL QUARTERLY A WORD TO STUDENTS. By
PRESIDENT LOUIS GAUTIER,
of the Magicians' Club.
A Student Membership of the Magicians' Club carries with it great advantages at a trifling cost. There are fifty-two meetings per annum, i.e., every Wednesday evening, at which the young magician may learn his art from his fellows and from full professional members, who not infrequently attend. There are occasional lectures on the subject of magic and often, when visitors from kindred societies abroad are entertained by the Club, a first-class entertainment is provided. Furthermore, it is open to the students amongst themselves to arrange a show, thus giving beginners a chance of getting their " stage legs " and also the more advanced students of rehearsing new acts and effects before a critical audience. In addition, the members have the use of a splendid lending library of magical works for their amusement and instruction. I have set out these advantages in detail to show the purpose of this class of membership—amenities which are generally appreciated by our members. There are, however, so it is rumoured, one or two who think that, for the insignificant sum of twopence a week, entertainments should be provided for their delectation on every Wednesday night. Let me say at once that this cannot be done and is not expected by reasonable persons. Those who know the great and increasing difficulty of providing a programme of first-class artists for the full members on the six ladies' nights of the year, will understand the unreasonableness of such a request. It is, however, entirely in the hands of the students themselves to make these Wednesday nights bright and cheerful as well as helpful to all, and these efforts will be added to from time to time as opportunity offers, by the Honorary Organiser, in the way I have above indicated. But I do want you to realise that these social evenings, with the advantages of a stage for performance and rehearsal, of meeting well-known magicians and advancing your art, of the use of a fine library, are yours at a cost of less than you might expect to pay for the use of the library alone. I ask you, therefore, to answer these grumblers as they should be answered and to unite to make these Wednesday meetings a real success and help for all concerned. When they see this kind of enthusiasm going on, I will answer for it that the Club management will do their utmost in every possible way to supplement your efforts. This will probably be my last talk to you as President. After four eventful and happy years, I am shortly relinquishing office to make way for another of our members, and with the cares of office removed from my shoulders I hope I shall have more time at my disposal to rub up my own magic and shine up the old apparatus. This will mean that I shall often join you in a little mutual mystification to our own mutual advantage and enjoyment. ELECTIONS. JANUARY, 1934.—Full Membership: Betty Ross, Gus. Davenport, Dr. J. Harman Fries, M.D., M. E. DeCourcy Short, W. H. C. Marshall, Dr. R. R. Macintosh, W. J. Haig-Brown. Student Membership: A. E. Buicknell, Eric Mitchell, Joseph Gillow. FEBRUARY.—Full Membership: P. L. W. Hunt, Student Membership: E. C. Ferguson. MARCH.—Full Membership: Rosa Loader, Wm. Lovewell, H. A. Watts, Rae Warwick. Student Membership; E. Greenwood. APRIL.—Full Membership : Tex McCleod. MAY.—Full Membership: M. M. Crowley, A. C. Lyon. j 0 N E .—F u n Membership (transferred): R. C. Tothill, Leslie Elliott, Leslie Thomas Green.
GOLDSTON'S MAGICAL QUARTERLY
CONTRIBUTED Shu Foo Yai, "Cyro," Brian Godfrey, G.W. Hunter, carlo Rossetti, Le Walke, Cecil Keech, Howard Spencer, "Hermalin," Louis Nikola, J- O'Neill Fisher, Will Goldston.
AN ORIGINAL BOWL AND SILK PRODUCTION. By
SHU FOO YAI.
(This contribution is printed exactly as received.—Ed.). 1 have performed this trick in my native country now for about seven years and I have always made a great success. For the first time I give away the secret, and I am sure that many foreign conjurers performing as Chinese conjurers will make a good success of this, because it is different and very good. MOUTH
A.fl. Two
POUCHES WITH LOflPS
6fl(K VIFW
I got the idea from an orange and, after trying in many ways, at last I found out the best manner of introducing this trick, and always it meets with approval. In my country, when the audience don't like the artist they go to sleep. Never at any time did they sleep when I perform.
I perform the trick like this. I walk on to the stage wearing a robe, which I remove and show inside and outside. I throw the robe on the stage and show my body, back and front. I pick up the robe and put it on my body and then walk down the stage. I next stoop and give a jump backwards, and the audience see a bowl standing on the stage. Now I walk up to the bowl and remove from it many pieces of silk, and this makes a pretty exhibition. Now I give you the secret of my own and pretty trick. The bowl is made with a hinge, so that when it is opened it fits on to my buttocks ; once fitted I never sit down. Inside this bowl I have two pockets made of soft material, and inside each pocket I have my load. The outside of the bowl fake I have sewn material the same as my short pants. This fake, being made of compressed paper, is strong and fits me firmly, but it is easy to take off under cover of my robe, and immediately it is off my body the spring hinge closes the two halves and makes a complete bowl. The rest is easy and you have my full permission to perform this trick. Perhaps some da}' I send another of my original Chinese trick for you to perform, because I never come to your country. I have much engagements but very small money, and my wife has got a business and she gives me money when I want a rest sometime from my engagements.
THE HUMAN PENETRATION MYSTERY. By " CYRO."
This illusion, I feel confident, will be accepted by professional illusionists as something of a sensational order. It is entirely different and lends itself to a story on scientific lines. The cabinet required is a simple one and is shown to be unprepared.