CIRCULATION EXCEEDS ALL BRITISH MAGICAL JOURNALS
Incorporating the "MAGAZINE OF MAGIC" OFFICIAL DECEMBER
ORGAN OF THE MAGICIANS' CLUB 1939
PRICE I/- (25c)
PASSING CARDS ^N ^
R£D OACXS SACKS//
\
i
AN ENTERTAINING AND MYSTERIOUS CARD ILLUSION.
o
NE stand is a flat strip slotted to hold 3 cards, and the other stand is made to hold 10 cards of standard size. Both stands are well made and pack flat.
The effect is briefly as follows—A pack of Blue backed cards are shuffled ; 10 cards are counted off and sealed in an envelope and the envelope is marked Blue. The envelope, in full view, is clipped to the top of the cross-bar stand. A Red backed pack of cards is next introduced and shuffled, and 10 cards handed to a spectator ; the spectator requests three different people to take one card each, and then he shuffles the remaining cards. The chosen cards are returned to the spectator and then passed to the performer, who places the 10 cards into an envelope, seals it and marks the envelope Red, and then places it beside the other. NOW READ AND INWARDLY DIGEST. The performer magically passes cards from the Red to the Blue envelope. The Red envelope is opened and only 7 cards are found. The Blue envelope is opened, when 13 cards are found, the chosen 3 cards being placed in the small stand, and the 10 cards in the large stand. The complete outfit, including postage, 13/- ($3.00).
14 IRVING STREET (formerly Green Street), First Floor Suite, LEICESTER SQUARE, LONDON, W.G.2 ENGLAND
New Tricks at Goldston's " FANTASM" FRED PAYNE'S BAFFLING CARD TRICK WHICH WON SIR JULIEN CAHN'S SILVER CUP (LEICESTER MAGIC CIRCLE). SOLD BY GOLDSTON'S ARRANGEMENT WITH ERIC C. LEWIS OF "MAGIKRAFT " FAME. Giant Model, 36/- ($9) postpaid Endorsed by our customers as really excellent and good value. Four Aces, four Two's and four Three's are passed for examination with a neatly made wooden stand. After examination, the cards and stand are returned to the performer with the admission that they are quite genuine. The cards are set on the stand in 4 rows in the order of Ace, Two and Three in each. The Aces are then turned backs to the audience. Now a choice is given of either the exposed Two's or Three's. Say, the Two's are chosen ; the Three's are eliminated, while the chosen Two's are placed in another smaller stand, backs out. Although cards have been examined, and all the moves have been carefully followed and checked, yet the performer causes an instantaneous transposition of the Aces and chosen cards. Jack Pilkington, Gold Medallist of the Magicians' Club, says " I like this trick very much." Standard size, 16/- ($4.00) post paid.
DEVISED BY ROBERT HARBIN AND ERIC C. LEWIS. Two members of the audience choose a card each from a pack. The performer announces that he will cause the names of the cards to appear in Bold White Letters on the slate. First spectator names his card and the performer turns the slate round, creating loud laughter, which leads up to a couple of surprises to follow. The performer offers to repeat the trick with the other card. Upon the 9 of Hearts being called, the slate is turned round and it bears the words the Five of Spades. The performer pretends not to notice the discrepancy, and plays up in " sucker " style. Then he sees it and appears to be embarrassed, asking the spectator to make sure he has the 9 of Hearts, and then asks " would you like the 5 of Spades instead ? " So he decides to start again. Taking a duster he rubs out the writing, and then comes Surprise No. 3, a most uncanny effect. As he rubs the slate, the name visibly and gradually changes to the name of the chosen card, and the slate handed out for inspection. Price complete, 10/- ($2.50) post paid.
WILL GOLDSTON LTD.
ALADDIN HOUSE, 14 IRVING STREET (formerly Green St.) LEICESTER SQUARE :: LONDON, W.C.2
HARRY HALL'S WISH TO YOU
BE CHEERFUL! JOY IS THE WEAPON WITH WHICH TO FACE THE DIFFICULTIES OF LIFE TO WIN ITS BATTLES AND CONQUER THE WORLD
May the BEST of your PAST Be the WORST of your FUTURE
HARRY HALL Vice-President Magicians' Club
TO
H'ALL FELLOW MEMBERS & FRIENDS H E A R T I E S T SEASON'S G R E E T I N G S AND
H'ALL KINDEST THOUGHTS AND
H'ALL GOOD WISHES FOR
CHRISTMAS & T H E N E W YEAR AND A
SPEEDY & PERMANENT PEACE YOURS IN H'ALL SINCERITY HARRY THAT'S A very Cordial Invitation to You and Your Friends— COME UP AND SEE ME SOMETIME YOU MAE I'M WEST
181 OXFORD STREET, W.i (Near Oxford Circus) Phones—GERRARD
4905, 4906 & 4907
TRY THE MAGIC OF MY &
"SHEARS" THEY ARE " S H E A R " MAGIC
149 CHEAPSIDE, E.C.2. (Near St. Paul's) Phones—NATIONAL 8696 & 8697
LOUIS GAUTIER (Past President of the Magicians' Club)
SEASON'S GREETINGS TO ALL MAGICIANS
Greetings from
CIRE
THE GREAT SILENT WIZARD
DOUQLAS
Wish all
Magicians
— the World over — A Very Happy Xmas
COLOUR
and a Roy Ullyett
Prosperous New Year
I pray you may have as much colour in your life as 1 have in mine
THE WIZARD'S DEN,
26 Inverness Terrace, Hyde Park London England
47 Seaforth Gardens. Stoneleigh, Ewell, Surrey.
Telephone: BAY 1385
ARTHUR PRINCE Vice-President of The Magicians' Club
Wishes all Members in the Services and at Home, Good Luck. iMay 1940 be a Brighter Year for us all.
Christmas anb IFlew JJear's (Sreetings to all M l LLICE N T
MILTON 47
M.C.L.
COOPER
The Master of Mystery
B B.C. Soprano and Entertainer
B R U N S W I C K
S T R E E T ,
L E A M I N G T O N
S P A
To all Magicians the World—
EDDIE
SONGEST Phone
CHISWICK 1024
throughout
3 ejtenfc mg sincere Greetings tbis Cbristmastf&e wttb tbe bope tbat we mag soon be enjoging tbat wbicb is in all our bearts.
peace an& prosperity
SEASONAL GREETINGS & GOOD WISHES
To All Magicians JACK PILKINGTON * G.M. M.C.L.
MURRAY VICE-PRESIDENT MAGICIANS' CLUB
Touring India until further notice. I desire to place on record my deep appreciation of the Magicians who offered their services on my behalf when they learned of my difficulty in securing my effects from Germany at the outbreak of the war. In particular would I mention Will Goldston, Chris Charlton, Levante, Yettmah, Morelle and Milton Woodward. I sincerely wish all the gentlemen I have named, including all other friends THE SEASON'S
GREETINGS
COL LING SOO Wishes all his friends " A Melly Kissmouse" and a No. 1 Topside Happier New Year. 'Phone—BAT. 0386.
ALEX REED, M.C.L.
EDWARD PROUDLOCK. G.M., M.C.L. To Brother Members on all fronts I extend greetings. May 1940 bring you peace and happiness.
Greetings from MYRA WOLF
Greets you sincerely and wishes you all the best for Christmas. May the Horn of Plenty produce an overflow of Dates in 1940, and may they be of Gold.
Daughter Pianist of the late Jack Wolf wishes it known that she and her mother can receive a limited number of guests in their charming house, 15 minutes' from Marble Arch. Every comfort. Mrs. L. Wolf, 1 Rondu Road, Cricklewood, N.W.2. 'Phone—GLA 5228.
V. ALLEN HAMPTON
WILL LAKE *
Stage Director, Magicians' Club.
President of Wessex Magical A ssociation. Says " War or No War," Magic is still going strong at the Conjurers' Paradise, " Lynton " Private Hotel, 53 West Hill Road, Bournemouth. Fraternal Greetings and Good Luck to all Brother Magicians. Welcome extended to Come and see me.
CHEERO
M.CL.
wishes you all Prosperity, coupled with — Good Health — Flat 2, 100 Brixton Hill, S.W.2.
MISS R. WINE sends
From " The Christmas Magic Wand,"
Greeting's for Xmas & New Year
24 Buckingham Street, London, W.C.2.
to All Friends.
JAMES
May Xmas & New Year bring you AH Happiness in Abundance
Christmas and New Year Greetings.
is the sincere wish of
May your troubles end in smoke.
CYRIL & WINIFRED SEYMOUR
HERMALIN, M.C.L.
ARTHUR SHEED
Friends and Brother Tricksters, may you carry on undisturbed with or without your Magic Wand.
M.C.L.
M.CL. Good Luck — Good Health and Good Bookings for the coming Season.
JIMMY ROGERS, M.C.L.
"LUCILLE"
May good fortune never desert you.
May Xmas & New Year bring you Happiness and Fulfilment of your Wishes.
Christmas and New Year Greetings to all Brother Members.
' M.C.L.
AN AMAZING OFFER TO MAGICIANS 8 50 Copies of " M.E.MJS." ÂŁ1 : 1 : O per ($5.25) per copy. POCKET TRICKS. The Cut String Restored. A Cigarette Trick. The Improved Chinese Bat. The Mysterious Coins. The Travelling Handkerchief. An Easy Way of Making Money. The Elusive Scent Bottle. The Cigarette Vanisher. The Magical Knife. The Mallet. " Think of a Card." Will Goldston's Disappearing Knot. The Missing Money. The Match through the Tube. The Conjurer's Will Power. SMALL APPARATUS TRICKS. Swallowing Money. The Limit. A Clean Vanish of a Handkerchief from a Tumbler. The Watch and the Card. Cigarettes from the Air. A Novel Hat Loader. A Thought Reader's Box. A New Card Box, A Card Easel. The Ubiquitious Rabbit. The New Coin Catcher. The Orange Box. Tbe Ball and the Hoop. The Thumb Tie. Another Method. Latest Fire Bowl. VALUABLE TIPS AND ADVICE. A Tip for Billiard Ball Manipulators. A Stand for the Production of Six Billiard Balls. A New Conjuring Table. A New Table. A Good Table Stand. A Safe Fire Bowl. The Best Force for a Card. An Electric Flash. An Instantaneous Flash. A Useful Card Frame. Thayer's Improved Handkerchief Frame. The Self-Actuating Fountain. A New Tumbler for the Wine and Water Trick. A Piston Water Table. Tbe Best Piston. Dolls from a Hat, The Best Load for a Drum. Tbe Newest Rising Wand. Two Plants from an Umbrella, Two Dodges for the Rising Cards. " The " Changing Tray. A Quick Change. A New Marked Pack. The Crystal Die Casket. A Newspaper Servante. The Best Method for the Soup Plates. The New Inexhaustible Box. A Box to hold Bottles. Oklto's Chair Servant, " The " Servante.
copy Postage and Packing 1/-
Oklto's Lighted Candle from Pocket. The Plant and the Candle. From a Candle to a Bouquet. The Penny and the Orange. PLATFORM AND STAGE TRICKS. The Lost Watch. The Watch and the Nest of Boxes. The Clock Trick. A New Vanishing Cage. The Travelling Doves. The Flying Goldfish. The Production of a Butterfly. Novel Production of Two Plants. The Floating Skull. A Good Shot. The Magician Artiste. Production of a Large Silver Tea-pot. A New Table for a Glass of Water through a Hat. A New Piston for a Glass of Water through a Hat. A Glass of Water on a Tray passes through the Crown of a Hat. A Vanishing Lamp. The Latest Rising Card. The " Soo " Rising Cards. The Rising Cards. Any Card Named Rises from Pack. Method for Roulette on a Tray. The Penetrating Ink. The Magical Bowl of Ink. How to be a Lightning Artist. A New Card Frame. CHINESE TRICKS. Harness and a Self-Releasing Hook. Production of a Box containing a Boy. Harness for a very large Vase or Jar. Production of Bowls through the Robe. Production of a Kennel with a live Dog. Production of a Pagoda 6-ft. high. Production of a Basket of Flowers with a Fountain in the centre. The Water Trick. Two Production Boxes. The Invisible Journey of a Dove. The Mandarin's Dream. A New Transformation. COMEDY TRICKS. The Loaf and the Baby. The " D.A.D." Trick. The Three-Legged Manxman. A Comedy Illusion. The Contortionist. Feats of a Strong Man. The Smoke Trick. A Garden in the Hand. A Fish Supper. Plate Spinning made easy. A Shower of Carrots. A Sweeping Change. A Hat Joke. The Giant Note.
ANTI-SPIRITUALISTIC TRICKS. The Unseen Force. Reading Sealed Messages. The Mysterious Message. An Easy Force. For the Antl-Spirltualist. The Sealed Book. The Talking Skull. A New Spirit Slate. A Novel Tapping Hand. A Spirit Rapping Table. Raps from any Table. The Crystal "Evulgograph." The Spirit Cabinet. The Latest Spirit Manifestations. ELABORATE STAGE TRICKS. Air Balloons from an Empty Hat. A Different Floating Ball. The Impossible. The Ducks and the Cage. The Obedient Ball. A Barrel of Wine. ILLUSIONS. The Shadowgraph Illusion. Swallowing the Barrel of Water. A Perfect Packing Case Mystery. The Girl in the Box. A Comedy Illusion. The Elements. The Canvas Cabinet. An Escape from an Iron Cage. The Hammock Illusion. The Aerial Lady. The Mermaid Illusion. The Lady and the Dominoes. The Crematorium Illusion. The Veiled Lady. The Goddess of Wine. The Dream of Wealth. The Country Girl. The Crystal Casket Illusion. The Fire Balloon Illusion. The Victory Illusion. The Mystery of Tangier. The Oyster Shell Illusion. An Escape from a Box and Cabinet. The Production of a Cage with a Woman inside it in a Small Curtained Cabinet. Chefalo's Cabinet. The Lady-Bird. The In-and-out Cabinet. The Arbour and Hammock Illusion. The Iron Chest Production. The Die Box on a Large Scale. The Latest Levltatlon. An Escape in Mid-Air. Watch Her Go ? Gone? Where' AUTOMATA AND VENTRILOQUIAL. A New Face for a Figure. A Novel Figure. A Nursemaid Figure. The Walking Figure. A Good Head. The Sketching Automaton.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION SEE BACK PAGE
Telephone: WHItehaU 3304
GOLDSTON'S MAGICAL QUARTERLY
Telephone: WHItehall 3304
Incorporating the "MAGAZINE OF MAGIC" 1939
DECEMBER
CONTENTS Page
Book Reviews ... Elections Page ... Editorial Ventriloquism in Wartime News of Magicians The Magicians' Club Two Tiny Tricks " T h e Flyto Card " A Good Simple Card Trick with a Simple Secret... The Tower
462
A Super ' ' Four " Do as I Do Mystery " The Enchanted Star," ad Lib. ... Mechanical Card Riffle ... How to Float a Penny in a Saucer of Water Bob Gysel and his Tricks My Original Escape from Sealed Thumbcufi A Lady from Nowhere ... Light Out of Darkness ... Buying New Tricks
462 463 464 465 466 467 467
468 468
469 470 470 471 471 471 472 473 474
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 are Copyright. RATES OF SUBSCRIPTION. One Year 2/9 post paid. Foreign Countries 75 cents. Single copy 1/- (25 cents.). Goldston's Magical Quarterly is supplied to the Wholesale trade and all Magical Dealers. ADVERTISING RATES. Front cover £5 5s. Od. ($26.50). Inside cover £4 4s. Od. ($21.00). Other pages £3 3s. Od. ($16.00). Half page £ 1 15s. Od. (8.50). Quarter Page £1 0s. Od. ($5.00). Inch displayed 5/- ($1.25). Small advertisement 2d. per word, minimum 12 words. Trade 4d. per word, minimum 12 words.
Managing Editor
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-
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WILL GOLDSTON
Publishers : WILL GOLDSTON, LTD., London, W.C.2, England
GOLDSTON'S MAGICAL
462
WILL GOLDSTON wishes all Readers in the Army, Navy and Air Force, including those in all Services Also all Readers at Home and Abroad A HAPPY CHRISTMAS and GOOD LUCK IN 1940
BOOK REVIEWS. Entertaining Children With Magic. I take off my hat to Eddie Clever, the author. He has written an instructive work on a subject thousands of conjurers have been waiting for. 78 pages in good, readable print, full of sound advice and really outstanding tricks. Programmes for all ages of children will be found between the covers of this volume. Published at 7/6, obtainable from all magical dealers and now on sale at Goldston's. C.H. Copies
of " GOLDSTON'S MAGICAL " may be obtained from all reputable magical firms in the world. The following firms can supply from stock :— Will Goldston, Ltd., 14 Green Street, Leicester Square, London, W.C.2. A. W. Gamage, Ltd., Holborn, London, E.C.I. Messrs. Hamley Bros., Ltd., 200/202 Regent Street, W.I. L. Davenport & Co., 204 High Holborn, W.C.I. QUARTERLY
George Johnson, 24 Buckingham Street, Strand, London, W.C.2. Arthur Margery, 1 Freeland Road, Bromley, Kent. Ellis Stanyon and Co., 76 Solent Road, West Hampstead, N.W.6. Gordon and Gotch, 75-79 Farringdon Road, London, E.C.4. Messageries Hachette, 3 Belle Sauvage, Ludgate Hill, E.C.4. William Dawson and Sons, Ltd., Cannon House, Pilgrim Street, E.C.4. H. Wilbey, "Dorchester," Turner Road, New Maiden. H. Wiles, Ltd., 124 Market Street, Manchester. The Alliance Rubber Co., 255 Broad Street, Birmingham. W. Hubbard, 39 Waterloo Street, Leicester. W. Hutchinson, 45 Montague Road, Ashton-under-Lyne. Max Holden, 220 West 42nd Street, New York City, U.S.A. Leo Rullman, 203 West 81st Street, New York City, U.S.A. Martinka and Co., 304 West 34th Street, New York City, U.S.A. Thayer's Studio of Magic, 929 Longwood Avenue, Los Angeles, California, U.S.A. William H. Wilson, 219 Melville Lane, Sewickly, Pa., U.S.A. Abbott's Magic Novelty Company, Colon, Michigan, U.S.A. Ranter's Magic Shop, 1309 Walnut Street, Arcade No. 16, Phila., Pa., U.S.A. Sterling Magic Co., 347 John R. Street, Detroit, Michigan, U.S.A. Will Andrade, 52 Swanson Street, Melbourne, Australia. Mick Simmons, Ltd., Haymarket, Sydney, N.S.W., Australia. Central News Agency, Ltd., 112 Long Street, Cape Town, Cape Province, South Africa. A. Francke, S.A., 6 Place Bubenberg, Berne, Suisse.
ELECTIONS. September, 1939
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m
Full Membership : Proposed by Will Goldston W. T. Cherry
GOLDSTON'S MAGICAL
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In my last Editorial, I wrote under the imminence of war. That imminence has now become a reality; our worst fears have proved all too amply justified. Strange as it may seem, a sense almost of relief has come to me, and I fancy this is a feeling that will be shared by many amongst my readers. The tension and the fears have gone. We are at war, and we must make the best of it ; we must apply ourselves to the practical tasks that lie ahead. Difficulties there are, and greater difficulties there will be, but they are things tangible to us, things we know we must grapple with. How will this war affect Britain's magic? For my part, I am not inclined to take an over-pessimistic view. The first year of the last war was bad for magic, but then came a boom that is unique in magical history. When we speak longingly of the " good old days " of magic, meaning the early days of the century, we are all too apt to forget those halcyon days of 1917 and 1918. It may be that this cycle of events will be repeated. At this early stage of the war it is impossible to foretell the shape of things to come, but the organisation of the Entertainments National Service Association, more familiarly termed Ensa, has already provided work for magicians in the parties formed for entertaining the troops at home and overseas. The presiding genius of Ensa is, of course, that amiable stage veteran, Sir Seymour Hicks, who has more than a passing partiality for magic. A similar organisation to Ensa has been formed under the auspices of the Variety Artists' Federation. The chairman of this second group is none other than Will Hay. It is clear, then, that magic is not likely to be overlooked in the new demand for entertainment that has arisen. For my part, I believe that magic is destined to play no mean part in the effort towards victory, just as it did a quarter of a century ago. Finally, let me give a word of advice to those who will be called upon in the not very distant future to entertain the Forces. If your personality permits it, use comedy magic. Raise a laugh at every opportunity. Overhaul your patter, make it pertinent and topical. But, above all things, don't be vulgar. There is an idea abroad that a male audience, and particularly a male audience of troops, laughs most easily at those things which can be picked from the gutter. This idea derives from the assumption that the soldier is an ignorant oaf, a brute with animal instincts. I am not old enough to recall what type of men the Balaclava warriors were, but I do know that the modern soldier is a young man with some modicum of self-respect. Entertain him accordingly. I need say no more than that!
464
GOLDSTON'S MAGICAL
VENTRILOQUISM IN WAR TIME. By ARTHUR PRINCE.
Ventriloquism in war time is not half the problem that many people make it out to be. To me, at any rate, it is largely a matter of common-sense plus a little ingenuity. A paramount consideration for all ventriloquists is topicality. That is to say, your patter must be topical, and, whenever possible, the costume of your figure must reflect the fashion and mood of the moment. This topicality should, of course, be uppermost in the mind of a ventriloquist at all times, whether war or peace prevails, but it has a particular importance during war. Public interest now is a good deal narrower than in the days of peace; it is concentrated, so to speak, on fewer subjects; and nearly all these subjects reflect some picture or mood of war. War is a horrible thing, but—fortunately for most of us—it has a lighter aspect. It is the business of us ventriloquists to bring out this lighter aspect in all its manifold colours. We must think of war, and we must think how laughter can be raised through war. First, let us consider the question of the figure's costume. My own particular figure, Jim, has for years past been a quick-witted A.B. in the Senior Service, and so for me this war-time problem is already solved. But if Jim were not a sailor, a soldier, or an airman—if, for instance, he was a country yokel or a cheeky messenger boy—I would consider the possibility of enlisting him in one of the services " for the duration." A figure dressed in khaki or in navy blue strikes a topical note in your performance before you or your pal have spoken a word. Though the cost of a change of costume for your figure is quite moderate, it is not always advisable or practicable to make a change to meet the demands of war. If, let us suppose, you have practised for years with a yokel figure, you may feel that you have established a " set " character, and you would be throwing away a valuable asset in changing his shirt into a khaki uniform. In this case, keep your figure as he is. A yokel or a dude can raise laughter out of war just as easily as a soldier or a sailor, providing he has the right patter. And, really, this matter of patter is the most important point of all. You must have war-time patter. You must crack your gags about the sergeant-
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major, or the bosun, or the flying-instructor. The difficulty, I think, lies not in finding the material for suitable war-time gags—there is, indeed, a wealth of it—but in finding suitable material which no other ventriloquist is using or likely to use. This is where your ingenuity comes in. You must create new comic twists on life in the army and navy. It requires hard thinking, an unswerving determination to create freshness from old themes, and to let well alone the good old chestnuts about the sailor having a wife in every port and the sergeant-major's bad language. Let these things lie. They deserve to rest in the limbo of forgotten gags.
RODS AND BEADS Improvement by CHRIS. VAN BERN. A neat moulded Rod has a hole drilled through each end, which contains a cord at each end. The performer pulls one coid when the other coid rises. The trick is repeated then passed to other members of the Company. They all fail to emulate the performer. Price 3/- (75c.) post paid. "SNIP-IT " A strip of paper is shewn on both sides folded and cut through with a pair of scissois. The stiip is again folded until it becomes a bundle. The scissors again come into play and cut the lot. The performer has a number of pieces. Immediately the performer opens out the bundle, the audience see that all the pieces have joined. Price 2/6 (65c.) post paid. RED AND BLUE A solid metal disc, blue in colour, and another is Red. Both these discs have the same colour on both sides. The performer drops the Blue disc in the hands of a spectator with the request that he should close his hand tightly. The perfoimer takes up the Red disc and commands the discs to change places. The change takes place. The trick may be repeated. Price 3/- (75c.) post paid. THE " B R A N D I N O " CANARY VANISH. Performed by the GREAT LEVANTE as a feature. A handsome small Cabinet is shewn open back and front. The doors are closed and a canary is gently pushed into Cabinet through a circular hole on one side. Immediately the doors are opened, but no bird is seen. This Cabinet may be used to vanish silks.
Price £1/1/0 ($5.00) post paid. WILL GOLDSTON, LTD., 14 Irving Street, Leicester Square, W.C.2.
GOLDSTON'S MAGICAL
QUARTERLY
'^"^T^O'uatf-"*!,
* '1
465 ••v-v~' ^
M
NEWS OF £Vi i «?
PARAGRAPHS. In the sinking of the British liner, Sirdhana, which ran into a minefield outside Singapore, the American magician, Nicola, has suffered a severe loss. Nicola had just completed a successful Australian tour, and was about to fulfil some engagements at Singapore. The Sirdhana, which sank in fifteen minutes, took to the bottom 100 tons of magical properties and equipment, in addition to Mrs. Nicola's jewellery. Nicola, who was not covered by insurance, estimates his loss at £20,000. # * * The one crumb of comfort in this unhappy story is that Nicola, his wife, and all the company were saved, although two of his assistants missed the lifeboats and had to jump into the sea. # # * We regret we have to announce the recent death of Nate Leipzic, who was the first magician to be awarded a Silver Cup presented by the Magicians' Club. He started life as an optician, but on taking up magic was acclaimed the finest card performer the United States has ever known. In the days before the last war, Leipzic was a top-liner in America, Britain and on the Continent. Latterly, he had given his attention to Society work. # # * Incidentally, Leipzic is the third great magician to die within twelve months. The other two, of course, are Nelson Downs, of undying coin fame, and our own well-beloved Horace Goldin. # * * We hear that Dante has returned to Chicago, where he is getting together a magical show in the style of the late Howard Thurston. Already he has several important dates booked up, and we do not doubt the inimitable Dante will prove as great a success over the water as he was with us. Whilst we cannot but regret his absence, we wish him all the success he wishes himself. # # * Will Goldston, who provided the magic for Gracie Fields in her last film " Shipyard
'-i*r**,mn%&
Sally," was called in by the producers of George Formby's film " Let George Do It," still in production at Ealing. Will refuses to tell us much about the magic in the Formby film, but we have learned there are some excellent comedy effects, which reach their climax in a Customs shed, much to the astonishment of an Excise officer. If the magic is anything like as good as we saw in Gracie's film, we think star Formby's fans will be more than satisfied. # * * Some months ago we announced in these columns that a charity performance in aid of the A.B.M. would be held this winter. Plans for this have had to be dropped owingto the war and the difficulties of organising any sort of entertainment in London under black-out conditions. The matter is to be reconsidered in the summer. * # * A great many members of the Magicians' Club have been enrolled in National Service. We have our members in the Navy, the Army, and the Air Force, to say nothing of some scores who have taken up defence service duties as wardens, ambulance drivers, and so on. To all of them we wish good-luck and a swift and victorious end to their endeavours. # * * Jimmy Rogers goes from strength to strength in a professional career which he embraced only two years ago. Not long ago he had a successful run at Collins's Theatre, Islington, and when he looked us up a few days ago he announced he had been booked for the Finsbury Park Empire. He has a polished act of silent comedy magic, and we have no doubt that, war or no war, he will be hitting more headlines in the near future. * * * A number of magicians have already been sent to France under the auspices of Ensa, notable among them being Eric Mason, Deveen, Henri Bekker, and Carlton. They speak in unmistakeable terms of the good spirits and morale of the British troops on active service.
WILL
GOLDSTOJV'S
More Exclusive Magical Secrets Reasons why you M U S T own this Book: 1. The title tells you—what is a fact-—that the contents of the book are exclusive. 2. As an instance of this, the Chinese section alone were closely guarded by the Chinese for many years and known to possessors of this book. You have my personal guarantee that this statement is true. 3. From the letters I have received it is certain that I have succeeded in what I have set out to do, viz., to cater for every person interested in every branch of Magic. 4. It has cost more money to produce this book than was spent on any previous—or later—book in the History of Magic. 5. M.E.M.S. represents the result of many years of research and Masters of Magic have consented to their most cherished secrets being included for your information and the upliftment of the art to which these gentlemen have devoted their lives. 6. The illustrations show the working of every trick in complete detail. They are the work of the finest Magical Artists iiving to-day. The leading Magicians of the World—who are subscribers to this book—acknowledge this statement to be true. There are over one thousand such illustrations. 7. There a r e Pocket Tricks Small Apparatus Tricks Anti- Spiritualistic Tricks Small Stage Illusions Chinese Tricks Magical Tips and Advice Comedy Tricks Platform and Stage Tricks Large Stage Illusions Ventriloquial Figures and Automata. Can you imagine it possible to provide in one book a greater feast of Magic to suit Magicians, no matter in what branch they specialise ? 8. My aim in producing this book is to make no profit, but to •enable every Magician who is whole-heartedly interested in Magic to have at his command the latest information in every branch of the subject. If the stumbling block to purchasing the book is the price £4 4s. Od. or £3 5s. Od., I have fiftv copies printed in good antique paper, bound in stiff boards and covered in good bookbinders' cloth at a price of SI Is. Od. My reason for releasing these fifty copies at much under cost price is a simple one—to enable every Magician who wants the last word in a magical book to have this one in his possession, not because the volume has value from the point of view of a collector of books, i.e., a handsomely bound volume as a library ornament but to get the mine of information inside the book. Such a man will be content if he has a well bound book designed for utility and long wear, and have both these qualities to recommend them. 9. There are nearly FIVE HUNDRED PAGES in the book, with a very complete Index.
SPECIAL OFFER H U R R £1:1:
Ff
O ($5.25) per copy
Postage and Packing, 1/-
For Complete Contents see inside page
Will Goldston 14 I R V I N G STREET LEICESTER SQUARE LONDON W.C.2
MORE NEW TRICKS AT GOLDSTON'S ROPE-FIX. With the aid of this secret liquid performer restores a cut rope. securely is the rope fixed that strongest pull will not separate pieces. 2/6, postage 3d.
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THE HAMPTON CALCULATOR. A great effect for Mental Workers A polished wooden frame is shewn containing three cut-out windows A pack of ten numbered cards (0 to 9) is handed to a member of the audience to be shuffled, the cards are now spread out on to a tray face down. Three cards are freely selected and placed face down on the frame. It must be noted that the value of the cards chosen are unknown. A glass clear sheet is now placed over the cards on the frame and secured with metal clips. The audience are completely satisfied that everything is fair and square. The frame is now standing on the table in an upright position. Three members of the audience are requested to write on a card a number between 200 and 300. The addition is totalled by another member of the audience This done, the performer turns round the frame revealing the cards showing the correct total of the selected number Failure impossible. Price 15/-. NOTE.-—The clean sheet is not made of glass on account of the danger of breakage IMPROMPTU (LEGERDEMAIN) By E. Brian MacCarthy Post Paid 4/6 THE ZIP EGG BAG. The bag produces a finale to the famous Egg-Bag, since at any time during the trick the performer may open the bottom of the bag and thrust his arm through it. Price 4/-.
FORGING AHEAD IN MAGIC By John Booth Post Paid 12/6 SILK HANDKERCHIEFS PRODUCED FROM AN UNPREPARED SHEET OF PAPER. One or more handkerchiefs are produced from an unprepared sheet of examined paper. Apparatus to produce 4 handkerchiefs, 3/6. Handkerchiefs to the correct size, 1/- each.
WILL GOLDSTON Ltd.
ALADDIN HOUSE, 14 GREEN STREET, LEICESTER SQUARE, LONDON, W.C.2
Printed in England by WALKER & Co. (Printers) LTD., 19 Bloomsbury Square, London.