This is a reprint of Edward Victors three volumes published between 1937 and 1946: Magic of Hands (1937), More Magic of Hands (1942) and Further Magic of Hands (1946) in one book. There are basic and advanced sleights using cards, coins, balls, ropes, thumbles and silks. Complete routines for cut and restored rope, linking rings and several others. Many of today’s professionals have found inspiration for these three volumes. Dai Vernon’s masterful ”Spellbound” finds its roots in these books.
The first in a series of three books on manipulative magic. The series covers cards, coins, silks, billiard balls, thimbles, cigars & cigarettes, and more. While some of the effects are dated, much of the material is still usable. The strongest material in this volume is probably the thimble, cigarette, and ball magic. The cut and restored rope trick looks pretty decent, as well. There is no date in this volume, but the second in the series includes an advertisement for “Magic of the Hands”, with many quotes all dated in 1937.
Contents (from book):
1 Chapter 1: Some Useful Card Sleights I Have Proved Effective
2 The Pass
2 The E.V. Colour Change
4 The E.V. Invisible Double Lift
6 The New “Glide”
7 A One Hand Force: using a reversed bottom card
9 The “Book” Return: a control to bring center card to top
10 Sighting the Top Cards [Albert Verity]: a glimpse
11 A Substitute for the “In-Jog” [Albert Verity]
13 Chapter II Card Problems
14 Supreme Control: Impromptu effect. 8 cards are selected by 8 different spectators, and each is revealed in a different manner
19 The Expert Deal: Impromptu effect, a gambling or dealing demonstration using the 4 Aces and ending in a high straight
22 A Royal Exchange: a transposition of two cards in two separate glasses
27 Sign, Please!: Not-impromptu. a selection is placed between two deuces. Another card is signed and placed in the performer’s pocket. The card sandwich is lost in the middle of the deck. When dealt, the selection is found to have transposed with the signed card
29 The “Deo-Ace” Trick: The deuces are dealt to the table, and the Aces layed aside. A card is chosen and returned to the deck. The Aces are returned to the deck, then dealt face down on the deuces. The suit of the selection is requested, and each of the other Aces are turned up. The final Ace is turned up, and found to have become the selection
32 The Thirty Card Trick (or “Cards from Pocket to Pocket”): a portion of cards pass from one spectator’s pocket to another’s
34 Chapter III Conjuring With Coins
34 A Silver Collection. As performed at Maskelyne’s Theatre. Several coins are produced from the air and magically transfer to a glass held in the opposite hand
38 A Vanish for One or More Coins: sort of a “retention of vision” vanish
40 The Changing Coin: a “Spellbound” type effect with copper and silver coins
43 Chapter IV Handkerchief Magic
44 The “Super” Sympathetic Silks: a version of the sympathetic silks for the stage
50 Chapter V Billiard Ball Sleights
50 A Few Words on “Angles”
51 The “Direct Palm” Vanish
52 The “Throw-Up” Vanish: not as gross as it sounds
53 The “Push-In” Vanish
53 An Elbow Vanish
54 An Original Colour-Change
56 A Continuous Ball Production
58 Chapter VI Thimble Sleights
58 The Hopping Thimble: from finger to finger to finger
59 The “Little Finger” Sleight: getting the thimble to the pinky during multiplying thimbles
60 A “Slow Motion” Disappearance
62 A Triple Colour Change
64 A Sleight With Four Thimbles: four thimbles travel from one hand to the other
65 A New and Original Thimble Holder: how to make and use it
67 Chapter VII Cigarette and Cigar Sleights: note, many are also useful for color changing knife magic
68 The “Closed Fist” Vanish: useful
69 The “Pull-Out” Vanish
70 The “Thumb-Pivot” Vanish
70 The “Finger-Clip” Vanish
71 Method of Producing a Cigarette or Cigar at the Fingertips from the Palm
72 A Change Over Palm
72 Changing a Cigarette Into a Cigar (Sleight of Hand Method)
74 The Magnetic Cigar: clings to the performer’s hand
75 Cigar to Money: a cigar changes into 4 pennies
76 The Diminishing Cigar: a gimmicked Cigar shrinks
77 Chapter VIII My Rope Trick
78 My Rope Trick. An Original Cut and Restored Rope Mystery. This is a well-done multi-phase cut and restored rope that ends in an examinable rope for the audience
94 Chapter IX An Idea for Slates
94 A Novel Production of Names and Drawings on Two Ordinary Slates: a method to eliminate the need of flapped slates, using ribbon to conceal the mystery writing
99 Chapter X Miscellaneous Magic
100 Visiting. An Impromptu Effect With Four Borrowed Visiting Cards: A matrix type effect with borrowed business cards.
102 The Cigarette Paper Effect: torn and restored cigarette paper
106 A Match Divination: the performer’s matchbox is shaken to compare with the number of matches found in a spectator’s matchbox and the total number is revealed
107 A Novel Matchbox Transposition: a number of coins in one matchbox travel to another
109 A Useful Tip: using a cut-down matchbox
110 L’Envoi [Edward Victor]: end note
111 Ad for “More Magic of the Hands”
112 Ad for Anneman’s “En Rapport” and “Complete One Man Mental and Psychic Routine”
The second in a series of three books on manipulative magic (Magic of the Hands, More Magic of the Hands, and Further Magic of the Hands). The series covers cards, coins, silks, billiard balls, thimbles, cigars & cigarettes, and more. More Magic of the Hands was originally printed in two parts as seen above. There is no date in this volume, but an advertisement at the end for the original “Magic of the Hands” has many quotes all dated in 1937, so 1938 is simply a guess.
Contents (from Tannen Edition book):
1 Table of Contents
2 Author’s Foreword
3 Chapter I: Further Card Sleights and Their Uses
3 The “Pass” Again: two handed pass keeping bottom portion intact
4 The Kings and Tens: transposition of Kings and Tens using above
5 The E.V. Semi-Circular Colour Change
7 A Color Change Card Effect: a card instantly changes to the selection
9 Method of Reversing the Bottom Card
11 A Move for the “Rising Cards” (Sleight of Hand Method)
12 “Face to Face” Pack Effects: Deck is cut in half and two packets are placed face to face, then right themselves. Two methods provided
17 A “Fan” Card Change: a single card change
19 A “Quick” Reversed Card Trick: a chosen card reverses itself twice (uses above change)
21 A False “Riffle Shuffle”
26 Chapter II: More Card Problems
26 The Cards and Handkerchief Effect: four cards penetrate a handkerchief
31 The Four Mental Cards: four cards are taken from the deck and one selected. They are replaced and mixed in the deck. The chosen card is stated, and the magician immediately removes it from the deck
35 The Sense of Touch: a glimpse with an appropriate card effect described
38 The Magnetized Cards (Sleight of Hand Method): an interesting stunt in which half the deck can appear to be mysteriously adhered to the palm in a fanned out condition
44 Chapter III: A Restored Tape and Ring Effect
44 A Restored Tape and Ring Effect. Introducing a Novel Principle: a length of ribbon or tape has a spectator’s ring tied to the bottom. It is cut in the middle, and the ends are tied. The spectator pulls his ring, and the ribbon is restored. The ring must be untied to be removed.
54 Chapter IV: The Chinese rings
54 The Chinese Rings. Author’s Original Method of Presentation. Each ring is examined early, the “key” not being used until later in the routine. Two, three, four, then five rings are linked and examined. They are then taken back and several are unlinked. A ring is released from a handkerchief, rings are re-linked, and finally all are linked to a single ring.Uses a set of 9 rings: the basic 8 ring set plus an additional single ring. Also uses a shallow tray, and a 1 yard square silk.
57 Move 1: Linking Two Rings
58 Move 2: Linking Three Rings
60 Move 3: Unlinking Three Rings
64 Move 4: Matter Through Matter
66 Move 5: “Do As I Do”
67 Move 6: Linking Five Rings
68 Move 7: The Traveling Ring
69 Move 8: A Bunch of Keys
71 Chapter V: Handkerchief Section
71 Dying By Wireless (presented at St. George’s Hall, London): a white silk is changed to various colors by use of a “wireless” electronic box. Finally, a rainbow silk is dyed. Explains an electrical device that would be much easier to build today than in the 1930’s!
82 Chapter VI: Billiard Ball Section
82 An Effective Vanish and Recover
84 A Comedy Ball Move: a gimmicked ball allows for a rapid re-appearance. Includes a routine for the production of four billiard balls
87 A “Passe-Passe” Billiard Ball Effect: an approach to the color billiard ball transposition using a silk and a candlestick holder
91 Chapter VII: Cigar Section
92 Production of Cigars from a Purse: gimmicked purse
94 Series of Sleights and Moves for the Production of Four Cigars: a discussion of wooden cigars
94 Move 1: Production of the First Cigar
97 Move 2: Production of the Second Cigar
98 Move 3: Production of the Third Cigar
99 Move 4: Production of the Fourth Cigar
99 Patter
104 Chapter VIII: Miscellaneous Section
104 A Vanishing Glove Effect: an opener. The first glove is merely touched and it vanishes. The 2nd is removed, tossed up, and vanishes.
107 The “Pop” Thimble Vanish: deceives the ear as well
108 An Original Coin Production: a Miser’s Dream effect; coins are produced at the extreme fingertips
112 The “Rainbow” Penknife: a color changing knife routine. White knife changes to blue, then back. It vanishes, and is removed from the pocket. It is wrapped in red tissue, where it turns red. It is changed back to white. It is wrapped again, but now vanishes, again to be removed from the pocket. The white knife now turns green. It is stroked with a white handkerchief where it becomes white again, and can be examined. Requires 1 regular knife, three gimmicked knives, red tissue paper, a handkerchief, and a special holder is described.
122 A “Matter-Thro’-Matter” Penknife Effect: a knife penetrates a handkerchief, the handkerchief is unharmed
127 An Impromptu Knife and Salt Trick: a simple dinner table trick utilizing the paddle move with a butter knife
129 The Flying Salt: salt is poured into the left hand, where it proceeds to pass into the right
131 A Word on Tables: use only a few tables, and some tips
133 Ad for Magic of the Hands!
The third in a series of three books on manipulative magic. The series covers cards, coins, silks, billiard balls, thimbles, cigars & cigarettes, and more. While some of the effects are dated, much of the material is still usable. Line drawings are used throughout, Illustrations by the Author.
Contents:
vii Preface (Douglas Craggs, Vice President of the Magic Circle, London)
ix Author’s Foreword
1 Chapter I “Sleights” & “Aids” In Card Work
2 An Invisible Palm
4 The “Diagonal-Palm Shift” As an Aid to the “Rising Card Trick”: selected cards rise from a fan
8 A Useful Envelope for the “Card in Cigarette Effect”: a card is torn and the remains except for one corner are placed in an envelope. The card is found in a borrowed cigarette and the card, with matching missing piece, is found inside. The envelope is found to contain only the missing tobacco. Describes construction of special envelope
12 Switching a Pack: a deck switch described using a table and a handkerchief
15 Chapter II: Some Fresh Card Effects
16 The Haunted Pack: three selected cards push themselves out of the deck while held still in the magician’s hand. A version that can be used with any deck
19 A Miracle Burnt and Restored Card: two boards are examined. A card is signed, and a corner torn and handed to the spectator. The rest of the card is burned, the initial being seen. The ashes are placed on one board, with the other board placed on top. The card is found restored, with initials, and the missing corner matches
23 The Awkward Ace: impromptu. an ambitious card type routine, at the climax the Ace disappears and ends up in the pocket
29 Another “Do As I Do” Effect: magician and spectator each select the same card from two packs
31 A New Pocket to Pocket Effect: two initialed cards transpose in the magician’s pockets
34 Veneri’s Card Trick: a mathematical card trick requiring a bit of memorization
37 Chapter III: On Coins
38 A New Single-Handed Coin Production: using a back finger clip
40 A Further Changing Coin Effect: a borrowed half dollar (not too likely today) is stroked and changes into an English Penny, then back. Uses sleeving
42 An Impromptu Coin Transposition: two borrowed and marked coins transpose under a handkerchief
47 Chapter IV On Ropes
48 The “E.V.” Stretching Rope: good intro to “cut and restored rope”. a short length of rope is stretched
53 Chapter V On Billiard Balls
54 A New Billiard Ball Holder and Its Uses: for use with a tail coat
56 A “Drop-Vanish” Sequence: two balls are held in one hand and one is taken. One ball vanishes
58 A Production Routine for Seven Solid Billiard Balls: references some of the moves in the earlier Magic of the Hands volumes
62 A “Quick” Colour Change
65 Chapter VI On Cigars and Cigarettes
66 A Useful Cigarette Vanish and Recovery: a close-quarters, slow move
68 The Rising and Falling Cigarette: a cigarette rises in a test tube, similar to Dushek’s Wunderbar
71 A Novel Cigar Production: a cigar production using cardboard cigars
75 Chapter VII G.W. Hunter’s Card Tricks
76 No. 1 “Four of a Kind”: four of a kind appear after several dealings
79 No. 2 “The Sense of Weight”: the number of pips on a card equal the number of cards secretly dealt by a spectator (stack)
81 No. 3 “The Three Prophecies”: Spectator 1 selects a number 1-12, spectator 2 writes a card, the magician writes a third prediction. All come true.
84 No. 4 “A Mental Impression”: four cards “impressed” on the minds of spectators are dealt from the deck
87 No. 5 “A Nap Hand”: a problem in the “Nap” card game
88 No. 6 “Spelling Bee”: “one of Hunter’s best”; thirteen cards are dealt, the value of one is selected and dealt, and that card appears
91 No. 7 “Think of a Card”: magician determines how many cards down a selection is
95 Chapter VIII Miscellaneous Effects
96 An Impromptu Handkerchief and Thimble Routine: a thimble penetrates the handkerchief and jumps finger to finger
100 “Spiritualistic” Visiting Card Mystery: two business cards are shown bland and banded together. When opened, they reveal the names of selected cards. Includes a good move for showing both sides of a card blank, a force for one of six cards, and a force for a series of names
105 “Multiple Palming”: to be “presented as a feat of palming”; a billiard ball is vanished, then a handkerchief, then a thimble, and then a card taken. The card turns into a billiard ball, which changes into a thimble, which changes into a handkerchief. From the folds of the handkerchief are produced the thimble, ball, and card. No extra apparatus is needed
108 A “Mental” Dice Effect: a demonstration of memory. A Die is thrown by several audience members, the magician remembering the roll of each
109 The “Ghost” Mail (Albert Verity): spectator takes six slips of paper, selects a card, write the card on one slip, writes his name on the next, then writes 4 random cards to the remaining slips. These are “mailed” to the magician, who off-stage sends a letter back, naming the selected card
112 Conclusion: with letter of praise by E.G. Brown
113 Ad for Magic of the Hands and More Magic of the Hands
- Publisher: Kaufman and Greenberg
- Pages: 352
- Location: Washington DC, USA
- Dimensions: 6″x9″
- Date: 1937, 1995
- Binding: hardbound
