(1912) Stage Illusions

 

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CORNELL UNIVERSITY LIBRARY

 

DATE DUE

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edited bv

 

Cornell University Library

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original of this bool< is in the Cornell University Library.

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http://www.archive.org/d http://www. archive.org/details/cu319 etails/cu31924029935784 24029935784

 

Stage

Illusions

and

Compiled

Edited

BY

WILL GOLDSTON Author of

  Exclusive Magical Tricks

Secrets

 

and Illusions

More Tricks and Puzzles   Sfc,

&'c.

Publishers

ROBIN HOOD YARD LONDON, E.C.

THE MAGICIAN

 

LTD.,

Contents.

Pago

tntroductlon

PART Illusions in -which

I.

an Assistant appears. ®

The Mysterious Lady

An An

A

Indian Basket Trick EflFective

^ 1

Change

Good Levitation The Glass-Lined Trunk The Vanishing Trunk The Golden Fly The Flower Girl The Vanishing Lady A Furnished Drawing-Eoom and Lady produce^ from Nowhere

An

Oriental Dish

12 1* 16 20 22 24

30 33

The Rapid Transit

35

Phantom Decapitation

36

Two Sack Tricks Cremation Illusions

37 41

PART

II.

Miscellaneous Illusions. Two Tubs

48

The Spirit Blackboard The Growth of Flowers

60

.

52

Sham Spiritualism The Drum which Can't be Beaten

Novel Mirror Illusion

61

.

The Vanishing Sketch.. Conradi's Coin-Ladder

73

.

The Cauldron of Macbeth A Table from a Shawl.. The Vanishing Lamp The Latest Spirit Picture

74 76 77

.

An

Inexhaustible Coffee-Pot Produced from an

Materializing a Table

A

Number

of

..

Box Escapes Explained

The Crystal Chest The East to  West Mystery The Escape of Cinderella

97 101

Original Flying Handkerchiefs Illusion

The Ga Gamb mble ler' r's s Br Brid ide e

Illusion

J  

Empty Table

81

.

.

.

j-r/?

106 109

^

Introduction THERE

r

I -*-

an old and very wise

is

states that half a loaf is better

The saying occurred

to

me when

man who

I was putting the

am

I

sure that

does not possess the volumes of   The

Magician   and the   Magician Annuals   this

 half loaf

of

I turn, in imagination, to

the

volumes of

 Magician Annuals.

all

I

those gentlemen because I have

volume

from

—very

No

matter

far from no.

which

It

is

all.

who already

those

  The Magician  

Do

find

will

magic very acceptable.

certainly better than no magic at possess

which

than no bread.

finishing touches to this little volume.

the

saying

abase

myself before

made up

they

and the this little

already

possess?

I feel that I have done

all

those gentlemen a good turn, because I have arranged

way that

the information in this volume in such a

it

can be acquired with the greatest ease. This

must

is

an age in which, in order to succeed, one

specialise.

One

conjuror

will

thought-reading tricks, another in silent illusion

another

in

sleight-of-hand

presentation of what I tricks.

may

tricks, call

 

well

another

This book will appeal primarily to

worth perusal.

in

acts,

the

  large apparatus  

but I fancy that other magicians is

in

specialise

will

illusionists,

find

that

it

I have heard of illusionistB

INTHODUCTION

4

who have produced some

of

their

best

effects

by

merely enlarging small sleight-of-hand tricks, and I

have no doubt that some sleight-of-hand performers have been equally successful in devising new tricks

by merely watching ing   the illusions Therefore,

work and   reduc-

illusionists at

to

drawing-room

whether you

are

an

size.

illusionist

or

a

sleight-of-hand performer, I trust that you will find

something to think about in this

 

little

volume.

PART Illusions in Which

I.

an Assistant

appears

 

STAGE ILLUSION*

6

The Mysterious Lady A the

lady stands on centre of a platform, away from

The performer thrusts a long

backcloth.

under and

around the platform to prove that no

The curtains are lowered

traps or mirrors are used.

round the lady. curtains, and the assistants

A

revolver

lady

immediately

and then wheel

is

has

haul

No.

curtains,

stick

up go the disappeared. The fired,

down the

fittings

and

1.

off

the platform.

The lady

appears amongst the audience.

Explanation:

—Illustration

No.

2.

A

represents

mirrors arranged underneath the platform. a small pulley wheel to which

and passed through centre leg

the

 

hand

of

of

an

C

is fitted

assistant.

is

strong cord,

C, and proceeds

platform.

B

down the

The end of cord is in To make mirrors ascend

STAGE ILLUSIONS the oord

C

is

pulled.

Of

course,

when the lady

ready to vanish, the assistant slackens the cord,

is

the mirror

ceals

falls at

herself

wheeled

off

45 degrees; the lady then con-

behind

the stage.

the

She

mirror.

The

rest needs

is

then

no explana-

tion.

An

The table

effect to

is

human

covers

the audience

that a light bamboo

The performer removes

up the parts with a

still

cloth.

is

Upon

seen to rise

the

up

lid

in the

covered up by the cloth, and jumps down,

showing himself to be

alive.

 

8

several parts

body, and throwing them into the basket,

being opened later, the body basket,

is

shown, free from preparation, and a basket

placed on top. of a

Indian Basket TricK

STAGE ILLUSIONS

The plot should be as

one

during

essential that

cast with one or

part

the

of

it

assistants,

absolutely

is

someone should crawl under the

made

for this will be

The reason

trick

more

table.

clear later in the

explanation.

As

be

will

seen

the

in

peculiarity of the basket

is

that the lid

width that when the basket comes

within

suflBcient to

about

a

illustration,

of such a

of

the

ground,

just

convince the audience that no trap doors

The second

are used.

separate

that at the back of the

there

along,

and that the back covers

is

a

is

basket

through.

first

open the lower edge

is

foot

is

the

The table

division

legs at the

upon

in placing the basket

it

running

right

have holes right

back are hollow, and

care must be taken to

put the hollow legs over corresponding holeg in the stage,

and the basket over the holes in the table top

these are,

of

the table top.

course,

Now

lost

sight of in the design

a rather more elaborate affair

is

and

is

concealed in the back division of the basket,

designed

 

to

give

on

the

impression

that

someone

is

STAGE ILLUSIONS holding up the cloth when covered over just aa the vanishing lady is worked. It is apparent, however, that aa apace

ward from

is

limited, so it

a hinged joint

ia

designed to

when withdrawn from the

_^

basket,

fall for-

iimiiumtii

and has a hole in each corner

to correspond

with the holes in the basket.

As soon

as the basket

is

opened the cloth which

covers the apparently dissected

body

the back division, so screening

it

body

is

now taken out and

is

from view.

The

replaced in the basket,

care being taken to tuck the cloth well

 

10

thrown over

STAGE ILLUSIONS

down behind

the rod, and to fasten

Now

vided.

the lid

is

it

by means

of the clips pro-

and rods are pushed up

raised

the hollow legs of the table from below.

These engage the apparatus, to which the cloth, pushing

the hinge will

it

slowly upwards.

now be shown,

is

fastened

The action

as the cloth

is

of

carried

forward well over the edge of the basket, and gives the appearance of a human being lifting up the cover

from the basket.

as he rises

The living

assistant,

seeing the terrible appstrition of a

body being produced, shrinks with fear and

hides under the table.

trap to open and a as

the

screen

Just so; this allows a stage

man

up

to climb

formed by the

into the basket,

body

assistant's

masks the opening between the stage and the

The

man

steps are

withdrawn and the trap

lid.

closed, the

stepping into the basket under the cloth,

lifting the

framework

off

and framework in front

the cloth

deposits

them

and

the supporting poles, which

are immediately withdrawn under the stage.

ing

just

in the basket

and

steps out

of

Lowerhim,

and

off

he the

table.

An

Effective

Change

The performer dons a black cloak and walks to the centre of the stage, at the same time covering the whole of his body; a pistol

when he immediately

He

throws

fires

placed in his hand,

is

off

a

number

of

shots.

the cloak, and the audience are somewhat astonished to see a lady in place of the performer. of

the

way on

off

A

loud report quickly follows from the pit

hall,

to

and

the performer

the stage.

is

seen making

his

 

STASE ILLUSIONS

11

The trap and cloak The performer

are responsible for the change.

covers himself with a cloak fitted with

^illMffll^^'^^liilMill^^

a

wire shape,

own

accord.

which

is

constructed to stand of

its

The trap is lowered (as illustrated), when up comes the lady taking performer's place.

The

hand

lady's

believed there)

pistol is

;

the

placed in

(although

performer

the firing

is

it is

tiie is

still

an excuse

for allowing the conjuror to get

to the front of the hall through

th« private entrance.

 

12

STAGE ILLUSIONS

A

Good Levitation

This illusion a

is

theatre stage,

more suited

as

it

adjustment to make

for a side

show than

requires careful and

accurate

A

lady reclines on the stage, and in response to the passes of the per-

former

it

a success.

slowly in the

rises

and a

air,

solid

hoop

is

then passed round the suspended lady.

The back scene

is

some striped material,

of

to

help conceal the presence of the thin wires on which

A

the illusion depends. ing,

is

is

a hold.

By having

enabled

to

lapped to give

is

a slotted stage the steel cradle

of a shaped plug this slot can be filled

up whenever the cradle it

it

through the stage out of sight,

pass

and by means and

draw-

connected up with two endless wires passing

over a long drum, round which it

as in the

steel cradle,

passes

through the

stage,

can be removed again to allow the cradle to

recede again.

The lady and an

reclines

on the stage in the correct place,

assistant gradually

winds up the drum, thus

winding on the top wire and unwinding the bottom at the same time ; in fact, the wires act in the same

manner body.

as

two

if

bars

were

supporting

the

Another assistant underneath the stage looks

after the placing

The passing well

steel

known

to

and r^moving

of

of the plug.

the hoop round the body

need any explanation.

 

STAGE ILLUSIONS

is

too

13

PiCCE TO iUOE OUT near to asckmo ^ ocscend

 

14

«TA«B ILLUSIONS

The An empty

TrunK

Glass=lined

trunk

is

seen standing on a platform,

four sheets of clear plate glass are shown, and fitted into frames at the sides, side

of

The performer

box.

of

box and

front,

and back of the

lifts

up the front

bolts it to the sides, the lid is

inflap

dropped and

locked to the front in the usual way.

The stand holding the trunk

turned

glass.

seen seated in the centre of the trunk.

is

On

examination of the illustration

that the lady jecting

is

ledge.

it will

to

The lady

the

Immediately the box

front by

means

assistant slides

was previously

be seen

concealed behind the box on the prois

lady pushes the back sheet of glass, which elide

around

when knocking is distinctly heard against The trunk is quickly opened, when a young

twice,

lady

is

resting,

of

closed, is

the

made

to

the moving frame.

back the ledge on which she fastens the back entrance in

box, and loudly bangs against the glass.

 

STAGE TLLUBIONS

IB

^ft/yg-Z?

Mnom

PLPiNofdflCHQfrffuN/f^TTi&z

 

16

STAGE ILLUSIONS

The Vanishing TrunR

Effect

—A

:

trunk of the American type

large

on the stage.

seen standing on a pedestal

from the

pistol

in

and

collapses

now

descends

trunk The performer then

lifting tackle the

mid-air.

suspended

the

at

large cloth

he

By

completely covering the trunk.

flies,

an arrangement of hoisted

A

Per-

whom

former then introduces a young lady, places in the trunk.

falls to

then

is

a

fires

when the

trunk,

is

cloth

the ground, the trunk and

lady having completely vanished.

CoNSTKUCTioN AND WoBKiNG trunk

is

:

— As

wiU be

and capable

a folding one,

seen, the

of being con-

cealed in the top of the pedestal, the back of the

box or trunk having figured

to

also concealed in

it,

with the top of the pedestal.

trunk has a trap

correspond The back of the

felt

which

will

allow of the lady escaping into the pair of steps.

She can go right through the stage, a trap in use, the

into

if

there

is

or else the steps can be wheeled

thus enabling her to make her

wings,

appearance again in any way desired.

To hide the escape to

the steps,

a large

of the lady cloth

is

from the trunk

lowered from the

This cloth has a portion cut away at the

flies.

bottom to correspond with the trap in the trunk,

and

is

cause

not noticed in the act of lowering the

cloth

comes

down

in

a

it,

be-

half-folded

condition.

This cloth

is

suspended from a batten, and

capable of being released from pull

on a stout cord.

it

by means

Inside the cloth

is

is

of a

sewn a

shape which exactly covers the top of the trunk;

 

STAGE ILLUSIONS

17

 

18

STASB ILLUSIONS

 

STAGE ILLDSIONS

19

when the cord

consequently,

pulled, the shape

is

on the top of the trunk.

will fall

Before pulling

the cord the performer takes a stick and raps the

trunk to show

and thus gives time

its solidity,

for

the lady to get into the steps, which are removed.

with the covered trunk is now wheeled to another part of the stage, underneath

The

the

pedestal

on

hooking

generally, pedestal,

now

At

the

and

chains

assistant

his

arranging the

folds

is

matters

box into the

The  trunk

drawing.

the

in

as

when the performer

and

tackle,

lifting

is

hoisted in the air and the pedestal removed.

tho pistol-shot the assistant pulls the releas-

ing the

cord,

and the supposed

ground;

appearing

lady

the

  trunk  

falls

to

elsewhere

as

desired.

A

glance at the drawings will explain matters

easily,

and

if

made

the box to keep seasoned wood, nicely,

best

is

as

if

stand even a close

constructed

warps

it

lever inside

it

from

will

well-

not work

and care must be taken in placing on

hinges neatly of the trunk.

trunk

it rigid, it will

It

inspection.

shown with a

as

is

and

When

complete,

and painted.

bound with

well,

it

It

especially

all

on

the

all

lid

the woodwork of the

can be covered with canvas can

also

be

decorated

brass, taking care that the

tation does not interfere with

This illusion can also be

its

made

and

ornamen-

folding.

in such a

way

that the trunk will appear on the pedestal again

under cover of an erected canopy.

The device

can also be used in conjunction with a great many other illusions.

 

20

STAGE ILLUSIONS

The Golden Fly la

attired in gold

this illusory effect a lady,

with golden wings, to fly,

and

seen

is

and

suddenly endowed with power

is

from the ground, then

first to rise

to dart through the air

from one

side of the stage to

the other; finally she rises almost out of sight and

and

twisting and turning freely about

in mid- air,

floats

lazily

from one

and slowly

wings

her

flapping

floating

side of the stage to the other.

The accompanying

make

illustration should

clear

the working of this very effective illusion.

Concealed in the

flies

upon

one

pulleys

—

thriee

—which

opposite side

are

is

a system of wires and

side

and

numbered

upon the

one

in diagram 1, 2,

The wire running over 1, 2, and one endless wire connected down at the wings

3, 4, respectively.

4

is

with the small windlass.

—that

tion of the wire

Upon

the lowermost por-

which runs from 2

—4

is

sus-

pended a double pulley, over the lower pulley of which runs

an

lady at

almost its free

with the pulley windlass

beside

The action of is

as

By

follows:

invisible

with

connected

the

end; the other end being connected

and thence down

3,

the

this

—

wire

small

one

before

to

the

larger

referred

to.

complicated-looking arrangement

turning the smaller windlass the lady

is

moved

along from side to side of the stage between pulleys 2

and

4.

To enable her to be so moved, she is first raised up from the ground by means of the wire attached to the larger windlass.

In

this condition the lady is a

the upper endless wire, and as

dead weight upon

it is

caused to travel

 

STAVE ILLUSIONS

21

feack its

and forth from 2—4,

burden with

it

must, perforce, tarry

it.

both windlasses at once the lady is and to cross the stage at a bound, and

By working made

to rise

 

22

STAGE ILLUSIONS

movement

allows of her barely tipping the

a reverse

ground at the reverse

side

the stage before the

of

mechanism picks her up and skims her through the air

back to her former place,

etc.,

etc.

It seems hardly necessary to state that the strain of the foregoing evolutions

worn itself.

upon

the lady,

is

borne by a

and not by the lady's body

The Flower This

is

steel corset

Girl

a really practical and inexpensive illusion,

which may be used upon the stage, or may be

up

as

fitted

a side show equally well.

FRONT

VIEW.

 

STASE ILLTJSIONB

In

effect a

bowl of flowers

is

23

seen upon a glass top

The

table.

table can be really seen through, and no

curtain or mirror

used beneath

is

it;

yet,

suddenly

from amidst the flowers are seen a lady's head and shoulders emerging from the bowl or basket.

The lady and

anything

do

demonstrate the

Singing

still

again.

The

away

entirely.

This

black velvet is,

else

a

of

reasonable

nature

to

she slowly disappears into the basket

grows

voice

—

answer questions, sing,

will

fact.

mysterious

board which,

and

alive

is

like all

lady

fainter,

is

and

reposing

the lady herself,

finally

really is

dies

upon a

covered with

but the lady's head and bust, that

these being concealed behind a black velvet cloth

hanging upon two threads running upon two pulleys is weighted at the bottom to

overhead.

keep

it

This cloth

flat.

 

24

STAGE ILLUSIONS

As the whole cabinet

is

draped

also

with black

velvet, it only requires the velvet cloth to

be properly

manipulated by an assistant to create a most startling illusion.

The

illustrations

tion that

should

make

all

the

construc-

necessary plain and easy to comprehend.

is

The Vanishing Lady Two

The Effect of

:

—Upon the

Versions. stage, in full light, is a table

most ordinary and unsuspicious character.

appearance

it is

more

like

In

a chess-table from the

ordinary sitting-room than a stage accessory.

A

few introductory words, and the performer

 

STAGE ILLUSIONS begs to introduce to his audience the lady

25

who

is

to

form the victim

of

his

She mounts upon the

experiment.

table,

allows the performer to

and

stands erect,

mount behind

her,

and

to cover her with a drapery, the unpreparedness of

which

is

so obvious

as

to

make comment un-

necessary.

 

STAGE ILLUSIONS

26 ejaculation,

thus

providing

 in once

catchy   ad   for the hoardings and an

both

a

effective

finale to the illusion.

—Examination

The Explanation:

of illustration

No.

2

provides us with the information that, once again,

not as

all is

homeliness the table

it

lies

is

to

it,

is

is

and a

of the table,

of the table top.

conjurors as a  lazy-tongs

is

into a few inches, but

many

scissor

covered

This round to most

be compressed

opens

fashion,

i.e.:

ends being pressed

its

out

into

dummy

the

oif

as tffo

which fold against

represent shoulders,

  neck  

the

 

upon

is

known

may

the

little to

Attached to the round top are

feet.

pieces to

for in

or  scissors,

a sort of   trellis work   which

 

—

a well, the top of which

supported upon what

together

very innocent

its

concealed the whole of the mechanism.

match the pattern

piece

in

 

the deception of the table

In the centre front of

Alas

seems.

when

the

in

 well.

The

illustration accurately shows

innocent-looking

squares

chess

is

how one

of the

responsible

for

the uprising of this

dummy

  woman   from out

of

This

put into action from

its

the

hiding-plaoe.

cover

of

former's shoe

;

is

the

drapery

and

it is

by the

heel

of

per-

under the same cover that

the genuine lady escapes, via a bridge pushed out

from an opening in the back It

is

evident that by the time the performer has

the lady

(?)

way into Under

the gallery.

is

scene.

draped,

she

is

already making, her

cover of the pistol-shot, the mechanism

and the   bogie   drops of

reversed,

its

own

 

STAGE ILLUSIONS *ceord into

its

place,

and the public

27 is-

-Bold

again

There have been  Vanishing

by the

score,

but this

is

of

surprise

—^bought

often

which

Fig.

the

this

is

may come

many who have

to

illusions

the only one of

and conjurors should note that correct explanation,

Lady

its

kind,

the only

as a shock

read

and

very

—

3.

secret and drawings

at

high price, written by one who never knew

it

a to

start with

A

clever

shown In

in

this

but

vastly

illustration

case

inferior

No.

the table

is

that

is

sup-

3.

round,

is

ported upon only one centre is

method

leg,

and

which certainly

not big enough to allow of the lady passing

down

it.

 

STAGE ILLUSIONS

28 All

the

does do.

same,

The

that

is

just

exactly

what

she

leg of the table is not so innocent

as

it

looks,

by a long way.

It

is

so

made

that

expands in a backward direction, leaving the

it

appearance unaltered from the front.

 well

thus

foremost)

made the lady

with

the

Down

the

lowers herself (feet

assistance

of

willing

hands

from  below stage.

An In

this version of the

the lady ance,

Improved Vanishing Lady

is

and

  Vanishing Lady  

illusion

seated in a chair of very ordinary appearis

covered

with

an

unprepared

cloth.

 

STAGE ILLUSIONS

On the

tli«

cloth

form

is

being seen

suddenly

removed

29 (although

seen

ladj

vanishes

that the

It



working

this effective illusion

may

 

STAGE ILLUSIONS

62

appear to our readers to be a presented by a good of

making more

The boy

of

showman this

little

there

barefaced. is

every chance

than an ordinary

assistant, concealed

on the

If

shelf,

illusion.

which

slides

up and down with the performer's

coat

The

curtain, does the work.

sleeves

have

patent

fasteners

place of the seams, specially fitted to release coat. illustrations

in

See

showing working parts of apparatus.

 

STAGE ILLUSIONS

The Drum which The performer metal, either

also

63

can't be Beaten

exhibits a broad

band or

two nickel-plated rings,

end indifferently.

which

collar of fit

over

Now

covering th the e large band with a sheet of news-

paper, he presses ing

it

down the metal ring upon

it,

secur-

 

then turns over the  

in its place.

He the opposite end in drum and proceeds to treat a like manner, thus creating a kind of   drum   innocent and without raising the

of all deception

picion.

  drum  

The

now hung

is

accompanying illustration

—

—within

faintest sus-

shown

as

the

in

the circular metal

stand, which composes part of the apparatus for work-

ing the trick in this method.

Finding,

however,

extracted from his

—the

it

pletely

drum

performer

music is to be even now that he has made

that

—

puts

the

little

end

of

wand com-

his

through the paper, and commences to drag

from the drum several coloured

handkerchiefs,

silk

which he lays down upon the small table attached to Picking up several of these in his hand,

the stand.

them

the conjuror multiplies

many

into

more, which

suddenly develop a quantity of lovely flowers amongst

As the supply

their folds.

and

into a sort of umbrella shape stand of gauzy

fall

which

material,

receive them. chiefs are of

these overflow

increases,

is

fixed

below

the

Next, twenty-five more

drawn from the   drum,

which a

still

larger

table

small silk

to

handker-

from the midst

quantity of

flowers

is

pro-

duced, making, together with the former production, quite

tremendous

a

displayj

completely

filling

the

sunshade.

 

64

STAGE ILLUSIONS These are quickly followed by a large quantity of

 Flags

of all Nations,

by an enormous display former

extracts

out of the

whicli, in turn, are followed of

paper ribbon, whicb the per-

by means of

his

wand and

twirls

  drum   in endless profusion upon the

floor.

The supply being at with

together

the

upon

table, half

quite exhausted, it is, handkerchiefs, placed upon the

it,

last

and half dropping down into the

servante.

One a shake,

of the large flags

when out

Another

flag

fliea

is

now taken up and

a live duck

shaken

is

given

and

a

large

rabbit

puts in an appearance, which, upon performer pulling

its

ears,

develops

into

two rabbits;

and upon

 

STAGE ILLUSIONS a third flag being shaken out

No.

company.

1

6

ft.

is

table,

to

clear

when, suddenly dropping

seen by audience to be holding a large

nickel flagstaff

Union

another duck to keep

The performer now goes

away the ribbon from same, he

flies

65

upon which

is

mounted a huge

And waving

Jack.

  Eule Britannia

this

trophy to an obliging

from the orchestra, he makes an

effectual exit.

—The

The Woeking:

apparatus

really fine illusion (1)

nickel

The   drum, and two

and 7

in.

follows:

as

for

—

nickel rings,

to

fit

this

band

consisting of a centre

flat

end of   drum,

is

required

upon

of

either

the band being 9 in. in diameter

The two

deep.

others are 9 in.

by about

2 in. deep.

accompanying illustration clearly the shows The parts of the   drum   and the manner in which they one into the other.

fit

(2) is

The fake

made

of tin

having two diameter

lids

in

for loading into the  

and

is

the

circle cut

centre.

which

an inner  drum,

practically

each and a

drum,

One

out about 3

in.

painted

or

lid

is

covered black, to match the table top, the other

is

used to make the

covered with the same paper as

is

  drum   with.

inner  

drum   just drum which allows of its easy insertion into the This inner   drum   is loaded you show to audience. The

size of this

'

'

'

with

all

the

articles

to

'

and

be produced,

finally

a

square of black paper should be placed upon the last handkerchiefs put in so as to prevent them showing or coming into unwelcome prominence. (3)

The loading

table.

This

is

used to load the inner fake into the  

a special table

drum  

proper.

E  

STAGE ILLUSIONS

66

by about 9 in. deep. by the trimming of the

It measures 11 in. in diameter

This extra depth table,

which

is

is

relieved

arranged to hide

it.

In construction

very simple. It is really a hollow ring into which the fake   drum   fits, and the sides of the   ring   are capable of moving up or down, so aa the table

is

to

leave the fake

simply resting upon the

exposed,

bottom of the table,

or

to

hide

it

completely,

in

TNI

WKkl. TAIkLC

I

which

the

case

uppermost

it

is

black easily

side

of

the

  drum  

being

mistaken for the table top, as

edge when in position. KTow having prepared the fake   drum   and put it it

is

exactly flush with the

black side upmost upon the table and drawn the sides

up

to hide

A

it,

we may commence

large piece of

side of the

  drum

''

newspaper

to show.

pressed upon one

is

and secured

in that position

by

 

STAGE ILLUSIONS one of the nickel bands.

empty, place

it

67

Having shown the   drum  

open side up on table

so that loose

paper will conceal the downward motion of the sides of the table.

When

placing a second sheet of paper

upon the   drum   and securing with band No. pressure

is

applied

upon

the

  drum,

with

2,

the

result that the sides of the table sink

 

down, and the

cutting completely through the     proper, enters into it unknown paper upon drum

inner

driim,

to anyone.

Now, owing

also covered

with paper, the whole

to one side of the lake being

may

be shown to

the spectators, each side, once more.

As both the older methods of producing the that of i.e., various  loads from the  drum, laying down upon the table simply or of hanging upon chains or cords

across

the

have great

stage,

disadvantages, a description of the combined stand, table

and servante may be

fessionals

those pro-

of service to

and amateurs who wish

to specialise in this

trick.

The stand of in in

in

is

mauve and

silver

mauve and

small

supporting

foundation

a

five

and

parts,

sunshade

gauze

a

consists

and supporting a small table with

'silver,

name or

initials

also

em-

broidered in silver upon the ground, which in turn supports a rod holding a large ring to support the

The whole has an exceedingly pretty and

drum.

elaborate effect,

Two hundred

and

it is

quickly built and unbuilt.

flowers in

two packets

of 100 each

are secured each in a handkerchief, which, with two

.other

should be placed

 cover,

handkerchiefs for

Upon picking up the on either side of the table.   silks   just produced, these are also picked up with them, and whilst the flowers are developing a few

 

STAGE ILLUSIONS

68

handkerchiefs are allowed to effect of

multiplying (?).

fall,

so

as to

The remaining

give the

flowers are

then allowed to overflow into the sunshade servante.

A

peculiar

feature

of

the

table

is

that

it

is

not

central but considerably to one side of the servante, BO

that

articles

from the drum

will

fall

into

the

below;

servante

hooks carrying the off

under cover

servantes

upon the rear edge

also

flagstaff

and

flag,

which

The ducks

of the papers.

upon the chair backs, and the

are is

two

lifted

are in box

rabbits like-

wise.

Novel Mirror Illusion Performer shows a mirror in elaborate

gilt

frame.

upon a hammer, he smashes the mirror,

Seizing

genuinely cracking Upon covering

it

over. for a second

all

it

the

mirror

is

miraculously restored.

Referring to the accompanying section drawing, will be seen that the

frame

it

upon the old   sand-

is

frame   principle.

D

mercury

containing

gully

a

is

the normal position of which

is

(quicksilver),

at the bottom of the

frame.

A B

two plain

are

mercury runs. through

A

is

between which the

a sheet of mirror seen clearly

and B.

The mirror (the

C

glasses,

is

cracked and broken from the hack,

smashed mirror appearing to occupy the frame

alone,

as

the

glasses

in

front

of

same

are

quite

invisible.

Of course, the frame

is

all

that

is

now needed

simply to turn

it

to

 restore

round, when covering

 

STAGE ILLUSIONS

69 SECTION.

it

with

a

flag,

etc.,

when

a

duplicate

perfect

is

produced in front of broken mirror by the mercury

running between the double

glasses.

The Vanishing SKetch Effect —Performer sketches a picture :

or

on a sheet of white paper, with a border it,

cartoon

all

round

then taken off and rolled up tube Now, after a few passes, the paper is un-

which

shape. rolled,

is

when the

sketch or cartoon

is

seen to have

vanished.

Secret —Procure two boards,- each of which is the size of an ordinary blackboard, and a quarter of :

an inch thick; these are now placed together in such a way that they will have a space of half an

 

STAGE ILLUSIONS

70 inch

between them; the top

front of the board has a

slit

is

in

left it

open.

The

that will allow

the small sheet of paper (B) to pass through

/

it.

 

STAGE ILLUSIONS

The board

is

now painted

71

black to give

it

the

appearance of an ordinary blackboard, one inch thick.

You now

procure a sheet of white paper, with

a black border painted

board; this

is

all

round

now placed on

it,

the size of the

the board with four

drawing pins, the top of the paper on a

level

with

the

in the board (not over

slit

You now

it).

take the piece of paper (B), which has

a black border at the top only; the white part of this slip

is

the exact size of the white centre of

the sheet of paper on the board, the black border is

the exact

also

of

size

the top border on the

paper.

The border end through the

slit

of

this

in the

paper

(B)

is

passed

front of the board,

and

out through the top. A slip of wood is now glued When dry the to the paper and left to dry. white end of the paper

is

drawn through

slit

down

over the white centre of the paper on the board.

This

is

sketches

in

with two

position

The paper then appears

pins.

The

now kept

worked

as sketch C.

as

follows:

a picture or cartoon.

When

trick

is

drawing

—Performer finished,

he

removes the four drawing pins that hold the two sheets of paper at the

bottom of the board, and

also

draws the ends of the sheets of paper up to the top

While holding them

of the board.

in this position,

he releases his hold on the sheet of paper with the sketch on.

The moment he does

this the

weight of

the slip of wood draws the sheet of paper through

the

slit

into the space between the board.

 

STAGE ILLUSIONS

72

Performer now removes the two pins that hold the large sheet of paper.

He now

removes this sheet

from the board in such a way that the audience cannot see that

it

is

a blank.

It

is

then rolled tube

shape.

After a few passes the paper

and shown each vanished.

side,

when the sketch

The blackboard

is

also

is is

opened out seen to have

shown back and

front.

 

STAGE ILLUSIONS

73

Conradi's Coin- Ladder On glass.

a nickel-plated stand hangs a ladder,

The top

also is of glass,

and

is

made

of

completed by

a metal tube, shown empty, before being put on the glass plate.

Performer, after having shown various tricks with coins, and last, but not least,   The Miser's Dream,

takes the coins from the hat

— and

A

puts this hat on top of the metal tube.

one

—

second hat

provided

also

for

borrowed

—

is

purpose,

this

Performer,

ladder.

—

preferably a borrowed

or

hung between the bottom

the

at

forks,

the

of

even one of the spectators,

throws

any desired number of

resting

on the tube, and these coins at once penetrate

the hat, glide

down the rungs

into the second hat.

way from top

in this

hat—meaning

top

After

coins

into

the

of the ladder,

all

and

hat fall

the coins have passed

—empty,

to bottom, performer shows the

the one on the top

while

the coins can be taken from the bottom one by any-

one desirous to gratify his curiosity. This,

cannot

as

be

a

finishing

excelled,

as

is

follows

:

coin

to

especially

Dream   has preceded ladder

trick

if

manipulation,

  The

The preparation

it.

—The

of thick plate-glass, the edge being

metal

strips, nickel-plated. fill

of the

rungs of the ladder are

made ever,

Miser's

The

bound with

pieces of glass, how-

their respective frames only to three-quarter

and

their space,

allows the coins to glide

this space

from one rung to the other, until they reach the hat placed at the bottom of the ladder.

But how do the ask.

In

this

you

coins penetrate the hat?

way:

—The

m'etal

tube,

shown empty just before starting the

which

trick,

will

was

has an

 

STAGE ILLUSIONS

74

into which the

inner tube,

This inner tube

hand.

performer ing the table,

is

is

coins are placed before-

concealed by the hat which

using as the bottom one.

larger

tube empty,

After show-

performer goes to the

on which the hat stands, and with

hand puts

over the inner tube

this tube

behind the hat and

up the hat with

filled

his

left.

his

right

(which

is

with the coins), and takes

These are quite natural

excite

moves, and no a m«chanism which,

suspicion.

The

inner tube

has operated by means of a

when

thread by the assistant, always allows one coin at a time to slip out.

But how

—

the one on top of the tube the

were seen to be

coins

—^again

that the top hat

it

is

is

shown empty, although

dropped into

which are placed on the right and

flags,

but are not quite as innocent One of them has hidden in

poses, look.

the back, a cache, and this cache the hat,

when the

latter is

that any- coins, thrown

are

really

finish,

left

away

at

put secretly into

is

put on top of the tube, apparently into the hat,

When,

at

the is

which effectually conceals

it.

flag,

of

Macbeth may be

following

manner.

A

cauldron,

usually represented in witch scenes, in

no doubt, they

its folds,

very pretty and cheap trick

the

filled

left of the

performer takes down the hat, the cache

The Cauldron in

as,

dropped into the cache.

again behind the

A

Two

it?

appear to be there only for decorating pur-

stand,

so

meaning

with water

and the

neath, and

lid

;

is

The

upon removing the

fire is

lid

out

such

as

is

exhibited and

three or four eggs are

placed on.

arranged

now dropped

lighted underfly either

four

 

STAGE ILLUSIONS

75

white pigeons or two ducks, as fancy and the

size of

the pot dictates.

The

secret

lies

in

which resembles the being concealed in

B

the

construction

familiar or

the

dove lid

of

pan,

proper,

the

lid,

the

ducks

A,

fitting

 

STAGE ILLUSIONS

76 indifferently fitting

and secured by a small bayonet catch and

tightly into

once the lid

is

the neck of the cauldron

put on, leaving the

when

false section

and

ducks behind.

A The

Table from a Shawl

effect to

the public

is

that the performer pro-

duces from a handkerchief a small table, which very useful for card or coin manipulations.

As

will

is

be seen from our illustration, the top

divided into three to fold quite

flat,

is

the stem being

 

STAGE ILLUSIONS hinged and fixed with a catch-bolt. slides

solid

77

The stem

also

down with its own weight, and forms a perfectly and firm stand. This locks by means of two

spring catches, which have to be pushed in again to close the table.

The Vanishing Lamp

The performer

exhibits a pretty

a tray.

The lamp

is first

lamp

alight

upon

covered with a light cloth having

a hole to allow the glass

chimney to be seen up

to the

finish.

Lifting the cloth to

exhibit the brass base,

performer picks th« lighted lamp then

it

off

the

and

the tray,

seems to melt in his hands, the covering cloth

dropping to the

A

floor.

glance at the illustration

ertain in ext xten ent, t, the should explain the method up to a certa construction of the lamp claiming our first attention.

Everyone must have seen a small drinking cup

made

in aluminium, the chief merit of which

it will

down

close

to the depth of, say, half

is

that

an inch

or so.

The base

of the

lamp

is

constructed on an exactly

similar plan, consisting of a

number

of brass rings,

The

each being graduated from the base. the rings

is

placed in the centre and the other rings

around inside the

and a piece

largest,

the

light

reservoir,

of the

lamp

fitted loosely

is

and

is

on the

a hollow rod,

top.

obtained from a small wick in the

is

inside

a

kind of brass cage into

 

78

it,

the piece of tube just mentioned, and has

oil reservoir

The

which has a bottom to

of tube soldered in the centre.

The centre support fitting into

smallest of

STAGE ILLUSIONS

WELL

TRAY

IM

CEMTRE

 

STAGE ILLUSIONS

which

fits

the glass chimney

j

79

this part

is

very fully

explained in the illustration.

The shade lace,

the

is

shape

made being

in a suitable silk, edged with

obtained

fastened to the central-ring, which

with fits

flexible

wires

loosely over the

Mollow POiT'

RlnG5

^COLLftPiE. Plug for

PILLBR TO FFT m

glass tube.

These are connected by light cords from

the ends of the wires to the

oil

reservoir

itself,

a

strong ring being soldered to the pointed end.

The tray just

lamp

is

made hollow with

a centre hole, which

allows the brass rings forming the base of the to fall inside, a slight tilt to one side allowing

 

80

STAGE ILLUSIONS BRft55 RIMG

Flexi&le ,,WIRE.S

\WITI-I ''.bins

COVER

5TR1MG5

ING flTTfiCHED

TO OIL RESOUOIR tliem,

when

collapsed, to slide out of sigM, the tray

being painted in a design calculated to disguise the fitted

is

presence of the trap; the hase of the lamp with four brass feet, which revolve inwards as soon as the weight of the

To perform the lamp, which action

lifts

is

lamp

removed.

is

the conjuror covers the

vanish,

standing over the hole,

the cloth to show that

it

is

and still

in

the

there.

After the assistant picks up the tray the lamp this

lifted;

allows the feet to revolve

is

and the base

to drop into the hole, the jerk causing the rings to

The centre rod

collapse.

and

off

the

a

tray,

now taken

is

slight

tilt

in the

hand

being given to the

tray to cause the rings to slide out of sight.

The tray cover

of

the

pocketed,

is

now

cloth

placed .upon a table, and under covering

the

lamp,

the

rod

leaving the chimney and reservoir held in

the hand, the audience being quite sure the lamp still

is

is

there.

 

STAGE ILLUSIONS

ROOT TO

REVOLVE

81

GuftSS CHIMMEY.

#|0ilRE50VO(R

'RiMO

A

strong pull

now attached

is

shape drawn up

the

strings attached

the

coat

to

the ring,

along the

from the reservoir

and

back,

the

to the ends of the

preventing them projecting and catching the

wires

'

cloth.

The An

Latest Spirit Picture with a number of electric lights

easel fitted

shown

;

stood

in

then the canvas front

the

of

to

taken out of the frame and

easel.

The medium walks

and stands behind the back

around the frame, easel

is

is lifted,

and fastened on the

into a trance (?) to

A

member

and goes

of the audience requests

be painted on the canvas,

F  

82

medium

easel,

seats himself into a comfortable easy chair,

rose

of

prove absence of mirrors.

Canvas

a

is

STAGE ILLUSIONS

when,

almost

 

STAGE ILLUSIONS immediately, the picture appears. are fitted in the frame

tric lights

canvas seen

is

83

The reason is

this

:

elec-

when the

stood on the floor, the assistant cannot be

rising

by means of

sliding

trap,

since

he

is

covered with a dark velvet bag of the same colour as

background.

assistant, is

The

who should b©

painting a good

is

artisit;

the instrument used. of

done

by

the

an aerograph

The blazing urns hide the

Those

of

my

in Puzzles

noise

readers v^ho are interested

and

Jolies should send for a

copy of   Gamagic.

This booK

post free anyvirhere.

 

84

the aerograph.

STAGE ILLUSIONS

is

sent

 

STAGE ILLUSIONS

An

85

Inexhaustible Coffee Pot

produced from an Empty Table The performer throws a large silk cloth over an empty table, when on removing same a monster pot containing coffee table.

Assistant

is

seen standing in the centre of the

comes forward with

a large tray

containing a number of cups; these are

handed to members of the audience. haustible

filled,

This

then inex-

coffee

The pot

is

pot can

made

fill

about 200 cups

in two sections,

if

necessary.

the top fitting

bottom half; when closed the false top is and covered, thus hiding the pot. A filled

into the lifted

urn

coffee

which

is

is fitted

underneath

standing

the

stage,

to

a rubber tube with a ball centre, con-

necting the coffee pot (see diagram).

under the stage

fills

the

pot by

An

assistant

working the ball

pump.

Materializing a Table During the course of

his entertainment

the per-

former takes a handsome metal bowl of flowers from a table, and, while he

is

indulging the audience with

some appropriate patter and throwing a few of the flowers to the ladies, his assistant clears away the After finishing his remarks table on which it stood.

the performer turns to replace the bowl and finds the table gone; he calls to his assistant, but can get no

answer.

Showing oomic anger he turns

bowl elsewhere, but everything

is

full

to place the

up.

With

a

sis stant, he says he few choice remarks regarding his assi

has got to get a table from somewhere; for a second

 

STAGE ILLUSIONS

86

or two he steps on one side, and behold, the bowl onoe more stands on its table (see sketches).

For

this trick

two tables

of identical

appearance

one of ordinary construction, and the

are required,

other

made up

table

has

massive,

a

as

shown

circular

in Fig.

wood

of drawings.

1

decorated

base,

from which springs a

series

of

to

This look

four tubes.

 

STAGE ILLUSIONS

87

each one telescoping into the other. The uppermost tube has a circular metal cap A, about two inches in diameter, to which are attached with spring hinges six or

as

eight umbrella wires, covered with thin cloth

shown on the plan of table

metal cap strips

of

A

is

In addition, the

top.

provided with three or four vertical

metal,

the

purpose

of

which

will

be

explained.

A

long spring runs through the whole of the four

sections of the table

and the bowl,

as

shown on draw-

The bowl

ing.

should be very lightly made,

itself

having in the centre a tube B, slightly larger than the diameter of the cap A.

This tube projects above

the edge of the bowl, as it

is

advisable that the bowl

make

should look as small as possible to

more mystifying, but

it

the

trick

can be hidden by the flowers,

having a holder for stem fixed to the top.

To prepare for the trick the table is telescoped, beginning by folding down the umbrella top and then pushing in the sections until the whole in height to the base

and

first

is

only equal

tube section.

then be found that the table will

fit

It will

closely into the

bowl, the stem and top going up intc the tube B,

and the base into the foot strips of metal

D

A

on cap right

bowl.

of the

The guide

are designed to prevent

away from the bowl when

the table coming released; these will have to go through slots in top of

tube B.

Two

small catches on edge of bowl will

hold table inside, until appearance is desired. A strong spiral spring is not necessary, as the table will drop

by

required to start

its it,

This

from jamming.

own weight; but something

is

and prevent the umbrella top is

a matter for experiment.

 

STAGE ILLUSIONS

88

sections

fit

should The four tube made loose, provision must be made at the top of

when

first

fairly close

j

if

for a spring stop

three sections to ensure rigidity

out.

Telescoped in the bowl, the table has the appear-

ance of Fig. 2 in the drawings. base

is

to

Th«

clip

C

in the

accommodate the tube B, while allowing

the base to appear quite substantial and bulky from the audience point of view.

The

table stem

and base should be enamelled black

and picked out with gold cealing section

when out

This

is

larger than

owing to the apparent

concealing such

impossibility of

practically

itself

the base of the bowl.

will least suspect that it

has been loaded into bowl,

bowl

thus con-

from drawings that the table

where the audience

is

relief,

joints.

It will be observed

top

and

lines

throws

large

a

its

stem of the table only, so there

The

area.

weight on to the will

be very

little

pressure on the umbrella wires, certainly not enough to

depress

them

the springs are substantia^l.

if

The Complete Apparatus

for

any TrlcK

explained In this book can be obtained

from A. W.

—

GAMAGE,

Ltd.,

Holborn, London, E.C.

—

 

STAGE ILLUSIONS

89

NUMBER OF A BOX ESCAPES EXPLAINED A

constantly recurring feature of an illusionist's

programme assistant

locked,

public

the

mysterious

successfully

corded will

especially

and

is

if

escapes,

and almost sewn

always cordially it

investigate

box

is

from

although in.

which

an

securely

The general

respond to this

effect,

permitted to thoroughly inspect the box before the perfiormanoe,

this latter privilege accounting largely for the

larity of

box escapes, making

as it does

the mental acumen of the audience. a good

box

illusions, it

ceal

an appeal to

This

many

trick has a pull over

popu-

is

where

other escape

being quite possible to so effectually con-

that section of the box which

is

to

open that

the smartest professionals can freely examine every

part and yet be baffled, although they the

escape

must be

undergo the ordeal of such yield

their

Few

effected.

know where illusions

and not

close inspection

secret.

The mystery

of most box tricks

the secret panel, the Pyramids

is

the mystery of

a deception that probably precedes

—certainly

the priests of the old Nile

must have found such devices of material whilst hoodwinking the populace with

ritual.

can

In the Middle Ages the

a kind of domestic adjunct,

house will testify,

and even

cleverly constructed

assistance

their fantastic

secret panel

became

many an old manor now there are some so

as

that they remain undiscovered.

In modern days, lacking the necessity for frustrating relentless and lawless enemies, man has found an outlet for such ingenuity in

box

tricks

and kindred

illusions.

 

STAGE ILLUSIONS

90

with the

two illustrations are concerned The   £500 box trick, which received the magnificent advertisement of passing through four courts of law first

and occupying the attention

of

seventy-four

special

jurymen, two High Court judges, and eight Lords of Appeal, before a well-known London magician could be induced to part with a costs

were of exhorting so

readers

can easily guess.

sum of £500. What the much judicial wisdom our

The

case

is

well

known

many

to

magicians,

but

for the benefit of others I here give a brief recapitu-

up

lation of the events that led legal

A

proceedings.

famous London magician

number of

to such prodigious

of years

for

had exploited a box

a

trick, the secret

which apparently defied detection.

was he of

its

considerable

So confident

inviolability (and erstwhile with

an eye

on a good advertisement) that he offered £500 for an exact imitation of the box.

For a number

of years

 

STAGE ILLUSIONS

many smart gentlemen

91

but failed to obtain the award, but in 1897 three bold and confident men tried,

invited inspection of a box that they were sure hit

the right thing at last,

and claimed the £500.

challenger

inspect

refused

repudiated the

to

the

apparatus

The and

whole business.

Then the three bold men invoked the

aid of the

law in support of their claim, and the case was taken into

jury

At the first attempt the London magician refusing to

the Queen's Bench. disagreed,

the

accept

a

verdict by

claimants

won,

as

Appeal

not

content,

;

approached the

they

did

also

a

the

in

House

him   nay.

the

re-trial

London

the

final court, the

great judges said

five

On

majority.

Court of magician

and

of Lords,

If he could

have

taken his case further, no doubt he would have done

but he had to be content with the

so;

last decision,

and probably afterwards meditated on the of

human self-confidence. So much for the history

of the case.

fallibility

The

follow-

ing description, with the aid of the diagrams, gives

an explanation of the modus operandi according to the claimants, whose box differs in minor details, but

not in essentials, from the one that carried the reward.

As

will

sketch, one

be noted from the details in the second

end of the box

is

a movable panel,

inwards when released. simply peculiar and   brilliant,

to

fall

marble is

A

and the pivots

tendency of these springs its

of the box.

rest is

to

of

is

a

The panel

on springs E.

The

keep the panel up,

top edge into a groove in the top frame

Now,

if

these springs alone constituted

 

92

release

consisting

running in a concealed channel.

pivoted

forcing

The

made

STAGE ILLUSIONS

tflarble

R

vV

bein

,,-rrTT3C7^

/dcx

u

tfer marOe ^hoion MthcuJ'cover: /i

-tlhftect

tf)fh

C/»

.

an observant examiner of the box would soon discover that the panel was movable and that

the secret,

it

had only

to

be

pushed

down

clear

of

top

the

 

STAGE ILLUSIONS groove to be pulled inwards on

its

93 pivots.

marble entirely stops such a proceeding, for possible

sphere

to lays

move the in

the

secret

panel

while

channel

below

it,

and

floor,

that

ordinary position of the box on the the

marble would

lay.

A

glance

at the

however, will disclose the fact that there channel, a short one

marked

C,

But the it is

the

little

in is

im-

the.

where

drawings, is

another

and when the box

is

a certain way the marble rolls into C. Fig. 3 shows the manner of tipping. First the box tipped

ill

(containing the assistant) into

tipped to run the marble

is

the junction of the two

dropped on end,

side ap.d

its

marble in the bottom of

C

as

concealed assistant then pulls

B

finger holes

(see Fig.

then

is

ion

top,

shown in Fig.

and

the

4.

The

down the panel by the

makes short work of the

2),

lacings of the canvas cover,

again, relaoes the cover

it

pulled up on to the other

moving panel

the

leaving

channels;

gets out, pulls panel to

and disappears conveniently,

leaving the demonstrator to replace the box in such

a

marble

that the

position

rolls

under

Of course the box, when opened, empty but exactly the same as when

again.

examined, and the

first

defies

the is

panel

not only

previously

attempts to find the exit.

In

drawing chains are shown instead of webbing

supporting the lid; the intention of this is to drown the noise of the rolling marble by rattling for

when tte box

is

handled, but rubber lined channels

would be equally that this

is

It cannot be gainsaid

efficient.

an ingenious box, and until the three

gentlemen brought forward their

no one got anywhere near

it

:'iccessful solution,

in

ail

the

previous

years.

 

STAGE ILLUSIONS

94

The The next three clever

box

one end panel escape.

—

trick

is

Crystal Chest

illustrations are sketches of another

^the

—in

Crystal Chest

removed

to enable the

This particular box

is

which again assistant to

panelled with glass,

and the last

assistant can be seen inside almost until the

On

moment.

examination, nothing can be

covered that

is

secret one

a''.d immovable

is

dis-

suspicious about the end panels; the

when

shut,

and could

not possibly be opened with the naked hands.

 

STAGE ILLUSIONS

On

method

at the revealed.

looking is

95

drawings the assistant takes a small

second of the

The

screw-driver into the box with her; after being laced into a canvas cover, the chest

is

tipped on one end,

with the secret panel on top, and, of course, placed in a cabinet with the blinds drawn. With the aid of the screw-driver,

which she

inserts in a small open-

ing in the top edge of the inner panelling, the girl levers

up a centre

catch.

of a rod concealed in the

This catch

framework

is

actually part

of the box,

and

I

•

'

Mii panel ffcm.

UnlMitw canfoi frem

fi-imk:

on each end of the rod

When

springs.

she also

lifts

the

is

a fixed catch bearing

captive

the

lifts

centre

inside

on

catch,

the two end ones as well, thus releas-

ing the panel, which is now only secured by two small pegs on the bottom edge, which drop into the

The panel naturally drops inwards, and is no trouble to remove, leaving a clear way for To replace the girl to unlace the cover and escape. floor of the box.

the panel

it is

only necessary to pull

it

up

pegs drop into their holes, and then draw a trap-door

until the it

by placing the thumbs through two

to like of the

 

96 air holes.

STAGE ILLUSIONS

The catch

bar, being

on springs, snaps the

latches into their sockets in the panel,

^S^n^l

_^lrc„

and the box

If^-t

rvonr View of 6ret 'Pane^ Shouji. ^

ConceWa:' nifcfumigm.

•

//////////////'^Trr

Ttillmcj

bacH fianel

Qfftr ejcape

stands

before,

as

audience

laoed

in

when

and, its

canvas

finally

cover,

shown has

no appearance of being tampered with.

to

the

absolutely

 

STAGE ILLUSIONS

97

The lady afterwards appears from another part There is no difficulty in making a change act of it, if desired, by having another girl or a man get into the box after it is opened. The first occu-

of the hall.

pant then laoes

up again before disappearing, and on the box being unlocked the audience is amazed at what has tranjspired, especially if the box is it

barely large enough to accommodate one person.

good box

this,

easy to escape from,

out of order. The next box trick

and not

A

likely

to get

has

a

somewhat

different

motif.

The East

West Mystery

to

  East to West Mystery, audience,

when shown

to

the

appears to be a strong travelling trunk,

clamped at the corners with metal angle-pieces

well

bossed

up.

The

interior

and at intervals

lined,

is

has strengthening battens screwed to the body of the

box

there

;

will

nothing unusual in this inside appear-

no projections or

ance,

able

is

strength fail

may be

irregularities,

used,

down and

the knots

any part

of the con-

The trunk having been most thoroughly

examined, an assistant steps fastened

and yet the examiner

to detect looseness in

struction.

and consider-

may

locked.

be sealed.

in,

and the

lid is securely

The box is corded, and The trunk is now con-

cealed for a minute in the usual cabinet, with curtains

drawn, and, on re-opening, disappearance or change has taken place,

leaving the trunk

scathed, the rope untied

An secret.

and the

seals intact.

examination of the drawings will reveal the

The reader

will see that this particular

G

 

98

apparently un-

STAGE ILLUSIONS

box

&nter

Chme&

£3^1 r

Lttcty

 

STAGE ILLUSIONS has

negotiable panel at the back, that the panel not actually remove or hinge doorwise, but

its

does

slides in

top and bottom grooves opening far enough

to allow a person

The

the trunk. little

alike. is

99

 open sesame

While

one ordinary all

this screw is in position the back panel

from the attacks

moment the

is

one amongst so many with heads

screw,

secure

room to comfortably escape from

of

the curious, but the

assistant inside has

removed

it

with the

help of a concealed screw-driver, he or she has only to use the left-hand back batten as a handle to force

open the panel, leaving a clear opening for escape.

The diagrams a It

neat, is

will

disclose

to the appreciative

and workmanlike device

effective,

what

this

is.

the centre portion of the back of the box that

moves, carrying with

the end post of the frame,

it

including the top and bottom bosses and the angle

When

clamps.

shut

to,

the large bosses effectually

conceal the mitred joints, and, of course, the returns

the

of

clamps

have

Looking from the

inside,

screws and

three centre

Now

sham screws on the the left-hand

outside.

batten

has

one each top and bottom.

the top and bottom screws only penetrate the

batten,

whereas the three centre ones

back panel, so that this batten

is

fix

it

to the

independent of the

the contrary, the right-hand On fixed top and bottom to the box

frame of the trunk. batten

is

really

frame, but two of the centre screws stop before they reach the panel, the other screw actually holding the

panel to

batten.

the

removed there

is

Therefore,

if

the

screw

is

nothing to prevent the panel from

sliding in its channels, carrying the left-hand batten

with

it,

but

leaving

the

right-hand

one

behind

 

100

STAGE ILLUSIONS

attached to the box frame. When the two battens meet, an aperture has been left sufficient to pass the

body of a man. interferes

The cording of the box in no way with exit or with the movements of the

panel.

This box

is

more adapted

to a change act

than a

simple disappearance, for the obvious reason that the audience

is

to examine the

if

box after the per-

formance (not necessarily, of course), the secret screw

 

STAGE ILLUSIONS should be replaced.

man, or

vice versa,

a girl takes the place of

If

he or she can

screw before the trunk

The   East

to

dressing the act.

could

an

first

effect

is

An

easily replace the

is

a suggestion for

assistant garbed as an Oriental

enter, giving

way

to a typical English girl,

appropriate to a trunk of P.

last

a

opened.

West Mystery  

The Escape The

101

box trick in

&

O. appear-

of Cinderella this series

may be

described

  The Escape of Cinderella.

as

latest

word

effect.

This

is

quite the

and remarkable

in this fo:^m of illusion,

and beautiful in

a glass-lined trunk

is

There have been others, but nothing

illusion.

so

It

so

baflBing,

like

smoothly working, or so innocent in

appearance.

The performer submits a

strong,

ing trunk for inspection, which

is

important-looklined completely

with the usual material used for the purpose, and is

it

important to notice that this lining discloses no

sign of a break from the lip of the box to the floor;

there

is

binding,

pleating,

or

other

Clear sheets of plain glass are

ruse.

the floor

four

no first

sides,

now taken

this

the

glass

dropping

into

the

grooved

—an

method of keeping the

point

up,

being completely covered and then the

fixed into the corners of the tijunk

natural

deceptive

glass

fillets

obvious and

upright.

At

box can again be inspected before

  Cinderella   steps

in.

When

the damsel

fortably ensconced, the final sheet of glass

is

is

com-

placed

over her head, leaving her completely walled in with crystal.

The box

is

shut and locked, roped and sealed

 

102

STAGE ILLUSIONS

View of

Qox

ahowinq lady unde*' (of Plore of Box

yet the lady gets clear

to taste

;

the box

is

opened

it is

all right,

and when

seen that the six sheets of glass

occupy their respective positions as before,

and can

only be taken out in the way they were put in,

i.e.,

from the top.

The

first illustration

gives an idea of the appear-

ance of the trunk before and after the lady's escape,

and the small plan is fitted in.

of the

box shows how the glass

Turning to the

last set of

diagrams the

 

STAGE ILLUSIONS

103

secret will at onoe

be disclosed, the top sketch disclosing the manner in which the hidden door opens. The

greater part of one end of the trunk opens inwards

from the bottom, taking with

it

the two end panels

with their centre bar and handles, but not the corner posts of the box or the top and bottom rails. The inside lining of the

box where

it crosses

the joint

B

forms a cloth hinge, so that when shut the interior

PLffN OF

shows

no

hidden.

eoK

projections

cflaan

uf'itff

and the

joint

end on the

completely

the flap covers the whole of one

inside,

and the two particular grooved

at that end are attached to

the glass

is

Although on the outside the corner posts

are left standing,

fillets

ntted

•

C

is

inserted, flap, glass,

it

and

so that fillets

be lifted together (see plan of corner of box). fillets

hide

any

joint

that

might

when

can

all

These

otherwise

be

apparent. in

The catch A, which is not so prominent as shown the sketch, and actually only appears to be a ruck

 

104

STAGE ILLUSIONS

*--^

PI

\

HaMla

Press

Lona

5f>rinq farch'fl Poverfi^ 6y iininq tvhicn

o

rn

liftb

loith.banfl

dediori Ibrouqli jecre t

.

|)anel

(\\m

Plan of Corner in the bottom lining, consists of a long of steel,

bowed spring

which holds back the bottom edge of the

flap.

In order to

release

herself,

the prisoner

in

the

trunk presses down the centre of the catch A, and the ends of the spring being held loose by two staples

 

STAGE ILLUSIONS (see

small sketch),

be pulled over

The

rest

is

it

lies

flat,

105

enabling the flap to

it.

simple; the lady escapes through the

aperture and pulls the door to after her.

bottom edge

is

bevelled

it

As

its

readily passes' the spring

catch and immediately becomes

all

secure.

Original Flying Handkerchiefs Illusion

'Invented by Collins and Bhbtma.

Standing on the stage

is

nickel-plated tripod

a

supporting a handsome picture frame similar in design

by our

to that illustrated

Having performed

artist.

some trick in which a number of

handkerchiefs

silk

are em emp ploy loyed, ed, per perfor former mer selects say half

them and arranges them ing the centre of pillar. stage,

a dozen

of

tastefully over the rod cross-

Retiring to opposite side of

artiste takes careful

aim at the foulards with

whereupon they are instantly transported

his pistol,

from the cross-bar to the frame above

it

and reveal

themselves in precisely the same order of colour as

them on the arm below.

assigned to

a

The

top

of

sort

of

box-like

the

two extra pieces but whilst

A

is

A

frame

receptacle

and

C

designed

is

(see

to

form

by

the adding right-hand sketch),

permanently fixed in

its

position,

C,

on the other hand, works on two spring hinges which allow

it to

pleasure, tion.

form either the bottom or back of fake at

the back,

however, being

Six handkerchiefs

its

(duplicates

of

normal

posi-

those to

be

 

STAGE ILLUSIONS

106

vanished from the arm below frame) are concealed in this receptacle, and the flap C, after being folded

round

to

by means

form a bottom to fake, of

a lever catch

is

kept in position

at right-hand

side.

To

How frame + J/und arf nmdc

--,

ensure the silks falling

when the

flap

is

released,

a

few small shot are sewn into one corner of each of

them and the opposite corner attached

to inside top

of fake.

The evanishment

of

the handkerchiefs

what more complicated than

is

some-

The

their reproduction.

 

STAGE ILLUSIONS portion of

pillar

below cross-bar

107 hollow,

is

and

is

traversed by a metal plug connected with bottom of

tube by a powerful spiral spring.

This spring

is

kept extended by means of a very small lever catch fixed

on outside of

thread attached to

pillar it.

and released by pulling a

To a ring on the plug

is

attached a flexible wire cable of the cycle-brake order, the wires of which prong-like

branch

oflf

manner and extend

right

to the

of the cross-bar, which, in its turn,

tube.

To each

and

left

in

a

two extremities is

but a hollow

of these wires three catgut loops are

fastened at regular intervals for the purpose of receiv-

ing the handkerchiefs, which loops pass through holes in the rear side of bar of sufficient size to enable the

handkerchiefs to pass easily through them.

The vanish

of the handkerchiefs and their subse-

quent reproduction are actuated by one release, and will last

diagram,

be easily comprehended by studying our which shows a back view of the apparatus.

thread attached to lever catch holding the flap

The

O

of

frame passes immediately through a small eyelet on right side, over the small pulley wheels on lower side of

frame,

down

marked A, over

centre

pillar,

out

again

at

point

cross-bar to lever catch supporting

plug, through two eyelets,

and terminates

in a small

foot lever fixed just above one of the feet of tripod.

A

downward pressure on the

latter

with the

foot

causes the lever catch to be withdrawn from plug and

the other catch to release the flap of frame. To facilitate the withdrawing of the vanished

handkerchiefs and the the cross-bar

is

re-faking

of

apparatus,

constructed in two pieces, one side

(the front) being fastened

by means of a pin hinge.

 

108

the

STAGE ILLUSIONS

Gf

Gut' /oa/TS

Dicufrcxm ^houiln^ handlferohief fjuH mitiJIe

in.

tube,

Gocfr op frame and •stimcC ^hcuiiit^ diivctiDn op Pull tHrauqhouK

This arrangement enables the tube to open as shown in sketch.

 

STAGE ILLUSIONS

The Gambler's Bride

109

Illusion

Invented by Collins and Bretma.

For the purpose of

this

illusion,

performer

is

provided with a pack o^ giant playing cards about

which are freely exhibited to prove the absence of any special preparation. After being

six feet high,

stac st acke ked d toge togeth ther er they are openly dropped into a large glass

cabinet of sufficient size to just receive them,

and by means of chains lowered apparatus

is

from

above

the

pulled clear of the stage to the height

of about seven feet,

and

set rapidly revolving

round

Now,

and round.

although

the

cabinet is

quite

isolated in mid-air, the cards suddenly disappear

and

leave in their stead a lady attired as a court card.

The main

secret of the trick lies in the construc-

tion of the cabinet into which the cards are placed.

The base

of kept closed

The

as a trap,

this

opens downwards and by means of a bolt on the under side.

framework

top

is

conceals

around which are coiled a

like

four

spring

number

rollers,

of silk blinds,

the front one painted as a card face (say seven of hearts), the rear

one

as the

back of a card, and the

two side blinds made to represent the edges of the pack

by

intervals.

painting

perpendicular

The lower ends

lines

at

regular

of these blinds are fastened

an oblong steel rod frame having a metal step projecting outwards from the centre of each side, which engage, when blinds are drawn, in the lever catches

to

KK,

Fig.

'3,

concealed in lower framework of glass

cabinet.

Pour small hooks projecting inwards from

this rod

frame support a shallow metal tray designed

to prevent cards

from becoming unstacked when being

 

110

STAGE ILLUSIONS

dropped into cabinet, which tray is effectually concealed by the ornajnentation on top of case. Now for the working.

Glass all

sides

into

after

exhibited,

is

trap,

large

having

wheeled

immediately

position

stage

the

cabinet,

and

performer

dropped

cards

over

visibly

inside and the lid replaced. cards,

on

being

put

has

in

The at

the

 

STAGE ILLUSIONS fop

of

and

with

the it

case,

the

naturally four

press

spring

111

down

blinds

as

the in

tray,

Fig.

1,

fl'»i^

CLfter

ymets drawn

which shows a back view. the rod frame

is

On

securely held

reaching the bottom,

by

lever catches

KK,

the appearance of trick now being shown in Fig.

4.

 

112

STAGE ILLUSIONS

Whilst pyerformer and his assistant busy themselves with hooking the elevating chains on to the cabinet, lady

below

stage

is

equally

busy

lowering

cards

through trap and then herself occupying the space vacated by the pack.

11^

O

All being ready, the cabinet

[ththod of releasing

J^etck Iflinds

of-

fn/ch.ff-

Fig 4- -^Ketch Uinds dramn

.Ihtiuiino

an£i

tea.

pulled clear of the stage and set rapidly revolving by performer. On hearing pistol shot, lady is

release forward with her foot, fly

pulls

causing the blinds to

up and leave her revealed in their stead. The inside top of cabinet should have a ring or

strap in the centre for lady to hold, to prevent her

from swaying.

 

Wliff>t; {ii}i.\