BY HERBERT DE CASTON. HERBERT DE CASTON. HERBERT DE CASTON. BEING A COLLECTION OF ENTIRELY NEW IDEAS AND EFFECTS IN THE FASCINATING ART OF MODERN MAGIC. BY HERBERT DE CASTON ASSISTED BY The Leading South African Magicians. COPYRIGHT 1910. ( Entered at Stationers' Hall. ) HAMLEY BROTHERS, LIMITED, LONDON. BRADBURY, AGNEW, & CO. LD., PRINTERS, LONDON AND TONBRIDGE....

Ladies and Gentlemen , In calling your attention to a deceptive entertainment, Legerdemain, more generally known as Conjuring, a few introductory remarks may not be out of place. The superstition that existed in the early ages, when wizards and magicians were supposed to exist, time has not worn out; the mystery that hangs over all professors of magic is still in part retained. Many there are who class them amongst supernatural beings, their seeming impossibilities are converted into positive re

Effect. —A pack of unprepared cards is shuffled by any member of the audience and handed to the performer, who requests one of the spectators to secretly note a card by simply raising a portion of the pack whilst held in the hand of the performer, who turns his head away whilst this is being done. The cards are again shuffled, and the performer instantly names the selected card. Modus Operandi. —After the cards have been thoroughly examined and shuffled by the spectators the performer takes the

Effect. —A pack of cards is spread face downwards upon the table, and one of the audience is requested to choose five cards and hand the same to the performer, who arranges the cards fan-shape in his hand. The spectator is now asked to name any one of the five cards, after which the performer drops the cards face upwards upon the table, and, to the astonishment of the audience, the named card has entirely vanished, four cards only being visible. These cards are now turned face downwards and mixe

Effect. —Several cards having been selected and marked by the audience are returned to the pack, which is thoroughly shuffled. The cards rise from the pack whilst held in the performer's hand, and when two-thirds of the card is visible. The performer requests the spectator to remove his card himself, which he does, the card being drawn out from about the centre of the pack. The remaining cards are produced in a like manner, the effect being quite weird. Modus Operandi. —For the purpose of this m

AN ENTIRELY NEW CARD EFFECT. A pack of cards having been shuffled, the performer deals about fifteen cards one by one face upwards upon the table, remarking, "You will observe that the cards are thoroughly mixed." During this action (which is the whole secret of this experiment) the performer secretly notes the fifth card from the top of the pack, and when gathering up the cards takes care that the noted card is left in its original position. He now makes four heaps of cards (faces down and abou

Effect. —Three white handkerchiefs are borrowed, a coloured one being added to them (this being performer's own), and placed in a box; an umbrella is shown, replaced in its case, and a change is commanded to take place. The box is opened, and in place of the four handkerchiefs is the umbrella cover, and upon opening the umbrella case the umbrella is found minus the cover and the four handkerchiefs attached to its ribs. The handkerchiefs are removed and laid on a table, the umbrella being returne

Effect. —An egg is produced and wrapped in a handkerchief, which is then placed over a chair back. A glass casket is next shown to be empty and a piece of tape tied round same by a member of the audience. The casket is suspended from a stand and covered with a borrowed handkerchief. A Union Jack flag is produced and changes into an egg. The casket is uncovered, and flag seen within. Handkerchief removed from chair back, opened out, and egg has disappeared. You will require :—A glass casket for h

By W. G. Malvern, Coin and Card Manipulator . The requirements for this excellent trick are as follows:—A glass gas chimney, four silk handkerchiefs—one red, one blue, and two white. A small fêke —consisting of a brass tube about two inches long and just large enough to slip over the forefinger of the right hand. There must be soldered at the top of the fêke on the outside, a piece of wire forming a small hook. The fêke should, for obvious reasons, be covered with flesh-coloured silk. A sheet of

By J. Hempstead, Magician. The coin trick I am about to describe is most suitable for performing in a room, and has the advantage of being easily mastered by anybody after five minutes' practice. This sleight has perplexed many of the world's leading magicians, amongst whom may be mentioned Mr. Horace Goldin. The effect of the trick is as follows:—The performer rolls up his right sleeve to the elbow, and then sits down at a table. One of the spectators is requested to sit down opposite him, and

By T. Hayes, Conjurer and Illusionist. Effect. —Appear with wand in hand, and after usual introductory patter lay wand on table and pick up a piece of white tissue paper—size, say, 6 by 4 inches. Roll this up into a ball and place on the palm of the left hand; then, shaking it to and fro, it gradually assumes the form of an egg. Lay this on the table while you light a candle (ready in candlestick); pick up the egg again and hold it over the candle to harden it. In a minute show the egg and have

Boxes of Conjuring Tricks , 1/3, 2/9, 5/10, 11/-, 15/8, post free. Larger sizes, 21/-, 30/-, 42/-, 63/- to 10 guineas. Cabinets of Card Tricks , 2/9, 5/10, 10/11, 21/9, post free. Larger sizes, 42/- and 63/-, carriage on receipt. Boxes of Puzzles , 2/9, 5/10, 10/11, 21/9, post free. Superb Cabinet, 63/-, carriage on receipt. Boxes of Assorted Wire Puzzles , price 6d., post free 8d. Large size, 1/-, post free 1/3. Cabinet of Coin Tricks , containing eight tricks, 6/3, post free. Cabinet of Amusin

In which is merged BLAND'S MAGICAL PALACE. We have actually IN STOCK thousands of splendid tricks which can be easily, but deceptively, shown immediately on purchasing, after merely having read the clear and explicit instructions which are included with each trick. Prices from 4d. to £25. All tricks described in this book can be obtained at Hamley Bros., Ltd. Ventriloquial Dolls and Heads of every description. Punch and Judy Shows and Figures from 5/6 to 6 guineas. "Make-Up" of every description