6. RISING CARDS OUT OF A HAT

This experiment is similar in operation to the effect just described, but the effect is somewhat different.

EFFECT:

Three cards are selected by spectators, returned to pack, and shuffled in. Pack is then dropped into an empty hat. Mysteriously, one by one, the selected cards rise up out of the hat.

PARAPHERNALIA:

1 -- Two decks of cards.

2 -- Specially prepared hat.

3 -- Fine black silk thread.

MODUS OPERANDI:

(Method of Working) To Prepare:

Have tin card case made, as in Figure 18. Place this case inside of hat between lining and sweat band on one side. Be sure that opening of case is far enough down beyond edge of hat so that it cannot be seen. Place hat with prepared side straight toward audience. Figure 37.

Select three cards, duplicates of which you are going to force, and thread them between four indifferent cards, as previously explained. Insert cards in the tin case in hat. Draw thread over top edge of case, across inside crown of hat, and through other side of hat. Figure 38, next page.

Pass thread through a staple on floor and off stage to an assistant, or make an arrangement for yourself to control the thread.

To Perform:

FORCE three cards, have them returned to pack and shuffled in.

Pick up hat with fingers over brim at point where case is inserted, thus concealing the arrangement. Show hat empty. Figure 39.

Replace hat on table, opening upward and prepared side squarely in front of audience. Drop the pack of cards into the hat.

Have the thread pulled and the selected cards will each rise in turn, apparently right out of the hat from the deck that was dropped there. Figure 40.

Remove each card after it has risen.

You may adapt the Patter which you have written for the previous effect to this one. Or you may write new Patter particularly suited to this experiment.

Remember in writing Patter to put a comedy touch in. This always helps to put the effect over big.

LESSON 20

This lesson marks another milestone in your progress toward becoming a Real Magician. In it you will find invaluable instruction in the Psychology of Successful Magic and material on the Arranging of Programs which will prove to be tremendously helpful.

I also give you two snappy effects, for which I send you the PARAPHERNALIA:

1 -- Magician shows his wand to be solid. He wraps it in a piece of newspaper and gives it to a spectator to hold. Performer suddenly takes wand, tears paper in which it is wrapped into a number of pieces, and the wand has vanished. It is then produced from the coat pocket.

2 -- King Solomon's Wedding Bands. A comedy experiment, showing how this wise man successfully selected a thousand wives.

We are leaving Card Magic for a while to take up some different angles of Magic. There are more wonderful Card Effects planned for you throughout the course which you will come to later on.

Tarbell System, Inc. Chicago.