PREFACE
The title of this little brochure indicates its contents. Simple Tricks and simple tricks only. No apparatus is required and but little sleight-of-hand is needed in the performance of any of them. They consist of a series of tricks and problems, easily acquired, suitable for gatherings round the table on winter evenings. Some of them are new and many are old; but even the oldest are new to the rising generation. For six of the latest tricks,—“[A Hindoo Swindle],” “[The Elusive Match],” “[A Subtle Impromptu Effect with a Coin],” “[A Novel Card Effect],” “[An Artful Card Force],” and “[Another Easy Card Force],”—I am indebted to my friend Mr. F. Walford Perry, a thoroughly up-to-date and original young conjurer. As I have already said, I have included no tricks which require the exercise of much sleight-of-hand; but even the most simple trick should be thoroughly practised before you present it to your friends, especially those tricks which require the assistance of a confederate. Rehearse everything with him thoroughly beforehand. Even your “patter” should be rehearsed. But endeavour to lead your audience to believe that, like “Mr. Wemmick’s” marriage, it is all impromptu. He said, “Hello! here’s a church. Let’s have a wedding.” You say, “Hand me that serviette ring and I’ll show you 6 a trick.” If, when the contents of this little volume have been thoroughly digested, my readers desire to make a study of more advanced legerdemain, I recommend my Conjuring Up to Date, Card Tricks with and without Apparatus, and Latest Sleights and Illusions to their notice.
For tricks which require apparatus my readers cannot do better than to send to Messrs. Hamley Bros., Ltd., 35, New Oxford Street, or one of their branches, for their Magical Catalogue.
The Daily Telegraph, in a recent article on “Magic Fifty Years Ago,” used these words: “Hamleys’ were then, as they are now, the premier manufacturers of magical apparatus.” A statement which I cordially endorse. The apparatus sold by Messrs. Hamley Bros. is invariably reliable.
In conclusion I beg to offer my readers the following advice:—
Never state the nature of the trick you are about to perform.
Make it a rule never to repeat a trick the same evening unless you have acquired a different way of showing it. In fact, it is advisable to learn several methods of presenting the same trick.
Talk as much as possible and make your “patter” lively, but do not try to be funny unless you are naturally humorous; and, above all, avoid allusions to politics, religion, or any subject about which there may be a diversity of opinion among your audience.
Hercat.