Modern Card Effects and How To Perform Them: Previous

MODERN CARD EFFECTS and How to
Perform Them
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Rising Cards in Audience

The Avaricious Spider
Modern Relocation
The Ghosts of the Cards
R I S I N G C A R D S I N A U D I E N C E

There are main variations of the rising card, but the majority of
them require the aid of some apparatus in which to place the
cards, the use of wax, threads, and in nearly all cases, the
forcing of duplicates.
The following is an entire departure from the regular routine,

and while not practical for parlor use, will be found entirely
dependable on other occasions, especially when working
under artificial light.
An ordinary deck is used, which is handed to various parties

for a free selection of cards; these cards can be marked, if so
desired; the cards are placed back in the pack by the selectors
themselves and caused to rise while the pack is held in the
hand, and while standing in their midst.
The principle employed is the same as in most other methods;

the threading of one card over and the other under an article
that is invisible to the audience, so that upon a tightening of
this article the card under same will be forced out of the pack.
Thread would be visible, and a hair is not of sufficient strength
for this experiment, but if you will take a gut string, termed a
"Banjo First Gut," unwinding it and using one of the gut fibers,
you are provided with your invisible hoisting apparatus.
Take the cat-gut, sew or fasten it to the bottom of one card,

placing this card on top of the pack, the other end of the gut
being fastened to one of the bottom buttons of your vest.
In handing the deck out for the selection of cards, the top card
is palmed off and the hand held closely to body, or placed in
coat pocket, or the card can be left in pocket while cards are
being selected. When the last card is selected, on receiving
back the pack the card with the gut attached is replaced, and
then the deck cut so as to leave this card near the bottom of
the pack. In making the cut it will be necessary to slide the
upper portion upwards onto lower cards, so as to leave the gut
over outer end of cards, to be forced down by returned cards.
Go to first party, see that your gut is nearly across center of
pack, request that the card be replaced, obligingly separating
the back slightly near the bottom; when they have pushed card
part way into deck, complete the operation yourself, and go to
next party. Second and third cards should be replaced near
middle and top. Three cards are sufficient for this operation, or
experiment. Upon the gut being caught between the fingers,
the hands slowly drawn apart, the cards will rise to edge of
deck, where they can be removed and immediately handed out
for inspection.
The length of the gut will have to be carefully figured out, using
a thread for obtaining the correct length. It cannot be too long,
as then you would not be able to cause the third card to rise, at
least without a lot of hard work and noticeable movements;
then, too, it cannot be too short, or when your slack was taken
up by the third card, the deck would have to be held almost
against the body.
T H E A V A R I C I O U S S P I D E R
Performer exhibits a small piece of tissue paper (four or five
inches square), which is rolled into a ball, tied with thread and
this ball suspended from the performer's elbow, or to the edge
of his table, he at the same time explaining that the little ball of
paper represents a spider he once saw in a garden, etc., and
that he will endeavor to give an illustration of how this spider
captured flies that became entangled in his web.
Exhibit face card of pack, which we will say is the six of

spades, representing six flies caught in the spider's net.
Remark that the spider was in the center of his web, but would
suddenly dart along the silver threads and snatch one of the
flies from where it was caught, dragging it back to its home,
and while making color change from a six of spades to a five.
Proceed along these lines, removing either one pip at a time, or
two at a time if desired, until finally you have a blank card in
place of the one formerly containing six pips. (See "Color
Changes" for various methods of performing.)
After having caused all of the pips or flies to disappear, state

that perhaps the audience doubt your statement and you will
therefore hold an autopsy, performing an operation on the little
spider. On removing the tissue ball from the thread and
opening it up, six spade pips are found in a miscellaneous
arrangement, as you state, "in the spider's stomach."
Have two pieces of tissue paper of the same size and quality;
on one paste six pips in a mixed up order, not as shown on the
ordinary six of spades in the pack. Roll this paper containing
the pips into the shape of a ball, concealing it under one corner
of the unprepared tissue.
Pick up the ball with unprepared tissue, holding it behind same

with the thumb, proceed to roll up tissue, pushing the prepared
ball into right hand where it is concealed beneath the fingers.
Exhibit regular ball, taking in right hand and throwing into left
squeeze slightly, again placing in right and apparently throwing
into left, but on second attempt, release the fake ball, holding
onto the unprepared tissue with fingers of right hand. The left
hand should hold the ball up about level with head, the right
hand entering pocket for thread, and leaving the tissue ball in
pocket.
Wrap thread around ball and suspend from arm or table. After
performing the necessary color changes, unwrap the tissue
and show that the pips have actually been consumed by the
spider (?).
M O D E R N R E L O C A T I O N
A pack of playing cards is handed to three different spectators,
each selecting a card of their choice. These three parties who
selected cards are requested to write across the face of same
their name.
When this has been done, the deck is once more given into
their hands, the card is replaced and the deck shuffled.
Performer returns to platform, takes houlette from assistant,
places the pack of cards in the houlette, and one of the
selected cards rises therefrom, the party's name being read to
convince audience it is the actual card selected.
As performer concludes reading name written on card, a

messenger boy or usher comes down the aisle with two
telegrams addressed to two members of the audience (the two
whose names were written on the other selected cards). These
parties upon opening the envelopes find as the contents the
cards they selected and marked but a few moments ago.
Just a little variation of some old time principles. The cards are
selected freely from an unprepared deck, but while cards are
being marked the deck is switched for a duplicate "narrow" or
"short" deck, the cards as returned being cut to the top of the
pack. On return to platform the two top cards are palmed off
the pack, the assistant brings on houlette, or any apparatus
desired, but for instance, the houlette; this is on a small tray
and as performer reaches for same with right hand, containing
the palmed cards, these two cards are left on the tray as the
houlette is removed.
The assistant quickly marks two waiting envelopes with the

names on the cards, sends them to front of house, and that's
the whole story.
T H E G H O S T S O F T H E C A R D S

This is essentially a stage trick and in appearance is as
follows:
A pack of cards is thoroughly shuffled and handed to four

different parties who freely select cards, keeping those cards
out of sight of the performer and in their own possession. The
performer returns to platform, without asking any questions of
his audience, except to state that those holding cards are
privileged to show to persons seated near them.
Assistant brings on a pair of slates; these are cleaned and

shown to be devoid of writing. First party selecting card is
asked to think of the card they hold and performer will
endeavor to have the spirits convey a message, informing
everyone of the card so held. On taking slates apart the name
of a card is seen to be written on one of the slates, and upon
inquiry is found to be the correct name of the card held by this
first party.
The usher brings forward an envelope, or telegram, to the

performer, who opens same, reading something to this effect:
"The second card selected by the lady (or gentleman) was the
(ace of clubs). This is ascertained to be correct, the message
handed to the audience for verification.
An orange which has been lying on a table throughout the

experiment is cut open; therein is a message purporting to be
from some well known deceased personage, stating, "I see the
third party holding very tightly in their hand the three of
diamonds," which is also found to be correct and the note
dropped to audience to prove authentic.
The performer states that the spirits have been quite

successful and is going to solicit their aid in order that he
himself can determine the fourth and last card. A drawing
frame is brought forth with several pieces of paper thereon.
Performer writes something in Yiddish; pretends to hear
remark that that isn't the correct card; tears off sheet and
writes another name, this time in Chinese. Again pretends to
hear that he has written the wrong name, so trys again; this
time draws a picture of the correct card, or writes out the suit
and number.
End of Modern Card Effects and How to Perform Them.
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MODERN CARD EFFECTS and How to

Rising Cards in Audience

R I S I N G C A R D S I N A U D I E N C E

The following is an entire departure from the regular routine,

An ordinary deck is used, which is handed to various parties

The principle employed is the same as in most other methods;

Take the cat-gut, sew or fasten it to the bottom of one card,

Exhibit face card of pack, which we will say is the six of

After having caused all of the pips or flies to disappear, state

Pick up the ball with unprepared tissue, holding it behind same

As performer concludes reading name written on card, a

The assistant quickly marks two waiting envelopes with the

T H E G H O S T S O F T H E C A R D S

A pack of cards is thoroughly shuffled and handed to four

Assistant brings on a pair of slates; these are cleaned and

The usher brings forward an envelope, or telegram, to the

An orange which has been lying on a table throughout the

The performer states that the spirits have been quite

End of Modern Card Effects and How to Perform Them.

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