Modern Coin Magic. J. B. Bobo

but some will find that a half dollar will work just as well.

      Stand with your right side toward the spectators as you display the coin in the right hand. It is lying near the tips of the two middle fingers in position for back palming. Turn the left hand palm down in a cupped position over the tips of the right fingers and, as you pretend to take the coin in the left hand, back palm it in the right. This is accomplished under cover of the left hand, Fig. 1. Move the closed left hand away, and after a brief pause, open it to show it empty, then turn the palm of the left hand toward the spectators. Move the right fingers back of the left hand, and under cover of that hand bring the coin to the front of the two middle fingers as you move the right thumb to the rear of the left hand, then balance the coin on the tip of the right thumb. During this transfer the right hand turns over so its back is toward the audience. The left hand is palm out with its fingers horizontal, while the fingers of the right point upward, but only for a moment, however, because the coin is then clipped between the first and second fingers of the left hand, Fig. 2. Now turn the right hand palm toward the audience, keeping the fingers of the two hands in the same relative positions. Then all in one movement reverse the left hand, bend the second, third and fourth fingers of the right hand inward as it turns over, and clip the coin from the left hand to the second finger and thumb of the right hand and immediately transfer it to thumb palm position. Move the left hand away from the right and show it empty once more. Reproduce the coin in your favorite manner.

      The effect is not easy to learn quickly. It will be necessary to spend some time on each phase of the trick, paying particular attention to angles and timing. Execute the moves slowly at first, striving for correctness. The fingers must be trained to do their part without fumbling!

      THE WRIST WATCH VANISH

      ROYAL H. BRIN, JR.

      No, the wrist watch doesn’t vanish, but it is used to vanish a coin. Several tricks in print have employed a wrist watch as a hiding-place for a coin but none has seemed quite satisfactory, as the handling has been awkward and unnatural. This hiding-place is too good to be wasted with a half-hearted effort, so here is a practical method of using it, with all moves natural, smooth, and unsuspicious, for the vanish and recovery of a coin.

      A coin is apparently placed in the left hand, but really retained in the right; the thumb palm, classic palm, Bobo Vanish, or any equivalent vanish may be used. While gazing at the left fist the right hand drops to the side and the coin is allowed to fall onto the right cupped fingers. The right hand now comes up and grasps the left wrist, thumb above and fingers below, Fig. 1.

      With the right thumb, indicate a particular spot on the left wrist, saying that by pressing on that spot the magic is done. At the same time move the hands toward the spectators, and under cover of this larger motion the right fingers slip the coin underneath the wrist watch; it need only go about half way under.

      Count to three as you press with the right thumb on the “magic spot,” and at “three,” the left hand opens to show the coin has vanished. The right hand moves away to the right, palm out, so it also can be seen to be empty. If you are wearing a coat or even a long-sleeved shirt, drop the hands downward to the sides so that the left sleeve will cover the watch, and turn both hands around to show their backs. The effect can even be done with short sleeves, by showing only the palms.

      To reproduce the coin, bring the hands together again, left hand closed in a fist, the right hand grasping the left wrist as before. As you count to three, moving the hands forward, the coin is slipped loose by the right fingers and allowed to rest on them. At the count of three, the left hand opens, but is still empty. Look chagrined for a second, and then pretend to remember that to make the coin return, the other wrist must be pressed.

      The right hand moves away to the right, carrying the coin and closing into a fist. The left hand now grasps the right wrist, and at the count of three the right hand is opened to show the coin has reappeared.

      I have used this quite a bit, and it makes an easy and effective vanish and reproduction.

      THE PULSE TRICK

      GLENN HARRISON

      Ever since Glenn Harrison showed me this trick in Denver a few years ago, it has been one of my favorite bits of close-up chicanery. The effect is new and different and possesses all the essential elements of smart magic. It is intriguing to the onlookers for the patter fascinates them, and at the same time makes a perfect cover up for the one simple sleight.

      Effect: The performer shows a silver dollar as he tells a spectator that he is going to test his nervous system. He asks the spectator to extend his right hand, palm down, then taking the coin in his left hand, performer presses the pulse of the spectator with the other, while the left hand goes underneath the spectator’s palm with the coin. The magician explains that by pressing his pulse it sets up a nervous reaction which prevents him from feeling the coin. Opening his hand, the performer runs his fingers over his helper’s palm. “Pressing a little harder,” continues the performer, “your vision is affected also, and you are not able to see the coin.” Accompanying this remark the magician removes his left hand from underneath the helper’s and it is seen to be obviously empty.

      “But a strange thing happens if I touch a nerve up here at your elbow and release your pulse again. Not only are you able to feel the coin—you can see it as well.” With these words the performer brings his left hand into view from underneath the spectator’s hand and the missing coin is seen lying on his palm.

      Here is one of the best reasons I know of for mastering the back palm. This one secret move is perfectly covered by the subtle misdirection and patter.

      Method: Begin the experiment by showing a silver dollar. (If you can back palm a half dollar it will work as well.) Place the coin in your left hand using the same movements as you would to retain it in the right hand, so when you apparently repeat the same action a moment later, nothing will be suspected. (The Slide Vanish is an excellent sleight for accomplishing this effect.)

      Approach a spectator as you tell him you are going to test his nervous system. Casually place the coin into your left hand, then toss it back into your right. Gesture with your left hand as you ask the spectator to hold out his right hand. Apparently place the coin back into your left hand but retain it in the right. Then the right hand, which is palm down, makes a movement toward the spectator’s outstretched hand as you exclaim, “No, turn your hand palm down.” (Spectator usually extends his hand palm up.) Back palm the coin as you take hold of his wrist, your patter running something like this: “Now if I press strongly on your wrist like this, it sets up a strange nervous reaction. Then if I place the coin against the underside of your hand like this . . . (place your closed left hand under his hand, then slowly open it and rub your fingers over his palm) . . . you are not able to feel it. And if I press a little harder on your pulse, your vision is affected also, and you are not able to see it, either.” With these remarks slowly open your left hand, rub your fingers across his palm, then bring the hand into view. Slowly show the left hand on both sides with the fingers wide apart. The coin has disappeared.

      “But,” you state, “a peculiar thing happens if I touch a nerve up here at your elbow . . . (press a spot near his elbow with your left hand) . . . and release your pulse; you are again able to feel the coin, and also you are able to see it.” Here your actions must be perfectly timed with your patter. Beginning with “and release your pulse,” you do release his pulse with the right hand, and at the same time your left hand, which is palm up, comes straight down underneath his forearm to a position directly under his outstretched hand, which you have cautioned