Modern Coin Magic. J. B. Bobo

      (c) Wallace Lee Method.

      After you have performed several sleights with a half dollar, and the spectators are convinced you are using only one coin, steal another from a clip underneath the coat, or from a pocket, and keep it concealed in the right hand. Face a spectator. Ask him to come a little closer, and as if to encourage him, hook your right fingers over the top of his outer breast coat pocket and gently pull him toward you. The coin should be near the ends of the fingers and held in this position by the tips of the first and fourth pressing together against its edge, Fig. 2. As you pull the spectator toward you, drop the half dollar into his pocket, at the same time taking his hand and placing it over his pocket, instructing him to keep it there so nothing can get in.

      During this action let the other coin be plainly seen in the left hand. Since the spectator still sees the original coin he is aware of no other, and he never dreams that a coin has been loaded secretly into his breast pocket.

      Announce that you will cause the coin to fly into his pocket and caution him to hold his hand tightly over the pocket opening lest you slip it in when he isn’t looking. Vanish the half dollar and pretend to cause it to penetrate the bottom of his pocket. Tell him to see if the coin has arrived, and while he is fumbling to get it out, either sleeve or pocket the other one.

      The trick takes boldness and plenty of it, but what a surprise it creates!

      BLUFF VANISH

      All that is needed to perform this little feat is a handful of change and a lot of nerve.

      Effect: The wonder-worker takes a handful of change from his pocket and removes one coin. The remaining coins are returned to the pocket. The single coin is then caused to vanish in a mysterious manner.

      The secret of this effect depends entirely on your ability as a magician to bluff your way through.

      Let us suppose you have thoroughly baffled your audience with some clever close-up chicanery. You have convinced them that miracles can happen and they are ready to believe anything. Now is the time to spring this vanish.

      Method: If you carry your loose change in your left trousers pocket you will always be ready to work this little effect; otherwise prepare for it beforehand by placing a few small coins in that pocket.

      Remove these coins with the left hand and show them. Move the coins about with the right fingers as if searching for a particular one. Say something about needing a coin for your next trick. Suddenly remark, “Oh, this penny (or dime, or nickel) will be all right.” Pretend to remove one of the coins with the first and second fingers and thumb of the right hand. Hold the first two finger tips and thumb together as if they actually held a coin. The left hand drops the rest of the coins back into the left trousers pocket. Go through the motions of placing the non-existent coin in the left hand. Show the right hand empty. After a bit of by-play open the left hand and show it empty.

      Performed at the right moment this vanish is just as startling as the more complicated ones. I have used it for years and can vouch for its effectiveness.

      SUCKER BLUFF VANISH

      MILTON KORT

      Using the foregoing method, a sucker vanish can be worked that is a real fooler to magician and layman alike. I’ll wager it will become one of your favorites.

      Besides having a handful of coins, you must be wearing a wrist watch with an expansion band.

      Proceed as in the above vanish up to the point where the non-existent coin is placed in the left hand. From here on the effect differs greatly.

      As you pretend to place a coin in the left hand, that hand closes over the first two fingers and thumb of the right hand. Then the right two fingers are quickly removed and placed in back of the left hand. The right thumb is still within the left fist as the first two fingers slowly move inward toward the wrist. Place these two fingers between the hand and the wrist and stretch the band a couple of times. This action causes the band to visibly move on the top side of the wrist, creating the impression that the coin is being inserted under the band. Remove the right thumb from the left fist, then show the right hand empty with a flourish. With considerable ceremony open the left hand and show it empty.

      Naturally everyone will suspect that the coin is hidden underneath the watch band and it won’t be long until someone lets his suspicions be known. After some reluctance remove the wrist watch and show it. If someone doesn’t want to examine the watch and take it apart I miss my guess.

      THE COIN FOLD

      Here is a useful method of vanishing a coin by wrapping it in a piece of paper. Although the vanish is described using a half dollar, any size coin may be used.

      Method: From fairly heavy paper cut a piece approximately five inches square. In an emergency almost any paper can be used, even newspaper.

      Hold the piece of paper in your left hand, about chest high, the fingers on the front side of the paper and the thumb at the rear. Show a half dollar in the right hand, then place it under the left thumb slightly above center, Fig. 1.

      Turn the left hand around and show the coin at this position to the audience. Turn the paper back and, with the aid of the right hand, fold up the bottom edge to within half an inch of the top edge, Fig. 2.

      Crease the right side of the paper about a quarter of an inch from the edge of the coin and fold it forward, Fig. 3.

      Now fold the left side of the paper toward the front in the same manner, Fig. 4.

      Fold the top half inch edge down in front. To all appearances the coin is securely wrapped in the paper, but actually there is an opening at the top where it can escape at the proper time, Fig. 5.

      Turn the paper over so the opening will be downward and hold it in the right hand between the fingertips and thumb, Fig. 6.

      To prove the coin is still within the paper you can allow someone near you to feel it or you can tap the parcel on the table or a glass.

      When ready for the vanish loosen your grip on the paper and the coin will slide from the opening into your hand where it is finger palmed. Take the paper in the left hand and go to your right pocket for a match. Leave the coin in the pocket and bring out the match. Light it and set fire to the paper. Before it burns up entirely place it on an ash tray.

      Or, if you desire, you can tear up the paper with the coin still finger palmed, then produce it according to the trick at hand.

      This vanish is especially startling and pretty when flash paper is used. In this case, when the paper is ignited, both the coin and paper seem to vanish in a burst of flame.

      THE ENVELOPE VANISH

      A fairly heavy Manila paper envelope is prepared beforehand by cutting a slot at the bottom right corner. With a pair of scissors trim a small sliver of paper from the bottom of the envelope. When the envelope is prepared this way the opening will offer no resistance to the coin and it will fall freely into your hand.

      From a piece of paper the same color as the envelope, cut a round piece the same size as the coin you intend to vanish and paste it inside the envelope at the bottom center, Fig. 1.

      To perform: Show the envelope empty, then very slowly and openly place the coin into it. Coin falls to the bottom of the envelope where it is held with the fingers of the left hand. Seal the flap and hold it by the ends with both hands. Raise the left end