of it to be visible. Place it on the palm of the left hand as shown in Fig. 1. Slowly close the left fingers, keeping them touching one another and extended, the bend being made at the lowest joints, so that they come to touch the back of the middle joints of the right hand, as in Fig. 2.
The instant this position is arrived at, and not till then, extend the right second and third fingers over the coin, the movement being masked by the curved fingers of the left hand, Fig. 3.
With the left finger tips still touching the middle joints of the right fingers, move the right wrist forward, the left finger tips and the middle joints of the right fingers acting as a hinge, Fig. 4. The coin itself should now lie flat on the tips of the right second and third fingers which are curved slightly toward the palm.
Now move the right hand forward a little to the position shown in Fig. 5 and complete the closing of the left fingers on the palm. From this position relax the right hand and let it drop slowly to the side, but on no account make any movement of the right fingers by palming the coin at this moment. In the meantime, move the left hand slowly upwards and make the motions of rubbing the coin away, finally opening it and showing it empty.
While your whole attention is focused on this action of the left hand, press the coin into the right palm and bring the right hand up, pointing with the forefinger to the empty left hand.
I cannot recommend too strongly that the student follow the instructions given, for there is nothing in the entire realm of coin sleights so deceptive. The whole action is based on the optical illusion known as the persistence of vision.
THE PINCH VANISH
Hold a small coin, such as a quarter or a nickel, vertically and by its edges between the thumb and forefinger of the right hand, thumb being on top. Hold the left hand with the fingers pointing downward and palm toward the audience. Place the coin directly in front of the left palm, Fig. 1, then slowly close the fingers over it. When the coin is completely covered by the left fingers the forefinger and thumb of the right hand snap together, the edge of the coin against the forefinger sliding off in this action so coin turns to a horizontal position. The coin is withdrawn from the left fist clipped by its forward edge, Fig. 2, by the pressed-together right thumb and forefinger. To the spectators it appears that the coin remains in the left hand. Try this in front of a mirror to get the full effect of this deceptive illusion. Bring the two middle fingers up against the lower side of the coin and quickly press it into the right palm under cover of raising the right hand and immediately snapping the fingers.
Work the left fingers as if crumbling the coin away, then open them slowly to show the coin gone.
GONE
BILL SIMON
Here is a clever coin vanish which has a lot of possibilities. It is one you will enjoy doing, because it depends on misdirection rather than skill for its accomplishment.
Show a half dollar in your open left hand. Close the fingers on it and turn the hand back uppermost. The left fingers then make a rubbing motion as if they were crumbling the coin away. Nothing actually happens, but this is done to lead the spectators to believe that something is taking place. The palm up right hand moves inward and underneath the closed left hand to the sleeve. It grasps the arm just above the wrist and pulls the sleeve back as far as it will go. This is a natural move which is done to convince the spectators that the coin will not vanish up the sleeve. Remark that the coin is still in the left hand and open it, showing the coin again.
Once more close the left fingers over the coin and turn hand over so the fingers will be underneath, but this time they work the coin partially out of the fist until it is held by the tips of the second and third fingers and heel of thumb, as in Fig. 1. Watch your angles here. Keep the hand low so no one will get a glimpse of the coin.
It will be found that when the coin is thus held it can be released without any perceptible movement of the fingers.
Now comes a neat move.
The right hand passes underneath the left fist as before. As it moves inward it brushes the coin from the left hand, Fig. 2, and carries it back to the left wrist where it is held in finger palm position and pressed flat against the underside of the left wrist. The action of stealing the coin is one continuous move and is done to illustrate to a spectator how you want him to hold your wrist. It is a clever bit of misdirection and is not suspected.
Do not move the right hand—just turn it inward with its back toward the audience and retain the half dollar finger palmed as you thrust your closed left hand forward so a nearby spectator can hold your wrist. Apparently the coin is in the left fist, which the helper holds at the wrist, but actually it is hidden in the right finger palm. Drop right hand to side.
To the onlookers it seems impossible that a coin could escape under these conditions, and this is what makes the feat so effective. It is this they remember long afterwards. It seems to pack a bigger wallop because they assist in the vanish.
After a proper build-up, slowly open the left hand to show it empty.
This can be made into a complete vanish by merely disposing of the coin in a convenient pocket while attention is on the left hand.
By using a hook coin (see page 402) you can fasten the coin onto a helper’s sleeve when you grasp him by the arm to draw him nearer to you, as you offer your wrist to be held. Or, hook it on your own person and retrieve it later.
Or, just use a regular coin and rest the right hand on your helper’s shoulder as he holds your wrist, leaving the coin there. The following is a unique way of reproducing it:
Show both hands unmistakably empty, then reach behind the spectator’s ear and produce the coin. As the right hand reaches for the coin, it picks it up from his shoulder, carries it back, and touches it to his ear as it is brought forward into view. The effect on this one person is amazing, because he sees your hand empty as you reach for the coin, and feels it as you apparently produce it from his ear. Try it!
THE NEW ERA COIN GO
JIMMY BUFFALOE
First,
