down over the coin. The illusion is that the coin is pushed through the back of the left hand. At this moment the coin is concealed behind the right fingers, which rest momentarily on the back of the left hand. Without changing the position of the right fingers and thumb, quickly move the hand about six or eight inches to the right, turning the left hand over and opening it at the same time. As the spectators see the empty left hand, say “Nothing in the hand.” Immediately swing the right hand back to the left, tossing the coin into the left hand as it closes and turns over. The right fingers assume the original position on the back of the left hand, as you add, “One more little rub and the coin goes right through.” Diminish the rubbing motion, finishing by separating the fingers and giving the last rub with the tip of the middle finger. This convincing move tends to show without saying so that the coin has left the right hand. Move the right hand aside as you open the left hand to display the coin.
In the first version the coin penetrates the left hand from the inside out, while in the second version it penetrates from the outside in.
(c) Ross Bertram Method.
Face the spectators as you show a half dollar lying at the base of the first finger on your open left hand, Fig. 4. Place the left thumb on top of the coin and turn the hand over and close the fingers. As the hand turns over the thumb moves inward toward the body, carrying the coin with it. Coin will now be outside the fist, clipped by its edge by the thumb and base of the first finger, Fig. 5.
Let’s go over that again. Actually the hand turns over before the fingers are closed. Begin by placing your thumb on top of the coin as described above and turn the hand over. The coin will then be lying horizontally on the side of the thumb, which now moves inward, carrying coin with it as the fingers close. These are the actual mechanics of the sleight, but to the spectators it must appear that you merely closed your hand and turned it over. The coin is now outside the fist and completely hidden from the spectators’ view by that hand.
Raise the right hand and hold it palm down over the left fist. Call attention to the ring you wear on your left third finger. Comment on its mystical powers and tell the spectators that by rubbing it you can cause unexplainable things to happen. Rub the ring with the tip of the third finger of the right hand and while doing so edge palm the coin in your right palm. In making this steal, pay special attention to hold the hands at such an angle that the coin cannot be seen at any time by the audience.
Lower the hands a few inches and place the right finger tips on the back of the left fist, then make a massaging movement. In this action release the coin from the right palm and allow it to slide down the right fingers onto the back of the left hand. Keep the right fingers together lest the spectators see the coin. Finally spread the right fingers slightly and show the coin on the back of the left hand, it having apparently penetrated the back of the hand.
THROUGH A HANDKERCHIEF
There are methods in great variety for performing this trick. Perhaps because the effect is simple and direct—and because no special props are used. Since no special preparation is required, the trick is a perfect one for close-up impromptu work. Here are two methods—both appear entirely different in effect.
Effect: A coin is caused to penetrate the fabric of a pocket handkerchief in a baffling manner.
(a) Display a half dollar in your left hand, holding it upright between the finger tips and thumb. With your right hand, spread a borrowed handkerchief and drape it over the left so its center covers the coin. Allow a spectator to feel the coin through the cloth and verify the fact that it is still there. With the aid of the right hand, the left thumb pinches over a small fold at the base of the coin. This fold is to the rear and is not seen by the spectators, Fig. 1.
Say, “Let me show you that the half dollar is still underneath the handkerchief.” With the right hand, seize the front edge of the handkerchief and lift it up, thus giving a brief view of the coin, Fig. 2. The right hand then returns the handkerchief to its original position, as the left simultaneously tosses forward the back half of the handkerchief. This subtle action causes all the folds of the handkerchief to fall down-ward in front of the coin, Fig. 3. At this point the coin is outside the handkerchief, and is held in a horizontal position between the middle finger underneath and the thumb on top, Fig. 4.
With the right hand, grasp the handkerchief a few inches below the coin and pull downward as you twist it counterclockwise, Fig. 5. Next, grip the handkerchief with the right second, third, and fourth fingers while the forefinger and thumb press against opposite edges of the coin. Finally, squeeze the coin into view, and show the handkerchief undamaged.
Several astounding tricks utilizing this principle will be explained in later chapters.
(b) Few close-up stunts have more eye-appeal than this version. It is startling and different in effect.
Show the left hand empty, then hold it palm up as the right hand spreads a white pocket handkerchief over it. The center of the handkerchief should be over the palm and one corner on the forearm.
Display a half dollar in the right hand, gripping it near its edge between the middle finger and thumb. With the coin thus held, it is placed over the center of the left palm on top of the handkerchief, Fig. 6. The right middle finger and thumb retain their grip on the coin as the left hand slowly closes over it. The left hand opens again to give one more view of the coin, then it closes. Immediately move the right hand inward and grasp the inner corner of the handkerchief lying on the forearm. In this movement the right hand thumb palms the half dollar. The handkerchief affords cover for the coin as it is withdrawn from the left hand and the back part of the right shields it from view as that hand reaches back to grasp the inner corner of the handkerchief.
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