Blindfolded Pack

Matter through matter has been a favourite subject for the stage illusionist. The same effect is had in this trick employing a pack of playing cards and a borrowed handkerchief. It was an especial favourite with the late Nate Leipzig.

Preparation. Secure a small quantity of diachylon (lead plaster) from your chemist. If he does not have it in stock he can secure it for you. Work a small pellet of the lead plaster until it is tacky, and affix it to one of the buttons of your left sleeve, where it is readily accessible. You will also need an opaque linen handkerchief.

Procedure. The steps are as follows:

1. Take a shuffled pack; have a card removed and noted by all. Have it replaced in the pack and secure a left little finger break above it as described under the spread and break. Glance about you and ask for the loan of a handkerchief. Make the pass , bringing the chosen card to the top as you advance to accept a proffered handkerchief. If it does not appear to be opaque, say, "On second thought, I'll use my own," and remove it from your pocket.

2. Hold the pack in your left hand and draw back the left sleeve a little with the right hand, grasping it at the wrist and securing the pellet of wax on the right second finger. As you do this say, "Let's find a good place to do this trick. The floor is probably best." If it is not desirable to sit on the floor, move toward a nearby table. In either case, affix the wax to the back of a chosen card near the middle.

3. Let us say that you sit cross-legged on the floor. Still holding the pack in your left hand, show the handkerchief on both sides. Drape it over the pack and in arranging it press down on the wax through the cloth, which will make the card adhere firmly to the fabric. Place the pack on the floor before you (as shown in Fig. 85-1), with the handkerchief centred over the pack. Corner No. 1 is nearest you.

4. Fold corner No. 1 toward corner No. 2. As you do this and the following arrangement, you say, "I used to do a trick in which I was blindfolded and found the chosen card, but this became very tiring. Now I do the trick the easy way. I blindfold the pack instead."

5. Grasp both layers of the handkerchief at the points marked A-A (Fig. 85-2). Lift the handkerchief and the card, which adheres to it, upwards between the thumb and middle fingers of each hand, and corners Nos. 1 and 2 will fold downwards over the chosen card on the side away from you, concealing it from the audience (Fig. 85-3).

6. Place the folded handkerchief on the pack (as shown in Fig. 85-4), with the hidden card directly over the pack.

7. Using both hands, place the thumbs at B-B and the fingers at C-C (Fig. 85-5), and fold the cloth over inwards toward yourself once. Replace the folded handkerchief over the pack.

8. Draw corner No. 1 from under the folded handkerchief on the side away from you (Fig. 85-6).

9. "In this trick I don't tell you the name of your card. The pack itself, even though blindfolded, will reveal your card." Grasp corners Nos. 1 and 2 and pull them in opposite directions. The handkerchief unfolds and the card seems to melt through the fabric to appear face upwards (as in Fig. 85-7). "You see? Your card has popped straight up through the handkerchief. A very clever pack, don't you think?"

The folding of the handkerchief, once learned, is done in a matter of seconds.