This effect is practically unknown to the Western Conjurer, but has been
one of the stock-in-trade among magicians in India for years. It
involves a principle (that of transfer) which is capable of extensive
development in the use of modern magic.
REQUISITES.--(1) A piece of brittle unglazed earthenware. (A piece of
substance akin to thin flowerpot is used in India.) (2) A stick of
specially prepared soft charcoal.
A piece of earthenware is given, upon which a spectator is requested to
write his initials with a piece of charcoal supplied. The correct
preparation of this charcoal was conveyed to me by a Hindoo, and is as
follows: Procure a piece of boxwood or beech, the former for preference,
place it in the fire until reduced to a red glowing mass, remove it with
tongs and immediately place it into a thick jar and cover up very
tightly till cool.
The earthenware is taken by the performer and crushed up under his heel.
The spectator is then asked to wave his right hand over the broken
pieces, and upon the palm being turned upwards the absolute initials in
all detail are found imprinted upon his hand.
PRESENTATION.--Hand the piece of earthenware to the spectator, together
with the charcoal; request that his initials shall be written on the
earthenware in a space marked the size of the tip of the index finger.
After this has been done, you take it back between the thumb and index
finger of the right hand, the finger over the initials exerting a firm
pressure which has the effect of transferring the writing to the latter.
Then place the earthenware under your heel and crush it.
Now request the spectator to wave his right hand over the pieces. After
this has been done for a few seconds, boldly take hold of the hand (your
index finger firmly pressing upon its palm) and suggest that the hand is
not quite over the pieces, suiting the action to the word by slightly
pulling the hand forward; this has the effect of re-transferring the
reversed initials on to the spectator's palm, to be discovered a little
later upon the hand being turned over.