TRICKS WITH BALLS
CREATION, MANIPULATION, MULTIPLICATION, AND ANNIHILATION OF BILLIARD
BALLS.--For the series of tricks hereafter described, you will require
two solid billiard balls, and a case to contain one of the balls,
consisting of two hemispheres of thin spun brass hinged together. When
closed this case will represent a solid ball, but when open and held in
the hand with the thumb over the hinge, will appear as two balls. The
balls, together with the case, should be enameled red. When about to
present the trick, come forward with the case containing a solid ball
in the left breast pocket, and the other solid ball under the left
armpit.
CREATION.--Pull up the right sleeve and then the left one, which gives
you the opportunity of taking the ball in the right hand unperceived.
You now execute what is known as the "Change-over Palm" to show both
hands empty, and then produce the ball from the back of the right hand.
This palm is made as follows: Having gotten the ball into the right
hand draw attention to the left with the fingers of the right, showing
it back and front. When doing this you will be standing with your right
side toward the audience. Now make a sharp half turn to the right and
show the right hand in the same manner. This you will be able to do, as
when making the turn the palms of the hands very naturally pass over
each other, and the ball is transferred from the palm of the right hand
to that of the left.
The ball is now found on the back of the right hand.
[Illustration: Fig. 24.--Revolving Ball]
MANIPULATION.--The amount of manipulation possible with a single ball
is considerable, and limited only by the dexterity of the performer.
The principles of sleight of hand as described in Chapter II. will,
with few exceptions, be found equally adaptable to this branch of the
mystic art. For the benefit, however, of those of my readers who have
not hitherto made sleight of hand a study, I append a few examples.
1. Having obtained the ball from the back of the right hand, place it
between the two forefingers, (Fig. 24). Then twist the fingers round
and round, which will cause the ball to revolve with them. This
produces a very pleasing and puzzling effect, and is to all appearance
a feat of dexterity. It requires, however, very little practice.
[Illustration: Fig. 25.--Ball in Position on Right Hand]
2. Close the right hand and place the ball on the top, (Fig. 25). From
this position appear to take it in the left hand, really allowing it to
sink down into the palm of the right, where it is retained. Vanish the
ball from the left hand in the usual manner, and produce it from the
left elbow.
3. Roll the ball between the palms of the hands as if you were trying
to make it smaller. When the left hand is underneath, seem to close it
over the ball, really palming it in the right hand. The left hand is
now brought down rather smartly on the back of the head, and the ball
produced from the mouth.
4. Place the ball between the teeth and, apparently, give it a smart
rap with the right hand as if to force it into the mouth. The ball,
however, is palmed in the right hand, and immediately taken from the
back of the head. When producing the ball, pass it up the back and over
the top of the head, and let it fall into the left hand.
5. Appear to take the ball from the left hand, as in "Le Tourniquet"
with a coin. Then apparently pass it through the left knee, producing
it from underneath.
6. Throw the ball several times from one hand to the other, and
finally, when appearing to throw it into the right hand, palm it in the
left. Vanish the ball; place the left hand to the nose; and let the
ball fall into the right hand. To all appearances it actually comes
from the nose.
7. Stand with the left side to the audience, and throw the ball into
the air several times. At the third time palm it in the left hand; the
effect being that the ball is vanished into thin air. Now perform the
"Change-over Palm," described above, and find the ball at the back of
the right knee.
8. Apparently transfer the ball from the right hand to the left, really
palming it. Place the palm of the right hand (containing the ball) on
the right breast, and thence extend it over in the direction of the
left sleeve. In the act of doing this, the ball leaves the palm and is
held between the forearm and the body; the hand, turned palm toward the
audience, then pulls up the sleeve. You then blow on the left hand to
vanish the ball, and show the hand empty.
To regain possession of the ball, all that is necessary is to reverse
the motion of the arm, when the ball will find its way into the palm of
the hand, and can be produced as fancy suggests.
If the ball is not produced, the above forms an excellent final vanish
to any billiard-ball trick.
If used as a vanish, after having regained possession of the ball, you
stand with the hands one on each lappet of the coat, bow, and retire.
This pass, which I have found practical in every way, was given to me
by Mr. George Newman, a very clever amateur conjurer.
The following explanations will to some extent be given in the
"vernacular," it being assumed that the student has become familiar
with the various passes.
MULTIPLICATION.--You must now obtain possession of the trick ball,
which can be done by means of the following ruse. Appear to place the
ball in the left hand, vanish, and take it from the left breast pocket.
In doing so you take out the trick ball, leaving the solid one behind.
For two balls.--Take the trick ball in the left hand, and, waving the
hand up and down, open the shell, placing the thumb over the joint,
when you will appear to have two balls in the left hand. To show these
as two solid balls, one in each hand, take the ball out of the case,
which forthwith close. This can easily be done under cover of the right
hand. Draw attention to the ball in the left hand, and remark, "One,
and this one" (ball in right hand) "make two." As you say this you
appear to place the ball in the left hand, really opening the case to
represent two balls, and palming the solid one in the right hand.
For three balls.--Produce the ball you have palmed from behind the left
knee, and really place it with the two others (case open) in the left
hand. Wave the left hand up and down, and under cover of the movement
allow the solid ball to slip into the case. Then produce the ball
previously left in the breast pocket, and you will seem to have passed
a ball up your sleeve.
For four balls.--Draw attention to the two balls now in the left hand
(case open, with a solid ball in one half) and remark, "Two, and this
one" (ball in right hand) "make three." Saying which, you apparently
place the ball in the left hand, really palming it as before, and
dropping the ball out of the case under the cover of the right hand.
You now find the palmed ball at the left elbow, and really place it
with the other three in the left hand. You will now appear to hold four
solid balls.
ANNIHILATION.--Appear to take a ball in the right hand, really allowing
one to fall into the case. Vanish this ball in the act of throwing it
to the audience. You now actually take another solid ball in the right
hand and exclaim, "I will vanish this one into thin air. Watch me."
Actually throw the ball into the air several times, and while doing
this lower the left hand, and drop the solid ball out of the case into
the profonde, making a movement that the audience cannot fail to
notice. Thinking they have caught you, some one is sure to remark, "I
saw him put one in his pocket that time." To which you will reply, "Oh,
no, I did not put any in my pocket. I would not deceive you in such a
manner. Two and one" (the one in the right hand) "make three." You now
really place the ball in the left hand.
Again appear to take a ball in the right hand, letting it fall into the
case as before. Then vanish it in the act of apparently throwing it
into the air. Wave the left hand up and down, and under cover of the
movement close the case, which will dispose of the third ball.
Finally, make believe to take this last ball in the right hand,
standing with your right side to the spectators. Instead of doing this,
however, the case is opened, under cover of the right hand, and the
solid ball extracted. The right hand is then closed over the ball so
that it cannot be seen, and the left hand quietly places the case in
the profonde. It is well to again let this movement be suspected. Then,
looking at the right hand, remark: "I have now only to dispose of this
last ball." At this point some one is almost sure to say, "Oh! but I
saw you put it in your pocket." You will then cause considerable
amusement to the spectators, and bring derision on the party with the
voice, by showing the ball in the right hand.
To cause the disappearance of the last ball make use of the pass
described under Example 8 (p. 97).
BILLIARD BALLS AND BASINS.--For the purpose of this trick you will
require two small basins and two tea plates. The plates are to act as
covers for the basins. In addition to these paraphernalia you will
require two india-rubber balls to match in size and color the ordinary
billiard balls.
The effect of the illusion is as follows:--The two basins are shown
empty, and each is covered with a plate. In the course of the preceding
billiard-ball trick, or a portion of the same, two balls are vanished,
afterward appearing in the basins.
To prepare for the trick, place one of the basins, containing one of
the balls, on the table, and cover it with one of the plates. On the
top of this plate place the other basin, containing the second ball,
covering the same with the remaining plate.
When about to present the illusion, you take the top plate in the left
hand, and the basin in the right, fingers inside and thumb out. This
enables you to grasp the ball, and conceal it in the fingers, while
holding the basin so that the inside can be inspected. Place the basin
on the floor, retaining the ball in the fingers, and immediately take
the plate in the right hand, which again conceals the ball. Show the
left hand empty, also both sides of the plate. Then pass the plate back
into the left hand, taking the ball with it, and show both sides of the
right hand. Cover the basin with the plate and in doing so secretly
introduce the ball.
You must now go through the same movements with the other plate, ball,
and basin, and the trick is practically finished. All that remains for
you to do now is to vanish two balls and find them in the basins.
The india-rubber balls are essential for silence when dropped into the
basin. Ordinary wooden balls would rattle and thus betray their
presence.
COLOR-CHANGING BILLIARD BALLS.--There is a very old trick similar to
what I am about to describe, known as the "Chameleon Balls." In this
form of the trick the ball is caused to change by palming on, or off,
as occasion may require, half shells of different colors. I will now
explain a method of producing a result analogous to the old trick, but
brought about by entirely different means.
The necessary accessories are a red, a black, and a white billiard
ball, all solid. Place the white ball in the profonde, and the black
one in the pochette, on the left side. Having arrived at the point in
Annihilation (p. 100) where all the balls have been disposed of with
the exception of the last solid one, you throw this in the air as if to
vanish it in that direction. While all eyes follow the ball in its
upward flight you lower the left hand and take the white ball from the
profonde, palming it. In doing this you would of course stand with the
right side to the audience.
THE CHANGE TO WHITE.--Make a half turn to the right and take the red
ball in the fingers of the left hand, in which you have the white ball
palmed. Then show the right hand back and front. Now take the visible
red ball in the fingers of the right hand, and, at the same instant,
make the "Change-over Palm." This brings your right side again to the
auditorium and enables you to show the left hand empty.
To execute the change you place the red ball in the fingers of the left
hand, and then stroke it with the palm of the right; palming the red
ball and leaving in place of it the white one. Again make the
"Change-over Palm" showing the hands empty, with the exception of the
white ball.
THE CHANGE TO BLACK.--You take the ball in the right hand, and turning
to the left bring it down rather smartly on the table, to prove its
solidity. This gives you the opportunity of dropping the red ball into
the profonde and taking the black one from the pochette.
To change the white ball to black you will proceed as in the previous
change, disposing of the palmed white ball at the earliest opportunity,
or it can be produced with good effect from the bottom of the trousers.
Then lay both balls down on the table.
To appreciate and thoroughly understand the effect of the above, it is
necessary to actually practice the various movements with the balls in
front of a mirror.
THE DIMINISHING BILLIARD BALLS.--The trick under notice has for its
effect the apparent diminution of an ordinary billiard ball, first to
half its original size, secondly to one-quarter its original size, and
finally to a very small ball, with which several amusing passes are
made, and which afterward disappears entirely.
[Illustration: Fig. 26.--Trick Balls]
In this case a trick ball is used of a size equal to half that of the
ordinary one, and hollowed out so as to contain a solid ball of a
diameter equal to half that of itself, (Fig. 26). The hollow ball must
be so constructed that the small one pinches slightly into it, but can
be instantly released by simply passing the ball of the thumb over it.
A duplicate of this small ball should be placed in the right hand
waistcoat pocket for use in the latter part of the trick.
The trick ball is placed in the left pochette, whence it is obtained
and used according to the instructions given in the "Color-changing
Balls." To produce the smallest size, hold the trick ball in the left
hand, having previously loosened the small one, and in the act of
stroking it with the right hand, palm off the hollow ball, and dispose
of it as soon as possible.
With the small ball you now execute the pass as described under Example
4 on p. 96. Then actually place the ball in the mouth, pretend to
swallow it, and produce the one from the vest pocket, which will appear
to be the same.
You now seem to place the ball in the left hand, really palming it;
then bring the left hand down with apparent force on the top of the
head, showing the ball between the teeth. Here raise the right hand as
if to take the ball from the mouth, but really push it back and show
the palmed one. Then repeat the same pass, but this time actually let
the ball fall from the mouth into the left hand, the right disposing of
the palmed ball into the profonde.
I have seen a series of passes, including the above, performed with two
eggs in place of the small balls, but unless the performer be endowed
with a colossal cavity between the upper and lower jaws, I should not
advise him to attempt this.
THE HANDKERCHIEF BALL.--This forms a very good introduction to a
billiard ball trick, all that is required being a ball of the usual
size, hollowed out so as to take a handkerchief, with an opening one
inch in diameter on the surface. This ball is suspended behind the top
rail of a chair by means of a pin.
After performing any trick in which a handkerchief has been employed,
carelessly throw it over the back of the chair while you roll up your
sleeves. If you do not care to roll up the sleeves, perform any small
trick before proceeding with the present one, otherwise it might be too
palpable that the handkerchief was thrown over the chair for a purpose.
Then take up the handkerchief (secretly securing the ball) and
gradually work it into the ball, being careful to keep the ball out of
sight as much as possible until the handkerchief has totally
disappeared. Finally throw the ball into the air, which can safely be
done providing it and the handkerchief are both of the same color,
which would not admit of the hole being observed.
At this point, should you desire to proceed with a billiard ball trick,
you can do so by changing the hollow ball for a solid one in the same
manner that you changed the solid ball for the trick one in the
"Multiplying Billiard Balls."
THE DISSOLVING BILLIARD BALL.--This forms an excellent conclusion to a
billiard ball trick. A glass tumbler three parts filled with water is
given to a gentleman to hold. A ball is then covered with a
handkerchief and given to the gentleman with a request that he will
hold it over the glass and at the word "three" will allow it to fall
into the water. This is done, and upon the handkerchief being removed
from the tumbler, nothing remains but the fluid, which is perfectly
transparent, the ball having apparently been dissolved therein.
The secret of this lies in the fact that the performer is provided with
a half shell of clear glass. This shell is secretly slipped over the
ball in the act of covering it with the handkerchief, and when handing
it to the gentleman the solid ball is palmed away by the performer. The
gentleman is not at all likely to discover that he holds only a half
ball, as, being hampered with the glass of water, he is effectually
prevented from making an examination.
It is well to be provided with a tumbler the bottom of which is shaped
somewhat to fit the form of the shell, and ornamented slightly, but
this latter feature is not absolutely necessary.
FANCY SLEIGHT WITH A SMALL BALL.--A small ball is generally used for
this pass, but it is applicable to any object that can be conveniently
placed in the mouth. In effect it is as follows: A ball, for instance,
is rubbed into the left elbow and passed thence up into the hand. The
hand is then brought down rather smartly on the back of the head, the
ball being immediately afterward taken from the mouth.
The sleight is thus executed: The performer takes the ball in his right
hand and commences to rub it into his left elbow. At this point he
apparently meets with an accident, dropping the ball on the floor. The
dropping of the ball, however, apart from being an accident, is
absolutely essential to the success of the illusion. After having
picked up the ball and while still in a stooping position with his back
toward the spectators, the performer quickly throws it into his mouth,
immediately facing round and drawing attention to the right hand the
fingers of which must seem to close round the object. The rubbing at
the elbow is again commenced and the right hand eventually shown empty.
The performer then makes a sign indicative that the ball has passed up
into the left hand, which is then brought down with apparent force on
the back of the head. The ball in the mouth is then revealed, when it
will appear to have actually traveled to that position.
This sleight can very well be introduced at the close of the
Diminishing Billiard Balls.
I am indebted to Mr. Ross Conyears, an exceedingly dexterous magician,
for the above.
ROUGE ET NOIR.--This pretty trick consists of causing two balls, one
red and one black, wrapped in pieces of paper and placed in borrowed
hats, to change places at command. The diameter of the balls should be
four and one-half inches.
The solution of the problem lies in the construction of the papers with
which the balls are covered. They are arranged thus: Take two pieces of
newspaper and paste them together all round the edges, having
previously inserted between them a layer of red glazed paper of the
same shade as the ball. The other one is prepared in exactly the same
way, but contains a layer of black glazed paper to represent the black
ball.
The two balls are now wrapped in the papers, care being taken to cover
the red ball with the paper containing the black layer, and vice versa.
After this has been done the performer feigns a slip, mixing up the
packages, and thereby confusing the audience as to the relative
positions of the balls. As if to satisfy them on this point he tears a
small hole in the outer covering of one of the parcels, exposing say
the layer of black paper. The parcel is then placed in the hat on the
supposition that it contains the black ball.
The other package is now treated in the same manner, after which the
supposed transposition of the balls will be easily understood.
BALL, HANDKERCHIEF, AND TUMBLER.--This is a very good combination
trick, and as such will serve as an example for the arrangement of
others. A billiard ball is placed in a small tumbler, which is in turn
wrapped in a piece of newspaper and deposited in a borrowed hat. The
performer then takes a small silk handkerchief and rolls it up in his
hands, when it is seen to have become transformed into a billiard ball.
The glass is then taken from the hat, and, on the paper being removed,
is found to contain the handkerchief. The ball, handkerchief, and
tumbler, together with the piece of paper, are then caused to vanish,
one at a time, from the hands of the performer, who immediately
afterward produces them from the hat.
The modus operandi is as follows:--A duplicate tumbler containing a
handkerchief, and wrapped in paper, must be secretly introduced into
the hat prior to the commencement of the trick. (See Hat Tricks.) The
tumbler containing the ball and wrapped in paper is then placed in the
hat. The performer now takes up a duplicate handkerchief, and under
cover of the same the hollow ball already described. The handkerchief
is worked into the ball, which is shown in due course, and laid on the
table, opening downward. The duplicate tumbler is then removed from the
hat, and found to contain the handkerchief. These articles, including
the piece of paper, are then laid on the table by the side of the ball.
The performer now goes to the hat, and, under pretense of moving it
further away, turns it over, thus proving, in conjurer's logic, that it
is empty. This can easily be done by taking the hat fingers inside and
thumb out, the fingers being inserted in the top of the tumbler. The
performer then returns to the table and proceeds to dispose of the
articles thereon.
The piece of paper rolled up, and the ball, are caused to vanish by any
of the means already explained. To cause the disappearance of the glass
you must be provided with a handkerchief, silk by preference,
consisting of two handkerchiefs sewn together round the edges, in the
centre of which is fixed a disk of cardboard of the same size as the
top of the tumbler. The tumbler being covered with this handkerchief,
the performer, as if to satisfy the spectators that it is still there,
strikes it several times on the back of a chair, and under cover of the
movement allows the glass to fall into the network servante. The
handkerchief, however, owing to the presence of the disk, still appears
to contain the glass, the ultimate disposal of which will now be
readily understood.
In conclusion, the performer takes the handkerchief lying on the table
and vanishes it by palming in the ordinary way; the right hand being
immediately dived into the hat and the handkerchief produced. The other
articles should be removed one at a time, not forgetting to crumple the
paper into a ball before taking it out.