File:Modern magic. - A practical treatise on the art of conjuring. (1885) (14783954415).jpg

Identifier: modernmagicpract00hoff_0 (find matches)
Title: Modern magic. : A practical treatise on the art of conjuring.
Year: 1885 (1880s)
Authors: Hoffmann, Professor, 1839-1919 Hawkins, Arthur, ca. 1940
Subjects: Magic tricks
Publisher: London New York : G. Routledge and Sons
Contributing Library: Boston Public Library
Digitizing Sponsor: Boston Public Library

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hile brings forward andplaces on a table a handsome gilt star on a stand. The performer,collecting the chosen cards, places them in his pistol, and fires themat the star, when, at the moment of the explosioti, they are seen toattach themselves one to each of its points, as in Fig. 283. The principal point to be explained is the construction of the star.Behind each ray is a moveable arm, working on a spring hinge atabout two inches distance from the point, and carrying a spring clip atits outer end wherein to insert a card. (See Fig. 284, representing a backview of the apparatus.) A card being placed in each of the clips, the six MODERN MAGIC, arms, with the cards attached to them, are folded down one by one be-hind the centre of the star, which is just large enough to conceal them.Each card, as folded, holds down the one which has preceded it. Whenthe last card is folded down, the free end of a moveable button orlever at the top of the pillar on which the star rests is so turned as to
Text Appearing After Image:
Pig. 283. Fig. 284. press upon the arm which holds the card last folded, and thus to keepit and the five other cards preceding it in place. This button, how-ever, is so arranged as to be instantly withdrawn upon an upwardmovement being communicated to a wire rod which passes up thecentre of the pillar, and terminates in a flat disc of metal at its foot.The apparatus, thus prepared, is placed immediately over one of the 456 MODERN MAGIC. pistons of the table. At the moment of firing the pistol the cord ofthe piston is pulled. The piston rises, pressing up the disc and wire rod,the button is withdrawn, and the arms, being thereby released, revertto their natural position, exhibiting a card upon each point of the star. There are many little differences of detail between the stars ofrival manufacturers, but the foregoing may be taken to represent thegeneral principle of all. Some have the addition of a rose in thecentre, which opens simultaneously with the anpearance of the cards,and disc

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