Expert Cigarette Magic - An Original Treatise on the Art and Practise of Cigarette Necromancy

By D. Deveen

Originally published in early 1900's. The author was a skilled manipulator who helped to establish cigarette magic as an important branch of magical entertainment. The well illustrated contents contain 201 photos and full details and instructions for dozens of fascinating tricks. Contents include: Groundwork of Cigarette Magic - Envanishment - Acquitments - Productions - Envanishment, Asquitments and Productions with Lighted Cigarettes - Miscellaneous Effects and Fakes etc. Many of the earliest books on magic, particularly those dating back to the 1900s and before, are now extremely scarce and increasingly expensive. Home Farm Books are republishing many of these classic works in affordable, high quality, modern editions, using the original text and artwork.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Read Books Ltd.
• Release date: Jul 7, 2014
• ISBN: 9781473395107

Book preview

INTRODUCTION

PROMPTED by the success enjoyed by my previous book upon the subject of Cigarette Manipulation, I once more take up my pen and offer a further selection of material.

For quite a number of years I have concentrated upon this type of magic, and I have noticed that it has always been enthusiastically received—due no doubt to the fact that it has been something of a novelty; and also for the reason that nothing is more appreciated by audiences than effects with universally handled objects.

It is my sincere hope that all those who were kind enough to compliment me upon my previous book will find as much food for thought in this one.

D. D.

London, W.2.

PART ONE

Groundwork

of Cigarette

Magic

Unlighted

Cigarette

Section

EXPERT

CIGARETTE

MAGIC

D. DEVEEN

GROUNDWORK OF CIGARETTE MAGIC

Before attempting to perform any of the sleights that are possible with cigarettes, either lighted or unlighted, it is necessary that the student should first realize the simplicity that underlies all such manipulations.

In brief, there are four divisions into which the manipulation may be segregated. Firstly, the envanishment of the cigarette, or cigarettes. Secondly, the acquitment, a name used to define a sleight by means of which the hands are shown apparently empty, though they are not so in fact. Thirdly, the production, which may be of a single cigarette, or a large quantity. Fourthly and finally, we have effects consisting of motion or change contrary to natural laws.

It is suggested that the reader master two or three of the simpler vanishes, and then continue with acquitments; all from the Unlighted section of the book. These may be blended to form complete magical sequences. As the reader becomes more proficient, so he may add to his repertoire.

Once a complete series can be performed with unlighted cigarettes no encouragement whatsoever will be required for the student to commence the fascinating manoeuvres detailed in the Second Part of this work.

Careful rehearsal will naturally be regarded as an essential. All effects, no matter how simple they may appear to be, demand close attention and application on the part of the performer, before they can be adequately presented to an audience.

Study the effects you wish to produce before a mirror, remembering that the mirror will give you but one angle of vision. First do the thing that you wish to do genuinely—then make the sleight imitate the natural movements. In this way maximum proficiency will be attained.

ENVANISHMENT

PERFECTION VANISH.

Effect: Cigarette is held by right thumb and forefinger (Photo 1). The cigarette is slowly inserted into left hand (Photo 2). The left hand squeezes the cigarette to thin air, for on opening, the left hand is undoubtedly empty (Photos 3 and 4).

1

2

3

4

Explanation: At the position shown in Photo 2, just as the right forefinger and thumb have inserted the cigarette into the left hand, the second finger of the right hand is moved alongside the right forefinger. The second finger-tip is slightly in advance of the forefinger by reason of its length. This second finger-tip presses on the cigarette causing the cigarette to revolve on the axis formed by the forefinger and thumb, until the free end locates the fleshy part of the base of the thumb. This position forms what I term the forefinger palm, and is an ideal cover for indicating the left hand (Photos 3 and 4). The left hand is now flourished as though it contained the cigarette, squeezed and disclosed