The Rising Pack

This trick makes a very good opener for a series of feats with cards. It is quick, mysterious and undetectable. The effect is that the whole pack rises spontaneously from its case, both case and cards being immediately handed for examination.

The preparation is simple, depending on the magician's good friend, a length of fine black silk. To one end tie a safety pin, the other end you pass through a tiny hole in the back of a card case, from the back towards the front. In the middle of the front edge of the case cut out a small slit and, making a knot at the end of the thread, engage it in the slit. The silk thus runs across the mouth of the case and if the pack is dropped in it will carry the thread down with it. Fig. 20. A pull on the silk from the back causes the pack to rise.

To work the trick, fasten the safety pin (black) inside your upper left vest pocket, attaching it to the inside lining, fix the thread as described above and drop the pack in the case; push the flap in the case and put it in the vest pocket, arranging the slack of the thread carefully behind the case so that it will pull out straight.

You propose to show some feats with cards and you feel several pockets for your pack, as if you didn't remember in which one you had put it, finally, bring it out of the vest pocket and put it in the left hand. With the right hand pull the flap up, hold it with the front of the case towards the audience, and make a motion of taking the pack out. Pause and say, "But I am forgetting. My cards are well trained. I don't even have to take them out of the case myself--watch." Push only the tip of the flap in again and extend the left hand till the silk is taut. "Cards, Rise," you command. Stretch your left hand very slowly straight out away from you, holding the case firmly and waving your right hand over it. The cards will rise and forcing the flap back, will gradually come into view. Do not raise the left hand for an upward motion would be perceptible, a straight outward and slow movement will not be noticed, all attention being on the cards as they rise out of the case.

When the pack is almost completely out, take the cards in your right hand by their upper ends and raise the hand high with a triumphant gesture, "You see how obedient they are," you say. At the same moment drop the left hand With the case to your side rather sharply. This action will pull the silk out of the little slit and through
the hole in the case and you can at once hand both cards and case to a spectator to be examined. The silk will fall under the left side of the coat and will be quite out of the way.

It will be found that this little feat will arouse the interested attention of any audience and put them in the proper frame of mind for the reception of other marvels.