Yank-A-Hank
By Ross Bertram

A HANDKERCHIEF is spread out on the table and a quarter is laid on it at the center. The four corners of the handkerchief are then folded in to the center. The performer grasps the top or outermost corner and shakes out the handkerchief. The quarter has vanished. He then twirls the handkerchief into a rope and ties a knot in it at the middle. The handkerchief is handed to a spectator who finds the quarter securely tied inside the knot.

Method: The familiar wax pellet is not used. This method is entirely impromptu. It is most easily performed on a table covered with a cloth. though a method will be explained for doing the trick on any surface. It is most effective when the spectators are standing, partly because then they can see the coin up until the moment it is covered, partly because the angles are more favorable to the performer. Failing this, the magician should work with his left side to the audience.

The handkerchief is spread out with the right corner hanging over the side of the table, and the quarter at the center. The right hand grasps the inside corner of the handkerchief fingers above and thumb below. The right hand folds the corner of the handkerchief in Just past the center covering the coin and turning palm upward at the same time. The left hand. almost simultaneously, folds its corner in also.

As soon as the right hand is hidden, its first and second fingers open. The second finger presses down on the edge of the quarter nearest the performer, tilting the coin up slightly. The index finger closes in, lifting up the outer edge of the coin, with the result that the coin is flipped on the back of the hand between the first and second fingers.

The right hand now goes to the right corner of the handkerchief. As this is hanging over the side of the table, the hand can grasp it while remaining palm up. At the same time, the left hand picks up the left corner. The right hand, without turning over, folds its corner in. followed instantly by the left hand. Both hands are dropped to the sides for a moment and the right thumb pulls the coin to the front of the hand, where it is again clipped between the first and second fingers.

The left hand now picks up the outermost corner and shakes the handkerchief, demonstrating that the coin has vanished. The right hand then takes a corner of the handkerchief and the cloth is shown on both sides.

The right hand moves to take the corner diagonally opposite the left hand. Then follows the familiar business of twirling the handkerchief into a loose rope, thus forming a tube, down which the coin slides into the middle of the twisted handkerchief, where the handkerchief is then knotted with an overhand knot.