Billiard Ball Manipulation
By Herr Jansen (Dante)

ONE of the easiest and yet quite deceptive methods for getting possession of the first ball is to have a high silk hat at the right side of the stage, with a billiard ball placed under the rim at the back on the order of the Miser's Dream coin load, Figure 1. Now in the act of moving the hat from the right to the left side of the stage the right hand merely picks up the hat at the rim and with the second and third fingers, the ball is rolled into the palm. A net can also be stretched across the inside of the hat, and a wand laid across the opening. This will answer as a servante later on. The same hat, without the servante arrangement can be used for coin catching, etc. This is merely so that it is used for a purpose other than the real one.

I am indebted to Mr. Henry Clive for another method that I have used to great advantage. This consists of a billiard ball fastened to the middle of a china plate. The plate is arranged on its edge, bottom side toward the audience, with the ball side against the back of the chair, which stands to the performer's left. Now pretend to catch the ball with the right hand, then apparently put it in the left bulging out the fingers as though it were really there. The right hand picks up the plate, and as the ball side is gradually turned toward the audience, the left hand approaches it and quickly opens as though actually placing the ball there, Figure 2. The ball should be fastened to the plate in such a way that it has a slight movement and rolls around a bit when the plate is shaken. This makes the effect perfect.

An ordinary handkerchief can also be used to advantage by doubling it over in the middle, then sewing it together so as to form a tube large enough to admit one ball. Fasten a piece of elastic in the bottom of the hem tight enough to hold the ball. but loose enough to permit easy release.

This handkerchief can now be laid on the table or placed in the pocket and yet can be picked up carelessly without anything being noticed. Performer wipes his hands, which is quite a natural thing to do previous to billiard ball work, and secretly squeezes the ball into his right palm. Several passes are made, however, to prove the hands are empty before the ball is produced.