I N T R O D U C T O R Y
By Geo. Lawrence

Mr. James C. Thompson, professionally known as James Kater, and myself, offer to the magical fraternity, especially to the lovers of card work, the following volume on practical card effects.

At the outstart, contrary to some of our contemporaries in the field of magical literature, absolutely no claim for originality is made. We earnestly believe that some of the effects are new, so far as we know, but from experience it has been shown time and again that a person claiming, or, in his own mind, being convinced that he has really invented a new effect, finds on presenting this effect to some observer, that "so and so" presented the same trick several years ago. A perusal of the magical magazines will also bear out this statement. One effect will be published in a magical paper or magazine by some individual, and in the current issue of another publication will appear a similar trick or effect by an entirely different party:- A pure coincidence. Again, effects described in our magazines now and then will be found similar to those described in some of the books formerly published, but I know that these writers were unaware of the existence of such previous articles; it was just another case of coincidence, and we therefore realize that this rule is just as applicable in our endeavors.

Therefore, as stated above, originality is not claimed. It is our aim to place before the magical fraternity a book that will be a pleasing addition to anyone's library from its outward appearance, and that the contents will be a delightful feast for those interested in entertaining with the pasteboards, either for their own amusement, or as a means of livelihood. We do claim this: that every trick is practical, it being our aim to steer entirely clear of impractical and theoretical effects. This volume could be made much larger, even with workable effects, and by resorting to the theoretical, twice as much space could have been consumed, but, realizing that theories are not desired by the purchaser, we have compiled "Modern Card Effects and How to Perform Them."

The word "trick" is used with some frequency throughout the book. These are tricks, but as the illustrious Professor Hoffman states: To the audience, they should never be referred to as such-they are effects, experiments, and the like; and further, a matter of fact presentation, doing away with fancy sleights, or allowing the audience an inkling of the fact that you "manipulate" the cards, heightens the effect by a large per cent.

To obtain a startling effect in card work it is not absolutely necessary to be an expert manipulator, nor is it necessary to be able to execute a rapid shift, or "pass". Many of the most puzzling and seemingly extraordinary results in this offering are obtained by means of mechanical cards, or a small piece of apparatus, and the knowledge or use of sleight of hand is not essential: However, a good card worker should be able to perform feats requiring sleight of hand, for the conti1lued use of "fake" cards, duplicates, etc., would be rather embarrassing and even though accomplished without attracting undue attention to the substitution of various cards, additions to the pack, etc., should anything go wrong, to use a common expression, the performer would be "up in the air" unless able to instantly switch to son1e other routine or to extricate himself from his difficulty by the introduction of sleight of hand to cover the regrettable, but always with us, "mix-up".

Outside of color changes, nothing has been done in the way of instruction in the art of sleight of hand, it being taken for granted that the purchaser is at least fairly familiar with the shift, or various forms of the "pass", the palming of cards, the top and bottom changes and a workable knowledge of the force; these various moves being the basic foundation of all sleight of hand work. However, if the reader is not familiar with such sleights, we advise the purchase of Erdnase's "The Expert at the Card Table", a booklet published before the tremendous increase in the cost of printing, paper and inks, and wl1ich is still procurable at magical dealers for 25 or 30 cents. While it is not our intention to boost any particular works, We believe that the greatest benefit in the way of passes and other sleights can be gleaned from the contents of this booklet. The Hermann pass, explained therein, is not generally known for the reason that it seems to have been omitted from most of the articles previously published on card work, and this pass, while being about the easiest of execution, is also the most invisible, and at times, about the only one that can be satisfactorily used. A few words as to presentation.

A card effect, no matter how puzzling or involving, when properly presented, apparent supernatural powers, will not make the proper impression upon your audience unless it is properly presented.

In the first place, before attempting to present even the simplest of tricks, they should be practiced until all the moves are made without hesitation; in other words, so that you present the trick just as if it were a natural routine, otherwise it will lose a large part of the desired effect; in fact, even a first-class trick can thusly be turned into a dismal failure. Again: See that you have a convincing and intelligent line of conversation, impressing certain points emphatically, leading your spectators to see things along the lines you desire, concealing the actual operations; in other words, acting as your MISDIRECTION, for misdirection is the secret of all magic, from the smallest pocket effect to the largest stage illusion.

In conclusion we heartily and sincerely enjoin you to subscribe to one or all of the magical magazines; they are worth many times the price asked, keeping you in constant touch with the work being done by the various societies, the newest effects by subscribers, hints and suggestions, also the latest offerings of the various magical dealers. We also strongly urge your entrance into one or more of the magical societies, especially if such an organization be located in your own town or city. They are a great help to the beginner as well as a constant source of information to the more advanced, a congenial meeting place on the days assigned, for all these societies are composed of "good fellows." With best wishes for the future and continued success of our readers, we present the first American Book on practical card work-"Modern Card Effects and How to Perform Them."

(Signed) GEO. DE LAWRENCE.                       JAMES KATER.

NOTE. The position of the hands in the photographs are unnatural, it being the aim to demonstrate the various moves and how they are accomplished: The description of the effects state clearly the correct positions of the hands and body.

GEO. DE LAWRENCE