Later Day Tricks
A. Roterberg
Previous | Next | Contents
The Chameleon Paper Shavings
First Method
The properties required for this trick are:
- A large glass or glass vase.
- Four saucers.
- Paper shavings of four different colors (red, black, white, green), a quantity of each being placed on one of the saucers, saucer No. 1 containing red shavings, saucer No. 2 black ones, etc.
- A round cardboard box, open at the top, which is divided into four compartments of equal size, each of which contains a different color of shavings. The top of this box is then closed by means of thin paper glued over it The entire outside of the box is then treated to a coat of glue and placed in a receptacle filled with paper shavings of mixed colors, causing them to adhere to all sides of the box, which is then concealed under the coat, being held in place by the upper part of the arm.
The performer introduces the trick by showing the empty glass vase and the four saucers filled with shavings, which he proceeds to empty into the glass. Going among the audience he requests a spectator to stir the shavings, so that the four colors become thoroughly mixed. After the person has done as requested, the performer returns to the stage and on his way to the latter, secretly loads the cardboard box concealed under his coat into the vase, where however it is not noticed, being covered with varicolored shavings. He next asks a lady to tell him the color of shavings she would like him to produce separately from the vase. As soon as the desired color is called out, he shows his hand empty and reaching into the vase simply breaks through the compartment containing the chosen color of shavings and bringing out a quantity of them, strews them about. This he repeats with any of the remaining colors, always showing his hand empty before placing it into the vase.
Second Method
For this version of the trick, the performer needs three saucers containing different colored shavings and a six cornered glass box or vase, which by means of a mirror partition, placed vertically in its center, is divided into two compartments of equal size. The rear compartment i.e. the one back of the mirror, is also divided by two vertical partitions into three subdivisions. One of these contains red shavings, the next one white ones and the remaining one black ones; this side of the casket is not shown the spectators during the entire trick, they being allowed to see the front compartment only, the mirror creating the illusion of the casket being entirely empty.
In performing the experiment, the conjurer pours the shavings from the saucers into the front compartment of the casket, completely filling it and mixing them by stirring with his wand, which on account of the fullness of the casket is not reflected in the mirror. One of the three colors is then called for as in the last trick, whereupon the artist simply reaches into one of the rear compartments and produces from it the desired shavings. In order to be able to show the casket from all sides during the trick, varicolored shavings have been glued on the inside of the three rear glass sides, thus making the casket appear to be completely filled with mixed shavings on all sides.
Third Method
This method if neatly performed, surpasses the ones previously described, in the first place because it is cleaner in execution and secondly because it requires no apparatus, the trick depending upon sleight of hand pure and simple. A very useful idea is here introduced which will prove of great assistance in other tricks.
To prepare himself for the trick, the conjurer must make up a number of small round bundles of the different colored shavings. For this purpose he takes a large number of narrow strips of paper of one color and firmly ties a strong thread around them very near the ends. With a sharp knife, an old razor will answer admirably, he proceeds to cut the strips at the other side of the thread, thereby obtaining a small, very firm parcel of shavings, the parcel being about one inch in diameter and not quite a half an inch in height. After having prepared a number of parcels of each color of paper in this fashion, the conjurer selects one or two of each color and attaches to their upper flat end a pellet of wax, pressing it flat, their placing the parcels in a certain order upon the servante of the table. On top of the latter, near the rear edge, are placed the saucers filled with shavings. After their contents have been emptied into a glass vase, the saucers are replaced and the shavings stirred by a spectator. At the performer's request, a lady then calls for a certain color of shavings that she desires him to produce unmixed front the vase. Seizing one of the saucers with the left hand, the performer shows it freely from both sides, while at the same time the right hand picks up and palms the parcel of the desired color front the servante.
Transferring the saucer with a perfectly natural motion to the right hand, the conjurer secretly attaches the small parcel by means of its waxed end under the rim of the saucer, where it can not be seen by the spectators. He then shows both hands empty by passing the saucer front one hand to the other, finally during the process of placing the plate from the right into the left hand, detaching and palming the parcel and introduces the right hand, which every one believes to be empty, into the vase of mixed shavings. In bringing forth the parcel he works it a little in his hand, thereby loosening the shavings and letting them fall on the saucer in his left hand. The remaining colors are produced in the same way; the performer being able to freely show vase, hands and saucer at any stage of the trick.
The superior process of preparing the parcels of shavings has until now been guarded a very close secret by the few knowing ones. All manners of plans for accomplishing the same result have been tried by the uninitiated, but all these plans have more or less proven failures. The method described here will be found of great value in that pretty trick of the wet paper, which, upon being fanned, changes into paper snow and in all other tricks of a similar nature,
Previous | Next | Contents