A Telescopic Flag Tip
By Percy Naldrett, A.I.M.C.

Almost every conjurer will have experienced trouble with the popular throw out flag staves; either the flag tears away at the eye-lets, or the eye-lets themselves get sheared off in re-closing a tightly jambed stave. I hit upon a very simple but effective method which entirely eliminates this trouble. At the same time I would not have considered this tip important enough for inclusion in this book but for the fact that more than one conjurer has commented upon it as being one of those things which a practical conjurer appreciates. It has served me well.

First remove all the usual eye-lets except one at the end of the first section--that is, about 8in. from the butt end. Next sew a strong piece o[ black tape along the edge of the flag (which [ hope is a good clean silk one). Fasten the top end of the flag to the top of the extended stave, with good. strong macramé thread. Lay the flag along the staff and connect the bottom corner of the flag to the eye-let on the butt by means of good elastic, adjusting it so that the tension of the elastic keeps the flag from sagging. Close the stave, pleat the flag in the usual way, pleat again the reverse way, finishing with a couple of rolls to make a compact cylindrical package, and secure with a strip of black tissue paper, place butt in vest pocket and trust that it "will be all right on the night."