Issue #24 is a strong one — Stuart James contributes two effects including Jay's personal favorite, Annemann's Think It Over column returns with a long run of practical performance advice, and the issue closes with a two-person card match that hinges on a fan the helper thinks they can see through but can't.
Effects Covered
[1:05] Editorial — Theodore Annemann Blackstone has wrapped seven weeks of exposure columns without exposing a single trick from his own act — Annemann repeats his standing dare. Also: a con man's trick with a roll of bills, and practical advice on what to do when a spectator catches you mid-trick (don't walk away).
[3:14] Miraskill — Stuart James This one is Jay's personal favorite. A shuffled borrowed deck sorted by color pairs produces two piles whose difference the performer predicted — then a second shuffle produces piles of equal size, also predicted. The deck does the work; the only move is quietly removing a few cards before the first phase and secretly returning them before the second.
[4:56] Think It Over — Theodore Annemann Drop the clichéd opening line. Vary your handling between effects. Ten minutes of daily mirror practice beats ten magicians' opinions. Never borrow something you could easily carry. Don't needle your helpers for laughs at their expense. Buy the best materials you can afford — cheap materials cap the performance.
[6:29] Business Cards — Theodore Annemann Period magicians' business cards — at jinxnavigator.com under Issue #24.
[6:36] The Candy King — Stuart James The Mirror Skill principle adapted for a children's show, using candy kisses in red and white wrappers instead of playing cards. The prediction of who wins and by how many is revealed on the inside of the paper bag — or a cardboard crown, if you prefer.
[7:49] A Mental Test Revamped — Herbert Hood A refinement of Annemann's torn-newspaper billet method from Issue #6, moved to a deck of cards. The helper merely thinks of a card, writes it on a slip, the slip is torn and burned — and the correct card is produced. No impressions, no switches, no gimmicked paper.
[8:47] The Reticent Queen — Newton Hall A helper writes a deceased person's name on a card. The Queen of Hearts is supposed to relay it — but keeps failing, needing privacy, needing the helper to place the card herself — until finally the name comes through. The earlier failures are covering the glimpse. Jay's note: please come up with a presentation other than "who's your favorite dead person?"
[10:11] Climax — Henry Christ A helper thinks of a card from a fanned deck — convinced they saw the whole spread, they actually only saw one card. That card is forced on a second helper across the room who stops a riffle at random. The two match. Annemann calls it startling in front of a decent-sized audience.
[11:28] Outro Links and a preview of Issue #25 — featuring Lorne de Blois's 21st Century Silks.
