MAGIC SHOP - Daytona Magic, Inc.

The above title has been used because it suggests what is seen by the spectators during the performance of many versions of the type of trick that you will study in this book. Three small objects are shown, two are placed into the left hand and the third one into a pocket. On opening the left hand, not two but THREE objects are seen. This is repeated a few times, the effect becoming more bewildering as the routine proceeds.

In some versions the objects eventually vanish or are transformed into something different. From this basic theme, a whole range of tricks has been evolved; the objects employed being almost anything of such a size that can be concealed in the hands.

The principle used is very, very old, indeed it is likely that it was derived from one of the oldest tricks in magic, the Cups and Balls. The variations which have been evolved using the cups and balls principle could have been the inspiration behind the 'two in the hand and one in the pocket' routines which we know today. It seems logical that performers, being familiar with the principle through the Cups and Balls, would at some time set aside the cups and develop effects and routines with the balls alone. So it could be that the Roman "acetabularie" were the originators. Performers of the Cups and Balls were so called from the Latin word "acetabulum" which means a cup.

We are told that the 'balls' used by the first performers were actually pebbles. It is also a fascinating thought that the cups and balls principle could have been developed from tricks performed with pebbles before the cups were introduced. This could make it the first magical effect ever performed - an interesting speculation.

The book has numerous photographs and detailed instructions for a number of unique routines.

Thirty-six pages.