Paris Strong Men Unable to Lift Coulon

I've discussed Johnny Coulon in a previous post, but I was intrigued to find another clipping. While most of this article repeats what we already learned, I found this paragraph amusing:

Coulon's performance will probably start another craze, for in every place where two or more people come together they will be waiting to try to do the "bet-you-can't-lift-me" stunt.

The trend that could have been.

List. No. 1 Special July Bargains.

What a random list of things! I was able to figure out that this is a list from Thayer.

I had a great time looking these items up! If you find any more on this list, please let me know!

• The Spirit Paintings with easel.
  
  
• I could not find Thayer/Holmes specific nest of boxes, but Martin's Magic Galley has many to look at.
  
  
• I'm not 100% positive, but I think the Eggs of Columbus trick stems from Tesla. There was also this video (although done with a coin) that I think operates on the same principal.
  
  
• Atlantis Magic has a great picture of the Thayer Raping Hand
  
  
• You can read all about Ching Ling on Travelanche, and here is what they have to say about his "foo" can specifically:

  From his mysterious “Foo Can” he would pour an endless stream of water. He could also blow smoke from his mouth that turned into streamers and even a nine foot pole, introduced “torn and restored paper” and conjured up his 3 year old daughter Chee Toy.

A Letter From Thayer

It is strange how some items in the collection practically turn to dust when you look at them, while others are so well preserved that I wouldn't believe how old this was if there wasn't a date on it. Nearly 90 years old, and there is little yellowing and the colors are still so bright!

Yet while the article held up to time, the rest of it is a bit of a mystery. This is the first time I have ever seen a specific TO: on a document. I am going to have to start digging to see who this Griffiths person is, because it is not my Grandfather's last name. His (or her) address in Chicago is now a building full of businesses.

This is also a curiously written letter. Did they forget to include an advertisement in with a mailer? Did Griffiths request information on something which they forgot to send?

Also worth noting is this signature:
It is in pencil and looks like an 'S' to me, but Magicpedia is telling me the founder's name was Floyd, so I will also have to investigate who the 'S' is!

I did not drop off the face of the earth.

I don't know where my "closed for the weekend" post went, so I am very sorry!

I decided to take a weekend with the rest of the country. I still have more scans, which will resume tomorrow. Hope you all had a happy & safe 4th of July!

DeLand's Wonder Change

This is probably the smallest print I have ever seen on something that was designed to convey instructions! If you want half a chance at deciphering the secret behind the trick, feel free to click and enlarge the scan!

The scan on the left is how I found the card tucked into the package. After reading the instructions, I had to imagine seeing this performed, and I have to admit that I think it would have been obvious that the little center panel could slide back and forth. While the scan doesn't really convey it well, the flap that the panel slides through really protrudes from the card.

Yet, one of the interesting things about these tricks is that while I am seeing them sometimes in their most primitive states when they were first introduced to the public, they have evolved and are still used today.

I learned via the Genii Magazine message boards that this trick was designed and sold by DeLand around the turn of the century, and over the years it was engineered with heavier material and became "Giant Monte". You can watch a version of it here. Although it is not in English, you will still get the idea!

Here is a better look at the sliding insert:

Here is the back of the card- I always take note of different DeLand's card designs.

No. 157: The Mysto "Knockout" Card Trick

Just an envelope for this one- no instructions!

Fortunately, I was able to find dozens of knockout you tube videos.... although all of them are a little different and none of them involve the handkerchief as shown in the picture. Below is my favorite video from Allen- and check out his other stuff- it is worth watching!



I was also able to find a mention of a trick called Knock Out in the Encyclopedia of Card Tricks (via google books). The actual Mysto version was mentioned in the November 1916 edition of Boy's Life Magazine.