This is volume two in the classic sleight-of-hand trilogy. From the foreword:
Since many branches of Magic are again represented in this volume, a close study of it will, I sincerely hope, assist the reader in perhaps making some little change, addition or improvement in an existing 'move' or effect in which he may be interested.
I have included in this book my method of working and presenting "The Chinese Rings," mainly for those of my readers who have not up to now performed this effect, and who may desire a reliable and effective method of presentation for this "classic" trick.
Edward Victor has done it again! He has given us another great book of sleights and tricks, all of which enjoy the heartening endorsement of having been "personally tested before audiences." This assurance of practicability, coming as it does from an outstandingly successful conjurer, can be fully appreciated only by those whose fate it has been, over a considerable period of years, to wade through hundreds of pages of tricks that could not possibly fool a person of ordinary intelligence.
This review of More Magic of the Hands necessarily parallels, to a large extent, our review of its predecessor. The new book is slightly larger than the old, consisting of 132 pages of text with 132 explanatory diagrams; but, like The Magic of the Hands, it covers the general field of magic, with material on cards, balls, handkerchiefs, coins, thimbles, and the many other articles that are used by the wizard whose taste runs to variety rather than specialization. Not all of the items are strikingly new - indeed, some of the best would be classified as "improvements" - but all are things about which the progressive magician will want to know, and many will certainly find their way promptly into current magical programs.
We shall not attempt to describe the sleights which Mr. Victor has added to those explained in his earlier work, but may note some of the complete tricks he has now put into print for the first time:
- The Cards and Handkerchief. Four cards are chosen, shuffled back into the pack, and the pack wrapped in a borrowed handkerchief. Two of the cards now rise (as in The Rising Cards), one at a time, through the handkerchief, and the other two are shaken, again separately, through the handkerchief (as was done with a single card in the familiar Card Through Handkerchief trick).
- The Mesmerized Cards. A number of cards are made to adhere to the palm of the hand, without the use of prepared cards or other fakes.
- The Linking Rings. The author's original method of performing this magical classic, described with 17 pages of print and 16 illustrations.
- Dyeing by Wireless. Mr. Victor's own version of the color-changing handkerchiefs, performed by him for a season at London's "Home of Mystery," St. George's Hall, and highly endorsed by Max Sterling of Paper-to-Egg fame.
- Cigar Production. The production of four cigars, one at a time, from the bare hands. Eight pages of text, 14 illustrations, and patter.
- The Rainbow Penknife. Fifteen pages of description and 21 illustrations on the color-changing penknife, which will be greatly relished by all who are fond of this trick.
These samples of the contents of More Magic of the Hands have been picked almost at random. The book contains other tricks that are equally good. But its true worth will not be apparent until it has been studied and its teaching actually put into practice. We confidently predict that it, like The Magic of the Hands, will find a warm welcome, and that both of these books will be standard works for many years to come.
