Jean Hugard - Coin Magic: The Complete Book of Coin Tricks

First published in 1935 by Max Holden

First Racehorse Publishing edition 2016

Foreword 2016 Racehorse Publishing

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Cover photographs: Shutterstock

Print ISBN: 978-1-944686-26-0

Ebook ISBN: 978-1-944686-36-9

Printed in the United States of America

Contents

CHAPTER I.
BASIC SLEIGHTS AND CHANGES

CHAPTER II.
SLEIGHT OF HAND TRICKS

CHAPTER III.
EASY TRICKS, FLOURISHES AND CATCHES

CHAPTER IV.
TRICKS WITH PREPARED COINS AND APPARATUS

CHAPTER V.
ADVANCED SLEIGHTS

CHAPTER VI.
ADVANCED TRICKS

CHAPTER VII.
ADVANCED MANIPULATIVE SLEIGHTS

CHAPTER VIII.
THE MISERS DREAM

ILLUSTRATIONS BY CHRIS CARVEN

FOREWORD

W hen I bought this book as a teenager, I remember learning a great deal from it and enjoying it immensely. However, it would take me many more years before I realized what a truly wonderful book it really is.

Coin Magic has something for everyone. Beginning of course with the basics, it swiftly and clearly moves on to intermediate and advanced sleight of hand. Hugards writing is clear and concise, making the tutorials easy for readers to follow and comprehend. In my opinion, this book is incredible in that there are hidden gems scattered throughout. Some of the greatest tips to improve your skills are hidden within these pagesbut you will have to find them!

The book is laid out in ten chapters, covering basic coin concealments, utility moves, vanishes, and flourishes. Following these basic tricks are chapters on advanced sleights and effects, including coin effects requiring various apparatuses and fake coins. Effects like the Weeping Queen, the Finger Gimlet, and the original Expansion of Texturean amazing effect created by the legendary LHomme Masqueare included. Additionally, there is an entire chapter devoted to the Misers Dream, the classic coin effect that is still being performed today. This book is packed with information and tips that will improve anyones coin magic technique.

I cannot leave out the fact that, at the end of the book, Hugard includes some of the corniest quips about coins you will ever read, my favorite being, Money talks, but it seldom gives itself away.

I hope you enjoy and learn from this book as much as I have.

David Roth

CHAPTER I.

BASIC SLEIGHTS AND CHANGES

The fundamental basis of magic with coins is the art of palming, that is, of holding and concealing a coin or several coins, in the palm of one hand, while pretending to place them in the other. The first and most useful method by which this result is obtained is called

THE PALM PROPER

The best coin to use in practice at first is the thin palming coin which can be obtained from any dealer in magical supplies. This coin is of half-dollar size, is very light and has a milled edge which helps greatly in getting a firm grip on the coin. As facility in the sleight is acquired a real half-dollar should be used in practice.

To execute the Palm Proper take a coin between the thumb and the tips of the second and third fingers of the right hand and show it to the spectators as in .

Move the right hand towards the left, and, to give time to execute the following movement, raise the right hand about six inches, so that in moving towards the left it describes an arc, and is turned over, the coin being thus hidden by the back of the hand. Move the thumb from the coin and place its tip against the tip of the forefinger and hold it there, at the same moment bend the second and third fingers inward, carrying the coin upward and pressing it firmly into the palm of the hand, .

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As soon as the coin has been gripped in the palm, extend the two fingers and again rest the thumb tip against them in the same position as when the coin was really held there. Hold your left palm upwards, fingers half closed, and rest the tips of your right fingers on it for a moment, then close the left hand as if the coin had really been placed in it. Remove the right hand, with the fingers slightly bent in a natural position. Do not try to hold the hand flat with the fingers spread wide apart. The natural position assumed by an empty hand is always one slightly curved.

In practice first really place the coin in the left hand, raising the right hand in an arc as described, then practice the palming movement until the actions of really placing the coin in the left hand, and only pretending to do so, are precisely similar. Studying the moves before a mirror will help you to perfect yourself in this important sleight. The student must set himself the task of mastering the palm proper since by its use all kinds of small articles can be vanished. Indeed it has been well said by a great authority that palming is the keystone of magic.

THE FRENCH DROP

This is an easier sleight which, properly done, creates a perfect illusion. Hie palm proper is difficult to do with more than one coin, but the French Drop is even more illusive when executed with several coins at the same time.

Hold the coin horizontally between the left thumb and first and second fingers, the hand being held palm upwards..