Since I had the Harbin resources out (Lewis’ biography, Steinmeyer’s notes from assorted places, reprinted stuff from Abracadabra, Mysto Magic’s reprint of his books, and “Harbin’s book”) , I thought I’d see if there was any interesting “paper effects” for Feburary’s meeting of the Northwest Ring of Fire. Harbin loved things that folded but I eliminated most of those since they were cardboard or fibreboard (often plywood) and so was left with “paper”. I also eliminated mental and mind reading stuff that used paper. Noted elsewhere is the fact that Harbin did not publish any tricks that involved origami. Steinmeyer used Harbin’s ideas to invent a piece using origami for the Harbin Centenary Celebration (A Tribute to Robert Harbin, “A Trick for Lillian”).
I still think his newspaper tear (can be seen on UTube) is one of the best situational presentations of magic that makes sense. He describes both methods he used in his works (Demon Magic and “his book”). He also had a couple of newspaper predictions that involved tearing. Three from from his book, Demon Magic: “Some Paper Magic”, looked interesting.
Effect No. 1: “The operator takes three or four different coloured pieces of tissue and crumples them into a ball. A shake of the hand and they are transformed into a large floral ball.”
Effect No. 2: “A sheet of yellow and a sheet of black tissue paper are taken and screwed int a ball. Holding this ball of paper in one hand, the operator takes a pair of scissors in the other and makes imaginary cuts around the crumpled pieces. On opening the pieces a beautiful design is shown to be cut in thte yellow, the sheet of black setting off its beauty.”
Effect No. 3: “Three pieces of paper are taken and torn into pieces. On being screwed into a ball, the change in a flash into a fancy box which dangles from the operator’s finger on a ribbon.”
His floating ball of paper redescribed with improvements in Lewis’ book is fun and I’ve thought of using it if I would take the time to choreograph it properly. There are ten paper cutting designs in Something New in Magic. And there are two torn and restored tissues or strip of tissue.
All together a small contribution to paper effects that could be used if updated to contemporary themes.
Note on Harbin books: his previously unpublished book, Magic Marches On, is included in The Davenport Story’ Series Volume Two: ‘The Lost Legends, available from Viking Manufacturing Company and others. It is on my list at $140 when I get around to add to the collection. Also included are lost books from Edward Victor (late 40′s) and G. W. Hunter (1880).