THE SELF-RESTORING CARD.
The company having, by one of their number, chosen a card from the
pack, it is torn to pieces. These fragments are wrapped in paper or a
handkerchief, while a hat is borrowed. Though the performer keeps at a
distance from the hat placed on the table, he throws the parcel towards
the hat, when from the latter is pro duced the card, perfect except for
a corner being missing. On opening the paper, that piece is found in
it, whereupon the performer, holding the torn card between thumb and
finger of one hand, throws the fragment at it, and the card immediately
becomes whole.
Explanation.—The card torn up is a duplicate of a
prepared card. The corner-piece shown is already in the paper or
handkerchief, into which the fragments of the torn card are not placed
at all, but juggled away.
The prepared card is constructed on a simple principle, thus:
A portion of the card at the back, B, works on the hinges C C C, so
as to fold over on the rest of the back of the card, and is prevented
going forward by the front of the card, E. On the piece B (Fig. 36), is
fixed the piece A, on the front of which is pasted the missing portion
of the card.
Action.—With a touch of the thumb, the movable flap it
folded back upon the rest of the card. The material can be pasteboard,
and there is no necessity of the card being very thick, but metal may
be used for more accuracy of fit.
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