“Seeing" colours blindfolded

Press, 23 August 1977, Page 22

“Seeing" colours blindfolded

In thia trick you are able to name colours correctly — even though your eyes are closed.

You need; Three identical pieces of ribbon or tape, each of a different colour; a large handkerchief or a scarf; three identical-looking safety pins. Stand in front of some friends and bring out of your pocket three closed safety pins. Tie a piece of ibbon to each one. Tell your friends that a magician has special powers which enable him or her to see colours which ordinary people cannot see. To prove it. y j will identify different colours with your eyes shut.

Ask someone to blindfold you with the handkerchief or scarf, and say that no matter which of the three safety pins is

put into your hand, you can tell the audience the colour of the ribbon tied on to it.

And you will. Each time you pick up a pin, the magic works successfully. The secret? Before you do the trick, make sure that all three safety pins have slightly different points. On one pin you must file down tl.e point a little; on the next you must bend over the tip with pliers; the last pin you must leave alone. When you tie on each ribbon, you quickly note the point of the pin and remember the colour of the ribbon attached to it.

After you are blindfolded, and a safety pin is handed to you, put your hands behind your back, open the pin. feel its point, then close it again Then you can put your hands in front of you and announce the colour.