Baffling Boxes

Dominion, Volume 28, Issue 75, 21 December 1934, Page 21

Baffling Boxes

A Simple Trick

Two ordinary size pocket match boxes are exhibited, each half open. One is completely filled with matches, the other is empty. White paper is pasted on the front of each box, one having a cross marked on it and the other a vertical line from top to bottom—these Identifying marks being for the purpose of assuring no exchange of boxes.

Performer places one box on one side of room and the other box on other side, as far apart as possible. Boxes are then closed and each covered by a handkerchief borrowed from spectators, Performer commands boxes to change places, and when handkerchiefs are removed and boxes again opened matches will have passed from one box to the other. Here is the explanation: Glue a parr titjon in the contents part of two match boxes, dividing the boxes in half. Paste a white front on each box and mark as indicated. Fill half of each box with half matches, using the head parts. Start by having one box not quite half open, showing the matches; the other with empty half not quite half open. Stand boxes on end when placing on stapds. Close the boxes when placing handkerchiefs over them, at the same time turning both boxes upside down. After removing handkerchiefs open each box not quite half-way, showing that matches have apparently changed boxes. It is an intriguing party trick.