The Matches of Lucifer (book) – Jack Vosburgh

“A standard catalog Item for years has been the “Topsy-Turvy Match” trick. We all know it. A full-size kitchen match and a tube just large enough to contain it are shown; the match is dropped into the tube head downward, and magically emerges head up, having apparently reversed itself while pass­ing through the tube.

“The trick is done with the aid of a fake metal head cap which fits onto the tail end of the match.

“I have always thought well of the ef­fect. It is simple, magical, and easy, and, except for the ready-made tube, it is natur­al and impromptu.

“In fact it is the simplicity of the thing that has taken it from the magician’s bag and placed it in the public domain. Right now it is too well known. All catalogs list it at a very low price; all novelty shops stock it, and almost every toy magic set con­tains it.

“That is why I happened to wonder several years ago whether this principle of a feke match head could be applied to other tricks with matches. Like another over-exploited gimmick, the thumb tip, this match feke might because of its very promiscuity become all the more useful if adapted to other effects and presented in disguise.

“The result of my first dissatisfaction is this collection of varied effects. All are easily workable and deceptive. However, because the same principle is used in each trick, it is not practical to form many of these into a routine. Merely do one now, now another; from your new repertoire select only one trick to do at any one time. If you de­vise more uses for this ingenious and until now neglected fake, I shall be pleased to hear from you.”

-Jack Vosburgh