Hop, Skip and Jump – Edwin Hooper (Edwin’s Magic Arts)

Edwin Hooper, founder of Supreme Magic in England founded a much smaller magic company called Edwin’s Magical Arts after he has sold Supreme. True to his tradition he released several children effects, one of which is Hop, Skip and Jump.

We are happy to have found one in excellent condition with the original instructions. The only thing missing is a small metal stand which was used to hold the mushroom card in place, this can be easily replaced or the cards could simply lean against another prop on your table.

Here is the ad copy:
Two large cards are shown, the backs of the cards are of an attractive plaid design. The fronts show two little elves each dressed in a green costume with a little pointed cap and a bell, frilly collar, suit and shoes. Hands and faces are in pink and the elves have cute pointed ears and noses.
One of the elves, you tell the children, is called ‘Hop’, the other one is called ‘Skip’. There is a third little gnome but he seems to be hiding somewhere. Draw attention to a card which has a picture of a large mushroom, surrounded by green grass and with a light blue background. When the mushroom card is lifted up, a picture of the missing elf, Jump’ is seen. Jump is identical to his two friends, except that he is dressed in a red costume. The back of the card is a regular plaid one too. The mushroom is replaced on the stand and Jump is placed between his two friends. You explain that he got his nickname because he is always jumping about high up into the air. You tell the children that if they shout “Jump” that he will do just that, he will jump high up into the air and back between the other two cards again. The children shout “Jump”, there he goes, you say, and there he is back again, the children are not impressed. Well, you explain, he jumps very, very fast and obviously you don’t see him, he really does jump high up into the air. This time he’ll jump and he will turn a complete somersault – the business of having him jump and appear back between the other two cards is repeated. Follow his supposed flight with your eyes. Then you have an idea, maybe he could do half a somersault, then held be standing on his head. The children shout “Jump” and sure enough the elf is seen to be standing on its head. The children shout “Jump” again and there he is right way up once more. This business can be repeated and is very effective. Finally, you say, you are going to make him jump extra high. When you show the two green elves ‘Hop and ‘Skip’, there is no sign of ‘Jump’ anywhere – he seems to have vanished. Magician lifts up the mushroom card, explain that he may have jumped behind it, but there is no sign of anything there. Whilst the magician is chatting away, a card pops around the edge of the mushroom and back down again, magician never appearing to see it. Finally he does see it and ‘Jump’ is reunited with his friends again.