Hi Everyone,
I've always performed 20th Century Silks using a method outlined in a very old Harry Stanley Catalogue! Does this date me, or what! I've never really been happy with it given that it involves a quite bulky load of silks ending up looking quite creased at the end of the effect. Consequently, I've tended to use this trick at the start or opening of the programme in order to overcome this problem. It would be good to be able to do at any time during the show, in any conditions using an angle free prop.

Can anyone out there in the Café suggest a simple, cheap prop that I can build which will enable me to perform this lovely, little effect to its best advantage.

As always, my thanks to you all.

Lester

Is the Harry Stanley method the standard method?

Thanks,
Richard

Pm me and tell what you have doing as the method and maybe I can advise you how to handle this better.

Richard

Hi Lester:

I'm not familiar with the Harry Stanley method, but the typical method from Rice's Encyclopedia of Silk Magic will give you the result you're looking for. The silk which appears between the other two is never folded up in a small bundle, making creases, etc.

I've been doing the 20th Century Silks for years, and have always done it in the middle of the program - the silk looks just fine.

Ron

Don't get "proppy" with a silk trick. Sure, you can make a wooden stand to do the trick, but the beauty of it is that you can also do it with 4 ungimmicked silks and that's to be preferred over a prop trick any day.

The version I started out with thirty years ago doesn't fold or crush the silks except when you stuff them into a glass, spectator's hands or a dye box. The final display always looked good.

Not sure what method you are using, but several involve rolling the silk(s), leaving no wrinkles.

I agree with the guys about crushing the silks. If you use pure silk, there is no problem.

I just am not familar with the Harry Stanely method but have used the prepared and unprepared methods with no problems.

Richard

Hi Everyone,

Thanks guys for your replies. I shall look around for alternative methods which do not involve rolling the silks!

As always, all good magical wishes. Thanks for your help.