Secrets from David Copperfield
In this guide I will tell you how to do six of David Copperfield's secrets, so that you can wow your friends and family.
1) If a spectator does not know where to sign their name, make them a key for the signature by transposing the letters of your first and last name. When they sign their name on your key, that is where they should sign as well.
2) When spelling a word backwards in order to cut it into two words with one thin line between them (i.e., "CAKE" becomes "AKE"), always end with the smallest letter in each word at the same spot if possible (i.e. the "C" in "CAKE").
3) When you are going through your card box with a spectator, have him point to one of the cards. When you look for it, go past the card he named three or four cards beyond it. The spectator will see that you have gone past the card he named and assume that is not the one. Then stop before reaching the card he pointed out, and say: "Ah, there it is."
When they see how he was fooled they will think they are pretty smart themselves. When they see you have stopped before reaching the card they pointed out, they will think that you are going to pull a fast one on them.
4) Say: "I have a dollar bill and this dime. I'd like for you to put the dime in my left eye." Then put the dime in your left eye and say: "This is such a wonderful sight you can even feel it!" This is of course no trick at all, but people will think it's real.
5) When having somebody sign his name on a card, tie that card to another signed card with string that had been cut into pieces before being pasted back together. You can also glue pieces of string onto the back of a card and put a little sewing pin through each piece to form a circle of pins on the back. This is a very clever move, which will certainly make your audience think they are seeing something that is impossible. If you use this method, make sure that when you line up the cards you do it by placing the first letter of your name on top of the glued string.
6) This can be done at any time during your show, but especially right after you have removed an article that has been placed in your shoe by one of your assistants. Ask someone to step forward to "check me out". then have him put his hand in your shoe and remove the article. Have him give it to you and say: "I'd like to have you take a good look at this." Tell him that you are very tired and your eyes are so sensitive that they hurt when they look at bright objects.
This is not really a trick, but people will think it is.
The best place for this little trick is during the second half of your show, just before the grand finale.
If you do not use this "trick" for the grand finale, do not hesitate to use it any time during the show. You can also use it after the show if you have a large audience. This is a very good way to get your audience to rise and applaud in the middle of the performance.
All that's left for you to do is perform your routine and give a few outstanding performances. I would recommend that you not just follow the instructions on this document, but instead use them as guidelines for some original ideas that will help you add a little more excitement to your act. We do not wanta take anything away from Copperfield because he is an excellent magician and has created some wonderful secrets, but we also do not want our audiences to confuse what was real with what was real, so that is why I have included these additional tricks.
I hope these secrets will help you in your magic so that you can be as successful as David Copperfield.
This article was published in The Linking Ring , July, 1984
Here's the secret to getting people to rise and applaud during the performance. It has nothing to do with cheering on a ball team or winning a war, but it'll surely get your audience on its feet.
After performing some of your favorite tricks and getting a great response, have someone go through the audience handing out little bouquets of flowers. In other words, provide an enticement for the audience to rise out of their seats and applaud your performance.
As an alternative, you could have your assistant run around the room with a toy drum filled with flour or something similar and have his assistant walk through the audience giving flowers to those who respond favorably.
It's amazing how many people will do anything for a flower!
Now, in closing, I hope that you will benefit from my experience, although there is nothing impersonal about David Copperfield's secrets. His secrets are real! And they are yours as well as mine.
After the success of David Copperfield, the world has been clamoring for more. I'd like you to know that you can have these secrets by simply purchasing my new book named "David Copperfield's Secrets," and you will also receive an annual subscription to The Linking Ring magazine.
The cost of this wonderful booklet and magazine is a mere $18.00 plus $3 for postage and handling, making it a total of just under $20 including taxes. This is a one time investment in your magic and will be well worth the money spent.
Instead of purchasing it from me, you can download my wonderful booklet and magazine at www.magicianmag.com .
You can also make a phone call to 1-800-331-8088 to order your copy by credit card, or you can go online for the same information by clicking here .
And if you are one of the many people who was disappointed with David Copperfield's last performance, then you will be delighted to find that he is back with more secrets that have been kept secret for over 25 years!
As a side note, I would like to point out that David Copperfield is under no obligation whatsoever to reveal these secrets. It was his own decision so that people would not be discouraged from purchasing his book, "The Magic of David Copperfield."
We hope you will agree with me that it is a good deal.
Before I let you go, I'd like to give you some additional facts about David Copperfield.
You may have wondered how he is able to perform some of those amazing tricks. Many people asked him this question when they read the book "The Magic of David Copperfield."
In fact, just after reading the book, I made a point of asking him some of the questions most often asked by magicians and laymen alike.
Conclusion
I cannot emphasize enough that the secrets in this booklet are real. I have done everything possible to assure you that the information provided is authentic.
I would like to especially thank Pat Page for her assistance in preparing this booklet. If you have any questions or would like further information, please write or call me at 1-800-331-8088 .
Enjoy your magic!
-- Bill Conti
********************************************* The Magic of David Copperfield Special UPDATE REGARDING COPPERFIELD'S SECRETS
Dear Pat Page : Thanks for sending me copies of the Secrets booklets and magazine. The photos are great and so is the writing style. It really leaves an impression upon one after reading it.