Marking the end of the first subscription period, this copy of The Jinx goes forth with a deep sigh of relief.
May I suggest that those who had faith at the start and who may have an inkling of what is to come renew their subscriptions with whomsoever they were placed in the beginning and sit tight.
I won't promise anything other than that they will receive all copies contracted for regardless of contents.
Rather late comes the suggestion that it has been found practical to put copies of The Jinx in the loose leaf notebooks that can be purchased at any Woolworth store. We don't make a business of selling these as special binders at an advanced price plus postage so kindly take the suggestion for what it is worth. This is, of course, meant for those who think the sheet is worth saving.
Jinx readers have commented upon the fact that the sheet contains no advertising either for myself or anyone else. Several dealers have written regarding the same but so far I have turned the other ear. It's good tricks I'm selling, not ads, and I'll stand or fall by them alone. If I can't put out and sell an issue that is worth a quarter to any performer I'll put things away and hold my peace.
Letters galore tell me the sheet is liked. Frank N. Dodd of Babylon, New York, sends praise and praise coupled with the valuable suggestion that in regards to the effect Cigarette Perception as of Jinx #4 and by Martin Sunshine, he would suggest the use of ladies rather than gentlemen because of the greater difference in footwear. Look it up again and admit that Mr Dodd had a happy thought.
Before I pass to subjects other than myself and my child I must fall all over to include this excerpt from a letter at hand: "If during the current year I get nothing further from The Jinx, I shall have received my money's worth from A Real Psychic Card Test (#3). The thing that makes me so damn mad is that every angle was known to me but why in hell didn't I think of their application." Bob Herman.
News of the Month
News of the month includes the fact that the best known (and liked too) family act in magic today has received an internal wound. Peggy Gwynne is being married as this is written (February 6) to Frank Cole of Providence, R.I. and my wire of congratulations was to him in particular because he's taking unto himself a swell little trouper. Jack, Anne and Buddy will keep on with the act of acts but it won't be the same with a new face. I can remember when Peggy was learning her French lessons on the road and Buddy was continually upset because his examination papers just couldn't seem to catch up with him. There used to be so many forwarding addresses on the mail when it did come that it looked like the examination papers of a Railway Postal Clerk. Jack is giving Peggy a Doll House Illusion for a wedding present. He wants her to have some place to go and hide when she and Frank have one of those inevitable scraps. I wish them all kinds of happiness and only hope she realizes how the family will miss her.
Good laughs are scarce at times but the past month was productive of one in particular. Stage Magic Number Two made its appearance and contained an intriguing advertisement of Burling Hull's Nudist Coin Vanish. Reproduced clippings authenticate Mr Hull's appearance and performances at various nudist colonies during the past summer. We are told of his performing this no doubt clever vanish of a coin both in tuxedo and later at a private performance in the men's quarters. Lastly we read that said trick can be obtained with photographs posed by Mr Hull himself performing the trick in two different forms! We haven't had the good fortune to see this trick in either form but such illustrated instructions should be cheap at any price.
Professionals who should know always say that booking agents have no sense of humor. The following from the column of Leonard Lyons in the New York Post of January 15th seems to show an exception if there be such a rule:
"Taps, the booking agent, tried to interest Harry Akst into signing the Great Dunninger for the new Casino de Paree show. 'Psychics are the rage now', Taps insisted, 'and you can get him for $1500 a week.' Akst frowned at the price. 'But you'll have three shows a day,' the agent explained, 'and after all it'll be tough to get the spirits to work with him that often.' Akst had a ready solution. 'Never mind Dunninger. For that dough – see if you can sign the spirits!'
Lastly we think The Jinx must be getting around. The January issue was out on the 10th and on January 17th Sophie Tucker, who graced the Rudy Vallee hour program from coast to coast broadcasted the age and money trick contained in that issue. Miss Tucker is an enthusiast of the first water and was made a member in London on her last trip there.
Some of us pick professions because of what they are, and some because of what they earn. Very few are able to combine both aims. The American Society of Mechanical Engineers met in New York last month and in the report was listed in order the professions assuring the highest incomes in return for investment in education.
The paragraph that caught my eyes read "Any profession or trade loses its income-earning value as soon as people become familiar with its secrets."
The list would have been too long had it been carried down to magician's incomes but it strikes me that if the greatest of professions recognize that paragraph as fact, why can't dumb, bellicose magis who strain to get their name in print over explanations of magic get just a faint glimmering of the harm they do. For the most part they are disappointed aspirants to fame.
It's a case of 'Where there's no hope, there's no feeling.'