Thumb tip

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A thumb tip is a magician's prop used for vanishing, producing, or switching small objects. A classic effect is to have a silk handkerchief or other small object pressed into the top of the left fist. After pushing it well in with the right thumb, the left fist is opened to show the silk has disappeared. Alternatively, a lighted cigarette, liquid, salt or other small objects can be made to disappear in a like manner.

A similar effect would be to cause a handkerchief or other small object to appear in the left fist after previously showing it empty. The right hand approaches the left and after a brief pause pulls out the silk handkerchief bit by bit from the fist.

[edit] Explanation

Spoiler warning: The following section reveals a magic secret.

These vanishes and appearances are achieved by a small flesh-coloured imitation thumb tip, usually made of plastic or rubber, which fits loosely over the thumb. Space exists between the thumb and the tip in which a small object can be concealed.

For the vanish, the tip is already in the left fist. The handkerchief or cigarette is pressed into the tip with the fingers and then finally the right thumb, which comes quickly out of the hand with the tip on, and the object inside, between the tip and thumb. While the audience is looking at the fist, the performer has chance to misdirect and dump the tip and contents in a pocket, perhaps under cover of putting the hand in the pocket to obtain some "magic dust" to sprinkle on the left fist. Alternatively, the tip may be kept on the thumb for an indeterminate amount of time, using techniques of misdirection and shading to keep it invisible to the audience.

An appearance is achieved in a similar manner, but this time, the tip is already on the right thumb concealing the object inside. The tip is kept down by hiding the thumb behind the right hand, and moving the right hand around to reduce visibility, but it appears as though the right hand is empty, in a skilled performer's hands. The right thumb is then inserted into the left fist, while simultaneously the right fingers pull out the concealed object. While the audience are misdirected looking at the object, the performer may turn to his left and dump the tip into his left pocket leaving him clean.

A silk is often used because it will compress into a small space in the tip. Thumb tips and finger tips can be obtained at magic dealers. While the explanation is simple, the use and handling of the tip requires quite some skill and practice to perfect. Ultimately, the beauty of the illusion, as with most magic, will depend on the skill of the performer, both in the handling and as an actor.

[edit] Other types of thumb tips

Magicians have used modified thumb tips to accomplish different effects.

A thumb tip with a slit in the tip can be used like a dye tube to apparently change the color of a silk. In this case, a colored silk is preloaded into the tip. The magician steals the tip into the left fist, then pokes a white silk into the tip while alternately pulling the colored silk out from the other end.

A thumb tip with a small suction cup attached to the tip can be used to create the illusion of floating small objects. In this effect, the tip remains on the magician's thumb while the suction cup is affixed to a small object with a smooth surface (such as a light bulb or empty aluminum can), effectively attaching the object to the thumb. With the fingers spread, the thumb moves the object in such a way that it appears to be floating independently of the hands.

A thumb tip can be prepared with a wick protruding slightly form the end, soaked with lighter fluid. This enables the magician to "pick up" a flame, apparently with his or her fingers.

A thumb tip can have a piece of pencil lead at the end which can be used to secretly write on a piece of paper. This can be used for many mentalism tricks.