you learn how very simple they are, remember that to those who are not "in the know," they are still deep mysteries. Do you know that some of the greatest tricks used on the stage today are centuries old? My Linking Ring Trick, for instance, was invented by a Chinaman in 1735, almost 200 years ago. And now in 1926, I use this simple trick. In 200 years no spectator has discovered the secret of it. Yet it is based on the simplest move imaginable.

There are tricks which are so old that their history cannot be definitely traced. Some were supposedly originated by the court jesters of France way back in the Middle Ages. Others are said to have been performed before the notorious Henry VIII., who reigned in England in the first half of the Sixteenth Century, more than 300 years ago. Still others are believed to have come down from antiquity.

These very tricks are some of the simplest in the whole art. They have survived the ages and their secrets are still undiscovered. These same tricks are used today to mystify and entertain people. What further proof do you need that the simplest tricks are often the most mystifying and never lose their charm. The amateur most often has the idea that a trick must be very elaborate. He thinks that the method of doing it must be very difficult and that there must be great deal of complicated equipment to do it with. I want you to get that idea out of your head and remember that in the simplicity of your tricks lies their great power to mystify the other fellow. Now we come to one of the most important elements in Magic.

Naturalness in Performing

If I can put across to you right now the idea of naturalness in performing tricks, I feel that I will have accomplished a wonderful thing. If you attempt to put any bit of Magic over with stiff hands, for instance in palming a coin, it would take but a minute for your audience to expose your secret. Your audience will know at once that you have something concealed in your hand if it is held in an unnatural position. Their attention will be drawn to the hand because of its awkward pose; whereas, if you hold it naturally, they will not even look at the hand.

You cannot hope to mystify your audience if you don't remember this:

Your Hands Must Be Held in a Natural Position

The amateur who tries to do tricks without scientific instruction always holds his hands very stiff and finds that his secret is discovered before he is half through with the trick. You must study your hands before your mirror. Watch the natural poses of them in different positions. Practice with NATURALNESS always in mind. Most of your ability to mystify depends on Naturalness in the pose of your hands. Hundreds of tricks depend on Naturalness for their effect. So master it at the very beginning.
Harlan Tarbell was the mentor of many gnerations of magicians through his famous correspondance course The Original Tarbell Course In Magic