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The Peek / Glimpse
This term is applied to the method
of ascertaining what a given card is
unknown to the spectators. The
earliest description of the sleight
that I have been able to find is
that given by Robert Houdin in his
book, "Les Secrets de la
Prestidigitation et de la Magic,"
published in 1868, as follows:
"You slip the little finger under
the card you desire to know, then
with extreme rapidity you open the
pack at that point and, with a swift
glance, ascertain what the card is.
The necessary movement, quick as
lightning, cannot possibly be
perceived by the public, inasmuch as
it is made while carelessly waving
the hand about, and with the backs
of the cards towards thespectators."
In Robert-Houdin's time there were
no indices on the cards, hence to be
sure of noting the card the pack had
to be opened quite widely, book
fashion, the upper part of the pack
being gripped between the third and
little fingers, With modern cards
this is not necessary, the lower end
of the packet being raised by the
little finger just enough to allow a
glimpse of the lower index.
It must be noted particularly that
your gaze must be directed at the
spectators and not at the pack, In
the course of a natural gesture
accompanying your patter, the pack
is brought in the line of vision. At
that moment the index is exposed and
the card noted. Fig. 1. |
