Bertram’s Programme and Coin Magic Trick A Step-by-Step Guide

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Bertram's Programme and Coin

Bertram’s Programme and Coin Magic Trick: A Step-by-Step Guide. The Bertram’s Programme and Coin Trick is an intricate routine that combines sleight of hand, audience participation, and a cleverly disguised switch. This trick captivates audiences by making a borrowed, marked coin vanish, only to reappear in a series of sealed envelopes hidden within a program.

Bertram’s Programme and Coin Magic Trick: A Step-by-Step Guide

Effect of the Trick

  1. Coin Borrowing: A spectator is invited to the stage and asked to lend a marked quarter, which is placed on a small plate.
  2. Program Borrowing: The performer borrows a printed program from the audience, emphasizing that it’s ordinary.
  3. The Vanish and the Sealed Envelopes: The marked coin seems to vanish and reappear within a series of envelopes, each one nested within the other and sealed with wax.
  4. Restoring the Program: To add another layer, the borrowed program, which had been torn and used, is miraculously restored.

Props Required

  • Printed Program: Specially printed on linen paper for durability.
  • Prepared Envelope Set: Four small envelopes made from the same type of program paper. Each envelope fits inside the other and can be sealed with wax.
  • Marked Quarter: A spectator’s marked coin.
  • Sealing Wax: Used to seal each envelope and for visual effect.
  • Assistant: To manage the switch and setup behind the scenes.
  • Magic Wand: Optional, but helps with the dramatics of the effect.

Preparation Steps

  1. Prepare the Envelopes:
    • Cut a program into four equal pieces and create four small envelopes.
    • Ensure each envelope is nested so they can fit one inside the other.
  2. Set Up the Switch:
    • Borrow a marked quarter and keep it in full view on a plate.
    • Practice the coin switch: replace the marked quarter with a substitute on the plate, while palming the marked quarter for later use.
  3. Prepare the Assistant’s Role:
    • Your assistant is key. When they bring the sealing wax onstage, they’ll secretly take the marked coin, insert it into the prepared envelopes, and seal each one with wax offstage.
    • The assistant will then place the prepared stack of envelopes on a table for the final reveal.

Performing the Trick: Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Introduce the Coin and Program

  1. Borrow the Marked Coin:
    • Invite a spectator onstage and borrow a marked quarter, placing it on a small plate. Emphasize that the coin will remain in view.
    • As you go to place it on the plate, perform the switch, leaving a substitute coin in view and keeping the marked one palmed.
  2. Borrow the Program:
    • Ask for a program from the audience, showing it as a typical, everyday program.
    • As you call your assistant onstage to bring the sealing wax, hand off the marked quarter to them, discreetly.

Step 2: Enclose and Seal the Coin

  1. Assistant’s Actions Offstage:
    • While you interact with the audience, the assistant quickly inserts the marked coin into the first envelope, then seals it. They repeat this process for all four envelopes, stacking each one inside the other and sealing with wax.
    • The assistant places the prepared stack of envelopes on the table, then exits the stage.

Step 3: Misdirection and Final Switch

  1. Direct Attention to the Program:
    • Ask the spectator to wrap the substitute coin in the borrowed program.
    • Walk over and instruct them on the “correct” way to fold it, subtly swapping in the prepared packet of envelopes in place of the wrapped coin.
  2. Build Suspense with Sealing Wax:
    • Hand the packet of envelopes to the spectator and take a stick of sealing wax.
    • Dramatically “strike” the packet four times, implying the magical sealing process has occurred.

Step 4: The Magical Reveal

  1. Reveal the Envelopes:
    • Instruct the spectator to open the packet. As they unfold it, they’ll find a sealed envelope.
    • They continue opening each envelope until they reach the final one, which contains the marked quarter.
    • Return the coin to its original owner, confirming the unique mark they placed.

Step 5: Restore the Program

  1. Restore and Return the Program:
    • Gather the torn pieces of the program in one hand. With sleight of hand, switch in a complete program you have palmed earlier.
    • Show the restored program to the audience, completing the trick on a high note.

Tips for Success

  • Practice Sleight of Hand: Ensure smoothness with the coin switch and the program swap.
  • Use Clear Misdirection: Engage the audience while your assistant works offstage, keeping their focus on you.
  • Build Suspense: Create a sense of mystery by pausing slightly with each step, particularly before each envelope is opened.
  • Keep the Assistant Invisible: They should move quickly and discreetly to avoid suspicion.

Conclusion

The Bertram’s Programme and Coin Trick is a sophisticated routine that combines misdirection, sleight of hand, and teamwork for an unforgettable performance. With seamless coordination, you’ll astonish your audience by making a marked coin reappear in layers of sealed envelopes, all while restoring a borrowed program to its original state. This trick demonstrates the art of magic at its finest, leaving spectators bewildered and delighted.

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