Jack and Harry – The Magical Bellhops (Attaboy) by Abbott’s, Jack Hughes

The legendary British Inventor, Craftsman, and Dealer Jack Hughes invented many staples in magic that we take for granted today (including: TV Card Frame (1936), Coins in Glass (before Copenetro) (1939), Clatter Box (1951) and many more. He also invented this beauty, Attaboy, c. 1937.

Both of these versions were made by Abbott’s in Colon, Michigan, who own the exclusive USA manufacturing rights.  The Attaboy on the left is one of the very earliest releases, though both versions would be considered vintage.  The main differences between these two versions are:

• the earlier one had more detailed artwork.
• the earlier one had a smaller base.
• the earlier one only worked with bridge sized cards *

*Notice: even though Harry (the later one) takes Poker sized cards I found Bridge sized cards worked smoother all around and that is what I used for my Speed Demo.

I noticed I had these two Attaboy’s in my closet so spoke to my good friend, Paul Richards (of old Elmwood Magic fame), and we came up with what I think is a great routine that gives this beautiful idea and prop the extra kick it needs.  I hope you like it 🙂

Includes:

• Two beautiful Attaboys from Abbott’s as shown.
• Red and Blue bicycle bridge sized decks (bonus).
• A third deck of Modern Feel Jerry’s Nuggets Deck (bonus).

Effect: The performer introduces Jack and Harry as two bellhops from the Golden Age of Magic when performers like Harry Houdini, Harry Kellar, and Howard Thurston were frequent attractions. In those days even the bellhops used to perform magic, and this is Jack and Harry’s favorite routine …

Jack and Harry are introduced and their two card houlettes are shown – one at their feet and a second held against their chests.  Each houlette has a cutout so that all the cards going in and out can be clearly seen.  A blue and a red deck of cards are handed out to two spectators for a good shuffling.  A third deck shuffled by the performer and a card selected by a spectator and placed face down on the mat.

The two shuffled decks are cleanly dropped into the lower houlettes and the magician explains he is going to take a card from each houlette and drop it in the top for each bellhop one at a time.  The spectator is free to shout out “Stop Jack!” and “Stop Harry!” whenever they want.  There is no force.  The spectator shouts “Stop Jack!” first and the card in the performer’s hand is removed. But continues to move cards for Harry until the spectator also  shouts “Stop Harry!”.

Now the card stopped at for Jack is shown – it is the Jack of Hearts (say).  Harry’s card is also displayed and that is also the Jack of Hearts to match.  Finally, the card placed aside by the spectator before they began is turned over by the spectator and that two also matches the Jack of Hearts!

Don’t forget to tip your Bellhops 🙂

(Remember the card can be different every time and there are no moves or sleights.)

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