Pom-Pom Prayer Stick by Unknown

The Pom-Pom Prayer Stick was invented by Louis Histed and published in his book The Magic of Louis S. Histed c. 1947 as the effect Papyrus (pg 55). The effect was made famous and very popular by the great Ali Bongo (William Oliver Wallace: 1829-2009). You can read more details about the origins here. It is really a beautiful effect full of comedy and mystery.

Another great comedy item from an unknown builder, sold to me as Milson-Worth, but it is not.  In fact, this version is often confused with a Milson-Worth Wizards Wand, which is is quite different from both externally and internally.  If you can’t see the ridge on the outside where the tubes join the real give away is the Milson-Worth version uses actual pulley’s inside which none of the other versions (including this one) I have seen do.

Effect: You have a length of tube with a piece of cord passing thru each end. Different colored, Pom Poms are attached to each end of the cord. The pieces of cord are pulled back and forth thru the rod to prove the cords are unconnected. but just to confuse the audience, the magician pulls one cord out to double its original length, making the cord on the other end go up. From then on, whichever end the performer pulls it will become a long cord on its own, giving the impression that there are at least six cords.

With limitless and comic variation, the magician repeatedly pulls on the ends until the audience becomes completely bewildered. Then the great climax – unexpectedly you make both cords long, then pull the tube apart to show there is no connection between the cords (this amazes the audience and they show it!) Slip the two halves back together again, and to show the audience that you have a miracle in your hands, resume pulling the cords as before, and take a well deserved bow.

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