There are methods for lighting cigs in the "tanks" that just use wooden matches and you can light them while in hand.

As far as gloves go, I have found that military "Honor Guard" cotton gloves work well and white "Kid Leather" gloves are superb.

Cheers!

DJ, Cardini lit his cigarettes before he went on stage. They were put into the holder/tank just before he made his entrance. If, in the course of his act one went out, he simply made a show of relighting it.

Thanks Harry,

So I guess there must be air holes in the tank. Because I would think they would go out after about 2 minutes. Could I have birds in my coat also or would this harm them?

Sorry I don't know much about these holders...

Also does anyone know where I can get one of these?

Cardini, made his own “tanks” (he actually made most of the items he used, i.e., his billiard balls, etc). One side of the tank was made of wire mesh (screen or more accurately “rabbit wire”. I saw one of his tanks at a collector’s convention some years ago. It held four lit cigarettes.

The cigarettes smolder while in the holder. They don’t give off much smoke (your jacket will smell like heck! But you knew that.). Properly placed they should not bother your birds.

If I were producing a dove from a dove pocket in my jacket, I probably would put the cigarette holder on the opposite side of the jacket at the hem. If I were producing two doves (or more) from each side of the jacket then my holders would be toward the rear of my jacket. It just takes playing with the props to find the absolute proper placement for your particular act.

Tanks for holding lighted cigarettes are fairly low tec and easily built. They are never seen so don’t have to be pretty. A pair of tin snips, an old soup can, a safety pin and a nail (to punch holes) and you can make a workable/useable tank.

DJ, Abbott’s used to carry a line of them. They were called "Cigarette Reproducers". They made them to hold from one to four cigarettes. Give them a call and see if they still carry a version.

Harry you have helped me out so many times. thanks again


DJ

Cardini also made reels and other gimmicks. I had one of the wrist watch reels he made, but had to sell to pay the rent.

Frakson was really the better cigarette act. Matter of fact Cardini was said to have taken photos of Frakson's act from a seat in the audience.

Both were master showmen.

Many cigarette acts only had a couple that were actually lit and burning, holding smoke in their mouth to blow out from a non lit cig.

I like the John Calvert "Symphony of Smoke". He doesn't light the cigarettes now. It still amazes an audience.

John Calvert's cigaratte routine is still an amazing bit of magic. I saw him perform this when he was 90 at our area convention. He still amazed people with it and the skill involved.

Vienna Magic in Vienna (Austia) once had a cigarette dropper that was electronic and lit the cigarette as it was stolen.

Jonas Karlsson
Vibono Magic
Sweden

That sounds so great!!!

But I was talking with Tom Mullica and he told me to never use an electric dropper, he said they are not worth the trouble. I think that would be my best bet though...

I believe McBride even shows manipulations done while taking his gloves off. I think it is in part three of The Art of Card Manipulation series.

Man, what I would give to see Cardini perform.

No kidding eh, it is volume 2.

My bad. Volume 2.

I don't think you need an excuse to remove gloves. Just do it or if you feel uncomfortable ( ) about it try the suggestions from The Art of Card Manipulation Vol. 2.

Good luck.