Modern Magic: A Practical Treatise on the Art of Conjuring

The above is the working of the “cone” in its simplest and barest form, but no skilled performer would dream of presenting the illusion in such a common-place way. To make the trick effective, it should be so arranged as to make the cone apparently change places with some other article. There are many combinations which might be suggested, but we shall content ourselves with describing one or two of those in most general use. The smaller sized cones may be worked in conjunction with a goblet and ball (the same as those used for the Cups and Balls), in manner following:--Having tendered for inspection the cone and cover as already described, and placed them on the table, the performer offers the goblet and ball in like manner for inspection. When they are returned, he places them also upon the table, a little distance apart, and meanwhile palms a second ball, which should be in readiness either on the servante, or in one of his pochettes. He now places the paper cover (which, it will be remembered, contains the hollow shell) over the first ball on the table. “Pray observe,” he remarks, “that I have fairly covered over the ball” (here he raises and replaces the cover, pressing so as to lift the shell with it, and showing that the ball is still there). “The goblet, as you have seen, is perfectly empty.”