Chinese Rings

Contrary to the usual fanciful nomenclature of magic tricks the Chinese Rings really were invented by the Chinese magicians. The name of the genius Who first devised the combination of a split ring with others solidly linked and solid single rings to simulate the actual linking and unlinking of the rings will never be known. Indeed it appears to have been a very old trick when it was introduced into Europe by a troupe of Chinese magicians early in the XIX Century. It was quickly adopted by the local magicians, Phillippe especially made a great reputation with this trick as well as the production of the huge bowl of water and ducks from a shawl, also borrowed from the Chinese.

chinese rings magicIn its original form eight rings were used, the key, two singles the set of two and the set of three. In all the real Chinese sets of rings that I have seen, the cut in the key ring is a straight cut. The slanting cut and the locking arrangement shown in Fig. 1, were probably devised by Western magicians. A later development made use of two keys and three additional single rings which enabled the operator to apparently link the whole set of twelve in a chain. The two end rings are simply held against the adjoining rings. Fig. 2.

chinese ringsMany attempts have been made to devise a practical key ring which could be examined and yet be opened and closed by the performer at will, but no satisfactory solution has yet been found. The search is really unnecessary for in good hands the trick is performed in such a way that the audience is fully persuaded that each and every ring has been examined and found to be solid.

The following brief survey gives the principal practical additions to the feat. No attempt has been made to give them in chronological order.

  1. The false count and the addition of the key ring after the other rings have been examined. This was the method adopted by Chung Ling Soo who gave the finest performance with the rings I have ever seen. He used eleven rings, ten only being shown to the audience. Counting these as eleven he proceeded to apparently link the set of two and the set of three and then tossed all of the ten rings for examination. When the rings were thrown back to the stage they were picked up by his assistant Suee Seen (Mrs. Soo) who added the key from her capacious sleeve as she handed the rings to Soo. He used large and thick rings, the bell-like sound given out when they were clashed together added greatly to the effect.
  2. The Large Ring. Devised by the late John Northern Hilliard, this idea of having one solid ring of such size that the other rings can be passed through it, makes possible some very effective and puzzling moves. For instance, the large ring can be made to apparently pass through a chain made by the others, in reality it passes over them.
  3. The Small Ring. This is just the reverse of the large ring. One single is of such diameter that it will slip through the others. This idea has undoubtedly been used by a number of performers but it was first published by Mr. Fitzkee in his manuscript "Linking Ring Manipulation." Mr. Fitzkee's routine makes effective use of both the large and the small ring.
  4. Counting the rings as separate. This very fine addition to the trick was first published by M. Odin, a French magician. His book has been translated by Mr. Victor Farelli under the title of "The Odin Rings." Mr. Farelli gives some effective additions to the original routine and his book should be studied by all ring workers.
  5. Exchange of full set of single rings for the trick set. Some performers have used this idea, the exchange being made at the back of a chair or table. I have yet to see a satisfactory method of making the exchange imperceptibly.
  6. Routine without a key ring. This method was first put forth by Messrs. Larsen and Wright in one of their publications. Their routine is practical and effective but the most brilliant exposition of this idea was that given by Mr. Herman Weber at the Heckscher Theater on the occasion of the 1938 S. A. M Hospital Benefit performance. Mr. Weber's handling of the rings without a key ring was such as to completely bewilder an audience composed mainly of magicians.

The three following moves were demonstrated to me by Cardini, the world famous manipulator. It is not generally known, even amongst magicians, that Cardini handles the linking rings as brilliantly as he does cards, billiard balls, cigarettes, et cetera.

Large rings and a key with a slanting cut are necessary in all three of the moves. Fig. 1.

originally published by Jean Hugard in Annual of Magic 1938

 

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