Phillips file Home-made Himber

The Philips File

I discovered this little file at a flea market, it fits the applications of the Himber style wallet and a switch pad. Very simple yet baffling methodology.

Effect one: A card is selected and folded, then placed into a wallet.
The magician writes a prediction on a pad. The wallet is opened and the card is read.
The prediction matches.

Effect two: The magicians asks a spectator to write a four digit number and write it on the page in the file booklet. This is repeated two more times and the file book is then closed.

The booklet is then opened and handed o a fourth spectator and they are asked to add the numbers. The final answer is called out. The magician turns over a blackboard with chalk on it and the added number matches.


The wallet can open from either end, but if you open it while the writing facing right. You will notice the book has the writing on the left.

You can make your own by getting some of those refrigerator magnets, those thin magnetic squares that hold ads on them. Just sandwich two together. Glue some accordian pleated paper to the insides of the sandwich, and you have the gimmick.

Notice the writing is facing the left in the picture. The booklet should be opened from right to left as before, but since the booklet has secretly been turned, the writing inside will have the index on the right and text  heading at the right side. You are also actually seeing the
other side of the pages.


If I lift the booklet covers, you can see the fan-fold of the pages.
 
During the trick, no one spectator will see the same side.  Three spectators  write on one page, when you take the booklet back, the last spectator will actually add your pre-written numbers.

Notice the indexes have switched sides.
Note: You can write directly on the pages, but I suggest sticking post-its on the page, so you can use the switch device indefinitely.
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To Restate: You take the booklet out and open it to a page that has the post it note. You hold the booklet as you have the spectator write in the book. You then move to the next spectator and they write a four digit number, and the the last. You close the booklet briefly.
You then turn to a person behind that group, or someone at the other end of the room.
You re-open the booklet (from the other end), showing the new spectator the group of three numbers. You call out the numbers and have someone looking at the prediction on a chalkboard or in an envelope on the stage. The prediction matches the total.