Hi folks. I am wondering if anyone can help me track down the origins of Coin to Ball of Wool. The earliest reference to the trick I have found is in Modern Magic, though the 1920 Donald Holmes book The Magic Art calls the bare bones of the trick "very, very old." Tarbell talks about seeing a Belgian magician do the trick during World War I for his 24th Balloon Regiment stationed in France, and he refers to the "old timers" who once did the trick with a ball of wool. I would like to develop a presentation that talks a bit about its origins. Does anyone have any other references that pre-date Hoffmann?

Thanks!