Okay guys. John Carney does this one in his act as a throwaway. I'm not interested in "best-guesses" (because I have a few of my own). I want to know, if anyone, definitively and certainly, knows how this is done. Here's what he seems to do/does: He opens a matchbox of wooden matches. Takes out one. (I have watched this a couple of times and, I believe, I have seen him take a NORMAL wooden match, chosen at random, out of the matchbox. He holds the match in one hand, the paper matchbox in the other. He brings the matchbox behind his back and tosses it up, juggling style, to his front, the matchbox hits the match while it is on it's way towards falling to the floor, and with the flick sound of the match hitting the box, The Match Lights. Where, in magic literature is this published, and where can I learn this trick? Thank you, Magic1

Let me ask you this Magic1. Because I have never seen John Carney do this; Are you under the impression that this is some sort of "trick" rather than just a bit of juggling? Because it certainly could be done without any trickery, with a ton of practice.

I know a method for doing this, I've not done it behind the back though. I found it in a vey old and small little booklet called "Match i/c" by Martin Gardner. From around 1935 or so.

Vandy

I have seen him do this, and it is not a trick (gimmick). I do not recall any write ups on it, but someone else may know.

Fine, then as I said above, I know how it's done.

Thanks very much you guys, and Vandy, I would be very interested in hearing your reply. Many thanks MO

Magic 1, it's in the book I mentioned above. Match I/C by Martin Gardner. Probably some other places as well. Sorry, I don't know where you can find the booklet, I just happened to pick it up at an auction or something.

The behind the back toss and light probably takes some practice.

Dear Chums,
I know of a method of doing this effect. I do not want to spread secrets over the webb so send me an e-mail.
Tell me the 'Handcuff King's' real name and I'll let you know.
georgekey69@hotmail.com
Cheers dears,
George.

Eccentricks by Charlie Frye contains a method for doing this. It is more of a juggling type stunt then a magic trick.

Kevin

I don't know about behind the back method but I can toss the matchbox in air and strike the match on the side as the box falls down. if the box is heavy, you can light the match most of the times.

Takes a bit of practise but it does work.

I don't know how would you do this without looking at the matchbox (unless a trick move).

That's probably what he did if he threw it behind the back...
In Eccentricks he holds a match and places the matchbox on the back of the same hand, throws it up in the air and lights the match.

Tomer

Wow guys- thank you!

I remember seeing an old film showing the great Bobby May doing that trick almost 90 years ago! He also would put a cigarette in his mouth, light a match then throw the match behind his back, catching the lit match on the tip of the cigarette lighting the cigarette.
Another trick I was him doing was to take a candle in a candlestick, light a match, then toss the candle out of the candlestick which would to a full revolution in the air and he would light the candle while in the air and finish by catching the candle back in the candlestick.

Tossed matchbox light a match:

hello George,

I have seen John Carney do this amazing juggling feat with lighting a match on a matchbox.
I would appreciate if you can tell me how its done.

answer your question the answer would be Eric Weiss the great Houdini.



thank you in advance

Tossed matchbox light a match:

hello George,

I have seen John Carney do this amazing juggling feat with lighting a match on a matchbox.
I would appreciate if you can tell me how its done.

answer your question the answer would be Eric Weiss the great Houdini.



thank you in advance

The guys I know who do this trick have gotten good at having the matchbox come down in very close proximity to the match, but they actually light the match with their thumbnail... which any good cowpoke can do in his sleep.