W IL L ALMA

M.I.M.C. (LO N DO N)
I

HAROLD RICE
presents
Francis B. Martineau's
^ VICTORY

EDITED BY JOHN BRAUN

wi th
Introduction by ................. HAROLD R. RICE

Illustrations by ........ FRANCIS B. MARTINEAU

Published by

SILK KING STUDIOS

C IN C I N N A T I * NEW YO R K C IT Y
 C o p y rig h t, 1944

By HA R O L D R. RICE

★
ALL R IG H T S RESERVED

No p a r t o f t h is book may be
rep ro d u ced in any form w ith o u t
p e r m is s io n in w r it in g fro m
th e p u b !i s h e r s .

T h e m a n u f a c t u r in g r ig h t s fo r
a ll of th e d e v i c e s d e s c r ib e d
or illu s t r a t e d h e r e in a re re ­
se rv e d by th e p u b lis h e r s .

P r in t e d in th e U n ite d S t a t e s o f A m erica

2
 The State Library of Victoria
“ALM A CONJURING COLLECTION”
INTRODUCTION

Although flo w e r bouquets have been an in t e g r a l p a rt o f m a g ic ia n s '

a c t s f o r many y e a r s , l i t t l e h a s been w r i t t e n ab o u t t h e a r t o f
m aking them . In w r i t i n g VICTORY BOUQUET, F r a n c is M a rtin e a u i s
a p io n e e r in a new f i e l d . He d e s c rib e s and i l l u s t r a t e s a new typ e
o f flo w e r bouquet in such c l e a r and e x p l i c i t d e t a il t h a t even th e
n o v ic e w i l l have no tr o u b le in fo llo w in g h i s i n s t r u c t i o n s . T h is
i s a p r a c t i c a l d i s s e r t a t i o n r e s u lt i n g from c o n s id e r a b le e f f o r t
and stu d y on th e p a rt o f Mr. M a rtin e a u . E v e ry o p e ra tio n h as been
worked out to th e most m in u te d e t a i l , le a v in g n o th in g to th e im­
a g in a tio n . Any in d iv id u a l w i l l i n g to f o llo w th e in fo rm a tio n g ive n
h e r e in i s a s s u re d o f b e in g w e ll re p a id f o r h is tim e and e f f o r t .

The id e a o f using paper to re p la c e f e a t h e r s in making bouquets may

not meet w ith th e read er's immediate ap p ro val. The t i t l e , VICTO RY
BOUQUET i s in no way intended a s a s u b s t it u t e f o r th e f e a t h e r bou­
q u et. In s te a d , he i s o f f e r in g something new and novel t h a t should
pro ve to be a s p o p u la r in p e a ce -tim e a s i t w i l l be in t h i s d a rk e r
hour o f o u r w o rld h is t o r y .

Anyone can make t h i s bouquet. The m a t e r ia ls a r e in e x p e n s iv e . It

i s sim p le in c o n s tru c tio n , y e t i t is more than e f f e c t iv e in appear­
a n ce , d u r a b i l i t y and o p e r a t io n . I t r e q u ir e s le s s sp a ce th an th e
t r a d i t i o n a l f e a t h e r bouquet and does n o t r e q u ir e th e tr e a tm e n ts
n e c e s s a r y to keep f e a t h e r f lo w e r s in new and f r e s h c o n d it io n .

The am ateur and p r o f e s s io n a l a l i k e w i l l f in d th e m a te r ia l in t h i s

book o f c o n s id e ra b le v a lu e . I t makes p o s s ib le a b e a u t if u l f lo w e r
a c t w here lim it e d fu n d s would o th e r w is e p re ve n t i t . The seasoned
p e rfo rm e r w i l l see u n lim it e d p o s s i b i l i t i e s f o r th e u se o f th e s e
new b o u quets in h i s a c t , and m a rv e l a t th e e a s e w it h w h ic h th e
bou quets can be c o n c e a le d . The f lo w e r s f o ld f l a t and le a v e no
re v e a lin g b u lg es when used a s body lo a d s. Hundreds o f bouquets can
be produced from a s u r p r i s in g l y sm a ll sp a c e . What c o u ld be more
b e a u t if u l th an a s ta g e l i t e r a l l y c o v e re d w it h VICTORY BOUQUETS?

3
 REQUIREMENTS
The follow ing b a s ic m a t e r i a l s are r e q u i r e d to m a k e the bouquets as
d e s c r i b e d by the author i n the t e x t o f t h i s book. However, b e fo re
purchasing these m a t e r i a l s i t i s a d v isa b le to co nsider the suggested
v a r i a t i o n s t h a t have been added at th e end o f t h i s d i s c o u rs e .
BLOSSOMS . *
One sh eet o f 20" x 30" c o lo re d wrapping t i s s u e paper (som etim es c a lle d g i f t
wrapping paper) w i l l make s i x ( 6) b lo sso m s. T h is paper can be o b ta in e d a t
most departm ent and s t a t io n e r y s t o r e s . A package o f tw e n ty -fo u r (2*1) sh e e ts
u s u a lly c o s t s ten c e n ts (1 0i ) . Only th e b e s t grade o f paper sh ould be used
a s i n f e r i o r grad es t e a r v e r y e a s i l y . T h is paper i s a v a il a b l e in q u ite an
asso rtm ent o f gay b rig h t c o lo r s . The c h o ic e o f c o lo rs i s l e f t to th e in d iv ­
id u a l. Some p r e f e r to make th e bouquets w ith blossoms o f a l l th e same c o lo r.
O thers l i k e to a s s o r t the c o lo r s in each bouquet.

OUTSIDE LEAVES OR PETALS (CALYX)

The green cup-shaped p a rt on th e u n d e rsid e o f a blossom i s u s u a lly known as
th e c a ly x . Fo r s i m p l i c i t y in d e s c r ip t io n t h i s p o rtio n o f th e blossom w i l l
be known as th e o u t s id e le a v e s , FIGURES EIGHTEEN AND NINETEEN, (Page I I ) .
These le a v e s a re made from a sh eet o f 2 0 " x 3 0 " dark green g i f t wrapping paper.

SPRINGS
A s t e e l r u le o r any o th e r lig h t w eight s t e e l i s needed f o r the s p rin g s . A v e ry
s u it a b le s t e e l r u le i s a v a il a b l e a t most hardw are and te n - c e n t s t o r e s . It
c o i l s w it h in a hand m etal c a se and i s in e x p e n s iv e .

SPRING REINFORCEMENTS
S e v e ra l f e e t o f pound gummed brown k r a f t paper ta p e i s needed. I t is
im p o rtant th a t th e paper be a t le a s t 40 pound s t o c k . Some o f th e n arro w er
ta p es a r e o f l i g h t e r w e ig h t. Tape I " wide i s p re fe rre d but 2 " wide tape can
be s p l i t in to I " w id th s v e ry e a s i l y .

STEMS
O btain a r o l l o f number t h ir t e e n (13) ste e l fis h le a d e r w ir e o r some piano
w ir e o f th e same gauge.

STEM LEAVES
Th ese a re made from c re p e p a p er. Dennison D up lex Crepe i s id e a l a s i t i s
tw o-tone in c o lo r and double w e ig h t. S in g le w eig h t cre p e paper has a te n ­
dency to c u r l a f t e r th e bouquet has been used s e v e r a l t im e s . One b o lt o f
Dennison Duplex C re p e , M o ss-Le a f Green No. 336-37 u s u a lly c o s t s te n c e n t s
(lO tf). One b o lt g iv e s a p ie c e 10" w id e and 7£ f e e t lo n g .

STEM WRAPPINGS
As th e w ir e s a re b are th e y must be wrapped. T h is w rapp ing a ls o h o ld s th e
stem le a v e s in p la c e . A b a ll o f dark green c o tto n wrapping co rd i s needed.
T h is can be o b tain ed a t most te n - c e n t s t o r e s f o r ten c e n t s (lO tf).

4
TOOLS
A sm all p a ir o f p l i e r s o r p in c e r s , a p a ir o f sharp s c i s s o r s , and a b o t t le or
tube o f good l iq u id glu e a re a ls o needed.

BOUQUET SCALE
T h is c h a r t i s designed to a id in d e te rm in in g th e dim ensions o f th e bouquets.

Number o f C o lo rs of- Length o f Number o f Height o f

blossoms blossoms w ire stems stem le a v e s bouquet
SMALL
BOUQUET 8 t II" 30 15"

MEDIUM
BOUQUET 12 6 I2 i " to 16^"

LARGE
BOUQUET 18 9 It" 60 18"

FOLDING THE BLOSSOM

T r y t h i s f o ld s e v e r a l tim e s w ith a p ie c e o f p la in paper, 10 " s q u a re , b e fo re
u sin g y o u r c o lo re d paper.

Lay th e paper on th e t a b le and l e t t e r th e c o rn e rs A, B, C, and D, r e s p e c t iv e ­

l y , as i l l u s t r a t e d in FIGURE ONE, (Page 7 ) . Now f o ld c o r n e r D up f lu s h to
c o rn e r A and c re a se C-B as in FIGURE TWO. U nfold th e paper and resume FIGURE
ONE. Then f o ld c o rn e r C up to c o rn e r B and c re a s e A-D a s in FIGURE THREE.
Resume FIGURE ONE. Fold bottom C-D o v e r and square i t w ith top A-B, c re a s in g
G-H a s in FIGURE FIV E. Resume FIGURE ONE. You now have yo u r paper folded in to
e ig h t eq ual p a r t s . C are m ust be ta k e n t h a t a l l c r e a s e s c r o s s s q u a r e ly in
th e c e n t e r Z a s in FIGURE S IX .

Tu rn th e p a p e r o v e r . D is r e g a r d in g th e l e t t e r s on th e now u n d e r s id e , r e ­
l e t t e r th e c o rn e rs and c r e a s e s a s in FIGURE S IX . Lay th e paper in fr o n t o f
you w ith c o rn e r D to w ard s you and A away from y o u . P la c e th e f o ld F -Z on
th e f o ld A -Z, FIG URE SEVEN, and c r e a s e X -Y , m aking c e r t a i n t h a t th e f o ld
ru n s through th e c e n t e r Z. (N o tic e t h a t th e f o ld s H-Z and B-Z a r e a ls o in
lin e .) Open th e paper a g a in and t h i s tim e p la c e c o r n e r B to w a rd s you and
c o rn e r C away from you. P la c e th e f o ld H-Z on th e f o ld C -Z , and c r e a s e as
b e fo r e . You w i l l n o t ic e t h a t th e s e f o ld s a re c u t t in g th e e ig h t s e c t io n s
in h a l f , and t h a t th e f o ld s a r e a lt e r n a t in g from e i t h e r s id e o f th e p a p e r.
Repeat t h i s fo ld once more by p la c in g c o rn e r A tow ards you and c o rn e r D away
from you. P la c e fo ld G-Z on f o ld D-Z and c re a s e through c e n t e r Z a s b e fo re .

5
 You w i l l d is c o v e r , a f t e r t r y in g t h i s f o l d , th a t i t i s much e a s ie r to do than
to e x p la in .

N o tic e t h a t you now have two " e ig h th s e c t io n s " w hich have n o t been c u t in
tw o , FIGURE EIGHT. They a r e th e shape o f th e flo w e r .

S t a r t a t th e f o ld s o f th e la rg e s e c tio n and f o ld th e c re a s e s a c c o rd ia n fa s h ­
io n , f i r s t fro m one s id e and th en th e o t h e r , u n t i l you have th e blossom
fo lded as in FIGURE NINE. Cut o f f both horns a s in FIGURE TEN, and you have
th e f in is h e d blossom, ready t o mount. FIGURE ELEVEN, th e blossom , is b p e n e d
s l i g h t l y to show th e f o ld s .

Now cu t your sh e e ts o f co lo re d paper - - each p ie c e w i l l make s i x 10" sq uares.

Fo ld as many o f th e se a s yo u r bouquet r e q u ir e s ( a f t e r you have m astered th e
f o ld in g you w i l l fin d i t i s p o s s ib le to fo ld a f u l l sh eet o f p a p e r, c u t th e
blossom s to shape and then se p a ra te them. However, t h i s i s no t recommended
u n t il th e a r t o f f o ld in g has been c o m p le te ly m a s te re d .)

By c u t t in g th e blossom s as in FIGURE TEN "B ", th e crown o f th e bouquets i s

"fe a th e re d " a l i t t l e more than th e c u t in FIGURE TEN "A ", and g iv e s an en­
t i r e l y d i f f e r e n t appearing bouquet. Both methods o f c u tt in g a re v e ry e f f e c ­
t i v e and some may p r e f e r to make up a bouquet o f each s t y le . Don't h e s it a t e
to t r y some fa n c y c u t o f your own c r e a t io n . The r e s u lt s may be v e r y e f f e c ­
t iv e .

PREPARING THE STEM

Cut th e w ir e s f o r th e stein s to th e d e s ir e d le n g th . With a sm a ll p a ir o f
p l i e r s bend back about 1/ 2 " a t one end, making a t ig h t " h a ir - p in hook" as in
FIGURE TWELVE, (Page 8 ) .

CUTTING AND SHAPING THE SPRING

The s p rin g s can be made o f any l i g h t s t e e l , but th e b e st and p ro b a b ly th e
e a s ie s t to g e t, i s th e " ta p e " o f an o ld s t e e l t a p e - r u le . W ith a p a ir o f
s c is s o r s c l i p i t in to l j " le n g th s , u sin g th e measurement r ig h t on th e r u le ,
FIGURE THIRTEEN "A ". C u t th e s e in t o two le n g th w is e , FIGURE THI RTEEN " B " .
These p ie c e s w hich a re now | j " x a r e s p l i t to w it h in from th e end,
FIGURE THIRTEEN "C"-

The prongs o f th e s p r in g s a re now bent one each way, and s t r a i g h t o u t from

th e bo ttom , FIG U R E TH IRTEEN "D ". Do n o t c u r v e th e p ro n g s. L e a v e them
s t r a i g h t , FIGURE THIRTEEN " E " . Run th e " h e e l" o v e r a p e n c il o r a p a ir o f
s c i s s o r s a s in FIGURE FOURTEEN.

6
 _________
PI9URE one-
, 8 '^_____ ______
FI0UREtw o
v

\ l /

/ !
/ Z \

pl&URe EIGHT

FIGURE ELEVEN

)/9 V¥ ti-flfl/CE

7
©/»¥y M/i.Rice

8
 MOUNTING THE SPRING ON STEM
The sp rin g i s s lip p e d up in to th e hook on th e end o f th e stem , and th e hook
i s p u lle d w e ll in t o th e c ro t c h o f th e two p rong s on th e s p r in g , FIGURE• F IF -
TEEN. Then th e hook i s c lo s e d b ehind th e s p rin g by b in d in g i t w ith heavy
c o tto n th re a d . The th re a d need not be used i f th e hook i s t i g h t enough to
hold' th e s p r i ng s o l id .

FITTING THE BLOSSOM ON STEM AND SPRING

Cut a s lo t about I " long in th e bottom o f th e fo ld ed blossom s, FIGURE SIXTEEN
"A ". From th e r o l l o f brown gummed p a p er ( I " in w id th ) c u t o f f p ie c e s 3"
in le n g th , and then c u t th e se in two le n g th w ise , so th a t you w i l l have s t r ip s
! " - x 3 ".

S l i d e th e c r o t c h o f th e s p r in g up in t o th e s l o t in th e fo ld e d p a p e r u n t i l
th e base o f th e s p rin g i s about 5 " above th e p o in ts o f th e s l o t , FIGURE S IX ­
TEEN " B " . C lo s e up th e s p r in g , one prong on e i t h e r s id e o f th e b lo sso m .
Hold th e s p rin g in p la c e w ith th e l e f t hand, w h ile th e r ig h t s t i c k s i t down
w ith a p ie c e o f gummed paper as in d ic a t e d by th e dotted l i n e s in FIGURE S IX ­
TEEN " C " . The bottom c o r n e r s o f th e gummed p a p e r a r e th en fo ld e d o v e r ,
f i r s t one and then th e o th e r, around th e stem and onto th e o th e r s id e o f th e
blossom . Tu rn th e f lo w e r o v e r and s t i c k th e s p rin g down on th e o th e r s id e
in th e same manner. The re le a s e d flo w e r w i l l open a s in FIGURE SIXTEEN "D ".
FIGURE SEVENTEEN (Page I I ) i s an o th er v ie w o f th e open blossom.

The gummed paper no t o n ly a id s in s im p lif y in g th e making o f 't h e f lo w e r but

a ls o r e in f o r c e s i t so th a t the sp rin g w i l l no t t e a r th e paper and pop through.
I t adds a s t i f f n e s s to th e f lo w e r w hich i t o r d i n a r i l y would not h ave.

•
SHAPING AND APPLYING THE OUTSIDE LEAVES
The le a v e s a re c u t from a sh e e t o f d a rk green paper (Same ty p e a s th a t used
f o r th e blossom s) and a r e th e shape shown in FIGURE EIGHTEEN "C ".

To get th e p ro p e r shape o f th e le a v e s , f o ld a sh e e t o f w h ite w r it in g paper

in two and t r a c e th e shape o f h a l f o f th e blossom onto i t . Now, w ith a p a ir
o f s c is s o r s , c u t o u t th e le a f — th e shape i s in d ic a te d by th e dotted lin e s
in FIGURE EIGHTEEN " B " . Hake c e r t a in th a t you c u t i t la r g e enough to c o v e r
th e s t r i p o f brown p a p e r on t h e s id e o f th e blo sso m , FIGURE EIGHTEEN "A ".

Glue th e le a v e s to th e s id e s o f th e blossom , o v e r th e s t r i p o f brown paper

(FIG URE N IN ETEEN ), th e n t u r n and g lu e th e bottom p o in t s on th e o th e r s id e
and around th e stem (FIG U R E TW ENTY). The l e a f w i l l now be th e sh ape o f
FIGURE EIGHTEEN ” C \

9
 STEM LEAVES
The stem le a v e s a r e th e same shape and s i z e a s th e o u t s id e o n e s, but th e y
are c u t from heavy crep e paper. The g ra in o f th e paper should run len g th w ise
in th e se stem le a v e s .

)
WRAPPING STEM AND LEAVES
Put th e b a ll o f green s t r in g in a c o ffe e cup so t h a t i t w i l l feed o ut f r e e l y .
Hold th e end o f th e s t r in g alo n g th e stem a t th e b a se o f th e blossom and
wrap i t around th e stem and th e end o f th e s t r i n g , FIGURE TWENTY-ONE "A ” .
C o n tin u e to wrap t h i s stem down ab out l £ \ By h o ld in g th e stem w ith th e
blossom u p sid e down and s p in n in g i t between th e f i n g e r s o f th e r ig h t hand
w h ile th e l e f t g u id es th e s t r in g in to p la c e , t h i s wrapping i s g r e a tly s im p li-
f i ed.

A f t e r you have wrapped about I 5 " , t w is t a le a f around th e stem a s in FIGURE

TWENTY-CNE "B " , and c o n tin u e to wrap down o v e r th e end o f i t , FIGURE TWENTY-
ONE "C ". C o ntin ue down th e stem , wrapping in a le a f e v e ry l£ " to 2 " . When
you come to w it h in 3 ; 4-" o f th e end o f th e stem , th ro w on a co u p le o f h a l f ­
h it c h e s , p u ll them t i g h t , and c u t o f f th e s t r i n g , FIGURE TWENTY-ONE "D ".

FIGURE TWENTY-ONE "E " shows th e f in is h e d blossom ready to assem ble in to th e

bouquet. Com plete a l l th e blossom s, p u ttin g th r e e le a v e s on some and fo u r
to f i v e on o t h e r s , to sp re ad them o ut and g iv e more f o lia g e to th e bouquet.

ASSEMBLING THE BOUQUET

S t ic k down th e f la p on an envelope and c u t about o f f each end. Now fo ld
the blossom s, and, sq u a rin g than a t th e to p , hold them a l l to g e th e r, le t t in g
th e stem s fa n o u t a s in FIGURE TWENTY-TWO (Page 1 2 ). S l i d e th e e n v e lo p e
o v e r th e blossom s. T h is w i l l hold them w h ile w orking on th e o th e r end.

The fo llo w in g i s a u s e fu l wrap t h a t w i l l a id in b in d in g th e bouquet. I t is

commonly used in b in d in g th e ends o f a p ie c e o f rope w ith th re a d and w i l l be
f a m i li a r to many. R e fe r to th e i l l u s t r a t i o n s A, B, and C o f FIGURE TWENTY-
THREE. A lo o p i s made ab o u t 2 " from t h e end o f th e s t r i n g and i s h e ld
f ir m ly a g a in st th e s t a lk w ith th e thumb. The f r e e end i s now wrapped t i g h t l y
around th e s t a l k and lo o p , FIGURE TWENTY-THREE "A " . A f t e r wrapping th e r e ­
q u ire d d is t a n c e , th e s t r in g i s c u t o f f and then th re a d e d through th e loop,
FIGURE-TWENTY THREE " B " . P u ll th e f r e e end o f th e lo o p , p u llin g th e loop
and th e o th e r end o f th e s t r in g under th e w ra p s, FIGURE.TWENTY-THREE "C ".
Trim o f f both en d s.

10
©I9W MH-nice

II
f ig u r e t w e n t y - f 'y e
G ather th e stems o f th e bouquet and bind them w ith th e above wrap. Make th e
wrap about I 5 " lo n g , le t t in g th e uneven ends s t i c k out about I " a s in FIGURE
TWENTY-FOUR.

How, w ith a p a ir o f w ir e c u t t e r s o r a co ld c h is e l and a hammer, c u t o f f th e

s t r a g g lin g ends about &" from th e wrap.

Purchase a sm all b la c k m etal o r bone rin g about 3 / 4 " in d ia m e te r. Thread i t

onto a p ie c e o f b la c k wide c a r p e t b in d in g rib b o n . P la c e t h i s up on each
sid e o f th e stem, FIGURE TWENTY-FIVE "A ", and w ith a sm all needle and th re a d ,
s t i t c h i t to th e p r e v io u s w rap . To g iv e i t m ore s t r e n g t h , u se a d o u b le
p ie ce o f ribbon and fo r c e th e rin g w e ll up in to the fra y e d ends o f th e stems.

R epeat th e wrap o n ce a g a in on to p o f th e r ib b o n , FIGURE TW EN TY-FIVE " B " ,

and th e bouquet i s f in i s h e d .

To r e f o ld th e bouquet a f t e r i t has been r e le a s e d , hold th e stem between th e

k n ees. S t a r t in g a t th e c e n t e r , c lo s e th e f lo w e r s one a t a tim e and p la c e
them n e a t ly t o g e t h e r .

. •

A HANDY HOLDER
Two p ie c e s o f c ard b o a rd <l" wide and from 6 " to 10" lo ng , h e ld to g e th e r w ith
gummed p a p e r, makes a handy h o ld e r f o r t h i s bouquet.

When th e bouquet i s n o t in u s e , f o ld i t and pu t i t stem f i r s t in t o th e

h o ld e r , p u ll i n g th e b lo sso m s c o m p le te ly i n s id e so t h a t th e y w i l l no t g et
abused.

A SLEEVE HOLDER
Some p e rfo rm e rs p r e f e r a c lo t h h o ld e r to ho ld bouquets in re a d in e s s in th e
s le e v e s p r io r to p ro d u c tio n . Any b la c k c lo t h m a te r ia l i s s u it a b le . Sateen
i s recommended.

The le n g th o f th e h o ld e r i s d e te rm in e d by th e le n g th o f th e bouquet. It
sh o u ld be lo ng enough to h id e th e bouquet c o m p le t e ly . The w id th o f th e
h o ld e r rem ain s c o n s t a n t , t h i s b ein g M-". T h e r e fo r e , th e h o ld e r f o r a sm all
e ig h t blossom b o u quet, w h ich i s 15" h ig h , sh o u ld be a t l e a s t 16" lo n g . A
p ie c e o f m a te r ia l would be needed m easu rin g 8 " in w id th and 16" lo n g .

The m a te r ia l i s fo ld e d o v e r once le n g th w is e and sewed up one s id e , form ing

a long t u b e <f" w id e and in t h i s in s t a n c e , 16" lo n g . Both ends a r e open.
A b la c k s a f e t y p in i s sewed n e a r each end o f th e tu b e .

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 A bouquet i s placed i ns i de and the holder pinned in pl ace i ns i d e of the per­
f o r me r ' s coat s l e e v e . The r i n g end o f the bouquet i s n e a r e s t t he w r i s t ,
where i t i s e a s i l y obt ai ned when needed.

I
PRODUCING A BOUQUET
T h is book i s designed to i n s t r u c t th e re a d e r in m aking bouquets and no t to
p re s e n t methods o f p ro d u cin g them. T h e r e fo r e , bouquet p ro d u c tio n w i l l be
tre a te d v e ry lig h t ly . Most m a g ic ia n s a re f a m i l i a r w it h th e b a s ic methods
o f pro d u cing b o u quets.

FROM THE SLEEVES

Two bouquets a re g e n e r a lly used, each in a h o ld e r, one in each s le e v e . W hile
i t i s p o s s ib le to produce th e bouquets w ith o u t th e a id o f a fo u la r d , one i s
f r e q u e n tly used. Any d e c o r a t iv e sq uare o f opaque m a te r ia l can be used a s a
f o u la r d . I t sh o u ld be a t l e a s t 3 6 " x 3 6 " . Many p e rfo rm e rs do th e famous
B L E N D 0 e f f e c t f i r s t , and th e n , u s in g th e la r g e s i l k a s a fo u la r d , pro­
duce th e two bouquets in th e manner about to be e x p la in e d .

The f o u la r d i s shown both f r o n t and b a ck . The l e f t arm i s now bent a t th e

elbow so t h a t th e f o r e arm i s v e r t i c a l , th e palm to w ard s th e p e rfo rm e r and
a t a p o s itio n about le v e l w ith h i s c h in . The c e n te r o f th e fo u la rd i s drop­
ped o v e r th e l e f t f i s t and th e r ig h t hand shown em pty. When th e fo u la r d
i s in t h i s p o s itio n th e l e f t fo re-arm i s alm ost c o m p le te ly hidden from v ie w .

Now th e r ig h t hand p r e p a re s to t a k e th e f o u la r d aw ay. I t g ra s p s i t a t a

p o in t j u s t below th e l e f t palm , and by p in c h in g through th e m a te r ia l o f th e
f o u la r d g e ts p o s s e s s io n o f th e r in g a t th e end o f th e b o u q u e t. Now th e
fo u la rd , s t i l l h eld in t h i s p o s it io n , i s l i f t e d upwards, p u llin g th e bouquet
from th e s le e v e . The s t e a l o f th e bouquet t a k e s p la c e u n d er c o v e r o f th e
f o u la r d and i s c o m p le te ly c o v e re d .

S t i l l h o ld in g th e c e n t e r o f th e fo u la rd w ith th e r ig h t hand, th e back o f th e

hand u p p erm o st, th e f o u r c o r n e r s o f th e f o u la r d h an g ing downwards to th e
f lo o r and w ith th e bouquet s t i l l co n cealed , th e r ig h t hand moves to th e r ig h t
o f th e body and i s tu rn e d c o m p le te ly o v e r , palm up, th e r i g h t fo re -a rm a s ­
suming a v e r t i c a l p o s it io n j u s t a s th e l e f t h e ld somewhat e a r l i e r . T h is
r e v e a ls th e bouquet in th e r i g h t hand, and th e f o l d s o f th e f o u la r d f a l l
down o v e r th e r i g h t fo r e - a r m .

The l e f t hand t a ke s the bouquet and hands i t to an a s s i s t a n t o r s e t s i t in

a handy and s u i t a b l e co nt ai n e r . The f oul ar d remains draped over the r i g h t
f i s t and fore-arm.

F i n a l l y , th e above r o u t in e i s fo llo w e d , t h i s tim e w it h th e l e f t hand, th e

bouquet b ein g s t o le n from th e r i g h t s le e v e and r e v e a le d in th e l e f t hand,
th e f o u la r d r e s t in g o v e r th e l e f t f i s t and fo re -a rm once a g a in .

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WI THOUT A F OULARD
Many p e rfo rm e rs make a s le e v e p ro d u ctio n w ith o u t th e a id o f a fo u la r d . T h is
i s r e l a t i v e l y e asy to do but r e q u ir e s p e r f e c t tim in g to c r e a t e th e d e s ir e d
illu s io n . A f t e r some s p e c t a c u la r e f f e c t h as been p re se n te d and ap p lau se i s
prompted from th e a u d ie n c e , th e p e rfo rm e r bows, bending fo rw a rd from th e
w a is t . H is arras a r e in f r o n t o f h i s body and in a p o s it io n so t h a t th e
thumb and f i r s t f in g e r o f each hand f a l l on th e w r i s t o f th e o p p o s ite hand
at a p o in t j u s t below th e palm o f each hand. Thus th e thumb and f i r s t fin g e r
can grasp th e r in g a tta c h e d to th e bouquet in th e o p p o site s le e v e . W ith th e
hands in t h i s p o s itio n and a f irm g r ip on each bououet, th e p e rfo rm e r r a is e s
to an e r e c t p o s it io n (comes o u t o f th e "b o w "), p u llin g a bouquet from each
s le e v e a s he assum es t h i s u p r ig h t p o s it io n . The sudden a p p earan ce o f th e
two bouquets i s s t a r t l i n g and i f p r o p e r ly perform ed w i l l b rin g a second and
even g re a te r round o f a p p la u s e .,

S t i l l o th e r p e rfo rm e rs make t h e i r s t e a l from th e back o f th e c o a t. The flo w ­

e r s a re fa ste n e d in h o ld e rs w it h th e r in g s a t th e bottom edge o f th e c o a t
and j u s t o u t o f s ig h t . The p e rfo rm e r b r in g s h is hands to h is back and bends
s m a r tly a t th e w a is t in r e c o g n it io n o f th e a p p la u s e . At th e same tim e he
g ra s p s th e r in g o f a bouquet in e i t h e r hand between t h i s thumb and f i r s t
f in g e r . As he s t r a ig h t e n s to an u p r ig h t p o s it io n he p u l l s down s h a r p ly on
t(ie f lo w e r s , and once th e y a r e c l e a r o f h i s c o a t , r e v e a ls them by b rin g in g
them to th e f r o n t .

SOME SUGGESTED VARIATIONS

P RODUCTI ON BLOSSOMS
The same blossom s d e s c rib e d in t h i s t e x t can be used f o r p ro d u c tio n s where
b o u quets a r e n o t d e s ir e d . The b lo sso m s a re c u t sq u a re on th e bottom and
f i t t e d w ith a s p rin g and o u ts id e ' le a v e s ( c a l y x ) . These make v e ry e f f e c t i v e
s p rin g flo w e r s .

DART BOUQUETS
By a tta c h in g 2 po inted d a rt o f s u f f i c i e n t w eight to th e end o f th e bouquets,
th e y become d a r t b o u q u ets. The d a r t r e p la c e s th e m etal r in g . A f t e r th e
p e rfo rm e r p ro d u ce s t h e s e b o u q u e ts ( p r e f e r a b ly from a p r o d u c t io n box) he
t o s s e s them to th e f l o o r o f th e sta g e where t h e y ^ s tic k in an u p rig h t p o s i­
t io n .

OUTSIDE LEAVES OR P E T A L S (CALYX)

The r e a d e r w i l l f in d t h a t th e s p r in g in th e blossom w i l l e v e n t u a lly w ear
thro ugh th e o u t s id e le a v e s , t h i s b e in g th e p a r t o f th e blossom th a t b e a rs
a l l o f th e s t r a i n o f th e s p r in g . Some may p r e f e r to use a h e a v ie r m a te r ia l
than th e t h in d ark green w rapp ing t i s s u e recommended in th e e a r l i e r p a r t o f
t h i s book. An e x a m in a tio n o f th e more e x p e n s iv e s p r in g f lo w e r s w i l l show
t h a t s i l k i s used f o r th e o u t s id e le a v e s in s te a d o f p a p e r.

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T h e re a r e v a r io u s ty p e s o f c lo t h t h a t can be used in s t e a d o f th e p a p e r.
G reen o i l e d s i l k (such a s i s used in shower c u r t a i n s ) would be e x c e l le n t
m a t e r ia l. Gummed lin e n c lo t h (ve llu m ) such a s used in book-bind ing i s id e a l
f o r t h i s p a rt o f th e flo w e r .

Th ere i s a ls o a com m ercial gummed paper known as P a sse P a rto u t B in d in g t h a t

could be used. I t comes in v a r io u s w id th s and c o lo r s , and s t a t io n e r s c a r r y
a n ic e sto ck p f t h i s m a t e r ia l.

STEM L E A V E S
The t e x t recommends d u p lex c re p e -p a p e r f o r th e se le a v e s . T h ese m ight a ls o
be made o f s i l k . Many t e n - c e n t s t o r e s c a r r y an a s so rtm e n t o f read y made
in e x p e n s iv e le a v e s t h a t c o u ld be used. These a r e u s u a lly found in th e a r ­
t i f i c i a l flo w e r d epartm ent.

STEMS
Due to th e c u r r e n t p o p u la r it y o f m aking a r t i f i c i a l f lo w e r s , many k i t s a re
o ffe r e d to " flo w e r c ra fts m e n " . The s t e e l f i s h le a d e r w ir e used in th e t e x t
must be co vered w ith green c o rd . Some may p r e f e r to buy w ir e t h a t i s a l ­
ready co vered . One p o p u la r type o f w ire i s known as Dennison medium w eig ht
flo w e r w ir e . Dennison §9 w ir e i s su p p lie d w ith a green c o v e r in g . Dennison
#10 w ire i s covered in w h ite . The numbers id e n t if y th e c o lo r o f the c o v e rin g
and are not used to d e sig n a te th e gauge o f th e w ire .

F l o r i s t s ' su p p ly shops can su p p ly a s p e c ia l green rubb er ta p e t h a t i s used

in making c o rs a g e s . Some may p r e f e r t h i s to th e green c o rd .

I f a c o m m e rcia lly co vered w ir e i s used i t w i l l s t i l l be n e c e s s a ry to fa s t e n

th e le a v e s to th e w ire stem s.S e v e ra l t w is t s o f th e green c o rd , as e xp la in e d
in th e t e x t w i l l s u f f i c e , o r a long s t r i p o f green c re p e p a p er c u t about 5 "
wide (and s tre tc h e d ) can be used f o r w rapping.

UNEVEN BOUQUETS
I f th e bouquet i s lo p sid ed when r e le a s e d ,'t h a t i s , i f th e blossom s a re le a n ­
ing to one s id e o r i f th e r e i s a gap in th e m id d le , sh ake i t g e n tly and i t
w i l l assume th e d e s ire d shape. Sometimes i t i s n e c e s s a ry to grasp th e b lo s ­
som a t th e base o f th e s p rin g and t w i s t th e stem in to th e d e s ir e d p o s it io n .
However, i f a bouquet i s p r o p e rly fo ld ed ' i t a lw a ys opens o u t in a s a t i s f a c ­
t o r y fa s h io n .

AUHfiCP

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