MAGICFACTS
by Y. L. Laerton

Have you ever wondered why a magic wand has white tips?

The magic wand has been used to “direct” the power of the magician for centuries. This tool of the wizard, conjuror, shaman, witch doctor or magician serves as an extension of the arm to direct the attention of the audience or spectators towards a specific point. Its value as an aid in ‘misdirection’ has been known for centuries by performing magicians. Jean Eugene Robert- Houdin, the French illusionist known as the “father of modern magic,” said, “The wand is to the magician as the fan is to the lady.”

A magic wand can be a rod made of wood, metal, even plastic. Early wands were usually a carved wooden stick, many of which were tapered, like a miniature teachers pointer. But, for the last century or so, the magic wand is usually a black rod with white tips. How did a plain, unpainted wooden stick evolve into the black wand with white tips that is associated with the modern day magician?

It is thought that magicians started coloring the sticks or wands they used a dark color so that it would be easier for persons in the back of the crowd or audience to see this symbol of the magical arts. It is also the same reason that it was modified with white tips. As the stage magicians of the late 1800s progressed, with larger props and illusions, larger sets and larger casts, so did the magician’s attire. Eventually, the accepted dress of the professional illusionist was a tuxedo, with tails, a silk top-hat and even an occasional cape. Unless the magician were holding the wand directly in front of his white dress shirt, if often became invisible against his black pants, vest or jacket. This problem was finally solved by a Filapino illusionist, Eko Jasti, born in Manila. In 1891 he was booked by Williamson, Garner and Co. to perform the matinees at Her Majesty’s Theatre in Sydney, Australia. He was booked for the afternoon shows because the international star, Sarah Bernhardt, was performing the evening shows to standing room only crowds.

James Cassius Williamson had arrived early at the theater, as he always did, and watched Jasti’s performance. After the show he commented to the magician that most of the time that “little stick” you carry is never seen. Eko thought about this for a moment, then smiled and invited the head of the theatrical firm to attend his next show. Williamson agreed and the next day, nodded with appreciation at the modification Jasti had made to the wand. It was still black but now each end had been painted a bright white. If Eko held it in front of his white shirt, the white tips were hard to see but everyone noticed the black rod. When it was held to the right or left in front of his black tuxedo jacket everyone noticed the white tips of the wand dancing around as he waved it. Jasti had improved his act not by making something disappear but making it visible to the entire audience all the time.

The story goes that weeks later another magician had concluded his performance at the same theater and upon leaving was confronted by a boy, just outside the stage door. The young man pointed at him and said, “You’re not a real magician and I know it!” Taken aback by this harsh statement, the illusionist asked ‘Why not?” “Cause,” the boy replied, “your magic stick don’t got them white ends like the real magicians do!”

Ironically, Jasti never mentioned his modification of the magic wand when interviewed by the writers for the magic journals of that time. If James Williamson had not told the story to a reporter from the Daily Telegraph, the history of the white tips on a magician’s wand and their creator would have been lost forever.