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DECEMBER 1943
WITH THE EDITOR
And now, good sirs and good ladies, we greet you again with the sincere wish for a Merry Christmas and for a New Year which may be filled with a good measure of health and happiness.
And to the many Magicians in the various armed services of the allied nations, we add the fervent wish that the coming year will bring much closer the time when all will celebrate the birthday of the Divine Nazarene at your own hearthside and with those who are affectionately nearest you.
In a world atmosphere of conflict, it is good for all of us that there is such a holiday as Christmas — a season when the thought of good will to all men seems paramount — typifying a peaceful period in which prevail the ideals we are fighting to preserve and protect.
The world scene appears a bit brighter for us than it did a year ago, and promises to be even brighter in the coming year. Peace is still some time off, but meanwhile let us celebrate this Christmas the progress that has been made so far toward the time when all men may realize the fullness of good will.
Through the ages, Magic has had its place in Christmas celebrations, beginning, perhaps, with that first Christmas when the Magi, the Wise Men of the East, visited the manger and brought gifts in tribute to the Christ child. Modern Magi find that Christmas is a good season and a busy one for them; and the dis­play of their gifts brightens many a celebra­tion through the Yuletide holidays.
In extending our own greetings to our readers and indeed to all Magicians, we have been asked by many soldier Magicians to say "Merry Christmas" to "all the boys", so let's all voice that greeting to each other and say with Tiny Tim, "God bless us, every one."
Mel
Tops
DECEMBER 1943
The Magazine of Magic
VOLUME 8                                     NUMBER 12
CONTENTS
With the Editor........................ 3
Sid Lorraine's Chatter.................. 5
Campbell Caravan — The Campbells...... 7
Magic and the Army — Christopher....... 8
Around New York — Holden............12
Mechanical Magic — Glover.............13
For Vents Only — McAthy..............20
Magic Outdoors — Roba Collins..........22
Talk About Philadelphia — Osborne......23
Merchandising Magic — Windsor.........26
Magigal-ly Yours —- Trask...............27
The Future Greats — Bill Pitts...........28
TRICKS
Cuckoo — Glover......................13
Deucey — Glover......................13
Snippy Shears — Glover................14
Simplex Color Changing Rope — Lambie.. 19
Helpful Hints — Feinson................19
Spoof Vanish of Milk — Lambie..........24
Spellbinder-Switch-er-Roo Gag — Buff... .24 Simplex New Era Card Spread — Lambie.. 24
ADVERTISERS
Abbott's........1, 2, 15, 16, 17, 18,
..............30, 31, 32 and Covers
TOPS is an independent magazine in which those interested in Magic may express their thoughts, ideas, criticisms, etc., for the benefit of others and the ad­vancement of Magic. If you have a grievance that you think should be broadcast to Magicians, use the columns of TOPS.
The opinions expressed in the columns of this maga­zine are those of the individual contributors.
Subscription rate — $1.00 a year to any part of the world. Single copies, 25 cents.
Issued on
the first of each month. Forms close on
the 12th.
PRINTED and PUBLISHED by
ABBOTT'S MAGIC NOVELTY COMPANY
Colon, Michigan