Old Maestro

The Old Maestro’s Play Book

an interesting manuscript from the collection of Dr. Ronald A. Wohl

The Old Maestro’s Play Book

Dr. Ron A Wohl Here is an interesting manuscript from the collection of Ron Wohl. Chef Anton and I are mere beginners as historians and collectors in this field. We rely on the work of true experts like our friend Ron Wohl for so much of our information and research. Interested in magic and allied arts since 1947, Dr. Wohl has published in German, Swiss, French, and English. His English language articles, published under his artist name “Ravelli” include, the Gen, the (old) Pentagram and U.S. magazines—mostly Ibidem and MUM. Dr. Wohl owns a huge collection in gambling, confidence games, and street swindles that includes many rare books, hundreds of old postcards, and more than 800 prints. His collection includes posters, cheating equipment and paraphernalia, and the many photos he has taken over the last forty years of street hustlers in action all around the world. He reads and writes in most of the European languages, and this is a great asset in his extensive research into the history and practice of street cons. The School for Scoundrels is deeply indebted to Dr. Wohl for his many contributions to our project, including his insights and information, as well as permission to publish so many photos and other items from his wonderful collection. Here is a rare manuscript from that collection that the enterprising student will find of great interest. It is not easy to dig out the gems from this poorly written and illustrated booklet, but it is certainly worth the trouble. We do not know anything about the author or the source of the pamphlet which is typewritten and hand-illustrated. It is probably from the late-thirties or the forties. We thought that our students at the School for Scoundrels would enjoy the chance to do a little digging and research of their own. Here you will have a chance to discover some of the joys we have experienced since taking up this wonderful subject, and also to find some truly unique and rare ideas that might help you in working on your shell routines. Have fun.

--Whit Haydn, 2004