The Old Maestros Play Book

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

The Old Maestros 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. magazinesmostly 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