Charles Folkard had a short-lived career as a professional magician at the end of the 19th century before returning to his main profession, illustration. He illustrated a number children’s books and created the ‘Teddy Tails’ comic strip for the Daily Mail in 1915. He returned to magic during the First World War to create this series of two pamphlets under the pseudonym Draklof. They contained simple tricks with basic props, such as matches and coins, that could be mastered easily and performed by nurses or soldiers. The series must have proved popular, as it was reprinted twice. Folkard hoped the tricks would ‘provide many a bright moment in a tedious wait or dreary convalescence.’