The Jumbo Card Guillotine was an invention of Eric Lewis in the 1930s.
A number of craftsmen have created versions including Bob Kline (for personal use), Milson-Worth, and Tabman. According to a letter from Martin Lewis dated 2/18/1992 Tabman’s version is the only one with permission to manufacture the Jumbo Card Guillotine for resale. This Milson-Worth version, of which only 35 were made, was one of their most sought after items.
The spectator is offered a choice of cards from a jumbo deck. He or she is given a pen so they can boldly sign the face of the card. The card is returned to the middle of the pack and placed in a wooden houlette which is then placed between the uprights of a mahogany guillotine. After some byplay the blade is dropped. The blade slams into the houlette and the front of the houlette drops scattering cards on the table. You guessed it, behind the blade is the spectators signed card.
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