Mentalism & Spiritism

Leo Boudreau's work was said to be the next best thing to real mind reading. This is a must read for any mentalist. His books were out of print for a long time. Only a few hundred copies have been manufactured in the first place.

This is a great book to get started on 'reading somebody from the cards'. It is also a great source for stories to go along with your magic tricks. It explains what each card signifies and even has a chapter on the history of cards. The bulk of the book is devoted to the various methods of reading cards, the French method, the Italien method, the Master method or Etteilla's Method.

123 pages.

15. CHAPTER I: How we got our pack of cards
21. CHAPTERII: What the individual cards signify
27. CHAPTER III: The selected pack of thirty-two cards
30. CHAPTER IV: The signification of quartettes, triplets, and...

The nail writer is an extremely powerful tool for the mentalist. It's origin is unclear. One of the earliest references can be found in the book Spirit Slate Writing and Kindred Phenomena, written by William. E. Robinson and published in 1898. Therein it was called "The Thumb Pencil Carrier". This booklet will give you an easy start using this gimmick.

You might also want to check out Swami Tech by Bob Cassidy.

first edition 1944, M. Kanter; 32 pages.

3. Introduction
7. Nail Writers: Types and Methods
11. Identical Twins
11. Light on the Subject
12. A Whispered Selection
12. Two-Way Telepathy
13. Like an Open Book
14. Word for Word
15. Easy Mark
15. The Quick or the Dead
16. At the Bar
17. Long Distance...

Leo Boudreau's books have been out of print for a long time. Now that they are available again electronically, a new generation of magicians can learn and study the subtle methods Leo developed to produce true miracles. Some have said that his effects are the next best thing to real mind reading. I fully agree with this statement. The way he finds out which item the spectator selected is so subtle that it appears as if he is not doing anything. Here is a quote from Leo which Al Mann included in his introduction to Psimatrika:

"I can give a deck of cards to a person and tell him to secretly...

After reading this ebook you will be able to divine the words selected at random from any borrowed dictionary or book; deal four straight winning hands of Blackjack without sleight of hand; teach anyone how to read minds convincingly in just 30 seconds; sense colors merely thought of; transform a borrowed pack of cards into a bizarre impression device.

Several effects in this ebook require what Leo calls The Nothing Book. It is a hard cover book with empty pages. You can also use an empty notebook.

first edition, 1989, The Rustic Press, Arlington; 128 pages.

5. Introduction
1. STRANGE TALES ...

Max Maven writes in the introduction to Spirited Pasteboards:

There is an ancient Chinese curse which goes, "May you live in interesting times." Bearing this in mind, it is not without some playful malice that I inform you that you are now holding a tome which is extremely interesting.

As with the author's previous book, Psimatrika, the work in this text is primarily based upon stacking arrangements which generate information via binary codes. The principle is by no means new, but in its seventy-year history as a conjuring method it has remained little-known and woefully under-explored.

Mr. Boudreau...

This book packs almost 200 mental miracles, many of which are creations of one of the masters of mental magic - Ted Annemann. You will find the best book tests, psychic codes, tricks with slates, blindfold reading, publicity effects, and much more. This book together with Annemann's Card Magic covers a good part of the famous Jinx magazine, of which Annemann was editor.

[Note that the softcover version is the D. Robbins reprint which has a different cover than shown here.]

1st edition, 1944, Holden's Magic Shop, New York; reprinted 1983 with new title "Practical Mental Magic", by Dover Publications, New York; 310 pages.

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CHAPTER I: EFFECTS WITH BILLETS AND PELLETS
7. Bert Reese Secrets
11. Billet Switching
13. A Question...

Another great booklet from Annemann. It describes in detail his one man routine. Annemann wove together some of the greatest mental tricks. He discusses the question Magic vs. Mindreading and shares other invaluable advice with the reader. If you do mental magic you already know that anything from Annemann is a must read. If you just start with mental magic, read as much from Annemann as you can get your hands on.

first edition, 1935, Max Holden, New York; 24 pages.

1. Introduction
2. Requisites
2. Billet Switching
5. Magic vs Mindreading
7. The Telephone Drama
8. The Dead Name Test
10. The New Nile Divination ...

If you have ever wondered what is the best way to force a card or number or item in a certain situation, then you can stop wondering. This booklet is nothing but forcing methods. It is ideal if you design your own routines and would like to find the most suitable force. It is also great for people who have problems with one or another force, since here they will find other methods to reach the same outcome. Very simply said, get this ebook and stop worrying about your forces.

You could also get the version which includes Victor Farelli's notes: 202 Methods of Forcing - with Victor Farelli Notes.

first edition, 1933, Max Holden, New York;...

This booklet is indeed a bargain, with effects by Hewitt, J. G. Thompson and Annemann. Among the effects you will find the famous Mental Masterpiece from Annemann.

1st edition 1935, PDF 16 pages.

1. Annemann's Diabolo Pellet Reading
2. The Modern Mindreader (Hewitt)
4. Annemann's Psychic Writing
5. Annemann's Mental Masterpiece
7. The New Double Telepathy Routine (Annemann)
8. Greta Annemann's Eyes of the Unknown
10. 30th Century Television (Hewitt and Annemann)
11. Coincidence (Hewitt)
12. Penetrating Vision (J. G. Thompson)
14. The Impromptu Mind Reader
15. GETIT! (Annemann)

Annemann teaches thirteen commercial mentalism pieces with slates, cards, dollar bills, telephone books and cigarettes. The majority of routines involves cards. Annemann's unique direct style is felt in each one of these effects.

first edition, 1939, Max Holden, New York; 20 pages.

3. Insto-Transpo
4. Stop
5. The Dollar-Cigarette Challenge
7. Remote Control Improved
8. The Accessory
10. Mental Dollars
11. 'Number, Please'
11. Sensitive Thoughts
13. The Card Doctor
14. Slates and Aces
16. Poker Plus
17. Thought, In Person
18. A Mental Headache

A collection of twelve typically ingenious Annemann creations, from the pages of The Sphinx.

first edition, 1952, Sphinx Publishing Corporation; 16 pages.

1. East Indian Needle Feat
2. Cigarette in Bill Again
4. Mentalex?
4. Telephone Mystery
5. Attention Mentalists
6. No Title at All
7. Three Card Monte Outdone
8. The Master Mind
12. My Original Swami Test
14. Improvement 8,000
14. Slate Writing Wrinkle
15. Club or Stage Mental Number
15. A Mediumistic Stunt

This was the first book Annemann wrote. It has a glowing introduction by Al Baker, although later in their lives Al and Ted were not always the best of friends. As Annemann himself writes in the foreword, you will find routines employing simple methods and direct to-the-point presentations. This is mentalism at its best without any clutter confusing the effect. A few rare photos of Annemann performing can be found as well.

first edition, 1931, Max Holden; 62 pages

7. Introduction
8. Foreword
10. The 'Really New' Locator Card
11. An Original Set Up Discovery
13. One in Fourteen
14. A New Thought Card Spelling Effect ...

A complete, routined act of telepathy, mind reading, and clairvoyance, designed for two people, and possible of being presented before a most critical audience. The minimum of preparation is necessary for the maximum of effect.

first edition, 1937 Ted Annemann; 24 pages.

Annemann describes a wealth of forty pieces in this wonderful booklet. The first, "Call me up sometime" is a beautifully direct telephone miracle. This is a prime example of Annemann's mantra of 'effect before method'.

I found the following line from Annemann's introduction funny:

I like to do these things so well that someday I'm going to write a twenty page introduction and follow it with one trick! Trouble is, however, that after that harangue the trick will HAVE to be good.

1st edition 1934; 50 pages.

5. Call Me Up Sometime
6. The Borrowed Deck Tragedy
7. Help Wanted In The Dark
9. A Thought...

Annemann has created a wonderfully direct telephone book test where he has eliminated faked books, pads, mathematical oddities, forcing decks and the thousand and one "foreign" objects that have been used in combination. He incorporated an Al Baker idea to make this a true miracle. You also get notes added by Kanter's magic shop which further explain various details and important points.

first edition, 1932; 2 pages.

This routined and fully explained program of magic runs approximately 25 minutes and can be carried in a brief case.

1st edition 1938, PDF 14 pages.

2. A Cigarette Rolled By Proxy. Orville Meyer.
3. The Henry E. Dixie Cigarette Vanish.
5. The Itinerant Dollar. Jacob Steisel.
7. A Matter Of Policy. Annemann.
8. Seven Keys To Baldpate. Annemann.
9. The Torn Deck Location. Julian J. Proskauer.
11. The Acme Thought Card Pass. Dr. Jacob Daley and Annemann.
14. Ads.

A completely routined and fully described thirty-minute act for one person, the necessary material for which may be carried in a brief case.

1st edition 1938, PDF 17 pages.

1. A Mental Club Act
3. Two Papers and a Spectator
6. Synthetic Sympathy (Annemann)
7. The Lie Detective (Stuart Robson)
8. The Twentieth Century Newspaper Test (Stuart Robson)
10. Triple Coercion (Annemann)
12. Slate Immortality (Robert Parrish)
14. Extra-Sensory Perception (Annemann)
16. Last Minute Notes.
17. Advertisement

A completely routined and explained magical club program running thirty minutes. All may be carried in a suitcase.

1st edition 1939, PDF 22 pages.

2. A Flash Ribbon Restoration. John K. Bays.
5. Twentieth Century Cards. Annemann.
6. Simplex Torn Card And Balloon. Lu-Brent.
8. The Lemon And The Dollar. Conrad Bush.
10. The Supreme East Indian Needle Feat. Annemann.
14. The Super Slates. Annemann.
15. A Ring In Transit. Eddie Clever.
17. Finale Trick. Keith Clark.
20. Last Minute Notes.
22. Ads.

A "No Card" Mystery Act. Completely routined and fully described, this 25 minute presentation has only a total carrying weight of 6 pounds, and does not make use of playing cards.

1st edition 1939, PDF 18 pages.

2. The Classic Cigarette. Lu-Brent
3. A Visible Cigarette Vanisher. Lu-Brent
5. Coins, En Route! Ottokar Fischer
6. Brr!! (Meaning 'Very Cold'). Otis Manning
7. The Spectral Seamstress. Charles T. Jordan
9. Lock and Key. Henry Fetsch
11. The Lucky Number Magic Square. Royal V. Heath
13. The Mystery of the Blackboard.
15. Last Minute Notes.
18. Ads.

"No Code" Telepathy. A complete routine, with explanations, of pseudo-telepathy between two people. It can be learned in one evening, its running time is 30 minutes, and everything necessary can be carried on the person.

1st edition 1940, PDF 13 pages.

2. Duo - Telepathy. Robert H. Parrish.
4. Impromptu Frame Up. Annemann.
5. Telepathy On The Cuff. Robert H. Parrish.
6. The Perfect Book Test.
6. The Secret Order Of The Aces. Annemann.
8. Thoughts In The Air. Annemann.
10. Last Minute Notes.
13. Ads.

Harry Houdini spent a good part of his life exposing mediums and 'unexplainable' phenomena. In this booklet he describes the case of the Boston "Margery" and the prize the Scientific American put up for true paranormal effects. He not only clearly describes and demonstrates the tricks of this very clever medium but also tells the difficulties surrounding the actual exposure. Houdini was world class in the role of the detective. It is fascinating to read how he sensitised his leg to be able to feel the slightest movement the medium made.

Margery or Mina Stinson (1888–1941) was born in Canada...

Houdini writes about the famous mediums in his time. Names like Palladino and Ann O'Delia Diss Debar should ring a bell. He also elaborates on his exchanges with Sir Arthur Conan Doyle who was a firm believer in spirits and paranormal phenomena.

1st edition, 1924, Harper & Row, New York; reprint 1972, Arno Press, New York; 296 pages.

11. Introduction
12. Preface
1. I. The Founders of Modern Spiritualism
17. II. The Davenport Brothers
38. III. Daniel Dunglas Home
50. IV. Palladino
66. V. Ann O'Delia Diss Debar
79. VI. Dr. Slade and His Spirit Slates
101. VII. Slate Writing and Other Methods
117. VIII. Spirit Photography ...

In Miracle Mongers and their Methods, Harry Houdini turns a critical eye to wonders such as 'The Incombustible Spaniard' or 'Defiers of Poisonous Reptiles'. The timeless fascination with miracles and astonishing claims makes this classic as timely as when it was originally written.

1st edition, 1920, Dutton; reprinted, 1980, Cole; reprinted, 1981/1993, Prometheus; 240 pages.

1. I.Fire worship. - Fire eating and heat resistance. - The Middle Ages. - Among the Navajo Indians. - Fire-Walkers of Japan. - The Fiery Ordeal of Fiji
17. II.Watton's Ship-swabber from the Indies. - Richardson, 1667. -...

Another masterpiece from Arthur Buckley written together with John Brown Cook. Only 125 copies were printed, but now again available as a digital download. It comes with an introduction by the great John Mulholland.

This is a collection of 33 extremely practical and entertaining mental routines primarily for stage and parlor. They are all clearly described. There are not that many great books on mental magic. This one is definitely one of them.

1st edition, 1947, privately printed, Chicago; 132 pages.

1. Preface
5. Devious Digits
9. It's A Small World
12. Astral Addition
15. Projection
18. Pennies, Nickles and Dimes ...

Bob is a professional mentalist with a unique humorous style. In this limited edition ebook he shares his approach to mentalism in his 'Principia Mentalia' - a work in four parts: fire, earth, air and water. You will also find a recording of a radio talk show where Bob is the celebrity guest, running 13.5 minutes. And the complete recording of his appearance on KOMO-TV's "Northwest Afternoon", 22 minutes long, is included as well. Particularly these two recordings will show you Bob Cassidy's unique style. Also included is his very interesting Art of Mentalism 2 ebook. On top of it you will find...

This is a wonderful course for a two person act based on a verbal code. It has many exercises and examples and covers a lot of other important points beside the code, such as opening and closing speech.

1st edition, 1884, Lee and Shepard, Boston; 129 pages.

U. F. Grant presents several clever ideas on billet reading or how to use a svengali deck for mentalism. He also has a completely different version of "Grey Elephants in Denmark".

• Bill Reading
• Name Duplication
• Impromptu Test
• Best Digit Test
• Cards Impossible
• In Their Pocket
• Up & Down Test
• Thot of Person
• Card Projection
• Lites Out
• Dunninger Type Act
• Another Dunninger
• Weekly Prediction
• Committee Test
• Thought Projector
• Private Lives
• Lobby Tip-Off
• Directory Test
• Houdini Bill Reading
• Glass Clipboard
• Mental Table
• Flaming Answer
• Fake Questions
• Flower-Color-Animal
• Mass Mind...

The original edition of this book was selected among the best books of 1935 by John Mulholland, editor of The Sphinx. Contact mind reading or 'muscle reading' is probably the next best thing to genuine mind reading. It doesn't require any gimmicks, codes or confederates. It is based on involuntary subtle clues spectators give. This is one of the best texts ever written on this subject.

1st edition, 1935; expanded edition, 1945; 38 pages.

5. Introduction. By C. A. George Newmann.
6. Preface. By Dariel Fitzkee.
9. Chapter One
12. Chapter Two
18. Chapter Three
25. Chapter Four.
32. Chapter Five
36. Chapter Six

...

An exciting, humorous routine, which combines subtle mentalism with magic! From the fertile mind of Ralf Wichmann-Braco - the German wizard who brought the world of magic some of the most pivotal work on the use of thread, this routine combines the elements of prediction, animation and great humor to stun the audience into believing that a felt tip marker has come to life inside a wooden box.

The magician brings out a wooden box, about the size of a small cigar humidor. He borrows an object from a spectator. The object is placed inside a small cardboard box. Then this box and a felt tip marker...

This little booklet details the code the Zancigs used. Laura Fixen writes in the preface that she was a student with the Zancigs and was taught their code.

1st edition, 1912, Laura G. Fixen; 27 pages.

3. Preface
4. How the Zancig System Was Obtained
5. How The Carter-Price Act Was Secured
6. How to Apply the "Second Sight" System
7. To Tell Letters
8. The Zancigs' Code
9. To Tell Numbers
9. To Tell Dates
10. To Tell Money
11. To Tell Names
12. To Tell Articles
13. Articles by Series
20. Countries
21. Lodges and Orders
22. Colors
22. Silent Cues
23. The Fays' Great Act
25. Advertisement

The Volta System For The Feat Of Reading Sealed Messages ... says it all! Burling Hull’s personal verbosity shows up in this 16 page booklet of "the latest advances for the reading of sealed messages." In 1929, when this was released, it was the final word in sealed message reading. Today, it still ranks at the top of any list of secrets of this kind.

It covers: impromptu work with borrowed stationary; the first practical solution of what was once considered an impossible feat; the ability of this "Power" to always be available to the performer

These words from Burling Hull were used...

Five Mind Reading Acts Exposed was written prior to 1940 and upon reading the 12 pages of instruction you realize that everything old is new again. Although all the routines are designed for a two person act some of the ideas contained can be adapted for a single performer. No author is credited and it is a compilation of secrets of acts of that era.

Act No. 1 is the reading of dates on coins sealed in envelopes. Today’s mentalists could combine this with Psychometry and Cold Reading to use as a feature in their act.

Act No. 2 is a preamble to the question answering act of Falkenstein....