Mentalism & Spiritism

The following bibliography is intended to offer a representative selection of books and articles which throw some light upon the fraudulent aspect of psychic phenomena. In making our selection we have been guided rather by a desire to help the student than to compile a catalogue which would be of interest to bibliographers. In some cases we have included works, which, although not dealing directly with fraudulent methods, present detailed descriptions of alleged physical phenomena which can hardly fail to be of interest, whilst in others we have inserted books containing...

Spiritualistic mysteries exposed by a medium. A detailed explanation of the methods used by fraudulent mediums.

From the preface:

The author of this book does not consider it a "literary gem," by any means, but claims that it accomplishes the object for which it was written, viz.: gives the reader an expose of the methods pursued by the "spiritual medium" in the various deceptions they practice in their "circles," "sittings," and "seances," which does expose. The author has been a working "medium" for the past twenty years, and is not guessing or theorizing in what he has written. He will...

BOLD DRAWING DUPE

An impromptu duplication of spectator's drawing which can be done using only a bunch of business cards and a pen.

HANUSSEN ESP...

Effect 1 (Basic effect Outline)

Living and Dead Test: stage, parlor and close-up version

Even before the show starts you hand your spectator a picture in a photo frame which is one half of a complete photo and an old newspaper article, which acts as a prediction. Then you hand the other spectator a stack of photos which are torn in half, and the spectator...

Imagine this. You mention a scenario where they are 2 or 3 off guessing the amount of candies in a jar. Then the spectator thinks of any card, shuffles the deck they're holding, then finds that card 2 or 3 off from your written prediction just like the candy scenario. The only other outcomes would be if it's just 1 off or dead-on, but you're covered there too...

From the preface:

The author has had sittings with many famous mediums of this country and Europe, but has seen little to convince him of the fact of spirit communication. The slate tests and so-called materializations have invariably been frauds. Some experiments along the line of automatic writing and psychometry, however, have demonstrated to the writer the truth of telepathy or thought-transference. The theory of telepathy explains many of the marvels ascribed to spirit intervention in things mundane.

While the performer is looking away, three borrowed objects - 2 currency notes and a coin, are hidden one under each hand and one inside a card box or a match box. The performer turns back and deduces the location of each of those objects based on the vibe the participant emits and what a stranger (performer) would think of him/her.

• Easy to do
• Uses borrowed objects
• Allows you to hand out business cards
• It is the reading that hits the ball home
• A standard reading is...

1st edition 2020, 4 pages.

• 100% propless
• No language restriction
• No math procedures
• No psychological forces
• 100% reliable and practical

From the foreword:

The story is so compelling that Maurice told us he had, in fact, used this many times on its own without the magical effects and he once broadcast this story over the radio from the Middle East.

PDF 15 pages

Fogel demonstrates how his formula operates by applying it to a question he often received after his shows: "Can you tell fortunes?" To address this frequent question he developed a particular routine involving a zodiac chart. The chart, the routine,...

Contains ten effects, plus as many as four methods for performing each one, all patiently and painstakingly explained. You may, in fact, chuckle to yourself as you read the practical, yet diabolical methods -- they're so darned clever. They all have the "Baker Twist", where gimmicks and ruses are used on the off...

It is a routine which can be adapted to be performed either solo, or with a partner; entirely surrounded by an audience in a small room, or from the stage of a large hall; as an entertainment at a function or banquet, or even as a demonstration-lecture before Occult Research Societies and Scientific Circles.

• Foreword
• Introductory Address
• The Routine
• Requirements
• Explanation
• The Fogel Rope Tie in Action
• Production of the Whisky Bottle
• Summary
• Concluding Observations
• Finale

1st edition 1961,...

Two books in one, containing the secrets of a professional's act of club and mental magic, plus his favorite card effects.

We love it when a working performer tips the actual methods from his act. And that's what you get in the first half of this enjoyable ebook, which was originally released as a limited edition. The second half contains Sandu's favorite card effects. While not all of the effects in this section are self-working, they rely on sleights that the average performer already knows.

Inside you'll find described a pair of excellent livestock effects that you can make yourself;...

Democrats 2020 is a topical political drama in which your spectators get to role play as presidential candidates.

The effect: A spectator secretly picks a democratic presidential candidate. The magician is able to divine the spectator's selection after questioning one or more other spectators who become other political candidates. No sleight of hand. Simple method which allows the magician to concentrate on the presentation of a mini election. All the needed materials are provided in the PDF for printing. Your spectators have the fun of participating and play acting as a candidate for the...

A new principle for business cards.

"I was badly fooled!" - Matt Mello

"I HAVE NO IDEA! This principle can be used in so many routines and ways, it's making my head spin!" - Phedon Bilek

"I would give a testimony to this effect, but I don't want you guys having it. IT FOOLED ME - I grinned from ear to ear when RedDevil shared the workings and I just don't know if I'm ready to let RedDevil share this. It's too bloody cheeky! (Said in my best British accent). I love it!" - Peter Turner

"With T.I.T.E., RedDevil has taken something that many of us have played with (no, not - get your filthy mind...

"Fogel in the Pentagon" is intended as a "test" for publicity purposes. His "Just Call your Number" is his tremendous billet reading masterpiece which formed probably the strongest part of his act over many, many years, - used on-stage, in cabaret, under all sorts of conditions.

• Preface
• Fogel As Seen By Edwin
• Fogel In The Pentagon
• Just Call Your Number

Effects included are:

In the Image of Jaks
A quicker version of an old Jaks routine with a couple of presentation options suggested. This is a great routine which has no explanation except that you must be psychic. Some jumbo ESP cards are mixed, some envelopes are mixed, the cards are placed in the envelopes while the performer is well away from the proceedings. The mentalist can now reveal the contents of the envelopes and possibly give information about the people who assisted.

Son of Cidentaquin
Another jumbo ESP...

A collection of mental mysteries using small accessories.

• Foreword
• Clip Line
• Match Miracle
• Devil's Die
• Perfected Publicity
• Astral Digit
• Merchant Mentalist
• Who's Fooling Whom?
• Object In Mind
• Murder Most Foul
• Credits

1st edition 1954, 31 pages; PDF 28 pages.