ONCE UPON A TIME, there was a range of Book Tests called Facsimile that ticked every box, and now it’s just got even better with Facsimile 2.0.
Facsimile (from the Latin fac simile, "to make alike") is a copy or reproduction of an old book, manuscript, map, art print, or any other relic of historical value that’s as close to the original as you can get without a time machine (which, let’s face it, is still a work in progress).
By dictionary definition, Michael Daniels has crafted a book test so genuine it’s practically a twin of the original. Your audience will be convinced they’re holding a genuine relic, not some dodgy knock-off.
Facsimile is, quite simply, the book test with a real book. You get to perform MULTIPLE word revelations on ANY page of the book. It’s as fair and random as a game of bingo (minus the shouting and questionable snacks).
The basic three-word effect goes like this:
Flick through the book and get them to say STOP wherever they fancy, instructing them to remember a word on that page. Without any fishing or memory gymnastics, you’ll know exactly what word they’re thinking of and can reveal it however you fancy (no pressure!).
Feeling bold? Hand the book over to them, let them pick ANY page they like, and instruct them to remember another word. Once again, you’ll nail the word they’re thinking of like a pro.
And if that’s not enough, you can even divine a THIRD word, whether it’s on the same page or a different one. You’ll know it instantly!
The new 2.0 editions still pack all those original features but now come with larger text for improved visibility (because squinting isn’t a good look), an extra mid-page word reveal, and the ability to know how much speech is on a page or if it’s just plain text, plus the number of paragraphs.
All these added features give you even more options to play with in your routine.
In the second or third phase, you can even predict their chosen word using an envelope that’s been in play before they’ve even cracked open the book. (Yes, it’s as impressive as it sounds.)
The book is fully examinable before, during, and after.
You can read the entire novel from cover to cover!
No duplicate pages or Svengali nonsense here.
No forces – it’s a completely free choice of page.
No fishing.
No memory work required.
You can even perform it without handling the book yourself (which is great if you’re feeling a bit lazy).
Learn the whole thing in minutes!
It’s suitable for both stand-up and close-up performances, so you’re covered no matter how you roll.
More advanced options are even taught, allowing for minimal fishing and memory work for some presentations.
Included in the package is the book and online instructions.
A Study in Scarlet, Turn of the Screw, and Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde are approximately 107mm x 175mm. These little gems fit snugly in your jacket pocket, making them fantastic for close-up performers and walk-arounds.
If you fancy something for stage or parlor, we’ve got larger options like Frankenstein, Invisible Man, and Hound of the Baskervilles, which measure approximately 152mm x 227mm in the original range.
Note from Saturn MagicFacsimile: The Unabridged Book Test is genuinely a beauty and comes with our highest recommendation. It’s the ideal choice for those who’ve always shied away from this type of effect and for seasoned mentalists looking to perform multiple word revelations in the fairest conditions possible with minimal effort, letting you focus entirely on your performance. And after discovering Facsimile, mentalists and magicians lived happily ever after.
