ONCE UPON A TIME, there was a collection of Book Tests known as Facsimile that ticked every box, and now that collection just got even better with Facsimile 2.0.
Facsimile (from Latin fac simile, "to make alike") is a painstaking reproduction of an old book, manuscript, map, or any historical item that aims to be as true to the original as possible.
Funny thing is, Michael Daniels has crafted a book test so genuine, it’s practically the real deal.
These world-famous books have been reproduced with such meticulous detail that your audience will genuinely believe they’re holding an original copy.
Facsimile is simply the book test featuring an actual book. You can perform MULTIPLE word revelations on ANY page of the book, making it as fair and random as it gets (and that’s saying something).
The basic three-word effect is a piece of cake:
Flick through the book and have them say STOP wherever they fancy, then instruct them to remember a word on that page. Without any fishing or memory gymnastics, you’ll know the word they’re thinking of and can reveal it in your own unique way.
Worried they might suspect something dodgy while you’re holding the book? Hand it over and let them pick ANY page they like. Once again, they’ll remember a word, and lo and behold, you’ll know exactly what it is.
But wait, there’s more! You can even divine a THIRD word from the same or a different page. You’ll know their chosen word in a flash.
The new 2.0 edition keeps all the brilliant features but now boasts larger text for better visibility, an extra mid-page word reveal, and the nifty ability to tell how much speech is on a page or if it’s just plain text, plus the number of paragraphs on a page.
These enhancements open up a world of possibilities for your routines.
In phases two or three, you can even predict their chosen word using an envelope that’s been in play before they even crack open the book.
The book is examinable before, during, and after your performance!
You can read the entire novel from cover to cover!
No duplicate pages or Svengali nonsense here!
No forces – a completely free choice of page!
No fishing involved!
No memory work required!
Can be performed without you even touching the book!
Learn the routine in mere minutes!
Perfect for both stand-up and close-up performances!
Advanced options are also available where you can use minimal fishing and memory work for some presentations.
Included in the package are 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 ideal for close-up magic and walk-around gigs.
For stage or parlor performances, check out the larger books like Frankenstein, Invisible Man, and Hound of the Baskervilles, which are about 152mm x 227mm in the original range.
Note from Saturn MagicFacsimile: The Unabridged Book Test is an absolute gem and comes with our highest recommendation. It’s the ideal product for those who have always shied away from this type of effect, as well as seasoned mentalists looking to pull off multiple word revelations under the fairest conditions with minimal effort, letting you focus on your presentation. And with Facsimile, mentalists and magicians lived happily ever after.
