Some magic effects achieve 'classic' status for a multitude of reasons. Sometimes it’s a groundbreaking plot that sets the mentalism world ablaze. Other times, it’s a clever concept, whether related to the effect or the method behind it. Occasionally, an effect’s appeal is so off-the-charts that it becomes a hit with performers almost by default. And sometimes, it’s simply a premise that captures the imagination of magicians and refuses to let go. There are countless factors at play here.
But I won’t get bogged down in the specifics of why today’s feature has not only met but surpassed all those criteria. What I can say is this: if there’s a quintessential 'classic' in mentalism, it’s definitely this one. In fact, if you asked every mentalist to compile a top ten list of effects across the board, I’d wager this one would snag the number one spot on most lists.
Let’s be clear—this is a subject of utmost importance in the realm of mentalism. The premise traces its roots back long before the magic world even got wind of it, nearly a hundred years prior! There was even a performer doing some version of it half a century before most mentalists knew anything about it. So here we are, nearly one hundred and ninety years later, still reeling from its impact.
The first publication of this effect was hailed as one of the top one hundred events in magic throughout the entire twentieth century. It was presented on a single sheet of paper, yet it made waves that are still felt today.
With immense pride (and a touch of glee), I’m thrilled to introduce the most thorough and expansive work on what is arguably the most vital mentalism effect ever published. There’s nothing else like this in the entire mentalism literature.
This effect has been dubbed ‘the single greatest effect in all of mentalism.’ And now, for the first time, you can get your hands on a MASSIVE collection dedicated entirely to this extraordinary effect!
So, without further ado, allow me to present to you...
The Greatest One-Man Psychic Effect of All-Time by Mark Strivings
It’s a deep dive into the Pseudo-Psychometry Plot.
In the world of mentalism, one effect has captured the imagination and graced the performances of magicians everywhere: Pseudo-Psychometry. Almost ninety years ago, a single-page effect was unveiled in the legendary publication, The Jinx. That one page sent shockwaves through the mentalism community—ripples that are still going strong today.
Since that fateful day, just about every notable mentalist, from the bloke next door to those across the globe, has performed a version of this remarkable plot. In a nutshell, pseudo-psychometry is where the performer deduces details about an audience member, including their personality and life experiences, just by touching an object that’s been in their possession. This practice, known as 'psychometry', involves tuning into the vibrations of an individual through their personal belongings.
There’s a myriad of directions this premise has taken over the years, all explored in depth within the pages of The Greatest.
Here are the stats:
- Over 200 entries
- 16 chapters
- 440 pages
- More than 420 references in the bibliography
And that’s not all—there’s a treasure trove of tools, techniques, and methods throughout the book. It’s a veritable gold mine for any mentalist, regardless of skill level.
Special contributions from...
- Tony Griffith
- Dr. Charles Scott
- Bob Baker
- Terry Tyson
- Dave Arch
- Richard Webster
- Terry Parrett
- Chase Goforth
Plus, material from the likes of...
- Theo Annemann
- T.A. Waters
- Milbourne Christopher
- Gerald Kosky
- Tony Raven
- Dr. Jaks
- Peter Warlock
- Ted Lesley
- Ormond McGill
- William Larsen
- Bascom Jones
- Al Koran
- Phil Goldstein
- Will Dexter
- Jack Kent Tillar
- Larry Becker
- Barrie Richardson
- Sid Lorraine
- Hen Fetsch
- Ned Rutledge
- Arthur Setterington
- Karrell Fox
- J.G. Thompson, Jr.
- ...among many others (including yours truly!)
This hefty volume has everything—markings, routines, methods, subtleties, philosophy, variations, secret devices, techniques... and yes, even card tricks! (Spoiler alert: the basic methodology of pseudo-psychometry has its origins in a card trick. But you’ll learn all about that in the book.)
Just a few of the chapters include:
- T.A. Waters’ discussion of psychometry
- ‘Who Has What’
- Markings for envelopes
- Perspectives
- Cold Reading
- Presentational Challenges
- Graphology - the ‘other’ psychometry
- More Markings
- Psychometry Devices
- More Markings
- Psychometric Playing Cards
- Memory
- Psychometric Variations
- Two-Person Psychometry
- Pseudo-Psychometr- ‘ish’
- ...and more
So, you get this incredible tome—440 pages, over 200 individual entries, more than 16 chapters, and a bibliography with over 420 references—chock-full of psychometry history, methods, insights, technology, techniques, presentations, variations, and a whole lot more, all presented in a stunning, perfect-bound edition. It lies flat for easy reading and is a true beauty to behold.
They say if you find just ONE gem in a book, you’ve more than gotten your money’s worth. Honestly, I can’t see how anyone could spend any time with this book and not stumble upon something useful—probably several somethings! This book isn't cheap, nor should it be. But when you consider the wealth of information packed inside, it’s a downright bargain.
