Jinx #10 contained the first mention in periodicals for magi of extra sensory perception, that much discussed emotion of present day delvers into the realm of mental gymnastics. However, insofar as I have been able to discover, magicians taking advantage of the Rhine publicity by using the symbol cards in their presentations becloud the issue by using the cards like an ordinary bridge deck, and complicate things with sleights and intricate patterns of effect for which the original designs were never intended. Over two years ago I made up a set for my own amazement, and used them only at times when someone would mention the Duke experiments, asking if I were following the tests.

Today the subject and the cards have become fairly well known, and the excuse to bring them into play is apparent. However, I find that for those not conversant with the matter, as little as possible being done is sufficient. And for those who know about them to any extent, only one or two simple tests will suffice because such persons look upon it as genuine telepathy, know that laboratory tests have not gone far, and too much from the performer causes them to suspect chicanery. The bland statement from the magus that he has a deck of the symbol cards which anyone may secure, and that he has been testing himself with a noticeable degree of success, is plenty. This is all the more logical when done by an out and out magician who openly does tricks, rather than a “mentalist” or “mindreader” who is supposed to do it well anyway.

As presented here, there is nothing much new in the secrets. The application of symbols to two of my oldest card ideas will, however, make it possible for many to put the principles into active and profitable use, instead of letting the material lie dormant in a forgotten book.

ESP cards can be bought at most large bookstores, or secured from Zenith radio dealers at very little cost. Some give them away. Secure two decks, only one of which is used openly. To prepare, take 5 Stars from one deck and discard the rest. Put 4 of these face outward under your belt in the back, letting half protrude. From the deck you will use, take one each of the 5 designs (pictured on the previous page) and with the Star at face put this packet into the inside coat pocket. Put the extra Star card into the deck.

“It has become public knowledge that for the last three years, universities all over the world have been experimenting and testing the little known powers of the mind. Professor J.B. Rhine of Duke has gone further than the rest, however, by a systematic recording of several million tests, using as a base a set of 25 symbol cards; cards bearing only 5 different designs and repeated 5 times. These designs were selected for their difference from each other, and the experiments involving their use have been termed extra sensory perception. This term is rather all embracing and does not mean telepathy or mindreading in itself. Those are but the more commonly given explanations. Extra sensory perception merely indicates and searches for a sense outside of those which all of us normally have. I want to try several short tests with these cards, in an attempt to prove that there is something beyond all that we know. What it is, and why it is, can only be left to your own judgement.”

That discourse can be the ice-breaker. Take the deck from the case, and openly show it, naming the 5 designs. Say that you will use the 5 different symbols, and hand cards to someone for their removal. Take these, fanning them and noting the order remembered, just arrange them as you show them. Holding the fan face outward, stand before a spectator and ask him to look them over well and finally settle his mind on but one card. He is to think of the design as a mental picture rather than as a name.

Square cards face down in left hand. Both hands go behind back. The packet is transferred to right fingers and thumb, and the left hand secures the four belted cards face down in the palm. Saying only “You are thinking of a symbol. I shall remove one card”, bring right hand around with its squared packet (as if one card) and put it in right trouser pocket. Saying “One from five leaves four”, bring left hand to front and deal them singly face down onto the remainder of the deck. Now ask the spectator to reveal his design, at the same time dropping right hand to pocket. As he names it, ask “Why did you choose the — ? Is such a design connected with your everyday life ? Did it remind you of something ?”

This is the slight stall for you to secure the right one of the 5 in pocket and you should have it half out into view as he answers. You finish “Well, you concentrated upon it very thoroughly and steadily. Some force directed me to that very symbol.” Show the card correct and toss it to the deck.

The deck now contains the 5 added duplicates of the Star (one was already there and you just put in the four from belt). Look at someone else and say “We shall try it a bit differently. The five designs shall be left on the table.” As you talk, you run through the deck with the faces to yourself and apparently remove five different cards. But instead, you pick out five Stars, dropping them into a face down row. Say “This time I’ll turn my back, and leave the selection up to chance alone. There won’t be any opportunity for me to take advantage of a possible liking on your part for any particular one. Please step to the table, pick up and look at any one design. Put it back in its place, and then slightly move each card a bit so as to avoid any visible clue.”

This is done and you turn back to cards. Pick them up face down onto left palm. Transfer them to right while left hand opens coat and removes (without a word) a couple of letters or papers from inside coat pocket. Left hand takes packet back, right holds coat lapel a few inches from body, and left deposits packet in UPPER RIGHT VEST POCKET with thumb and forefinger, the other fingers going into coat pocket for outside effect. Now open the coat out so all can see the pocket. Ask the spectator to think hard. Reach in and draw out one. Look at it, shake head, and toss to table FACE UP. Repeat this with the next three, leaving the Star for the last. As you toss the fourth card down, say “You aren’t thinking of any of those. It must be the last. Will you name your symbol and take it out yourself ?” He does so, and again the card is his.

The added duplicates are now safely out of the way, and only four different cards are in your right trouser pocket. Continue ” We have tried this by mental selection and chance selection on your part. Now we shall turn about and see whether or not you have a hidden sense.” Let a third person shuffle the cards well. Take them face down and put them into your trouser pocket, under the cards there. You know the top one of these, as they were put there in order and one removed. Go on “You, sir, shall stand behind me. When I snap my fingers, reach into my pocket with your right hand, pull out a card and look at it intently behind my back. No one will see it but yourself.” There won’t be one time in fifty that this person won’t draw the top card. It’s the only one he can get quickly without effort.

AND JUST AS YOU SNAP YOUR FINGERS AND HE DIVES FOR POCKET YOU SAY “You are going to select a — !” As it comes out, turn and ask “What is it ?” Climax.

Remarks are superfluous. The deck is now a complete one, and it is at this time when all interested ask for it and look it over. Tricks no end can be done, but this routine has stood me well for over two years on private party engagements, and it has been ironed out through actual performances. Both the talk and the effects are logical, nothing is claimed, and the spectators are left to mull it over themselves.