Yaniv Deautsch found this footage of Randi online. Here Randi is performing the effect with two face to face cards in the envelope. He also appears to make a error in performance, identifying the cards in the wrong order. But he manages to set things right by the end.
Yaniv Deautsch emailed to say that Randi showed the trick to Yorini when he visited Israel in 1977. The 1977 date fits. As I mentioned, it did feel like a 1970s parapsychology experiment.
Yorini is the stage name of Yoran Nachman and he is mentioned by Randi in his book Flim-Flam! Randi described him as a master of spoon bending and telepathy and was clearly impressed with his work as a mentalist. Worth reading again for Randi's early exploration of the Geller phenomenon and the world of psychic research.
David, Just to give you the “heads up” on the method involved. Each of the five ESP cards have a shin of metal in each of the cards or not. The circle would not have any (representing zero as 0), the others would have 1-4 shims placed inside the cards at certain locations. You could then have a magnet concealed in your hand or sanda gimmick etc. Or alternatively using a pen with a magnet in the lid or tip to work out which card was concealed in a black envelope or plain opaque envelope.
Randi showed me the method and how the magnets were embedded in the cards. And I have seen it in print subsequently. But, alas, though I'm pretty sure I made a note of it those notes are not to hand. For me, the use of the iron filings is the most interesting part. You never have anything else in your hands other than the props the spectators can see. Similar tricks were done 100 years ago with dice or coloured blocks hidden in wooden boxes but the envelope and foil wrappings were a very good way of simulating a parapsychological experiment of the type carried out in the 1970s.
David, thanks for the Randi tribute. As you say it sounds like a test from the 70s. A powerful effect in the right hands no doubt. And an interesting method. I'm glad you mentioned what a good magician and performer he was. I never knew him well but we were both from Toronto and when he was in town we (young kids) would talk with him at the Arcade Magic and Novelty Shop and go to see him at his summer performences at the Canadian National Exhibition. As adults both my wife and I separately interviewd him for various magic related documentaries. He always seemed pleased to perform and the performances were always great magic and great fun.
I've enjoyed several of those documentaries. And doing a search I see that there's a documentary on Conjuring Philip. What a wonderful and perplexing story that is. Randi was fun to be with. Maybe in a future newsletter I'll tell the story of when I fooled Randi. It was during the production of the TV series. I asked if that meant I'd get the $10,000 award he had going at that time. And it'll be no surprise if I tell you it didn't :-)
David, I have just subscribed to your newsletter. Great story, sad to hear about Randi. It was however a wonderful experience to see him in Blackpool a few years ago.
In regards to the trick with iron fillings, effects with magnetic principles using ESP cards. In recent years both Gary Jones and Nicholas Einhorn have contributed updated handlings to this plot.
I am sure you are aware of this, but mention it just in case. Love your contributions to the magic world. Best Wishes John
I haven't seen Gary Jones or Nicholas Einhorn's effects. Did do a search to see what else had been done years ago but I'm talking pre 1960s. It's definitely a principle you can have fun with.
Thank you for this David, Randi was top class in many ways. The iron filings story is brilliant, I can imagine your feelings when the wavy lines turned out correct.
If felt like a challenge test from a 1970s parapsychology lab. With the ultra thin magnets we have now it would be possible to make an even better version.
Yaniv Deautsch found this footage of Randi online. Here Randi is performing the effect with two face to face cards in the envelope. He also appears to make a error in performance, identifying the cards in the wrong order. But he manages to set things right by the end.
You can view the performance here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ovhHjnAg6AA
David, if you email me at dzuckerbrotatgmail.com I can send you private links to Conjuring Philip, etc.
Yaniv Deautsch emailed to say that Randi showed the trick to Yorini when he visited Israel in 1977. The 1977 date fits. As I mentioned, it did feel like a 1970s parapsychology experiment.
Yorini is the stage name of Yoran Nachman and he is mentioned by Randi in his book Flim-Flam! Randi described him as a master of spoon bending and telepathy and was clearly impressed with his work as a mentalist. Worth reading again for Randi's early exploration of the Geller phenomenon and the world of psychic research.
David, Just to give you the “heads up” on the method involved. Each of the five ESP cards have a shin of metal in each of the cards or not. The circle would not have any (representing zero as 0), the others would have 1-4 shims placed inside the cards at certain locations. You could then have a magnet concealed in your hand or sanda gimmick etc. Or alternatively using a pen with a magnet in the lid or tip to work out which card was concealed in a black envelope or plain opaque envelope.
Randi showed me the method and how the magnets were embedded in the cards. And I have seen it in print subsequently. But, alas, though I'm pretty sure I made a note of it those notes are not to hand. For me, the use of the iron filings is the most interesting part. You never have anything else in your hands other than the props the spectators can see. Similar tricks were done 100 years ago with dice or coloured blocks hidden in wooden boxes but the envelope and foil wrappings were a very good way of simulating a parapsychological experiment of the type carried out in the 1970s.
Yaniv Deautsch pointed out that Paul Daniels did a similar trick on his television series. You can see it here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E2vE8EnLDP8
David, thanks for the Randi tribute. As you say it sounds like a test from the 70s. A powerful effect in the right hands no doubt. And an interesting method. I'm glad you mentioned what a good magician and performer he was. I never knew him well but we were both from Toronto and when he was in town we (young kids) would talk with him at the Arcade Magic and Novelty Shop and go to see him at his summer performences at the Canadian National Exhibition. As adults both my wife and I separately interviewd him for various magic related documentaries. He always seemed pleased to perform and the performances were always great magic and great fun.
I've enjoyed several of those documentaries. And doing a search I see that there's a documentary on Conjuring Philip. What a wonderful and perplexing story that is. Randi was fun to be with. Maybe in a future newsletter I'll tell the story of when I fooled Randi. It was during the production of the TV series. I asked if that meant I'd get the $10,000 award he had going at that time. And it'll be no surprise if I tell you it didn't :-)
David, I have just subscribed to your newsletter. Great story, sad to hear about Randi. It was however a wonderful experience to see him in Blackpool a few years ago.
In regards to the trick with iron fillings, effects with magnetic principles using ESP cards. In recent years both Gary Jones and Nicholas Einhorn have contributed updated handlings to this plot.
I am sure you are aware of this, but mention it just in case. Love your contributions to the magic world. Best Wishes John
I haven't seen Gary Jones or Nicholas Einhorn's effects. Did do a search to see what else had been done years ago but I'm talking pre 1960s. It's definitely a principle you can have fun with.
Thank you for this David, Randi was top class in many ways. The iron filings story is brilliant, I can imagine your feelings when the wavy lines turned out correct.
If felt like a challenge test from a 1970s parapsychology lab. With the ultra thin magnets we have now it would be possible to make an even better version.