Baker-Dunninger Slate Deluxe by Louis Gaynor

At one time the Baker-Dunninger Slate was a common prop but you don’t see many of them these days as most add a number effects are done with small pads or calculators rather than large slates.  There have been many versions released by different dealers. The first Addition or Add a Number slate was created by American Mentalist Joseph Dunninger c. 1926 and this version was a variation by Al Baker c. 1929 and it became known as the Baker-Dunninger Slate.

This version of the Baker-Dunninger Slate is the best available today and with the new locking system, a must have!  What I particularly like about this one is that the choice of routines are a little more than the standard add a number effect which make for a much more rounded and useful prop.

Effect: Updated version features new locking system! This 10″ by 7 ½ in Slate board duplicates the original Baker-Dunniger style chalk board slate but with the modern convenience of a dry erase surface. This allows for a simple wipe down with a dry cloth and you are ready for the next performance. Imagine no more chalk dust or white smudges on your costume or props. The black on white printing makes it much easier to read even from a distance, allowing for a larger audience. Approx. 12 ounces – so it’s solid! This 7/8 in wide by 3/8 in thick solid oak frame has tenon and grove joints at each rounded corner which gives maximum strength and durability, and adds an old school styling and charm to the trick. The wood is then coated at least five times with a durable semi gloss lacquer.

Keeping with tradition this slate has a space for 4 sets of numbers and a space for the sum total of these numbers. Five spaces in all Just like the original, which has been tried and tested for many generations and dazzles the audience with your prediction prowess.

Stevens Magic’s own master craftsman, Louie Gaynor has meticulously hand crafted each board with special care given to each piece to assure a flawless performance every time. Once you know the secret all you need is an audience then you too can astound the masses with your uncanny prediction abilities.

The back of the slate is also a dry erase surface, it gives the magician a blank billboard on which to display any symbol, logo, or anything else they wish to apply to it, free advertising space, what a bargain. Comes with dry erase marker, complete instructions on execution.

Some Possible Effects:

• Prediction – The performer entrusts a sealed envelope to a spectator and then, using a slate, he/she invites four spectators to suggest three (or four) digit numbers for each of the slates sections. The performer then invites another spectator to add the numbers. The sum is shown to match the number in the sealed envelope.
• Mind Reading – The performer asks each of four spectators to ‘think’ of a number and remember it. The performer reads each person’s mind, does a mental calculation, and then writes a total. The spectators’ numbers are written on the slate. When another spectator adds them up, the total matches the sum on the performers pad.
• Influence – The performer raises a question: “Is mind-to-mind influence possible? Can we subconsciously influence someone else’s thought, decisions or behavior?” The effect then proceeds as above, now the revelation suggests that ‘influence’ did indeed occur.
  Routine: Mentalist point to a large envelope that is sealed and has been in the same position. He produces a dry erase slate and hands it to the first of three spectators with a marker and asked them to write in a random four-digit number, then the magician hands it to two more participants who also write a random four digit number. Finally the slate is handed to a fourth spectator who then totals ups the numerical sums of the numbers and reveals it, (for example 20,093). The mentalist then asks another member of the audience to go up and grab the sealed envelope, open it and show it to the audience. Sure enough upon doing so – the previously predicted number is a match – 20,093.

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