This wonderful item was first released by John Snyder c. 1936 and it was a big success. This is set 471 and John sold more than 500 sets of these and at almost $100 a pop in today’s money that is not bad for a mentalism effect.
The Improved version was an add on to the original effect with a custom made stand and was released c. 1938. These stands are much harder to find and this one is in like new condition. The effect is the same method but with a stand to lay out the envelopes so you can do everything hands free – the performer never needs to touch the keys or the envelopes once they have been handed to the spectators.
The stand is really nice but is otherwise ungimmicked and could be used for other things too. The stand allows you to find the key without even touching the envelopes or stand. What is interesting in the ads that appeared announcing the “Improvement”, they don’t have a picture of it in the ad and don’t say what it is. But they do say “Item supplied for Improvement can be used in other effects.” – well yes it is a card stand.
There were no instructions included in The Improvement box – just the stand itself, but I’m not sure if there ever were any instructions. Both boxes are original and were opened for the first time when they were shipped to me. Anyway, you can see in my video how I use the stand. You don’t have to touch the stand or the envelopes but you do need to wave your hands in front to get a psychic reading. I found this effect easier to do with the stand for sure. Of course you don’t need the stand and can just perform the original method if you prefer.
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