Blank Cards prediction

[4Mymagic]

Hello everyone,
I am new to this so I hope I am in the write spot.

Many years ago (45) I was taught a prediction trick using Blank faced cards. I can only remember that 2 of the cards were marked with a small pencil mark in the corners. these were the Key cards. I believe that one was on top and the other was the 26th card. You would have someone think of a card. You would then give them the blank deck and through a series of cuts and other instructions that they would do, you would be able to take back the deck and by looking at the key cards you could tell them their card. This was taught to me by a magician at Tannen's. I would love to see if anyone knows what it is as I would really like to perform it again. It was a real mind blower for the layman.

 

[TylerScottIllusionist]

I'm not sure of the exact effect you are referring to but a similar effect can be achieved with Colossal Blizzard 2.0.
http://www.penguinmagic.com/p/7418

 

[Josh Burch]

Hello everyone,
I am new to this so I hope I am in the write spot.

Many years ago (45) I was taught a prediction trick using Blank faced cards. I can only remember that 2 of the cards were marked with a small pencil mark in the corners. these were the Key cards. I believe that one was on top and the other was the 26th card. You would have someone think of a card. You would then give them the blank deck and through a series of cuts and other instructions that they would do, you would be able to take back the deck and by looking at the key cards you could tell them their card. This was taught to me by a magician at Tannen's. I would love to see if anyone knows what it is as I would really like to perform it again. It was a real mind blower for the layman.

So it was a mental trick right? You never produce their card you just name it? That sounds sweet man! let me know if you find it. I might need to figure out my own method for this one.

 

[RealityOne]

So we are talking 1970s?

Was the entire deck blank faced with a regular back? Was the card thought of or selected? Was the revelation the card being named or being shown? Did the magician watch as the spectator cut the deck and dealt cards? Were any of the instructions like deal 1 card for hearts and 2 cards for spades or deal the number of cards to match the number on the card you are thinking of? Was this sold as a trick deck based on a demo or was this something published in a book?

I get the sense that there is one piece of information missing that will help us figure this out.

If the deck was entirely blank, I'm guessing that the instructions were that the spectator do certain things depending on their card and that the markings on the key cards were different. There are four variables here - color, suite and value. Cuts can determine color because cuts would reverse the order of the key cards. Cutting an odd number reverses and an even number maintains the same. Dealing a packet of cards that includes a key changes the number of cards between the keys. That makes me think that the method of discerning the thought of card depended on the order of the key cards and the number of cards between them? Sound familiar?

 

[4Mymagic]

Thanks to both for responding.
I believe it was blank face, card thought of. Card being named. Yes the wad a series of instructions given to the spectator. I do not think if they did it with back turned or while you watched. It was the location of the key cards that allowed you to make the prediction.

 

[RealityOne]

The effect is a variation of Bob Hummer's The Mind Reader's Dream that was published in 1952. Some related effects are here:

http://archive.denisbehr.de/show.php?cat=2206​

My best guess is the effect that was taught to you was the Conrad Bush Think of Card - Blank Deck Method from 1983. I'm not certain, but if you want to get the Betram book it is published in, that is here: http://www.penguinmagic.com/p/S5185

There subsequently was a Richard Raven effect called "Blank Thought." The John Lovick version was first published in his lecture notes “What’s the Rumpus?” and another version called “I Dream of Mindreading” was published in Magic Magazine in December 2003. Jeff Pierce released an effect called "Imagine" in 2004. Neither "Blank Thought" or "Imagine" seem to be currently available. According to Jeff, his method is more simplified than Lovick but right now the best way to recreate the effect is to pre-order the second printing of John's book "Handsome Jack" which I understand will be in December.

 

[obrienmagic]

Are you referring to this?

 

[RealityOne]

Are you referring to this?

I think the effect @4Mymagic is looking for just uses an ungimmicked (except for the pencil dots) blank deck -- the card never appears.

I've come up with a simple working of the Mindreader's Dream using a three key cards where the spectator is required only to deal the number of cards, set aside one card and make cuts based on the color of their selection. I have no idea if it is original because I don't have the books the check against the original handling or variations / modifications. It could be used with blank cards or a regular deck -- where the card set aside by the spectator is the selected card. @4Mymagic, send me a PM if you are interested in my handling. Tyler, Josh or Michael - PM me if you are interested and I'll share it with you too.

 

[4Mymagic]

Thank you everyone. Sorry I was away with no internet access. So I just got back and appreciate all of the replies. I let you know if this is any of them.

 

[DominusDolorum]

That's a really interesting effect O_O Colored me interested.