Lustig, David J. (La Vellma): Vaudeville
Mind Reading and Kindred Phenomena ©1920 Robert W. Doidge Softcover, saddle-stitched, 7x9", 55 pages ©1929 Robert. W. Doidge, Revised Edition |
1920 Edition Image courtesy e-Bay seller JayandLefty |
1929 Revised Edition Image courtesy e-Bay seller JayandLefty |
Comments (JayAndLefty): "A treasure from mentalism's
past...David J. Lustig's extremely rare and long out of print
book,"Vaudeville Mind Reading and Kindred Phenomena," 20 chapters
of systems, codes and other methods of doing club and stage
mindreading, second sight, crystal gazing, the blindfold drive and
other publicity stunts, telepathy, startling sealed message
reading and psychic effects, including a full two hour show that
requires a minimum of equipment. This is powerful, practical
material that stunned audiences in the past and properly
presented, will still do so today. A must-have addition to any
serious mentalism libary."
Note: the revised edition seems to be missing Mentology,
"A novel effect which enables the club entertainer to name every
card in an entire deck, in order drawn without memorizing", which
appeared on page 49 of the original edition.
Contents (descriptions are taken from the original table of contents):
3 Introduction (Henry Hatton)
4 Foreword
7 Vaudeville Musical Silent Thought Transference Act: In which
members of the audience whisper to the performer the titles of any
musical selection and upon spectator requesting the lady at the
piano to "Please play my selection," she not only plays it but
names the selected piece. This is a method of performing the most
baffling Silent Thought Transference act that has ever appeared
upon the vaudeville stage
12 Vaudeville Second Sight Act: Involving a new method of
signalling to the medium, which enables her to go into audience,
and, while apparently under the hypnotic control of the performer,
accomplishes some difficult and complicated tests. Medium also
writes initials of spectators and the names of selected cards
16 Vaudeville "Crystal-Gazing Act: Complete method in which the
performer, working in oriental garb, walks freely about stage,
reading answers to queries, also names, etc., written by members
of the audience. This sort of act has mystified audiences
through-out the world. Performer consults crystal sphere, wherein
he professes to read the various answers to questions put to him
17 Phonetic System For Silent Thought Transmission Acts:
"Something new under the sun." In this chapter this new and novel
system is worked around the most baffling silent transmission act
of them all; in which any selection whispered to the performer, in
audience, is played by the blindfolded pianist on the stage
21 Vaudeville Feature Mind Reading Act: Complete modus operandi of
a mind reading act, the kind which always wins favor with an
audience
24 Winged Mystery: An unusual and baffling mind reading experiment
with a sure-fire sensational finale. A feature specialty of just
the sort to bring a big mind-reading show to a close
26 On Answering Questions: Treating how to answer "catch"
questions as well as many others
27 Method Of Obtaining Sealed Messages Written At Home By Members
Of The Audience
28 The Blindfold Drive: Various methods of staging and performing
this great publicity getting stunt
30 A Sensational Publicity Test: This is a stunt staged by the
performer in the city or town he is playing, and is sure to bring
forth columns of news stories that is far better than the usual
news stuff
31 A Vaudeville Mind Reading Act: Complete from introductory
speech to the transmitting of articles; with various tests for the
medium, introducing a short fortune telling by cards, effect and
all in all an act that can run from twenty minutes in vaudeville
to an hour and a half in a theatre as the feature part of a road
show
37 Publicity Stunts For Mind Readers: Six tests that can be
performed in clubs, newspaper offices or hotels and will gain
prestige for a clever entertainer
41 Silent Thought Transference: A method that has puzzled
audiences in this country and abroad
45 A Later Day Miracle: A different sort of test after which an
audience is left too dazed to even applaud until several minutes
after the curtain has descended
46 Mind Reading Act For Club Entertainers: A non-electrical method
of reading and answering questions, using the crystal ball
feature. This is a new method and will be appreciated 'by the club
and society entertainer
48 The Chess Knight Tour: Two methods of performing this
entertaining feat, which can be introduced as a mind reading
experiment
49 Mentology: A novel effect which enables the club entertainer to
name every card in an entire deck, in order drawn without
memorizing
51 Voice Culture: A valuable chapter that should not be skimmed
over but carefully read by all mental telepathists and conjurors
53 Conclusion: A general wind-up, touching on mind reading and
kindred phenomena
55 Supplement - Gambols Of The Ghosts: A two-hour entertainment,
introducing demonstrations in Mysticism, Mental Telepathy,
Occultism and kindred weird and startling so-called Psychic
Phenomena, winding up with a novel Crystal Gazing performance.
This entertainment will meet the approval of all advanced
entertainers, especially the performer who wishes to carry only a
limited amount of paraphernalia