Osborne, Tom & Ralph W. Read (editor): The Three Shell Game ©1938 Mitchell Kanter Softcover, saddle-stitched, 5.5x8.5", 58 pages ©1975 Lee Grey, Philadelphia, PA

Image from Magicref

Comments:  Illustrated by Bill Hanna. A decent book on the 3 Shell Game.

Contents (from book)

3 Foreword (Mike Kanter)
5 History of The Three Shell Game: Some tidbits about early origins of the Shell game
8 Equipment, or Props, Required: How to make your own shells from Walnuts
9 The Pea: making the pea
9 The Table or Exhibition Board: some suggestions
10 Sleights and Manipulations: intro
11 Definitions: defines terms such as DRAW, SHILLS, etc.
12 Stealing the Pea (Method A)
12 Stealing the Pea (Method B)
13 Stealing the Pea (method C)
14 The Kick Steal: used often when showing the shell that was selected
14 Sucker Moves: Used to entice action in the spectator. The Finger Sucker Steal
15 Sucker Moves (Continued): The Lift Up Sucker Steal, Fake Steal, Fake Load, Left/Right Side Sucker Steal
16 Sucker Moves (Continued): Flash, Sucker Steal, Sucker Flash
17 The Take-Away (Methods A and B): removing the pea from a shell to be lifted
18 The Back Hand Position: another grip
19 The Upside Down Turnover: turning the shells over
19 The Pass: false transfer of the pea from hand to hand
20 Shell Held by Spectator: stealing the pea with spectator's finger on the shell
21 The Double Decker: transferring the pea from one shell to another
22 A Series of Lessons: Lessons for practicing
22 Lesson 1: standard finger position
22 Lesson 2: more
23 Lesson 3: stealing the pea
24 Lesson 4: more stealing
24 Lesson 5: loading
25 Lesson 6: new finger positions
25 Lesson 7: back shift
27 Lesson 8: inside shift
28 Lesson 9: the roll flash
28 Lesson 10: Holding out
29 Presentation Routines: good presentation tips.
32 The Chart: to aid in working out your sequence of routines. Magician is to select his own sequence of the routines provided in the book for his own, personal full-fledged routine.
33 Routine 1: Each routine presents a sequence of moves. Routines are combined into a full show. Routine 1, for example, has steps like, "Push No. 5 shell to chart No. 2, Stealing Pea; Draw No. 4 shell to chart No. 8, Loading Pea"; and so forth.
33 Routine 2
34 Routine 3
35 Routine 4
35 Routine 5
36 Routine 6
37 Routine 7
37 Routine 8
38 Routine 9
38 Routine 10
39 Routine 11
40 Routine 12
40 Routine 13
41 Routine 14
41 Routine 15
42 Routine 16
43 Routine 17
43 Routine 18
44 Routine 19
45 Routine 20
45 Routine 21
46 Routine 22
46 Routine 23
47 Routine 24
47 Routine 25
48 Routine 26
49 Routine 27
49 Routine 28
49 Routine 29
50 Routine 30
51 Routine 31: Using a piece of paper instead of a pea, this routine features a "false tip-off" so the spectator thinks he can't lose
53 Routine 32: another version
53 Routine 33: a crowd gathering routine using the shells as well as a "Dime and Penny" gimmick.
55 Starting Routines: sequences to get the spectator interested in the game
56 Shills and Sharpers: using an accomplice

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