Theodore Annemann, through his own performances and editorship of Jinx magazine, probably did more than anyone else to popularize this branch of entertainment. Now, this extensive knowledge, experience and know-how are at your fingertips in this comprehensive collection. Here are the closely guarded tricks of the trade behind such astonishing effects as Pseudo-Psychometry, one of the greatest one-man psychic effects ever achieved; Who Killed Mr.X?-a classic routine that combines both magic and mind reading with a triple mystery and a novel presentation; and the Swami Test, a demonstration of prophecy first popularized around 1920. Annemann himself came up with some 16 variations on this popular and much-practiced effect. My Own Swami Test is one of his best.

These and scores of other crowd-pleasers are here, each thoroughly explained and diagrammed, with insider's tips on techniques, staging, patter, plants and confederates, diversions-everything you need to make any trick a fool-proof success. No special equipment is required; just traditional magic props and a willingness to learn from one of magic's legendary figures. Although written for professional magicians, the step-by-step detail, clarity and inclusiveness of this collection, along with the author's intimate knowledge of the stage performer's needs, make this a volume that will benefit magicians at every level of expertise.

Comments: Originally published as "Annmann's Practical Mental Effects". From Dover Publications: "Outstanding collection of nearly 200 crowd-pleasing mental magic feats requiring no special equipment. Author offers insider's tips and expert advice on techniques, presentation, diversions, patter, staging and all else needed to make any trick a foolproof success. Lucidly written, thoroughly diagrammed book by one of magic's legendary figures." Also available as an e-book from Lybrary.com.


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Theodore 'Theo' Annemann (stage name Ted Anneman) born Theodore John Squires (1907 January 12, 1942) was an American professional magician who specialized in the field of mentalism. Annemann is most famous for inventing and refining many of the standard mentalism routines that continue to be used by magicians today.

Biography

Early in his life, Annemann began working as a railroad clerk and then got into showbusiness as a tenor singer and a magician's assistant. He eventually became interested in mentalism and used his invention and performance skills to become one of the most talented and respected magicians of the 1930s. Annemann perfected his own version of the famous bullet catch illusion, performing the effect outdoors. Accounts of his performance describe the feat as a dramatic effect wherein Annemann would collapse from the apparent force of the gun and then produce the bullet from his blood-drenched mouth.

In 1934 he became the editor of the famous magazine The Jinx, published primarily for magicians. The magazine was primarily focused on mentalism, but also featured ground-breaking effects from other fields of magic. The publication of this magazine ceased after Annemann's death and copies of it have become collector's items. Effects from the magazine have been published in several books and manuscripts, among them Annemann's Practical Mental Magic. This book is considered a classic in the field of mentalism.

Annemann was married twice and may have had a child by his first wife[citation needed]. His personality is the subject of much speculation. On the night of January 12, 1942, Annemann was scheduled to perform his bullet catch indoors for the first time. Before the performance, he committed suicide. Since the subject of suicide is complicated, we may never know exactly why Theo decided to end his own life. It is believed that Annemann was suffering from severe stage fright and drug abuse among other factors related to mental distress at the time of his death.


Books
Edited posthumously

Ted Annemann's Full Deck of Impromptu Card Tricks (1943)
Ted Annemann's Practical mental effects (1944)
Annemann's Miracles of Card Magic (1948)
Annemann's Buried Treasures (1952)
Miracles of Card Magic (1964)
Annemann's Card Magic (1977) ISBN 0-486-23522-X
Practical Mental Magic (1983) ISBN 0-486-24426-1

Manuscripts by Annemann

Card Miracles (1929)
Mental mysteries (1929)
The Book With a Name (1931)
The Book Without a Name (1931)
The Trick of the Month Club Presents: A Dead Name Duplication (1931)
202 Methods of Forcing (1933)
Annemann Manuscripts (1933)
Sh-h-h--!: It's a Secret (1934)
The Incorporated Strange Secrets (1939)

Biography

Annemann, Life and Times of a Legend by Max Abrams, L & L Publishing (1992)