1

(201) 431-2429

POST OFFICE BOX 144 • FREEHOLD, NEW JERSEY 07728

THE

PAPERS

Copyright by Al Mann Exclusives

(DONOVaN is the stage name of Mentalist Gary Lee Williamsborn 9/16/54 in Whiteplains, N.Y. The unique griffin holding acrystal ball is his crest. Gary Lee is well versed in the art andthe latest member of the AME think tank. His amazing handling of the"Azonic Force" from Acidus Plus is a gem to behold. Gary Lee doesthe test with two billets, holding one in each hand. He holds a fol-ded billet in his left hand and points to someone in the audience onthe extreme left ( a writer of one billet) with his right hand and getsthe message from the billet in his right hand, He asks the person tostand up and concentrate. Then the other billet is held up (the right

hanti) and a person on the extreme left of the audience ( the 2nd wri-ter) is pointed to with the left hand and asked to stand up. Gary

Lee gets the message on the left hand billet as he points. He nowknows both messages and can reveal them in a dramatic manner!)

THE DONOVaN PAPERS by Gary Lee Williams.Gentlemen, here is a billet test that you can do anywhere

once you master it. You do not have to tear it or open the billet.You simply hold it at the tips of your fingers and read minds!

Gary Lee confided in me that he arrived at the method by com-bining principles from "The Seven Seals" and "The Mag-Eye Move!"

Effect. A person is asked to write his thought on a slip ofpaper and fold and initial the folded slip. Mentalist shows the foldedslip so that it is obvious that it is opaque and so states.

"Ladies and Gentlemen, This person has secretly written a thoughton this slip of paper and has fold it four ways. The paper is totallyop~que. The human eye can not see the secret message. Please note thatI just hold it at the tips of my fingers to get vibs from it and Ialso place it on my temple. Will you please concentrate on your thought?

Mentalist then reveals' the thought and afterwards discards thestill folded billet!

SECRET, HANDLING AND PRESENTATION,THE PAPER. In order to perform the test under all conditions,

the paper used must be of a special kind, not too thick and not toothin. If it is too thick it will give you trouble, and if it is toothin, the secret will become apparent. What you need is a thin bond

THE DONOVON PAPERS corrt ,

2

AN AL MANN EXCLUSIVE

Take theenveloperead sealed

Fig. 1

Fig. 2

x

l.k~u,c1~~ 'I

THE DONOVaN PAPERS cont. •.J

AN AL MANN EXCLUSIVE

Fig. 4

@I Pd SII

@R.Bese"'-1

A routine with two billetsl Place one billet to your lefttemple with the left hand and pretend to read that billet, whileyou are actually reading the billet palmed in your right hand as youlook downwards in a pensive mood!

PAST~PRESENT-FUTUREI Here is another use that Gary Lee useswith the billetsl Prepare the paper bydrawing three lines and ask the spectatorto write in his thoughts about the PastPresent and Future. After the billet isfolded, you can read first one section andthen the next simply by turning the billetover! Please note in Fig. 4, the lines arestaggered so that they will not superimpose.The lines on the top right quarter are onthe top and bottom of the section, whileon the lower right quarter the one line isnear the center. This will make it easy toread the messages.

There are dozens of ways of reading these billets. I am thinkingof the following I Take a billet and place it to your temple and makebelieve you already know the contents so then you pick up a see-through clip board and place the billet under it in the pretenceof holding it. You glimpse the message and write it on the clipboardpaper!

With a crystal ball, simply place the ball over the billet,then look into the crystal ball!

You must never stare directly at the billet. In the originalhandling, place the billet to your temple, make believe you havealready divined the thought and then tear up the billet and read itas you start to tear it.

NOTEI In acutal practice sometimes a spectator will fold thepaper wrongly or into a tiny wad. To avoid this it is better to tellthe spectator to just turn the slip over, writing side down, "sono one can see your secret thought."

Gary Lee lights a match and burns the billet and gets a glimpseof the message when everything else fails. If a person wads up thebillet, it is most natural to toy with the billet a bit, unwad itand then burn it.

These are indeed powerful secrets in the hands of a showmanespecially when you can convince an audience that you never lookat the folded paper!

The reader must experiment with different thicknesses of paper.Your eyesight may be better than mine.

4

(201 ) 431 -2429

?ue 04. t:>6 tJ~1.J,tf),,4.:by Al M{nn 1/1/fn

POST OFFICE BOX 144 • FREEHOLD, NEW JERSEY 07728

This introduces a billet test which will assistyou to read minds like reading hand writing. Again thefolded billet is held at the finger tips in full view. Thebillet is never hidden from view, torn or opened, yet the secretthought is revealed!

In presenting billet tests before lay audiences, we havenoticed the following hard facts which add to the mysterYI

1. Only one person in the audience ever sees at close rangewhat the billet looks like! The one who does the writing.

2. The spectator writer, doesn't give one hoot where he writeshis thought. He will write it anywhere you instruct him!

J. The rest of the audience get the full benefit of the illu-sion of mindreading!

tAL MANN tt.rc/~t

-t- sli tFig. 5

youLatin

t~68 fFig. 7

With this knowledge in hand I will proceed to reveal tothe wondrous secret of the 'as of oxylus!' The word 'as' isand if you know its meaning you may already know the secret!

Get a piece of J by 5 in. white paper.Any kind of paper will do. If it is to-tally opaque, so much the better as thistest can be done with any kind of paperor card. Next prefold it so that the foldis off-center as in Fig. 6. Next fold itinto quarters from top to bottom and awayfrom you as in Fig. J. The off-center foldwill leave a step that will assist you later.

Next open out the billet as in Fig.5 and cut a small J/4 inch high slit in themiddle-bottom as shown. Next fill in thepaper with the message as shown which leavesonly the bottom line for the spectator to write on!

Do not worry about the tiny slit. It willprobably go unnoticed and if it is noticed nospecial importance will be given it, and if thewriter is suspicious, he will be the only onewho sees it. In any event only a well versedMentalist will be able to give any thought tothe slit. You may even tear it by hand and it willlook like an accidental tear!

Have the spectator write in the secret word andinstruct him to turn the paper face down so thatno one can see his writing. You then reach overand without looking at the slip of paper, foldit correctly then show it on both sides tellingthe audience that it is totally opaque!

sTHE DONOVON PAPERS

THE OS OF OXYLUS cont. • •.

AN AL MANN E(CLUSIVE

The folded billet is totally opaque. After you show both sidesstick your thumb tip under the step and fold up the tiny flap thatis formed by the slit and the secret message will be exposedl

After you reveal the thought p tear up the billet and throw thebits into the air. (see Fig. 7 which shows the 'Os! ')

I was asked once by a group of young people why I tore up thebillets. I told them that energy is released when a piece of paperis torn. They thought that was indeed a great secret!

'Os' in Latin means mouth or opening!Another bit of business is to fold the card into eighths. This

will make the folding up of the flap easier.

Fig. 8

Fig. 9

S'Id.:O SCu."'/iC,C",,:In "Phanta-Graphs" I mentioned that the late

great showman Syd Bergson performed his fabulousrendition of one of his J-M Miracles at the AMEbooth at the Houston Convention (IBM 1979).

It is the effect with the card folded threeways. The effect is a stunner to a lay audience.

In the original handling there are two cardlayers covering the message so that it is opaqueand quite obvious that no one can see the writing•

Taking the card behind your back can be ratio-nalized by saying that you are using your finger-tips to get the vibs. You then pretend that youhave decerned the thought so you burn the card!

In this version, the card is always in sightand is not handled behind the back.

My first attempt at an improvement was byusing card stock made out of rice o This materialis made in the orient. It is transparent but notreadily obtainable.

Next I tried using a white thin card stock, like the card stockused on the back of this book. The piece of card measures J by Ji inso

The card is then folded as shown in Fig. 8 so that only onelayer of card covers the message. When the card is closed it lookslike in Fig. 9. This card stock is semi-transparent and the messagecan be glimpse with normal lighting. However it is best to destroythe card after the reading and thereby destroy the evidence. If thecard is burned by stricking a match or using a cigarette lighter,the message will show plainly!

•

•I

If any of my readers know where to buy card stock made of ricelet me know and I will pass on the information. I wrote to magicshops in Japan but received no answer.

FINE POINTSI In the above handling, it helps if the card ispinched and convexed slightly and always use a black felt-tip pen!

I find your manuscripts extremely interesting and creative.I'm enclosing an original center-tear, inspired by readingAPODOSIS. I haven't exploited its possibilities yet, butwith your interest and vast experience with the center-tear,I'm sure you'll see them quickly.

3. Snap open and read astearing continues.

Dear Ala

II \

./

6

j.. Tear thi scorner

September 20, 1979

2, Insert thumb in1st fold of this" Fe

·corner after tearing.

POST OFFICE BOX 144 • FREEHOLD, NEW JERSEY (j7728

"de 1'~~4..ld~ SV'e:by Max Cortine

This is the center-tearprinciple applied to a cardfolded pyramid fashion.

•LMANN ~dM1e~I

1.

2.

The paper, about 2i X 2i or better yet, J X J, is inthe shape of a square .Thiscan ei the r be torn fromscratch pad paper or cut beforehand. The usual circle,line or a rectangle can be drawn in the center of it.

This paper is prefolded in the shape of a PYRAMID.(C~~~)~(See above enclosed). Because of the heavy interest ~in pyramids in the past ten years or so, I don't thinkthis will be considered unusual at all -- sort ofmystical, in fact.

4.

This PYRAMID has certain advantages over the usual fold.The center is formed into a thumb-tip after it is tornout. For example, the top corner is torn first and placedby the left fingers in front of the center-corner, whichpoints to the left. (As above, without fingers shown).(Please note how the double-fold portion of the triangleis on top, as enclosed). ':'-,.$1' ,...." ctF"1'\f..Now the right thumb is inserted into the~FC, where apaper thumb-tip is formed. ~

•l

The tearing continues with the right ~humb-tip placedbehind the untorn section of the pyramid. By exertingpressure on the top of the FC with the forefinger ormiddle finger, it will snap open behind the other pieces.The left fingers can either help or not.

THE DONO VON PAPERS

THE PYRAMID'S EYE by Max Cortine cant.

7

AN AL MANN EXCLUSIVE

6. Because of the unusual shape of the pyramid, IT IS NOTNECESSARY TO SHIELD WHAT'S GOING ON WITH YOUR HANDS.The thumb-tip is naturally kept behind the other pieces.

7. The best sequence, I've found, is to tear off the topcorner of the pyramid with the left fingers, put it in

front of the Fe, tear off the PCT with the left fingers, bringit behind to quickly insert the right thumb, creating thethumb-tip, and continue tearing, opening the FC on the nexttear.

8. The FC can be qui. ckly swiveled around if it's upsidedown. A slight bulging as the' FC is torn out helpsto create a fold where the thumb can be quickly inserted.Experiment with this, and you'll see what I mean.

As in your version of the Baker tear, if the corner isslowly, an opening will be created for the thumb-tip.very soft scratch pad paper is used, however, this candifficult.

tornIfbe

Also, the thumb-tip can be palmed by the right hand once it'son the thumb, but it's actually easier to open and read.

I have found that the best misdirection, although little isnecessary, since the unusual shape of the untorn bulk ofthe pyramid adequately hides the unfolding process and thethumb-tip, is as follows:

A. Patter while the top corner is torn off.

B. The left fingers plac e the torn top corner in front ofthe center-corner, FC.

C. Tear off the FC, insert it on the right thumb, and openit as tearing continues, still pattering.

D. BEGIN TO TEAR THE OPENED CENTER down the center of itwith both hands. As this is done, say "Are you SUREyou concentrated hard when you wrote?" As you say this,you look directly at the opened center in your fingers,which is held fairly high. The fact that you pause inyour tear for only a few seconds to read the FC ispsychologically strong.

THE DONOVaN PAPERS

THE PYRAMID'S EYE by Max Cortine

8

AN AL MANN EXCLUSIVE

cont. . ..

E. After reading FC, finish tearing, place torn pieces sothey face each other and are now in center of tornmess, and hand the whole thing to the spectator.

Here are some other advantages of the pyramid-folds

They can be used as billets and are much handier than thenormal rectangular fold. Untorn pyramids can be snapped openalmost instantly. For example, by holding the pyramid (topup) in the right hand, the right humb can be inserted in thefold nearest you -- and that fact is perfectly concealed fromthe audience.

They open very fast with a slight snapping sound, which mustbe covered up. (Cough~ Rustle the envelope if you're insert-ing a billet in it). If you go to place one of these foldedpyramids in an envelope or bowl with the thumb inserted be-hind, you'll note that they can be snapped open almost atonce. And once they're beneath the flap of the envelopeor rim of a bowl or bag, they can be held there flat withthe right thumb while the eyes look elsewhere, glancingdown only to read it.

To my knowledge this is the first time this unusual foldhas been used in all the years of the center-tear. As Imentioned, I was inspired by reading APODOSIS.

If you feel you might be able to use this in one of yourmanuscripts, AI, perhaps we can work out an exchange ofsorts -- I'm particularly desirous of collecting all yourworks, as I consider them the most creative and innovativeI've read yet in the field of mentalism.Have some other ideas I'm working on, but they're still inthe gestation stage. What set me to thinking about thepyramid-tear was your creation of the perfect envelope forthe flapless envelope switch (THRESHHOLD OF A MIRACLE). Oddthat no one ever thought about that before in all theseyears, isn't it, AI? It sure as hell makes for a convincingswitch, whereas before there was a very suspicious fumbling.

Hoping to hear from you soon,Sine er elyf\.~~~-~-~-,-~-

..THE DONOVaN PAPERS

~f 't,C41111. id, '1Z eo:""'~BY Max Cortine

9

AN AL MANN EXCLUSIVE

Oct. 18, 1979

(This is Max Cortine's application of the Acidus Novus techniqueby M~llard Longman to the pyramid folded card. AM )

Now, concerning Acidus Novus, by Millard Longman. I've appliedthis to the pyra~id fold and have come up with a ten to fifteensecond routine that enables you to get three pieces of infor-mation. Please see enclosed illustrations. The 4th piece ofinformation, perhaps a two-digit number, is of no consequence,and while it can be gotten, it's just an excess.

Please try this out in front of a mirror to see how effectiveit is. The first two pieces of info are gotten very quickly,just by angling the card at waist level and then raising italoft. (see Figs. 1 to 7 )

The moves after Figure 5 in the illustrations are optional.In fact, if you confine yourself to just the first 2 piecesof info -- Key Word or Name and ESP symbol -- it can be donein a few seconds.

The insertion of the thumb into the fold from behind is verydeceptive to the audience. Because of the protruding edgeof the front part of the pyramid, it appears that you areholding the card securely closed.

~fuile I don't consider this Acidus Novus Pyramidus (!) ablockbuster, it does have a few advantages:

1. It can actually be done more easily with colored paper,as long as it's thick enough so that writing doesn't showthrough.

2. It lends itself to some fabulous patter -- There aremany a~azing facts regarding pyramids, pyramid power,etc. Especially the Egyptian Pyramids. I can, and willas soon as I get some time, work up a two-minute lectureon strange facts about pyramids. Thus, the info is gottenin ten seconds, the card clipped and handed back to thespectator at once, and the patter continues until the~eading is given -- while the spectator holds the card.

3. The patter, if spellbinding, will completely hold theaudience's attention while the necessary movements aremade in a casual manner. You are merely displaying thepyramid as you talk. Please note as you do this in frontof a mirror, glancing only at the card to get the informationwhen it is properly positioned, that no bulges show.

( ~lEj.. c..-*"t\l~ ~fT'"\Q PosiT'.·OW

5'.)

10

AN AL MANN EXCLUSIVE

...cant.

2.

~(-ntul'\' SL;,.rs 'T"DC.A~ 1Aa"'C~ i...,...'"~~""""\l».

COAJT'O.

~A""C.'oI~.l)tu~fD..l)\\

3.

THE DONOVaN PAPERS

t PYRAMID NOVUS by Max Cortinet

• i"Se1l'

TKE DONOVaN PAPERS

11

AN AL MANN EXCLUSIVE

PYRAMID NOVUS by Max Cortine cont.

4. In the final move, getting the birthdate, the four fingersshould be held flush against the card while the thumb pressesslightly to expose the date.

5. The pyramid can then be folded with one hand into aneven smaller card before paper-clipping and handing backto the spectator. "The amazing thing about the pyramid,"you say as you openly fold it and clip it, "is that itis the only geometric design that can be folded smallerand smaller, into infinity, and still retain its originalshape. "

6. The Figure #2 in illustration is in error. The cardcan actually oe held as in Fig. #3, at the corner ofthe double-fold. It still appears to be held closedby the audience.

7. Actually, this is a very good routine. But I'm just sofascinated by The Azonic Force that I can't give myfull attention to it at this time.

8. tVhen folding these squares, 3 or 4 inches square, itis important that a small edge be left as in Figure #1.When the spectator goes to refold the card, he actuallyhas no choice-- The card practically folds itself shut!

There is no doubt in my mind that you are easily the mostcreative mentalist to come alone in many, many years. Oddhow Acidus spawned Longman's idea which in turn spawned TheAzonic Force -- I consider this the most radical developmentin mentalism since the center-tear. The point here is thatAcidus was a thought-seed which took time to sprout into TheAzonic Force. I've been avidly searching for a new conceptto replace the center-tear, which I'm quite fond of •••

Acidus Plus is dyna~ite! Congratulations ••.

I hope to hear from you soon on this handling of The AzonicForce and on The Pyramid Fold •••

In the meantixe, best wishes,Sincerely,

~I.~.-. -.\>. c.......Max Cortine1727 - 26th -Ave. East

THE DONOVaN PAPERS

PYRAMID NOVUS by Max Cortine cant.

12

AN AL MANN EKCLUSIVE

...

En-Normally,thatlined

THE FINE POINTS. Followin~ are further notes on the Pyramid Novusfrom a letter dated 10/19/79. AM

Now, for the real reason for this letter, Ali

I think I played down my own Pyramid Novus too much. I practicedfor an hour before the mirror last night, watching everymove narrowly, and could not spot one movement that was eV!nfaintly suspicious. I believe this routine is dynamite.

The sample folds I sent you were also done in haste.closed is an ideally folded Pyramid for this purpose.I would use a square made from a 4x6 or JX5 index cardis blank on both sides, but all I have on hand are theitems.

Please note how deep the protruding edges are on one sideof the square. To make the square, I fold an index cardfirst and then cut it with scissors, leaving the large edges.

To recap briefly:

1.

2.

J.

4.

The pyramid is prefolded and handed to the spectator. 0'''''Here I would use your Rhine ESP talk, so thct the otherspectators think the rest of the info:nnation is gleanedmiraculously.

The pyramid is taken from the spectator with the lefthand. The right hand takes the card now with the double-fold to the performer's right. It is grasped by thethumb and first two fingers only at the right-handcorner. Held at about waist-level or slightly higher,tip of pyramid pointing down.

The overlapping front edge of this fold enables the tipof the thumb to slip into the nearest fold easily. Thisis invisible to the audience at almost every angle.Whenever the thumb slips in, it is done very easily bygrasping the card from the outside and moving the thumbtoward the edge. It will naturally slip in as it moves.

While pattering, pyramid-tip pointing down at waist-le~elor higher, the ESP symbol that is circled is glimpsed ~ntwo seconds.

THE DONOVON PAPERS

PYRAMID NOVUS by Max Cortine cont.

1)

AN AL MANN EXCLUSIVE

.....5. Now the pyramid is raised to about chest-level and pointed

at the aUdience, at about a 45~d~ree angle. Do this infront of a mirror, AI, and see how from every angle exceptdirectly beside and behind you you appear to be holdingthe card securely closed. Now the key word or name isglimpsed in three seconds or so, while still pattering.

6. The card is now swiveled in the fingers, thumb slipped outin the process, and again reinserted in the opposite sideas it is held aloft, to the right of the head and at leastthat high. Again, to slip the thumb in the fold, youneed merely grasp the pyramid from the outside (tip ispointing straight up now), slide the thumb down and itwill naturally slip in, at about the center of the base.(Please see my earlier illustrations).

Now the card is brought down to paper-clip, thumb inthe outer fold toward aUdience. Three or four fingersgrasp the outside and with very slight pressure the cardis buckled, and the brrthdate can be read.

8. Card is either paper-clipped as is, or preferably foldedstill again with the comment about retaining its geometricalshape.

9. Handed back to spectator and reading given.

To appreciate the value of this, please do it in front of amirror following the above instructions, keeping your eyesclosely on the card. The whole routine in front of a mirror,in total silence, is done in twelve seconds or so. If thecard is held at the correct angles -- and this is very easy,you'll note -- it is impossible for the audience to figure outhow you got the information!

To all appearances, the card remains securely closed at alltimes. Please note how the thumb always seems to be on theoutside of the pyramid, keeping it tightly closed.

What does the aUdience see? The card taken at waist level,pointed at them very briefly, held aloft, both sides shown,brought back down and paper-clipped, all in ten or twelveseconds!

Nothing has to be read upside down or at an awkward angle,either. I fervently believe this is a superb routine. No.skill, just a few minutes of practice ...

I am indebted to Millard Longman for the idea, of course.I also wonder why, when using his routine, Millard doesn'talso peek at the other available space across from his KeyName. A birthdate or other # can be entered here, althoughit must be read upside down.

THE DONoVaN PAPERS

PYRAMID NOVUS by Max Cortine cont. • ••

14

AN AL MANN "EXCLUSIVE

I've experimented a little with this, and have discovered

'

t he fastest way to read writing or number upside down --You simply write numbers upside down! It then comes to

• you naturally when you go to read them •••

Also, I would advise spectators to print, casually, ratherthan write •••

Anyway, AI, please try the Pyramid Reading as describedhere in front of a mirror and let me know your thoughtson this. The unusual shape of the Pyramid, the fact thatit always seems to be held flatly closed, make it, I think,extremely effective. Three pieces of information in tenor twelve seconds.

Hopin~ to hear from you soon•••

Best regards,

~~VMax Cortine1727 - 26th Ave. E8stSeattle, WA. 98112

Max Cortine (born 1/22/42) has been in Mentalism only forfour years, yet he presents a most impressive and professinalmental show combining mnemonics and question answering.

Max is by profession a free-lance writer and has writtenseveral paperback novels under various pseudonYmS.

His excellent ideas with the 'pyramid fold' appear here inhis own words (only slightly edited).

An entire act can be presented using only the 'pyramid'folded cards. There are no suspicious moves to be questioned andthe 'blindfolded v mentalist can have a field day with these billets