I was wondering if anyone knows of spirit slates that can be used for closeup?
Ideally they wouldn't be too large and would be examinable in the end. If you have any suggestions please share. Thanks.

-Paul

So far, I like using regular slates that I purchased at Michaels. I use a handling that shows all four sides blank , afterwards they are completely examinable because they are just slates.

Yes, Dough, I like that method, too. Two ways can be found in Tarbell.

Bill

Bill,
Do you know which Tarbell shows these methods of "displaying" all four sides? Thanks.

Tarbell IV, page 389, "Simplex Double Slates," and p. 396, "Jack Miller Slate Routine." There is another that I prefer, to be found in Annemann's >Practical Mental Effects<. The Routine is "A Torn Letter," page 161. The Annemann book is available from Dover in quality paperback.

Bill

You might also want to check out the "Single Slate Seance" in The Wizards' Journal #12 which uses (obviously!) just one slate instead of two. It is also just an ungimmicked slate from the craft store and depends on subtle trickery to make the message (any message) show up.

If you are going with the two slate method, Bill's reference to Annemann's Torn Letter will give you a much better move for showing the slates and numbering each blank side. However, I don't think much of the torn and restored paper effect thrown in on top of it, so I have often substituted a torn and wierdly restored version of my own. The spirits don't quite get the molecules of the paper back in one piece, but all the strips are laid in the right order and are stuck together somehow (glue stick). When you get the Annemann routine in front of you, you'll know what I mean.

..oh and hank lee sells a nice size close-up spirit slate on the site...around 15 quid if I remember...they're quite a nice size...kinda a5 or so...

as these fine gentlemen have already recommended the good 'uns..if you're a dvd type person, there's a mentalism teach in dvd from stevens magic emporium, where steve shows you the moves too...

Thanks guys. I have the Annemann book so I will check there first. I haven't read all the way through it yet that is why I haven't seen it yet. I am only just beginning to read Practical Mental Effects. Thanks for the suggestions.

Spellbinder, I definiely have to check out your Single Slate Seance! It sounds like something I can use.

Bill