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RCP Inner circle Two Minnie's in The Hell's Half Acre, The Republic of Texas 2183 Posts |
From 1945, Conjuror's Magazine:
MENTALISM, LITERATURE, BOB NELSON This started out to be a book review because I have just finished rereading "The Encyclopedia of Mentalism" by Robert A. Nelson, but I would like to say a few things before I get into the subject of this particular literary effort. Bob Nelson and I have been on different sides of the fence for almost twenty years. When I was Business Manager of another magic magazine, I would not accept ads from Nelson Enterprises for that paper because I did not think a magic magazine should take copy which introduced items that phony spirit mediums could use to defraud the public. The height of the battle came in 1932 when "Spook Crooks" reported case histories of fakers who mulct the credulous and superstitious out of millions of dollars. "Mitt readers," astrologers, etc. were getting rich as well as seducing simple farm girls and even wise city matrons under the guise of lifting the veil of the unknown. Bob's attitude, expressed in some very fine writing to me (some of the letters should have been on asbestos) was that Nelson Enterprises did not control the use of the material after it left the manufacturer's hands. His was good logic because crooks and confidence people will always find some way of achieving their nefarious purposes . . . but I still was a crusader, riding a white charger with a flaming sword . . . and getting good publicity for magicians. Anyway, through the years I have watched Nelson Enterprises grow into a really reliable business. I have seen the crude workers among the mentalists, astrologers, palmists numerologists, etc., etc., vanish into oblivion and disgrace. As a matter of fact, I have seen as they left the field new, polished entertainers replace them. To Bob Nelson must go a great deal of credit for this cleaning up of the industry from the inside (magicians would do well to equally clean up their own field from within.) I believe that Bob Nelson is entitled to much praise for having put mentalism where it is today. I have always felt that it was a magician's place (or a mentalist) to cooperate with local law enforcing bodies to save "saps" from themselves. I use the word "saps" because that is from the lingo of these future-telling frauds. The mentalist of today is not the phony of fifteen or twenty years ago, the crude, ruthless thief of the 1920s and early 1930s. The fine acts of Mildred and Rouclere, the Fays, the Ushers, Pr'iicess Yvonne and Doc Irving, Lady Esther and Dr. Jester, Betty and Martin Sunshine and others who worked on a high plane set the pace which, unfortunately others did not follow. I cannot picture any of them giving dressing room or bedroom audiences. I never found fault with "special readings" when they were given on stage (at $1.00, $2.00 or $3.00 a copy of Nelson's horoscopes) . . . shades of Koran . . . but the entertaining stopped when fraud crept in. The names of those I mentioned above, some gone to the land of the Greatest Mentalist of all, other acts broken up through sickness or divorce, or still others who are yet plugging on, were and are bright lights in an industry overrun with rats. Bob Nelson used rat poison . . . and you do not hear today, despite the tremendous popularity of "fortune telling" because of the war, of astrologists, numerologists, etc., etc., being mixed up with thefts and crimes as they were in yesteryear. As I said before, this started out as a book review . . . let's get on with it. "The Encyclopedia of Mentalism" is, in my humble opinion, a great monument to Bob Nelson. I like Doc Tarbell's introduction because he cuts quickly into the heart of the subject. I agree with Nelson that a good Mentalist makes more than an equally good magician. A Mentalist who sells himself can write his own ticket . . . There are few in the ranks of magic who equal the earnings of a Mentalist. One fault that I have to find is that Bob let his enthusiasm run away with himself when he called his book an "Encyclopedia." When I think of encyclopedia, I think of a big book. Regardless of the quality of the material, the title is misleading. When you think of some other publications which use the name encyclopedia, those on card tricks, rope, cigarettes, etc., you think of plenty of pages. Nelson may answer by saying that "It's what's in a book, not how thick it is," but I adhere to my point, which however doesn't detract from the fact that I think Nelson's book on Mentalism will go down in history as an ambitious effort of someone who knows his subject . . . and proves it, that others may learn the art from him. One other objection . . . and that is true with many of Nelson's other books . . . one must buy something to complete the story . . . I find no fault with a man selling something in an advertisement, but I don't like to have to buy something to finish a chapter. Still, I think that this is one of the most comprehensive books I have ever read on the subject of Mentalism. I do not say that anyone can pick it up . . . and then go out at once and put on a show. It took two years to write . . . and the contents prove it. MENTAL MAGIC MAKES MONEY. That is alliteration . . . but it is true, and in Nelson's book the aspiring mentalist will learn how. The psychic tests are good. Nothing startling new, but the way that they are put together places them in the front rank as a teacher of tests from a practical money making viewpoint. Without mentioning names, Nelson gives his version of how a radio mindreader works. Obviously, the character is Dunninger. I don't know if Bob actually gives the Dunninger routine . . . but I do know that one using the routine that Nelson outlines can go on and do a show on any radio station. This chapter alone is worth the price of the book. Five dollars is not too much for this phase of the book . . . without the rest. By now you know that I like "Encyclopedia of Mentalism" . . . and recommend it highly . . . and Bob Nelson learns here that I think he has done a great deal to put Mentalism where it is today. J. J. P. 22 THE CONJURORS' MAGAZINE 1945 |
jdmagic357 Special user 737 Posts |
LOL, so they bar him from advertising in their publication, then sing his praises. What a bunch of hypocrites. Why anybody would believe anything they say is just beyond me? But hey that's just me. LOL
This is the best laugh I've had all day. LOL, HO HO HO
Just cause they say it, doesn't make it true.
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weepinwil Inner circle USA 3828 Posts |
Looks to me like a little evolution on both sides. Most of us do go through it.
"Til Death us do part!" - Weepin Willie
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gaddy Inner circle Agent of Chaos 3528 Posts |
Quote: a very small amount, but... Hey!
On 2010-12-26 18:43, weepinwil wrote: There is more than enough intolerance in both sides to well make up for that. Heh!
*due to the editorial policies here, words on this site attributed to me cannot necessarily be held to be my own.*
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