5 Things 3 Ways

[Bob Farmer]

I'm looking for some references to the 5 Things 3 Ways principle.

Usually, it looks like this: there are three spectators and five different objects. The spectators are given instructions that guide them into which of the 5 objects they are to take.

Usually, the instructions are on a card and the cards are of three different colors.

The mentalist doesn't know which spectator holds which card.

The instructions might read, "If you are holding a green card take the coin."

The mentalist is able to determine who holds which ard and which object by looking at the objects that are left.

[Joe Mckay]

Hey Bob,

Is this the principle you are talking about?

http://www.archive.denisbehr.de/list/book/1831?highlight=80643

If so Barrie Richardson has some work on it in one of his books as well.

[Joe Mckay]

Bob? Did you see this post???

[Bob Farmer]

Joe, this is close but not exactly what I'm looking for. Eddie Joseph had an effect using this principle but I can't recall the name.

[Philippe Billot]

In his book Magic of the Mind (1952), he has a trick named The Three Objects but if there are three colors, there are only three objects.

Are you sure of the number of objects ?

[Bob Farmer]

Philippe: Yes, definitely 5 objects and three spectators. I think he issued it as a separate manuscript.

[Philippe Billot]

Ergo it seems to be Thought Reflection, his trick marketed in 1953 and published by Max Andrews

[Philippe Billot]

You can find it in The Art of Eddie Joseph (1978)

[Bob Farmer]

Philippe: yes that is the principle I was looking for. I think he also used it later in another routine. I hadn't thought of looking in the cabaret section of the book until you suggested the title. Thank you.