Restoration of the 1937 ESP Decks (Marked)
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Restoration of the 1937 ESP Decks (Marked)
We have restored the ESP decks that were designed in 1937 at the Parapsychology Laboratory of Duke University by Dr. J. B. Rhine and his associates.
We’ve completely redrawn the images to improve the symmetry and clarity of the back design and symbols. Each deck contains 25 cards which include five sets of the circle, plus, wavy lines, square, and star. You can get the the original blue backed deck with blue symbols and the brown deck with colored symbols.
These decks are also secretly marked. Please send me a message if you want to learn how to read them.
You can get the decks here:
https://artisantarot.com/shop/p/esp-decks
We’ve completely redrawn the images to improve the symmetry and clarity of the back design and symbols. Each deck contains 25 cards which include five sets of the circle, plus, wavy lines, square, and star. You can get the the original blue backed deck with blue symbols and the brown deck with colored symbols.
These decks are also secretly marked. Please send me a message if you want to learn how to read them.
You can get the decks here:
https://artisantarot.com/shop/p/esp-decks
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Re: Restoration of the 1937 ESP Decks (Marked)
I think I remember that, at the beginning, the Zener cards are circle, plus, triangle, square and star.
Who knows when the trianlge was replaced by the wave?
Who knows when the trianlge was replaced by the wave?
- katterfelt0
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Re: Restoration of the 1937 ESP Decks (Marked)
Philippe Billot wrote:Who knows when the trianlge was replaced by the wave?
Not only when, but why?
Effect and method are inextricably linked.
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Re: Restoration of the 1937 ESP Decks (Marked)
Great question!
Considering the number of mentalists currently working, I hope that one of them will be able to answer the two questions.
Considering the number of mentalists currently working, I hope that one of them will be able to answer the two questions.
- Brad Jeffers
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Re: Restoration of the 1937 ESP Decks (Marked)
The original Zener cards were a star, a circle, a set of three wavy lines, a cross, and a rectangle.
The rectangle was later changed to a square.
There was no triangle.
The rectangle was later changed to a square.
There was no triangle.
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Re: Restoration of the 1937 ESP Decks (Marked)
OK. Thank you Brad.
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Re: Restoration of the 1937 ESP Decks (Marked)
I had read that the symbols were chosen as they were to prevent confusion in psychic images. For example a triangle and star are easily confused because the both share pointy-ness. This why there isn’t both a square and a rectangle. Or a circle and an octagon.
Brad Henderson magician in Austin Texas
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Re: Restoration of the 1937 ESP Decks (Marked)
I found the book referring to this change.
New Frontiers of the Mind by J.B. Rhine (1937), page 48
Cards seemed the most convenient sort of object to use in these tests, but the problem of what symbols to put on them had never been settled to our full satisfaction. As a practical solution we decided together on five simple, easily distinguishable designs: a plus or cross, circle, rectangle, star, and three parallel wavy lines.* These figures represented a compromise of the various points that had to be considered.
•The most recent test cards, designed while this book was in proof, employ a square instead of a rectangle.
Bravo Brad !
New Frontiers of the Mind by J.B. Rhine (1937), page 48
Cards seemed the most convenient sort of object to use in these tests, but the problem of what symbols to put on them had never been settled to our full satisfaction. As a practical solution we decided together on five simple, easily distinguishable designs: a plus or cross, circle, rectangle, star, and three parallel wavy lines.* These figures represented a compromise of the various points that had to be considered.
•The most recent test cards, designed while this book was in proof, employ a square instead of a rectangle.
Bravo Brad !
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Re: Restoration of the 1937 ESP Decks (Marked)
Indiana University has one of the original ESP decks from the Upton Sinclair collection. It also includes a letter where J.B. Rhine asked Upton Sinclair to test his wife's ESP ability with the cards.
You can read the story and see a photo of the letter and deck here:
https://blogs.libraries.indiana.edu/lil ... -research/
You can read the story and see a photo of the letter and deck here:
https://blogs.libraries.indiana.edu/lil ... -research/
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Re: Restoration of the 1937 ESP Decks (Marked)
Thank for this reference "Manofmagic"
Re: Restoration of the 1937 ESP Decks (Marked)
fyi--I have two different ESP decks, copyrighted 1937 (Black & White designs and the Colored designs)....both depict the Duke University CHAPEL within the "circle", on the back of each card...with "ESP" overlaid.
These new (marked) cards look nice, and it is understandable that the Duke Chapel wasn't depicted in the design.
These new (marked) cards look nice, and it is understandable that the Duke Chapel wasn't depicted in the design.
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Re: Restoration of the 1937 ESP Decks (Marked)
Yes, you are right about removing the chapel. We wanted to clean up the design to make the cards look more modern.
We also changed the symbols on the plain deck from black to blue to be uniform with the blue backs.
We also changed the symbols on the plain deck from black to blue to be uniform with the blue backs.
- Brad Jeffers
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Re: Restoration of the 1937 ESP Decks (Marked)
Just for the record ...
Don's Magic & Books has the largest selection of ESP decks that I know of.
My favorite is this one.
Don's Magic & Books has the largest selection of ESP decks that I know of.
My favorite is this one.
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Re: Restoration of the 1937 ESP Decks (Marked)
Not sure how common these Rhine decks are. I bought a few decks off Hank Moorehouse 15(?) years ago. The CR is 1937 but not sure when they were printed. The cases are a little rough ... but the cards are in fine condition. If I can figure out to attach a photo I would. They are bridge size with two cards of instructions... one is in black ink both sides and the other is black one side and blue on the reverse. They were manufactured from Whitman Publishing Co.
- Spellbinder
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Re: Restoration of the 1937 ESP Decks (Marked)
In 2019, Jim Gerrish designed and began using five additional designs to be used with the original Zener designs. He calls them "Zen-Ten" and it increases the uses for ESP tricks as described in his e-Book in The Wizards' Journal # 41:
https://www.magicnook.com/WizJournal/WJ-41ALL.htm#zen-ten.
https://www.magicnook.com/WizJournal/WJ-41ALL.htm#zen-ten.
Phineas Spellbinder
The Magic Nook
The Magic Nook
- DonB
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Re: Restoration of the 1937 ESP Decks (Marked)
Brad Jeffers wrote:Just for the record ...
Don's Magic & Books has the largest selection of ESP decks that I know of.
My favorite is this one.
Brad, Thanks for mentioning my website. I also have my personal ESP collection online for viewing and for reference. (m)= marked
It can be viewed here: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/ ... XHA8AMafGw
Re: Restoration of the 1937 ESP Decks (Marked)
Artisan Tarot has also released a new version of the Telepatha Deck, which was created by UK psychical researcher Harry Price. The decks are beautiful, and they are marked too! I think many, if not all, of the effects that are done with the Rhine deck can be done with the Telepatha deck.
https://artisantarot.com/shop/p/telepatha-decks
https://artisantarot.com/shop/p/telepatha-decks
Updated for 2024: https://funnybirthdayshow.com/mismadebill/