Pair of Wood Framed Spirit Slates With Two Metal Flaps

Description

From a magician’s estate purchase. Good pre-owned condition. No instructions but see below.

Each slate measures approximately 7 inches wide by 9 inches tall. These are not locking or magnetic slates. Good fitting flaps that fit on any of the four faces

Basic effect: The performer presents two chalkboard slates and shows them blank on both sides. Placing a small piece of chalk between the wooden slates, he rubber-bands them together. When the slates are reopened, the name of a selected card or writing on a burned billet has magically appeared on the slates! Note: No chalk is supplied.

Here are a few sources for routines with Spirit Slates:

Several classic and modern magic and mentalism books feature routines and methods specifically designed for spirit slates:

• The Best Tricks with Slates by Peter Warlock – A dedicated book divided into sections covering methods with ordinary/non-mechanical slates (featuring routines by Jardine Ellis, Maro, and Edward Victor), slate flaps, and chemical-based message revelations.

• Eugene Burger: From Beyond by Larry Hass (featuring routines by Eugene Burger) – Includes 17 routines across parlor, platform, stage, and spirit theater, notably revealing Eugene Burger’s legendary spirit slate routine.

• The Magic Way by Juan Tamariz – Features detailed performance pieces and working routines from Tamariz’s repertoire, including a magazine test utilizing spirit slates.

• New Dr. Q Slate Routines by Robert A. Nelson – A specialized collection of psychic and mentalism routines built around Dr. Q locking slate models, covering spirit portraits, predictions, and spirit messages.

• Tarbell Course in Magic (specifically lessons and volumes touching on séance and slate mysteries, such as Tarbell 57: Slate Mysteries and Tarbell 93: Mysteries of the Seance) – Covers foundational and theatrical approaches to spirit cabinets, slate writing, and ghost manifestations.