The Andromeda

all the cards in a deck we have by committee The man reads a business letter:
decided upon the low valued hearts. On which heart
Turning to the man with the deck the
Card Mystery
card under the value of seven shall we end?” The
man says, “Two.” mentalist says, “Open that sealed deck of cards.
Remove the advertising cards and the jokers.
I have always loved the basic effect of the card The mentalist turns to the man holding the white Looking over the cards in order, do you see one
trick popularized by Eddie Joseph, Premonition. I envelope and says, “Sir, you have held that sealed card missing?”
understand that it was actually invented earlier by envelope since before anyone mentioned a single
card, correct? And there is a return address printed The man affirms there is a card missing.
someone else. Over the years I have performed
on that envelope is there not? And what is that “And what is the missing card?”
many renditions of the classic trick, including the

E
excellent versions by Gaten Bloom and Ted address?”

M
The man answers, “The Two of Hearts!”
Lesley. I have even performed the two-deck- The man says, “US Playing Card Company.”
rough-and-smooth method by Basil Harowitz. ethod:
The Andromeda Card Mystery fully answers the The mentalist takes the priority envelope from
burning question associated with Premonition; the man holding it. He holds it open and says, Carefully open a new box
“Why would a mentalist show 51 cards to prove “Inside this envelope was more than just an of cards at the bottom.
he knew of 1?” envelope; it also contained this deck of playing Glue the plastic to the
cards.” He holds up a new deck of cards. “It is flaps. Coat the outsides of
As you read the effect, keep in mind that only sealed closed with the federal tax stamp and the bottom flaps with
one deck is used and the audience will remember completely covered in an air-tight plastic covering.” rubber cement and allow it to dry.
that it was in the hands of a spectator before a He drops the deck into the priority envelope. “We’ll
card was chosen. It has all the mystery of The single deck is set up like an index. Set
return it to the envelope for the time being. Please
Premonition and the impact of a headline the advertising cards, the jokers and the
hold this.”
prediction. Its best feature is that a spectator guarantee card aside. Separate the four suits
reads aloud a testimonial from a major The mentalist addresses the man with the white remembering their original order. Slightly jog all
corporation. What more could you ask from a envelope, “Please open that envelope and read what thirteen cards of the first suit and clip them at the
card trick? is written on the paper.” base of the top card with a #10 banker’s clip. Do
the same with the remaining suits attaching the
ffect: clips up a bit higher on each set. Reassemble
the deck including the special cards. Because
The mentalist displays a cardboard US Playing Card Company you staggered the clips the bottom third of all
Priority Mail envelope. Cincinnati, Ohio four suits will fit back into the opening of the card
box. Some experimenting will show you how to
“This was mailed to me more than June 6, 2009
wedge the cards and a bit of the clip so the cards
a week ago. It contained some
Dear Mr. Hilford, don’t slip out of the box. This index is laid on its
interesting items.” side in your right pocket.
Although we are a little confused about your special
He offers it to a spectator who reaches inside
request, we recognize you as America’s foremost The illusion of having the deck in the priority
and removes a long white envelope. “Please keep
psychic entertainer and we are happy to comply. envelope is achieved by using verbal deceptions.
that sealed envelope closed for the next few
Both the priority envelope and the white
minutes,” he says. Looking at the audience the Enclosed you will find a factory sealed deck of envelope are referred to as “the envelope”.
mentalist asks for some help. “Miss, a deck of Bicycle brand playing cards complete with When it is stated that, “The envelope is
playing cards contains red cards and black cards. advertising cards, joker, extra joker but only 51 sealed…” or “The envelope has been in your
Which do like the best?” She says red. “Fine, now playing cards. possession since before a card was selected,”
point to anther person in the room.” The young you are speaking about the white envelope but it
woman points to a young man. “Sir, from the red Normally the US Playing Card Company would not
produce such a deck, but because we understand is carried to the priority envelope.
cards already selected, there are heart cards and
diamond cards. Which will you choose?” The you will be using this deck in one of you marvelous The priority envelope contains only the
man chooses hearts. “Very well, now point to mental miracles, we are proud to help. white envelope at the start of the trick. You offer
another person.” He does. “Ma’am, there are high Thank you, the priority envelope to a spectator and state
valued hearts and low valued hearts. Which that, “…it contained some interesting items,”.
should we have?” The lady picks low values. Don McDermott This statement makes the audience believe that
“Alright, point to someone. Thank you. Sir, out of Vice President of Customer Relations there is more remaining in package after the
white envelope is removed. Later, they will believe
the other item must have been the deck of cards.

The
Using four people to select a card is good
showmanship and allows plenty of time to fix the
gimmicked deck. When one color is eliminated
remove the two clips from the other color cards
and push them in the box. When one of the two
chosen suits is eliminated remove the clip from
that suit and push those thirteen cards into the
box. Now there is only one set of thirteen cards. It
Andromeda
is a relatively easy matter to run your thumb along
the jogged cards and count to the chosen card.
C a r d My s t e r y
Remove the card, pull the final clip and push the
last set into the box. When the flap is closed the
rubber cement seals the bottom of the box.
Adding the deck to the priority envelope is very
deceptive. Simply hold the envelope in your left
hand in front of your right pocket and take the deck
out with your right hand. You don’t hide anything;
you use more verbal deceptions. When you say,
“Inside this envelope was more than just an
envelope; it also contained this deck of playing
cards,” you hold up the deck and show it. Then
Docc hilford
say, “We’ll return it to the envelope for the time P.O. Box 546022
being,” and drop the deck into the priority
envelope. It doesn’t matter that the deck came bal harbour, FL
from your pocket; it belongs in the envelope which 33154

www.docchilfordproducts.com
is why you “…return it to the envelope…” as
stated. Most of the audience will think you reached
into the priority envelope to remove it anyway. It is
important to understand how strong a move this
non-move is.
The final bit of showmanship is having a
spectator read the faux testimonial letter. A major
corporation extols your greatness to the audience.
They seem to be saying that they would not © copyright 1999 Doocc Hilford
assemble this special deck for any other
performer. It makes you the center of the trick, and E-Version © copyright 2009 Doocc Hilford
demands attention.
Do not be tempted to show the selected card
later. It ruins the plot of the special fifty-one card
deck. This is a reputation making trick.
Part of the method for this powerful illusion is

by Docc Hilford
roughly based on an idea of Harold G. Beaumont
of Huddersfield, England.
Enjoy.
Docc Hilford
The Miami Master Mentalist