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Psuedo - Psychometry

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Psuedo - Psychometry is an effect by Theo Annemann, published in Jinx No. 9 June 1935.

In this effect, the performer emulates the parapsychological concept of Psychometry (Greek: ψυχή, psukhē, "spirit, soul"; + μέτρον, metron, "measure"), which is a form of extra-sensory perception in which a psychic is said to be able to obtain information about an individual through paranormal means by making physical contact with an object that belongs to them.

The term psychometry was coined by Joseph Rodes Buchanan in 1842, when he developed the theory that all things give off an psychic emanation. In recent years, the term has been superseded in favor of "token-object reading", whithin the parapsychological field.

The concept of psychometry is a popular theme for stage act and Séance; with participants being asked to provide a personal object to be "read" by a medium or psychic. It is also a very popular concept in fiction - it was used as the basis for Johnny Smith's visions in Stephen King's 1979 novel "The Dead Zone" and its subsequent 2002 television adaption.

In Annemann's effect, the audience provide the performer with different objects from spectators who keep their identities hidden. Still, the performer is able to "read" the objects so well, that he can find each object's owner in the audience.

Notable variants

References

  • Practical Psychometry by Alexander Verner (1902)
  • Lecture for Annemann's Pseudo Psychometry By William Larsen in Genii 1963 July