Guide to the Bob Brethen papers


Brown University Library, Special Collections
Box A, John Hay Library
Providence, RI 02912
Tel: 401-863-2146
E-mail: hay@brown.edu

Published in 2010

Collection Overview

Title: Bob Brethen papers
Date range:
Creator: Brethen, Bob
Extent: 1.25 linear feet
Abstract: The Bob Brethen Papers consist primarily of type-written descriptions of magic tricks. Most common are card tricks, mental tricks, including jinx card tricks, ESP, psychic routines, and memory and number tricks. This collection was originally part of the Smith Magic collection, but has been removed to stand on its own.
Language of materials: English
Repository: Brown University Library, Special Collections
Collection number: Ms. 2008.005

Scope & content

The Bob Brethen Papers consist primarily of type-written descriptions of magic tricks. Most common are card tricks, mental tricks, including jinx card tricks, ESP, psychic routines, and memory and number tricks. The collection also includes descriptions of ball, chemical, paper, ring, thimble, and cigarette tricks, as well as material on the magician Annemann, including books published, exclusive manuscripts, and tricks. There are some ads and reviews, notably of mental tricks and a "This Week" special on ESP. The collection also contains a large volume of Bob Brethen’s original material, ordered 1-200 and indexed.

Access Points

Subject Topics Subject Topics

Arrangement

The materials are divided into seven series based on type of magic.

  • Series 1: Card Tricks
  • Series 2: Annemann's Books: Releases, Annemann's Jinx Card Tricks, Magician's Card Trix in Jinx
  • Series 3: Magic
  • Series 4: Mental Tricks
  • Series 5: Miscellaneous
  • Series 6: Original Magic
  • Series 1: Telephone Tricks

Biographical note

The Bob Brethen Papers consist primarily of type-written descriptions of magic tricks. Most common are card tricks, mental tricks, including jinx card tricks, ESP, psychic routines, and memory and number tricks. This collection was originally part of the Smith Magic collection, but has been removed to stand on its own.

Access & Use

Access to the collection: There are no restrictions on access, except that the collection can only be seen by prior appointment. Some materials may be stored off-site and cannot be produced on the same day on which they are requested.
Use of the materials: Although Brown University has physical ownership of the collection and the materials contained therein, it does not claim literary rights. Researchers should note that compliance with copyright law is their responsibility. Researchers must determine the owners of the literary rights and obtain any necessary permissions from them.
Preferred citation: Bob Brethen papers, Ms. 2008.005, Brown University Library.
Contact information: Brown University Library, Special Collections
Box A, John Hay Library
Providence, RI 02912
Tel: 401-863-2146
E-mail: hay@brown.edu

Administrative Information

ABOUT THE COLLECTION  
Acquisition: Transferred from the Smith Magic Collection. Acquisition information unavailable.
ABOUT THE FINDING AID  
Author: Finding aid prepared by Gaelen Adam.
Encoding: Finding aid encoded by Gaelen Adam 2010 April 14
Descriptive rules: Finding aid based on Describing Archives: A Content Standard (DACS)

Additional Information

Inventory

Series 1. Card Tricks

Box 1, Folder 1 Forcing
Box 1, Folder 1 Forcing
Box 1, Folder 2 Locations
Box 1, Folder 3 Glimpses
Box 1, Folder 4 The Pass
Box 1, Folder 5 Terminations, Dislocations
Box 1, Folder 6 Annemann
Box 1, Folder 7 Albright
Box 1, Folder 8 Baker
Box 1, Folder 9 Buckley
Box 1, Folder 10 Grant
Box 1, Folder 11 Hall
Box 1, Folder 12 Larson Wright
Box 1, Folder 13 Lane
Box 1, Folder 14 Poker
Box 1, Folder 15 Nikola System
Box 1, Folder 16 Scarna Monte
Box 1, Folder 17 SI Stebbins Effect
Box 1, Folder 18 Codes
Box 1, Folder 19 Coincidences Follow Me
Box 1, Folder 20 Fans
Box 1, Folder 21 Four Aces
Box 1, Folder 22 Rising Cards
Box 1, Folder 33 Card Tricks (Ron's from Doris)-1 of 2
Box 1, Folder 34 Card Tricks (Ron's from Doris)- 2 of 2
Box 2, Folder 1 Masson's "Double Surprise," "Genii" Instructions, Prediction Stand Trick- 1 of 3
Box 2, Folder 2 Masson's "Double Surprise," "Genii" Instructions, Prediction Stand Trick- 1 of 3
Box 2, Folder 3 Masson's "Double Surprise," "Genii" Instructions, Prediction Stand Trick- 1 of 3

Series 2. Annemann's Books: Releases, Annemann's Jinx Card Tricks, Magician's Card Trix in Jinx

Box 1, Folder 23 Book Without a Name
Box 1, Folder 24 Cabinet of Card Miracles
Box 1, Folder 25 Cabinet of Mental Miracles
Box 1, Folder 26 Card Effects Miscellaneous
Box 1, Folder 27 Exclusive Manuscript
Box 1, Folder 28 Mental Various
Box 1, Folder 29 Annemann's Complete One Man Miracle and Psychic Routine
Box 1, Folder 30 Strange Secrets
Box 1, Folder 31 Shh It's a Secret
Box 1, Folder 32 Jinx Tricks

Series 3. Magic

Box 3, Folder 1 Balls
Box 3, Folder 2 Chemical
Box 3, Folder 3 Paper
Box 3, Folder 4 Rings
Box 3, Folder 5 Thimble
Box 3, Folder 6 Cigarette Magic
Box 3, Folder 7 Miscellaneous- 1 of 2
Box 3, Folder 8 Miscellaneous- 2 of 2

Series 4. Mental

Box 2, Folder 4 "This Week" Series on ESP- 1 of 3
Box 2, Folder 5 "This Week" Series on ESP- 2 of 3
Box 2, Folder 6 "This Week" Series on ESP- 3 of 3
Box 3, Folder 9 Special Tests, misc. 1 of 2
Box 3, Folder 10 Special Tests, misc. 2 of 2 and Numbers, Mathematical
Box 4, Folder 1 Blackboard Additions
Box 4, Folder 2 Blindfold X-Ray Eye
Box 4, Folder 3 Book Tests
Box 4, Folder 4 Codes S. Sight
Box 4, Folder 5 Divination (one man)
Box 4, Folder 6 Message Steals and Switches
Box 4, Folder 7 Fortune Telling
Box 4, Folder 8 Forces
Box 4, Folder 9 Hypnotic Resistance
Box 4, Folder 10 Living Dead
Box 4, Folder 11 Memory Systems
Box 4, Folder 12 Small Tests
Box 4, Folder 13 How-To Answer Questions
Box 4, Folder 14 Slates
Box 4, Folder 15 Spirit Messages
Box 4, Folder 16 Want Ad Tests
Box 4, Folder 17 Word Tests
Box 4, Folder 18 DeWitt's 200 Year Calendar and Horoscope

Series 5. Miscellaneous

Box 4, Folder 19 Unified Control
Box 4, Folder 20 Brain Waves
Box 4, Folder 21 Out of this World
Box 4, Folder 22 Predictions
Box 4, Folder 23 Spelling
Box 4, Folder 24 Trick Decks

Series 6. Original Magic

Box 5, Folder 1 Original Material- Cards
Box 5, Folder 2 1
Box 5, Folder 3 50
Box 5, Folder 4 100
Box 5, Folder 5 150
Box 5, Folder 6 200
Box 5, Folder 7 Index
Box 5, Folder 8 Miscellaneous
Box 5, Folder 9 Mental

Series 7. Telephone Tricks

Box 5, Folder 10 Telephone Trix- 1 of 2
Box 5, Folder 11 Telephone Trix- 2 of 2