Three Shell Game by Tom Osbourne

The Three Shell Game can still be seen today performed on the streets to fleece the innocent from their hard earned cash. It also makes a great performance piece in an intimate close-up setting.

This is the most detailed description of this con game I have seen so far. It describes numerous moves and routines as well as the history and details on the shells and peas. Tom Osborne knew the real moves, psychology and ruses of the street artists who challenged everybody to "follow the little pea." This is the real work of scam artists. To appreciate it, you have to pay close attention to the goals, strategies and psychology of the con man.

1st edition 1938; 61 pages.
word count: 18193 which is equivalent to 72 standard pages of text