Part biographical scrapbook, part instructional manual on subliminal mesmerization, this endearing account of an amateur hypnotist begins with a typed notation declaring that Gilbert Lefebvre, the mind-controller in question, “demonstrate...
Part biographical scrapbook, part instructional manual on subliminal mesmerization, this endearing account of an amateur hypnotist begins with a typed notation declaring that Gilbert Lefebvre, the mind-controller in question, “demonstrate feats that you just would not believe possible unless you actually saw these amazing preformance (sic) demonstraded (sic) before you.” The album then showcases Lefebvre’s hypnotic prowess, enacted at nightclubs and VFWs across the Berkshires in the mid 1950s, with a series of photographs each accompanied by a typed caption, composed with an overly scientific matter-of-factness. “Subject dancing with mop thinks its a girl;” “Student is aided through hypnosis to obtain better marks; “Amonia (sic) is placed under hypnotized subject’ nose. Hypnotist suggests it smells like perfume. Subject likes the smell…” The last section contains scripts, lecture notes, and instructions, much of it seemingly from Lefebvre’s own professorial endeavors as an “Instructor for School of Applied Hypnology.” Despite the numerous typos, Lebevre’s straightforward text juxtaposed with his photographic illustrations are a deft use of photography as a persuasive tool disguised as objective “evidence,” and the book as a whole is a wonderful, idiosyncratic ode to good old-fashioned American Hucksterism.