Description: "This is the first illustrated volume to gather the art and objects that made medium and magician performances iconic during the Spiritualism movement and beyond, a time when people actively debated and wondered, "can spirits return?" An international selection of paintings, photographs, posters, stage apparatuses, film, publications, and other objects reveal how audiences were entranced and mystified by these experiential performances, captivating willing believers and garnering skeptics as they navigated the intersecting realms of science and spirituality. From the origins of the iconic Oujia board to spirit photography, this book is a treasure trove"--Peabody Essex Museum website.
Review Quotes: "...a lavish backstage tour through the strange world of seances and spirits, believers and doubters; this book is just marvelous. The illustrations are beautiful, the accompanying essays are insightful, and anybody interested in seances and magic will want a copy." -- FORCESOFGEEK.COM
"A timely exhibit shows how Houdini exorcised scurrilous lies with magic." -- FORBES