Unlock the real methods used by professional spirit mediums in 1905 and 1906, revealed in remarkable detail by one of magic's great thinkers: David P. Abbott. This volume brings together his classic writings on spirit slate-writing and billet tests, exposing the actual systems, psychological subtleties, and secret maneuvers that mediums relied on to produce their "miracles." Though more than a century old, these techniques have lost none of their power - they remain fully practical today and are still capable of baffling even the most observant spectators.
For the modern performer, this is far more than a historical curiosity: it is a working toolbox. The effects Abbott describes are highly deceptive, perfectly workable under real-world conditions, and - perhaps most importantly - largely unknown to contemporary audiences. Mentalists will find within these pages routines, principles, and methods that can be incorporated immediately into their repertoire, whether performing close-up, parlor presentations, or intimate psychic-style sessions. Abbott not only explains the mechanics; he reveals the essence of deception: misdirection, psychology, and audience management that transformed simple handling into seemingly supernatural manifestations.
If you're looking for proven material with an irresistible historic aura, this edition is essential. With Abbott's own voice and the compiler's contextual notes, this book becomes a masterclass in subtle, elegant, and profoundly convincing magic. A valuable resource for anyone seeking to elevate their performances and tap into the roots of classic mentalism miracles.
CONTENTS
1. THE STACK OF SLATES MESSAGE: The performer introduces a stack of small slates and one large slate. The subject cleans and examines the small slates, stacking them on a table. The large slate is placed on top. After a moment, a "spirit" message is found written on the bottom small slate, even though they were all examined.
2. THE BILLET-BURNING READING: A subject writes a question on a paper, folds it, and seals it in an envelope. The performer burns the envelope to ashes before the spectator's eyes. Later, the performer answers the question or produces a slate message answering it.
3. THE "WRONG ANSWER" STACK: Using the same stack of slates as the first trick, the performer pretends to write a message "automatically" on a slate, then erases it because it is "unsatisfactory." Later, a message appears on a slate deep within the stack.
4. THE RUG SLATE PRODUCTION: The subject cleans slates and places them on a rug. When the stack is picked up, a message is found on the bottom slate.
5. THE CONFESSION: A sitter writes a confession or question and seals it in an envelope. It is placed on a stack of slates. The performer burns the envelope, but later reveals the contents.
6. THE MANTEL SLATE SWITCH: A sitter cleans slates one by one. The performer stacks them. A message appears on one of the slates.
7. A TRICK WITH THE SLATE SWITCH: Two slates are used. The subject examines a slate. The performer instantly switches it for a prepared message slate while reaching for a chair. The subject finds a message on the slate they believe they just examined.
8. THE "FORCED" STACK SELECTION: A variation of the stack trick where the subject seemingly chooses two slates at random from the stack, and a message appears between them.
9. READING A HIDDEN QUESTION (SLATE STACK METHOD): A subject writes a question on a slate and places it face down. Through a series of stacking maneuvers, the performer answers the question without seemingly seeing it.
10. THE TABLE-PASS SLATE TRICK: A subject holds a slate under a table. A message appears on it, even though the performer barely touched it.
11. THE TRAP-CHAIR SLATE TRICK: Three slates are used (only two visible). The subject cleans slates and places them under a table. A message appears. The performer's person and table can be examined.
12. THE FLAP SLATE: Three slates are shown. Two are tied together. A message appears on the inner surface of one. The third slate is wrapped in a muffler.
13. THE DICTIONARY TRICK: A specific word chosen from a dictionary appears on a slate.
14. THE HINGED SLATES: A double (hinged) slate is shown clean. It is laid on a pile of newspapers. When picked up, a message is found inside.
15. INDEPENDENT PAPER WRITING: A blank sheet of paper is placed between two slates. A message appears on the paper in ink or pencil.
16. THE VERTICAL SINGLE SLATE: A single slate is marked on both sides and washed. It is stood vertically against a chair or table leg. A message appears on the back.
17. THE BENEDICT COLOR TRICK: A question is asked aloud. The answer appears on slates in colors chosen by the audience.
18. THE WAX IMPRESSION TABLET: A subject writes a question and a name on a tablet, tears off the sheet, and keeps it. The performer later reveals the content.
19. THE CABINET READING: Subjects write questions in a booth/cabinet. The medium, seated in another part of the cabinet, answers them.
20. THE LADY PALMIST'S BOOK TRICK: A visitor waiting for a medium writes questions on paper resting on a book. The medium later answers them.
21. THE CLIP BOARD: A subject writes on a paper held by a clipboard. The performer learns the message.
22. THE ONE-HAND BILLET SWITCH: The subject writes on a paper and folds it. The performer takes it, touches it to his forehead, and reads it.
23. THE BIBLE BILLET READING: A subject places a folded question on a table. The medium places it in a Bible, then holds his hand on the subject's head and reveals the answer.
24. THE FIVE BILLET TEST: The subject writes five notes (four questions, one name). The medium reads and answers them one by one.
25. THE ALCOHOL SPONGE READING: A sealed envelope is rendered transparent so the medium can read the contents.
26. SOME MEDIUMISTIC PHENOMENA: A very interesting article by Mr. Abbott that reveals the work of spirit mediums of the early years of the 20th century.
27. THE "GREAT MAN" COMBINATION: A comprehensive routine where the performer reads a sealed card containing a statesman's name, a sealed question from a lady, and produces a slate message from a dead relative.
28. BURLING HULL'S EXPLANATION OF ONE OF THE TESTS
29. PROFESSOR BISHOP'S SLATE TRICK REVIEW
Extracted from the pages of the Journal of the American Society for Physhical Research, Vol. 1, 1907.
1st edition 1907, PDF 70 pages.
word count: 42294 which is equivalent to 169 standard pages of text
