The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1888-05-16
ARTISTIC sPooKs.
A Celebrated Magician Explains How
Spirit Pictures Are Made.

Spirit Pictures Are Made.
II. Kellar in Chicago Intcroccan.
With regard TO the receptions perpc-
trated by the Diss Debar woman upon
LAWYER Marsh, there was really nothing
very wonderful about them. Her trick OF
producing ''spiritualistic" message on a
blank pad placed inside n magazine, or
upon the insidcs Of two states firmly tied
together, was thoroughly exploded some
years ago by the famous Seibert commits
sion, appointed by the University OF Penn
sylvania TO investigate ''modcrn spiritual
ism" The commission advertised lar ant
wide for spiritualistic experts, and secured
the attendance OF n number OF the mos
noted spiritualists in the country, among
them DIR. Slade, Professor" keelcr and
Miss Maud Lord. In It's reporisthe com
mission practically declared the whole
subject Of so-callcd spiritualistic manifesto
tons 10 be a humbug, and described
length n great number Of tricks resorted &c
TO produce these manifestations.
Among other objects investigated wa
that OF the "spiritualistic messages" Al
the methods resorted 10 by Slade TO Thu
end were detected, and are given in tho
commissioners report ], myself, appearec
before the commission, and, withoutc claim
! ing any supernatural assistance, produced
seven different messages In seven different
languages simultaneously on the insid,
surfaces Of two states tied together, ant
held In another persons hand. Thess
states have been preserved by the commits
sion, which, in Its report, declares TIM
feat 20 eclipse any thing OF the kind per
formed through alleged spiritualisti'
agency.
naturally do not care 10 disclose how >
accomplished this trick, but will say thai
the way in which the ''spiritualistic mes
sage" Is usually secured Is through trick
of substitution. For instance blank pac
is put into magazine; the medium and
some other person hold either end be
tween them; sound OF scratching OF pen
il heard; generally the magazine Is openet
and the pad inside In found 20 be covered
with ''splritualistic messages" Tableaux
Well, the whole thing Is very simple. A
the moment when the blank pad was n
be nut in the magazine q pad containing
the messages was substituted by sleight
of.hand trick, on the principle OF the hano
moving quicker than the eyo can follow
Some remark made by the medium nj tho
moment probably distracted attention foi
an instant and assisted In the carrying GU
OF the trick. But even this was hardly
necessary TO a good. quick sleightoi. hano
performer. As for tho scratching OF -
pen, that was done by tho mediums It'll,
|. finger, armed with sharp steel cap, which
was industriously agitated against the un
der side Of tho magazine, thus producin,
the sound OF q pen travelling over paper
| 1 can produce the spirit messages In nj
less than fifteen different ways
. With regard 10 the Esprit pictures,
there are several methods by which the,
! can be produced. One OF these methods
| which / have frequently employed II
! Europe, il 10 have picture, the back q
I which ia formed Of white canvas, places
( ON a revolving easel. The white canvas !
| turned outward 10 tho spectators, th
, picture itself being nj tho back. Is.
means OF a magic lantern concealed I'm
1 trick table or elsewhere duplicate OF th
!. picture Is thrown upon the white canvas
1 Suddenly you snap TO the slide oil you
Q magic lantern, and by touching sprinl
! the revolving easel turns faster than th
A eve can follow, thus exposing the rea
!. picture 10 the eyes OF the spectators. "
G add 10 the illusion, the paint oil the pic
!. turc may lie made still wet, 10 create th
9 impression Of It's having been frcshl
h painted.
Q Another mclhodoi producing the 'spiri
n picture" Is by the use OF certain chemical
II Is possible TO paint picture with chen
@ icals winch will be quito invisible TO IN
|. sharpest eye. Bring the picture into nc
a room and the painting will gradually CON
o out on the canvas. growing clearer IN
'. stronger with every minute. by passing
d certain solution over the painting ny mn
Il viii remain permanent. In other cas-
e the invisible chemicals forming the pain
II inc will be brought out within short tin
q alIr a damp sponge has been passed ov'
s the canvas. II viii thus be perceived ths
: there is nothing 30 very supernatural aft
~ ali about these spirit pictures"
!. oBxAuriruL Jm," by John stran,
a wintor, author OF Booths Baby" mi
~ Mons Husband" etc. and n new supp