This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 5/21/2022
ABBOTT, David P. Photo Album of David P. Abbott and His “House of Mystery.” Omaha, ca. 1915. Oblong album with embossed paper wrappers includes twenty silver print images (each 5 3/8 x 3 ¼”) of the famed inventor of magic tricks, author, and investigator of fraudulent spirit mediums. Depicted are Abbott and his Talking Teakettle, Mrs. Abbott as a “living half lady” (sometimes known as “Thauma”); various views of the Abbott home and including exterior and interior images, several depicting the parlor in which Abbott’s legendary performances took place; and four trick photos of Abbott or Mrs. Abbott (including two trick decapitation images). Each photograph captioned in the lower margin in white ink, likely in Mrs. Abbott’s hand, and with a caption inside the front wrapper indicating that this album was issued as a New Year’s greeting in 1915. Condition very good or better, though lacking original ribbon binding.