Davenport Brothers

In the 1850s, two of the most successful mediums were the Davenport brothers whose spiritual manifestations were performed publicly on the stage as well as at private functions.

The essential accessory in all instances of spirit manifestation was the “cabinet”, a large box in which the medium(s) would sit and conjure up a spirit and/or play musical instruments while their arms and legs were securely tied. The Davenport brothers are credited with being the first to introduce this facility.

Their modus operandi (as was in general the case of those who followed) was to have a member of the audience tie them securely to chairs inside the cabinet together with a variety of instruments at their feet, then close the door. Music would issue from the box then the door would be opened to reveal the mediums still securely tied.

So convincing were their psychic powers that they advanced the cause of spiritualism and received the endorsement of playwright Dion Boucicault and the famous explorer Richard Burton.

Comment:

There Is little doubt that the Davenport Brothers were brilliant showmen and illusionists but there is no evidence to show that they had genuine mediumistic powers. Their "spirit" tricks have been exposed and replicated by Harry Houdini and other magicians.