On the Other Side of the Footlights by George Silvers

An expose of routines, apparatus and deceptions resorted to by mediums, clairvoyants, fortune tellers and crystal gazers in deluding the public.

Excerpt from the introduction:

This manuscript was compiled primarily for the benefit of uninformed magicians, enabling them to adopt the various tricks and effects for their own amusement or to detect fraudulent mediums in the presentation of alleged spiritualistic communications.



DEDICATION
INTRODUCTION
ROPE TIES
BLINDFOLDS
SEALED ENVELOPE READING
Alcohol Method
Wax Pads
Back Of House Steal
Switching In Audience
Changing Bag
Changing Basket
Mirror Bowl
Bowl And Stand
Bowl And Tongs
Carbon Table Top
The Ink Bottle
The Clip Board
TRANSMITTING CONTENTS OF MESSAGES
Direct Connection Telephone
Induction System
The Blackboard Method
Cushion And Crystal
Reader Stand
Faro Box Hand Reader
Concealed Reader
Reader Balls
Mechanical Balls
Reading From Face Of Watch
Reading Off Cuff
Using Edge Of Envelope
Marking On One Envelope
Handing Back Original Queries
Trumpet Seance
Reading Under Sheet
PSYCHIC TESTS
Thought Transmission Test
Stylus Method
Parlor Thought Transference
The Want Ad Test
Flap Slates
Medium’s Slate Mystery
The Bolted Slates
Mechanical Slates
Hinged Flap Slate
Wedge And Steel Hook
Slate Switches
Rapping Hands
Electric Magnet
Needle Point Method
Weighted Hand
Bible Test
Talking Skull
Spirit Clock
Spirit Photography
The Sand Frame
Table Lifting
Floating Ball
CLAIRVOYANCE OR SECOND SIGHT
Suggested Feats In Audience
Playing Selected Pieces On Piano
“Object” Code
Silent Thought Transmission Test
SPIRITUALISTIC EFFECTS
Floating Light
Materialization
A Typical Seance
MISCELLANEOUS
The Living And The Dead
The Haunted Handkerchief
Second Sight With Clock
Penetrating Glass Of Water
Hindoo Lota
The Bewitched Umbrella
Finding Hidden Articles While Blindfolded
The Spirit Answer
The Ghost’s Message
Sack Escapes
Black Art
The Fortune Telling Ball
The Cut And Restored Turban
Catching Live Pigeons Out Of The Air
The Obedient Ball
IN CONCLUSION
1st edition 1922, 120 pages; PDF 74 pages.