The author of Behind the Scenes with the Mediums was born on September 22, 1863 in Falls City, Nebraska. He became interested in magic and mystery while in school and became an amateur magician. He grew up to become a successful and wealthy businessman, an euphemism I wish to use here because Mr. Abbott business was that of a loan shark. He was famous in his hometown of Omaha for the magic performances he gave in his lavish home, photographs of which can be seen in his book David P. Abbott's Book of Mysteries, published posthumously in 1977. These performances were attended by the top magical stars of the day and gave inspiration for some famous tricks, notably The Okito Floating Ball.

David P. Abbott developed some very strong magical and mental effects which he performed for his guests. Among these we find The Talking Teakettle and Spirit Paintings. This latter trick was reproduced without his permission in England and reportedly produced lots of money in the music halls and vaudeville houses of the day.

Besides Behind the Scenes with the Mediums, the book which eEdition you are now reading, David P. Abbott also wrote: The Marvelous Creations of Joseffy (1908), The Story of a Strange Case (1908), and The Spirit Portrait Mystery (1913). He was planning a big book with most detailed explanations of many of his tricks. In 1977, many years after Mr. Abbott's death (June 12, 1934) the manuscript and photographs of him in action showing these tricks were published in book form by Modern Litho, Inc. of Omaha, Nebraska under the title David P. Abbott's Book of Mystery. It's a fine book.