Paranormal: William S. Marriott demonstrates spirit writing
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Paranormal: William S. Marriott demonstrates spirit writing
The British magician William S. Marriott shows how slate-writing can be faked by inserting an umbrella-rib between the tied slates, with a tiny pencil attached. Date: 1910
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Media ID 14270667
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Attached Exposes Faked Fraud Inserting Marriott Mediumship Pencil Slate Slates Tied Tiny Umbrella Paranormal Shows
EDITORS COMMENTS
In this intriguing photograph from 1910, British magician William S. Marriott demonstrates the art of spirit writing, a popular paranormal phenomenon of the time. However, contrary to popular belief, Marriott was not a believer in the supernatural, but rather a skilled magician who exposed the tricks behind such phenomena. In this demonstration, Marriott reveals how slate-writing, a common form of mediumistic communication with the deceased, could be easily faked. By inserting an umbrella-rib between the tied slates, he attached a tiny pencil to the end, allowing him to write messages without the need for supernatural intervention. Marriott's exposé of such paranormal frauds was a common occurrence during the late Victorian and early 20th century, as many magicians sought to debunk the claims of mediums and spiritualists who were cashing in on the public's fascination with the afterlife. Marriott's demonstration not only showcased his magical skills but also served as a reminder of the importance of skepticism and critical thinking in the face of extraordinary claims. This photograph provides a fascinating glimpse into the world of paranormal investigations and the role of magicians in exposing fraudulent mediums during a time when the boundaries between magic and the supernatural were often blurred. Despite the debunking of this particular phenomenon, the belief in the existence of the afterlife and the desire to communicate with the deceased continued to captivate the public's imagination for decades to come.
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