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Mediums William and Ira Davenport
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Mediums William and Ira Davenport
Undated illustration of American mediums and spiritualists William and Ira Davenport. The Davenport Brothers were instrumental in building the popularity of the American Spiritualist movement prior to the Civil War. They created a sensation all over the country and in Europe and continued mystifying audiences for years. William Henry and Ira Erastas Davenport introduced the spirit cabinet for mediums to use during a sance. These cabinets, or enclosures, would section the medium off from view while they were producing their strange phenomena. This would prove to be both popular and astounding to audiences as the mediums were usually bound hand and foot in the cabinet while the seemingly impossible phenomena manifested about them. Ira Davenport was born in 1839 and his brother William came along two years later in 1841. HPG/8/1/1 (iv)
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Media ID 4421085
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Beards Brothers Cabinet Cabinets Davenport Goatee Magic Magicians Mediums Mediumship Movement Mysterious Mystery Sance Sensation Spirit Spiritualist Spiritualists Unknown Paranormal Will I Am
EDITORS COMMENTS
In this undated illustration, we find the enigmatic figures of American mediums and spiritualists William and Ira Davenport. The Davenport Brothers, born in 1839 and 1841 respectively, played a pivotal role in the growth of the Spiritualist movement in the United States prior to the Civil War. Their captivating performances left audiences in awe all over the country and even in Europe, as they continued to mystify and astound for years to come. William Henry and Ira Erastas Davenport are best known for introducing the spirit cabinet to mediumship. These enclosures, or cabinets, became an essential tool for mediums during séances. The medium would be sectioned off from view within the cabinet, often bound hand and foot, while seemingly impossible phenomena manifested around them. This setup proved to be both popular and astounding to audiences, as the mediums' bound state added to the mysterious and magical nature of the experience. The Davenport Brothers' bearded faces, adorned with goatees, exude an air of mystery and intrigue. Their historical significance in the paranormal world is evident, as they paved the way for future mediums and spiritualists. The Spiritualist movement, which gained immense popularity during the 19th century, was characterized by the belief in communication with the deceased and the manifestation of supernatural phenomena. The Davenport Brothers' contributions to this movement were instrumental in shaping its history and continuing its legacy. This image, from the Mary Evans Prints Online collection, offers a glimpse into the past, transporting us back to a time when the unknown and the mysterious held a powerful allure. The enigma of the Davenport Brothers and their spirit cabinets continues to captivate and intrigue us, leaving us to ponder the depths of the paranormal world and the human desire to connect with the unknown.
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