Bishop, Eleanor Fletcher | The supposedly live autopsy of an acclaimed mindreader

Bishop, Eleanor Fletcher
A Synopsis of the Butchery of the Late Sir Washington Irving Bishop. Philadelphia: Selden & Marion, 1889

8vo (214 x 154 mm). Three photographic plates with captions, title; stray spots, pages toned, fingersoiling. In original red cloth, titled in gilt on upper board, board ruled blind; binding separated from text block at spine, a few leaves beginning to separate, boards rubbed and bumped, some loss at head and tail of spine.

Rare. The story of the supposed live autopsy of the mindreader Washington Irving Bishop, penned by his "broken-hearted mother." Bishop was a renowned psychic, who toured the world showcasing his abilities. One review reprinted in the volume notes that "When Bishop is going through an experiment his mind is in a semi-hypnotic state. Blinding the eyes and partial paralysis, temporarily, of the optic nerve helps to produce this condition."

Unfortunately this trance-like state spelled his end. Having returned to New York from a world tour, "laden with laurel and honors, and in perfect health", Bishop was invited to The Lambs Club. According to his mother, while there "he became exhausted in entertaining the said Club members, and fell back into one of his usual trances," whereupon he was undressed and put to bed. The club members eventually believed he had fallen into a coma and died, and called for an undertaker. Bishop was taken to a funeral home, where three doctors performed an unauthorized autopsy. According to his mother, "One of the doctors … told the others to watch my son's eyes to 'see if they moved,' while Dr. Frank Ferguson (the 'Jack-the-Ripper' of America) ripped my angel boy open, and took out his heart, and sawed his beautiful fair brow and head into two pieces, took out his wonderful brain, and then the butchery of my only child was accomplished—in less than three hours after he fell into the last trance."

The doctors all testified that Bishop was deceased at the time of the autopsy. Dr. Charles C. Lee, testified that another doctor, Dr. John Arthur Irwin, was anxious to have an autopsy performed due to the peculiarity of Bishop’s death. Dr. Irwin, who had been present for Bishop's performance, stated that upon finishing his second feat of mind reading, “he fell in a cataleptic fit. I at once tried to assist him. In a few minutes he recovered consciousness. ... Mr. Bishop spoke very freely as to his physical condition. I warned him that his performances were very dangerous, and also there were changes going on in his brain. He said: ‘Well, I suppose you will find out all about that at the autopsy’” (The New-York Times).

In addition to her account of his autopsy, the book includes verses, excerpts from reports on his death, and reprints reviews of his performances. This edition does not contain the six-page addenda found in the edition in the following lot.

REFERENCE:
"For the Bishop Autopsy; Irwin First ... to Be Put on Trial," The New-York Times, June 29, 1892, p. 8

Condition Report:
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