David Phelps Abbott (September 22, 1863 – June 12, 1934) was an American magician, author and inventor known for creating effects such as the floating ball, as well as for his publications exposing mediums.

[2] Abbott built his work of magic and deception on the devious principles he learned from spirit mediums.

Many of the greats in magic– Kellar, Thurston, Horace Goldin, Theo Bamberg, Ching Ling Foo, Blackstone and Houdini among others–made pilgrimages to Omaha Field Club neighborhood "Mystery House" to be dumbfounded and to learn.

[7] Abbott wrote a second full-length book, describing not only the séances given in his home but many magical feats which had astounded top professional performers; he died before it could be published, and for a long time the manuscript could not be found.

[3] In September 2024, Abbott's "House of Mystery" in Omaha, Nebraska, was purchased by Teller in partnership with the Omaha Magical Society [1] with the goal of refurbishing the home to where Abbott's magic creations could once again be performed in the same setting where he performed them over one-hundred years ago.