When I initially studied mediumship 25 yrs ago there was occasionally talk about this, in our circle-class, and I was shown some fairly contemporary photos taken during seances. Of apparitions, ectoplasm,& such.

I'd say when seances were a new thing, folks wanted more visible proof than later, after it became popular-accepted. And there was likely less demand for manifestations by paying clients once mediumship was accepted as real.
No doubt some mediums hoaxed these things...but I understood it was pretty demanding-draining on a medium to achieve this.

I recall being involved in a table tipping during a circle at a Spiritualist camp. With folks I knew, (no funny business).