The Magic Circle in 52 Objects

01

The Devant Sculpture

David Devant (1868-1941) was the founding President of The Magic Circle and is widely regarded as Great Britain’s greatest magician, and arguably the most important of the 20th Century. He was a brilliant inventor, creating such whimsical effects as The Mascot Moth - where a winged human assistant vanished into a candle flame. He was a skilled and witty performer, and was equally admired by the public and fellow professionals, becoming a household name long before TV. Devant appeared in the first Royal Command Performance and was a pioneer in early cinema. His donations also founded the basis of The Magic Circle Library and Museum. One of his best-known tricks involved a boy, a girl and some eggs: hence the latter’s depiction in this bronze sculpture by Faith Winter, born 1927, and generously donated by American member David Baldwin (1928-2014). It was unveiled in 1998 on the opening of The Centre for the Magical Arts.

02

King Charles’ Cups and Balls

These are the Cups and Balls used by the then Prince Charles when, in October 1975, he performed a routine which gained him membership of The Magic Circle. The King, born 1948, remains an Honorary Life Member and a Member of the Inner Magic Circle to this day. Actually the Cups were lent to him by Commander Robert de Pass a member of The Magic Circle who, as a young sailor, had bought them on the streets of Cairo while on shore leave in 1942 during World War II. (If you look at them closely you can see they are covered in Egyptian figures). De Pass went on to be a naval colleague and friend of fellow polo player Lord Mountbatten. It was Lord Mountbatten who persuaded his nephew to apply for membership of the society and it was De Pass who provided the Cups and Balls and taught the routine. The Cups and Balls is a classic of magic where balls mysteriously appear and vanish beneath cups (usually three) often with unexpected objects appearing at the end. It is generally considered to be one of the oldest sleight of hand tricks but is still performed regularly today - notably by street artistes in London’s Covent Garden and elsewhere. De Pass (1921-2018) also played polo with Prince Philip and his wife was a Lady in Waiting to the late Queen.

03

The Great Lafayette’s Sword

One of the darkest exhibits in our collection, this sword is purported to have been found beside the charred body of the famous magician after a terrible fire swept through Edinburgh’s Empire Palace (now Edinburgh Festival) Theatre. Lafayette (1871-1911) holds the unusual distinction of creating his last deception after death. One of the highest paid entertainers in the land, American Sigmund Neuberger, (aka the Great Lafayette), died along with 10 of his company in 1911 when disaster struck during a performance of his signature illusion, The Lion’s Bride. A lantern fell igniting scenery and fire spread rapidly. Doors had been locked to protect the magician’s secrets so escape was almost impossible. Lafayette’s remains were sent for cremation but a few days later another body was found under the burned out stage that was positively identified as the magician. The original discovery had been his body double and bandleader. His beloved dog Beauty, who Lafayette always considered brought him luck (a gift from his close friend Houdini) had died a few days earlier. Lafayette’s ashes were placed between the paws of the embalmed canine. The eccentric magician had loved his dog more than anything - in fact, by the door of his home in Tavistock Square, London, was a plaque which stated ‘The more I see of man, the more I like my dog.’ Over 200,000 witnessed his funeral procession to Piershill Cemetery, Edinburgh where the strange memorial to one wizard and his dog stands to this day.

04

‘Houdini’ Straitjacket

This is the straitjacket used by actor Tony Curtis (1925 - 2010) in the 1953 biopic of Houdini, with the U.S. movie star performing an escape act first performed by Houdini in 1896. Magicians still ‘escape’ from straitjackets despite the fact that these days they are rarely seen outside an escapologist’s performance. Magic and the movies have been inextricably linked since moving pictures were first shown within magic shows. The ‘Father of Film Fantasy’ is considered to be George Méliès, a Parisian magician turned movie pioneer who obtained his equipment via our first President, David Devant, one of the first to shown film to the public in the UK. There have been mad magicians, bad magicians and great magicians in the movies. Notable recent films include The Illusionist from 2010, and The Prestige from 2006, and of course (although based in wizardry rather than sleight of hand) the Harry Potter franchise which has arguably introduced new generations to the art.

05

Ali Bongo painting

Ali Bongo (William Oliver Wallace 1929-2009) was a British comedy magician, prolific inventor and former President of The Magic Circle. A flamboyant performer he was famed for his (perhaps now politically dubious) Shriek of Araby character with an exotic costume and headgear - he had been born in India, the son of an army officer. He appeared on many TV shows and was a creative consultant to performers including TV magicians David Nixon (see Object 28) and Paul Daniels (see Object 10). He filled his London flat with books, costumes and home-made props until there was no more room, so he bought another flat in the same building and filled that one too.

06

McBride Mask

Jeff McBride, born in 1959, is one of the most influential contemporary magicians in the world and a winner of The Magic Circle’s top international award - The Devant. Known for his spectacular showmanship he is one of the few stage magicians to have worked as a support to pop acts including Tina Turner and Diana Ross. He combines ancient Japanese arts, mime and modern dance moves to create a unique performance. Masks are his trademark, producing them from the air in a way other magicians may produce playing cards. He starts off controlling the masks before they eventually possess him and multiply. McBride is regarded as one of magic’s leading creative thinkers and was described by David Copperfield as ‘the greatest magic teacher in the world’. His magic school is in Las Vegas but McBride makes regular tours in Europe.

07

Light Sculpture

This unique light sculpture was presented to The Magic Circle by David Berglas MBE (1926-2023) on the occasion of the opening of this building, which he named the Centre for the Magic Arts, in July 1998. The sculpture originally formed part of the set of Berglas’ 1986 TV show ‘The Mind of David Berglas.’ Simply touching the orb, now more commonly called a plasma ball, creates an eerie effect, blending the wonders of magic and science. Berglas was one of the most influential magicians and mentalists of all time with many top professionals such as David Copperfield, Derren Brown and Dynamo crediting him as their inspiration. Berglas, who was president of the society from 1989 to 1998, was deeply involved in the development of the headquarters. He also oversaw the introduction of women members in 1991.

08

Tommy Cooper’s Fez

This fez is regarded as an icon of 20th-century comedy. Tommy Cooper (1921-1984) was a much loved stage and then TV entertainer who would reduce audiences to tears of laughter with his magic tricks that appeared to fail. His catchphrase became ‘Just like that' accompanied by a shrug of his large shoulders. Welsh born, he habitually wore a red fez on stage having borrowed one from a waiter when performing in Cairo while in the army. He was known as a prop comedian using everyday objects in humorous ways. A member of The Magic Circle, Cooper died of a heart attack on stage, live on TV.

09

The Magic Circle Library

With over 12,000 books, manuscripts and bound volumes of magic magazines, many of them now out of print, The Magic Circle Library is one of the largest magic libraries in the world and is used by magicians to study the history of the art or, in many cases, to find the means by which tricks are performed. It may be not quite true to say that there is nothing new under the sun, but in The Library you might find you are close… A dedicated team of volunteer librarians keep the collection up to date. It is “members only” in The Library, although bona fide researchers of magic are also permitted. The Library was founded by donations from the first President, David Devant.

10

Paul Daniels’ Cup

Paul Daniels (1938-2016) defined magic for the UK public for more than a generation. His series The Paul Daniels Magic Show was crammed with hilarious inventive routines, historical recreations of old magical acts, and a huge array of guest stars and international variety acts. It ran for 15 years and attracted, at its peak, over 15 million viewers. Paul in his day also held the record for the longest running one man show in London’s West End. This cup was used by Daniels in his signature comedic routine which helped launch his TV career. It’s a one cup version of the better known Cups & Balls trick. Paul’s catchphrase was “You’ll like this… not a lot, but you’ll like it.” His long-time assistant and widow, the lovely Debbie McGee, is an Honorary Vice-President of The Magic Circle.

11

Sooty

Sooty is the only non-human member of The Magic Circle. He was created in 1955 by Harry Corbett and was given the black ears and nose so he would stand out on black and white television. Sooty, and his sidekick Sweep, were always giving Mr Corbett a hard time; squirting him with a water pistol or smacking him in the face with a custard pie. Sooty would perform magic tricks, complete with a wand. Still going strong today with the guiding hand of Richard Cadell in every respect, Sooty has given pleasure to millions of children - and grown-ups. We are proud to have him live here.

12

Dynamo’s Shoes

British magician Dynamo utilised these shoes when creating his illusion of walking across the River Thames in 2011. It was the opening effect of the TV series Dynamo: Magician Impossible which catapulted this young man from Bradford, who was bullied at school and diagnosed with Crohn’s disease at 17, into an international magic superstar. Dynamo, born Stephen Frayne in 1982, was one of the first UK magicians to realise the power of new social media to develop a successful ‘street’ image. He performs dazzling close-up and stage magic and during his record breaking 2015/16 UK tour became the first magician to headline the 10,000 seat O2 Arena in London.

13

The Inner Sanctum

Only those with permission from the highest magical authority may enter this most revered room - caught trespassing and you may never be allowed out. It is alleged that in here lie the most secret of magic secrets, and some of the most famous, kept away from prying eyes - even those of most of our members. However, leading illusion designer and member Jim Steinmeyer says that ‘magicians guard an empty safe’. Which one it is, you will never know - except that you now know where the door is…

14

The Staircase

Before you say “what a lovely spiral staircase” - Stop! It is not a spiral staircase, but a 'helical staircase’ (the main difference is that spiral staircases have a central column). It rises towards the dome at the top of the building and links to the first, second and third floors. The murals on the way up show various key scenes from the history of magic. If you stand at the bottom and look upwards you will see how impressive it it. Take a picture if you are here.

15

The Robert-Houdin Clock

Prior to becoming France’s most famous magician, Jean Eugene Robert-Houdin (1805-1871) was a clockmaker and he is credited with inventing The Mystery Clock, the finest example of which is right here in the Devant Room. The mystery lies in the movement of the clocks’ hands on its glass face and, in this example, transparent stem. The hands are not attached to any visible mechanism and, constructed in the 1840s, predates micro-electronics. Robert-Houdin, one of the first magicians to utilise technology in magic, became acceptable to French high society by performing in formal evening dress. He is considered to be the father of modern magic. He wrote many books on the theory and performance of magic, his most famous quote being ‘A magician is not a juggler, he is an actor playing the part of a magician’.

16

The Zig-Zag Illusion

Robert Harbin (1908-1978) stunned the nation on the TV show Sunday Night at the London Palladium in 1965 when assistant Dana Marsh entered this very box and, with her hands and face still visible, was seemingly divided into three by two blades and had her midriff slid to the side. This sensational effect, first presented at a Magic Circle banquet, remains one of the magic world’s most memorable illusions. The effect was stolen by many and entered The Guinness Book of Records as the most Pirated Magic Trick of all Time. The most famous plagiarism, shortly after Harbin’s TV debut of it, was by American magician Jim Sommers, which may have been a disaster had it not inspired Harbin to license the effect by publishing it in a limited edition book, Magic of Robert Harbin, which was limited to 500 copies when it was published in 1970 before the plates were smashed in a ceremony at The Magic Circle, which now owns the copyright to this valuable volume. Harbin, who received the first Maskelyne Magician of the Year Award from The Magic Circle in 1970, is rightly revered and considered one of the most important inventors of magic in the past century.

17

The Magic Circle DeLuxe Box of Tricks

Many magicians have been introduced to magic with a ‘magic set’, often branded with a famous practitioner such as Dynamo or, further back, Paul Daniels. This set, bears the mark of The Magic Circle and helped to raise over £100,000 towards acquiring The Magic Circle headquarters. This special box was devised by Marvin Berglas, the present President of the society and the creator of Marvin’s Magic, the world’s largest magic company. Marvin is the son of the late David Berglas, a past president. A selection of Marvin’s Magic sets and props are on sale at our headquarters and are the only products officially recommended by The Magic Circle.

18

Bland’s Magical Palace

This is an artistic re-creation of a late 19th-century magic shop in Oxford Street, London owned by dealer Joseph Bland. Many a child - and grown-up - would have pressed their nose to the window, entranced by its contents. After Bland’s death in 1898 his business was taken over by Hamley’s which retains a magic department to this day. Although some specialist magic shops still exist, inevitably most dealers, as they are called, operate on the internet. Back in the day, ‘bricks and mortar’ magic shops were where experienced magicians and hobbyists would cross paths to discuss ideas and buy new props.

19

The Marauders’ Map

This amazing artefact represents the crossroads of wizardry and conjuring. The Marauders’ Map from the 2004 movie ‘Harry Potter and The Prisoner of Azkaban’ the third in the series, allowed Harry to chart the movement of everyone in Hogwarts. The movie’s director turned to magic consultant and member of The Magic Circle Paul Kieve to devise a way for the map to fold up by itself. Daniel Radcliffe, Harry Potter himself, became a keen hobbyist magician, taught by Kieve, and privately visited the headquarters in 2004. Several members have advised directors and actions on stage and screen throughout the history of the Society.

20

Chung Ling Soo’s costume

All is not as it seems in one of magic’s most tragic and fascinating stories. In March 1918 this extremely popular and highly paid Chinese magician was performing his popular bullet catch illusion at the Wood Green Empire in North London. As the rifles fired, Soo fell to the stage, mortally wounded and gasping in English: “Something’s wrong. Close the curtain.” The inquest into his death revealed to the public that Chung Ling Soo was in fact an American named William Robinson who had lived his professional career pretending to be Chinese. At this period anybody from the Far East was considered to be mysterious and exotic. He faked his life story, even to the extent of using a Mandarin interpreter when conducting press interviews. Cultural imitation such as this would not be acceptable today. Even so Chung Ling Soo’s magnificent posters, many of which are on display around the building, are highly prized. He is buried in East Sheen Cemetery, London.

21

Maskelyne’s Coin Operated Door Lock

John Nevil Maskelyne (1839-1917) became the most significant magician and inventor of the late Victorian and Edwardian age. He transformed The Egyptian Hall, a museum and exhibition space in London’s Picadilly into the world’s most famous magic venue where where many of the most important illusions of all time were debuted. Trained as a watchmaker, Maskelyne’s practical knowledge and creative magical mind led to him making some extraordinary automata, devising a type-writer (the first to be manufactured in Great Britain) - and inventing the world’s first coin operated toilet door lock. The lock required a coin to operate it and the first such lock was used in Fleet Street in 1892, making Maskelyne responsible for the famous euphemism “to spend a penny”.

22

Le Roy and Talma poster

Servais Le Roy, (1865 - 1953) a Belgian magician and illusion designer and his life partner, Talma, (Mary Ann Ford 1861- 1944), first performed their extraordinary Asrah Levitation in South Africa in 1905. Talma would lie on a couch and Servais would cover her with a sheet. She would rise into the air and Le Roy would pass a hoop over her body before pulling away the sheet whereupon Talma would seem to vanish. They often performed with Bosco, who provided comedy to the act. There were in fact eight Boscos in total. Talma was much more than Le Roy’s assistant: she performed sleight of hand specialising in the manipulation of coins. Houdini once described her as the greatest sleight of hand artist he had ever seen.

23

Austin Osman Spare Tarot Deck

The English artist and mystic Austin Osman Spare hand painted this 79-card tarot deck around 1906 when popular interest in both theatrical and esoteric magic was booming. Austin Spare is considered one of the most influential and innovative figures of 20th century occultism, and the presence of this important relic of the British Occult Revival in The Magic Circle’s collection bears witness to a fascinating period of historical crossover. This item is not on display.

24

Martin Chapender poster

Martin Chapender (1879-1905) was a Liverpudlian magician, and in a roundabout way, is the reason we’re here. Chapender was a brilliant sleight of hand magician, able to expertly manipulate billiard balls, coins and playing cards. He created a sensation at London's famous Egyptian Hall in its last season, but, tragically, he was to die from meningitis at the age of just 25. Following his death, his friend Neil Weaver proposed setting up The Martin Chapender Magic Society in his honour. While the idea for the society was accepted, the name was not. However, the initials TMC would remain – The Magic Circle was founded in the year of his death.

25

Adelaide Hermann poster

Billed as ‘The Queen of Magic’ Adelaide Herrmann (1853-1932) was British born but started her magic career in the U.S. where she was assistant to her husband Alexander Herrmann. When he died in 1896 she carried on and became a major vaudeville star famous for her Bullet Catch routine and graceful ghostly illusions. Once described as “The world’s only woman magician” she said: “I shall not be content until I am recognised by the public as a leader in my profession, and entirely irrespective of the question of sex.” Her Noah’s Ark act involved leopards, lions, tigers, zebras and elephants.

26

MRS Eva Fay Poster

This poster is an imposter - and it tells an intriguing story. In 1955, during the Golden Jubilee, the International Brotherhood of Magicians sent a rare original poster to The Magic Circle Museum. This poster was meant to commemorate the election of American Anna Eva Fay as the first Honorary Lady Associate of The Magic Circle back in 1913. However, there was a mix-up, as the poster featured Anna Eva Fay's daughter-in-law, Eva Fay (formerly Eva Norman), not Anna Eva Fay herself, who was a renowned medium and magician. The confusion arose because Eva Fay had married Anna Eva Fay's son, John. John Fay taught his new wife the same act his mother had performed. Within a few weeks, both Eva Fay and John were on stage, directly competing with his mother. Unlike staged conflicts in show business, this feud was real. John declared that it was time for his mother to retire and let the new generation take over. Tragically, on December 21st, 1908, John Fay was found dead with a gunshot wound to the head. His mother Anna Eva grieved for him and felt deeply betrayed for the rest of her life. Eva Fay continued performing after her husband's death, but she never reached the same level of fame and success that her mother-in-law had achieved. Anna Eva and Eva Fay never reconciled.

27

‘All Done by Kindness’, David Devant Poster

This poster was produced during the First World War – notice the injured soldier sitting in the audience – when David Devant (1868-1941) was touring the country. This was towards the end of his career, when he was the best-known magician in the country. The poster was ahead of its time in depicting the reaction of the audience, rather than the conventional display of a large image of the magician. This would be reprised many years later with the television street magic of David Blaine and Dynamo, where the camera concentrates as much on the audience’s reactions to the tricks as it does on the performer. Devant’s performing style is summed up in his catchphrase “All done by kindness”: which today informs the values of our charity The Magic Circle Foundation.

28

David Nixon Annual

David Nixon (1919 -1978) was one of the UK’s best-known entertainers and had an extraordinary varied career. His annuals were a prized Christmas present for young people across the UK, along with a magic set with David Nixon's name on it. Nixon was one of the first entertainers to realise the power of television, with audiences of over ten million watching his shows which ran for over 20 years, often transmitted live. He was the first partner of Basil Brush, the fox puppet, and appeared as a panellist on TV and radio game shows. A keen chess player, he hosted a TV series on the pastime. He was also an accomplished double bass player. Urbane and suave, with a twinkle in his eye, the balding Nixon was an unlikely looking star.

29

Carlton figure

Known as ‘The Human Hairpin’ Carlton – full name Arthur Carlton Phelps (1881-1942) – was one of the best comedy magicians, and card manipulators of the early 20th century and certainly one of the highest paid, earning the equivalent of over £50,000 a week at the height of his fame. He was tall and thin and accentuated his height with a wig to make his head appear elongated. He wore black tights and would speak in a falsetto voice. His nickname came about as he used to ask a member of the audience: "How would you like me for a hairpin?" His daughter Marie instigated The Magic Circle Carlton Comedy Award in 1989. He died impoverished following the decline of the music halls and is buried in Highgate Cemetery in London.

30

Chair from the Egyptian Hall

For over 31 years The Egyptian Hall in London’s Piccadilly was England’s Home of Mystery. It was a marathon magic theatrical tenancy under the name of Maskelyne (John Nevil Maskelyne) and Cooke (George Cooke). Many famous magicians appeared at the venue, including our first President David Devant. Nevil Maskelyne, John Nevil’s son and also a magician, was our second President. The outside of the building had Egyptian motifs, including a couple of sphinxes, and this chair is one of eight from the Egyptian Hall which are now in our headquarters. First built as an exhibition space in 1812, the venue was demolished in 1905 – if you look very carefully you may notice that the frontage of our Headquarters takes inspiration from the Egyptian Hall.

31

The Magic Circle Theatre

Regarded as one of London’s hidden secrets, the intimate theatre can seat 162 people and is used for lectures when The Magic Circle meets on Monday nights. It is also used for the Christmas Show and other public events put on by the society. Each of the seats has been sponsored by a member. It is also available for hire along with every other part of the building. Backstage there are a couple of dressing rooms with many a performer eager to earn a coveted star on the door!

32

Fergus Anckorn on Richard Jones’ cards from BGT

Lance Corporal Richard Jones is the first magician to win the Britain’s Got Talent TV show. These are the playing cards he used in his act. The cards depict former-soldier and magician Fergus Anckorn, who appeared on stage with Richard in the final of the competition. Born in 1918, Fergus served in the Second World War. He was captured by the Japanese, and survived a massacre, then starvation and slavery as a prisoner of war working on building the Burma Railway, known as the Death Railway, and the infamous Bridge on the River Kwai. He used his magic to raise the spirits of the other prisoners of war and to earn food from the Japanese. Fergus passed away at the age of 99 in 2018, but not before becoming the longest serving member of The Magic Circle.

33

Penn & Teller Bullet Catch helmets

One of the most notorious tricks in all of magic is the famous bullet catch. The trick dates back to the 1500s and has a rather morbid history. Over 20 magicians have died attempting to perform this feat, including Chung Ling Soo (see Object 20). One of the most impressive versions was performed by the legendary U.S. magic duo Penn & Teller, who have worked together for 45 years and still have their own show in Las Vegas. Their version upped the ante by using two guns and two bullets – doubling the danger. Penn & Teller simultaneously shoot at each other, catching the bullets in their mouths. During their act they wear bulletproof vests and helmets. These are the ballistic helmets they used. Although we are proud to display them, the duo are not members of our society.

34

The Magic Circle logo

In 1906, Nevil Maskelyne edited the first issue of The Magic Circular, the Society’s magazine, and on its cover were the signs of the zodiac, together with the words "Indocilis Privata Loqui”. The Latin motto is roughly and some say inaccurately translated, as "not apt to disclose secrets" - and any member who does so may be expelled. Over the years the logo has evolved into the one you see here. Many of our 1,500 members are proud to use the logo in their publicity material and it adorns several products sold to the public.

35

Thayer Spirit Hand

Spiritualism, which involves allegedly making contact with those who have departed, began in the 1850s and is still attempted, whether through mediums or a Ouija board, to this day. One rather crude means of communicating popularised in the Victorian era was through rappings or knockings, with one tap for ‘yes’ and two for ‘no’ in answer to questions sent to the 'other side'. This carved hand, from the early 20th century, was made for magicians to ‘recreate’ or expose the method of spiritualists – rather than pretending to be able to speak to the dead themselves. Many magicians, including Harry Houdini and, more recently, James Randi, devoted themselves to exposing charlatan spiritualists. Thayer, based in Los Angeles, were considered the Rolls-Royce of magic prop makers.

36

The Discoverie of Witchcraft

This is an extremely rare first edition, published in 1584, of the first book written in English which contains an entire chapter on magic. It is a prized possession. The author Reginald Scot (c1538-1599) wrote it to show that supposed ‘witches’ were using natural means to perform their supposed witchcraft, rather than anything supernatural. In order to do this, Scot revealed the secrets of several ‘tricks,’ many of which are still performed in some form today. A couple which fortunately are no longer seen are: “how to cut off one’s Head, and to lay it in a Platter” and “to thrust a piece of Lead into one eye”. Early editions of Scot’s Discoverie are rare, partly due to an order to have them burned by the Catholic James I, whose religious beliefs included the existence of witches.

37

The headquarters

The Centre for the Magic Arts, the first permanent headquarters of The Magic Circle, opened its blue doors in June 1998, the Society’s eighteenth home since its founding in 1905. The transformation of what was a dilapidated Victorian warehouse into a custom-built vibrant home of magic took almost 14 months and cost £2.1 million. The interior proclaims the nature of the attraction from every wall, nook and crannied recess. It was funded by National Lottery money, donations big and small and fund-raising events.

38

Gas mask to Windbag

During war time magic has often been used as a form of release or used to ridicule the enemy. In World War II this reversible prop turned from looking like a gas-mask into Hitler’s head. It was sold by Davenport’s magic shop in London as “It’s Sure - It’s Swift - It’s a Blitzkrieg.” Magic was also used to entertain the troops and as diversion. One American magic book, by author John Mulholland (1898-1970) was printed shirt-pocket-size so soldiers could entertain each other in the field. Paul Potassy (1923-2018), a Hungarian magician, used magic to save his life during World War II. He performed some card tricks to dissuade some Russian soldiers from killing him when they found him lying on the battle field.

39

Educated Duck

A wooden duck bears down and pecks out a chosen card from the pack. There have been various versions of what started out as Otto the Automaton Duck in the 1930s. This classic is a staple of many children magician’s repertoire and grown-ups love it too. It was a popular trick performed by Tommy Cooper, who used to blindfold the wooden duck so it was harder for him to find the card! This one was used by Michael Caine when he played Clarence Parkinson, a grumpy old traveling magician nearing the end of his life in John Crowley’s 2009 film “Is Anybody There?”

40

Maskelyne’s special effect sword

This sword is far from ordinary. It was used by Sir Henry Irving in an 1885 production of Faust, which went on to be performed almost 800 times. The sword is regarded as a benchmark for the use of technology in theatre. Linked to an electricity supply the sword sparked during a duel. Its creator was John Nevil Maskelyne. Since then magic illusions have played a part in many theatrical productions in London’s West End, most recently in shows such as Harry Potter and the Cursed Child at The Palace, Magic Goes Wrong at the Vaudeville, Mary Poppins at the Prince Edward and The Prince of Egypt at the Dominion.

41

The clubroom

This is where members of The Magic Circle meet on club nights, usually a Monday, to socialise and show each other tricks. On the walls are some of the beautiful and rare collection of posters owned by the Society as well as a few visual effects. It is also used as the gathering place for groups who come to the various shows and events put on by The Magic Circle Foundation, the charity dedicated "to promote the education of the public in the history and practice of the art of magic." These include Monday morning events like History and Mystery, School and Educational visits and evening events such as Close-up at The Magic Circle, and the Christmas Show.

42

Cardini’s Top Hat

The only known footage of Cardini, born Richard Pitchford, in action, filmed in 1957, has him as a suave gent in top hat and tails performing extraordinary graceful manipulation involving cards, cigarettes and billiard balls set to music. He plays the character of an inebriated gentleman who is as surprised as we are by the sudden appearance of these props. His acting and miming skill were such that it was difficult to believe that all his movement and gestures were choreographed to the second. Some of his magic is done with his hands in gloves. He was able to do this because the Suave Deceiver, as he became known, had practised his card manipulation in freezing trenches in the First Word War - and later on when recovering from injury in hospital. Pitchford was born in Wales in 1895 and died in 1973.

43

Lefty hand puppet

Tired of lugging his traditional ventriloquist’s dummy across the Pacific while entertaining U.S. troops in the Second World War, Jay Marshall (1919-2005) decided to use a left-handed khaki glove with two buttons for eyes as his rabbit dummy. It became the trademark of this magician, who also performed traditional magic tricks accompanied by droll patter. He travelled with Lefty all over the world, including the London Palladium, and on television. After his retirement from full-time performing, he and his wife Frances Ireland ran a magic business in Chicago; he was also a respected magic historian and collector.

44

John Henry Anderson’s Silverware

Sir Walter Scott is credited with calling John Henry Anderson ‘The Wizard of the North’ although given that Scott died when Anderson was aged 18 this seems unlikely. However, Anderson (1814-1874) was not just one of the founding fathers of modern stage magic but also a brilliant self-publicist. He produced wonderful playbills and exaggerated stories about his exploits as a magician. He is credited as one of the magicians who popularised the trick of pulling a rabbit out of a hat, once the iconic image of a magician. During his roller coaster ride of a career, he performed in the U.S. as well as the U.K., appeared before Queen Victoria, was responsible for a theatre burning down in London and was made bankrupt twice. His stage setting was always littered with plenty of magic props, a collection of which can be seen here, although it is likely that these were actually owned by his son Signor Rubini (1844-1920).

45

Daisy May

Albert Saveen (1914-1994) was a British ventriloquist who had 14 dummies including Daisy May, a schoolgirl puppet, and was the first ventriloquist to have a national radio series, in 1950. Daisy May had her own number listed in the London Telephone Directory and her own bank account. Children would ring her before going to school. Saveen’s tiny voice for Daisy May was developed when he suffered lung damage when injured by an exploding bomb in the Second World War. His recuperation involved breathing with just one lung at a time. At the end of his act, his puppets were packed away and would then be heard making rude remarks about him, a technique still used by ventriloquists today.

46

Silver Wand

The Magic Circle awards a Silver Wand for outstanding services to the Society. This one belonged to Paula Baird (1917-1999) who received it in 1950, long before women were admitted to the Society. In the 1940s and 50s Baird was an internationally known card manipulator. Wearing a strapless evening gown, she was billed as “Sophisticated Sleeveless Sorcery.” At one time she was the youngest woman to fly an aeroplane. She entertained troops during the Second World War and in the 1950s had a segment on afternoon TV called Magic for Mothers.

47

Houdini’s Handcuffs

Harry Houdini (1874-1926) was a Hungarian-born American who became famous for his escapes from perilous situations and he used to challenge police forces to keep him locked up in one of their cells. On a tour of Europe, he became known as Harry ‘Handcuff’ Houdini. His escapes caught the imagination of the public - if he could beat the odds then anyone could. His repertoire included escaping from ropes slung from skyscrapers, straitjackets (see Object 4) under water and a sealed milk churn full of water. Although famous and celebrated during his lifetime, it was only after his death that Houdini became a household name, still remembered by people all over the world. This was partly due to his devoted wife Bess (1876-1943), along with her PR savvy new partner Edward Saint, ensuring his name was kept in the public eye.

48

Rudyard Kipling letter

Rudyard Kipling (1865-1936) is well known as an author of classics including Kim, The Man Who would be King and The Jungle Book, but few people know that he was also an amateur magician. His interest in magic dated back to his early days in India when he had witnessed Eastern mystics perform. In 1934 Kipling attended an event at The Magic Circle which he described in a letter as “an amazing evening”. He immediately wrote to the secretary of The Circle and became a member. Another famous amateur magician was author Charles Dickens. However, he died in 1870, before the foundation of The Magic Circle.

49

Mobile phone

Magicians have always been very innovative in taking advantage of the latest technology, which the general pubic might not have been aware of, and using it to ‘create’ magic. Today’s magicians have created many tricks involving the mobile phone. You can guarantee that whatever modern piece of technology appears in the future, magicians will find a way of producing miracles with it.

50

You

The power of magic to entertain, amuse and astound depends on an audience. For both spectators and magicians, the shared Wow moment is the one that stays for ever, whether it be in the grand setting of the London Palladium, the streets of Covent Garden, on television - or here in our headquarters. So, The Magic Circle thanks anyone who has spent a moment to watch and wonder at our art and has gone home thinking: “How did they do that?” Remember, without you, there is no magic.

51

Megan Swann

Now Megan Swann (born 1992) is certainly not an object! We are proud to say that Megan was elected President of The Magic Circle in 2021, making her the first woman and the youngest ever elected President of The Magic Circle. She started her magic career as a member of The Young Magicians Club and became a full member at the age of 18. She uses magic to perform for schools and raise awareness of environmental issues. She stood down as President in 2023.

52

A pack of cards

And finally, probably the most used and simplest of all props used by magicians, the humble pack of cards. Pick a card, any card and the magician will be able to find it. Pasteboards have a rich history and have developed over hundreds of years with different symbols being used for the suits until the standardised pack used today for games and prestidigitation. There are thousands of designs but all have 52 cards representing the weeks of the year, divided into four suits representing four seasons. And don’t forget the 19th century addition of jokers. These cards here are for sale at themagiccircle.co.uk where you will also find details of our society and the shows we present to the public.

52 Objects

Come on in

The Devant Sculpture

The Devant Sculpture

Devant Room

King Charles’ Cups and Balls

King Charles’ Cups and Balls

Devant Room

The Great Lafayette’s Sword

The Great Lafayette’s Sword

Museum

‘Houdini’ Straitjacket

‘Houdini’ Straitjacket

Devant Room

Ali Bongo painting

Ali Bongo painting

Club Room

McBride Mask

McBride Mask

Museum

Light Sculpture

Light Sculpture

Club Room

Tommy Cooper’s Fez

Tommy Cooper’s Fez

Devant Room

The Magic Circle Library

The Magic Circle Library

Paul Daniels’ Cup

Paul Daniels’ Cup

Devant Room

Sooty

Sooty

Museum

Dynamo’s Shoes

Dynamo’s Shoes

Museum

The Inner Sanctum

The Inner Sanctum

The Staircase

The Staircase

The Robert-Houdin Clock

The Robert-Houdin Clock

Devant Room

The Zig-Zag Illusion

The Zig-Zag Illusion

Devant Room

The Magic Circle DeLuxe Box of Tricks

The Magic Circle DeLuxe Box of Tricks

Lobby

Bland’s Magical Palace

Bland’s Magical Palace

Museum

The Marauders’ Map

The Marauders’ Map

Museum

Chung Ling Soo’s costume

Chung Ling Soo’s costume

Museum

Maskelyne’s Coin Operated Door Lock

Maskelyne’s Coin Operated Door Lock

Devant Room

Le Roy and Talma poster

Le Roy and Talma poster

Club Room

Austin Osman Spare Tarot Deck

Austin Osman Spare Tarot Deck

Not on display

Martin Chapender poster

Martin Chapender poster

Lobby

Adelaide Hermann poster

Adelaide Hermann poster

Museum

MRS Eva Fay Poster

MRS Eva Fay Poster

Club Room

‘All Done by Kindness’, David Devant Poster

‘All Done by Kindness’, David Devant Poster

Museum