The Davenport Collection
- a growing resource on magic and entertainment history

Magic

Look here for magic apparatus, magic sets and magic related items such as association pieces, trophies and badges for clubs.

Magical Variations by Alan Maskell

Magical Variations by Alan Maskell

Alan produced this for a workshop of The Young Magicians Club on 19 April 2008. This is the club organised by The Magic Circle. The tricks inside are strong magic, entertaining and can be performed without special apparatus.

Card to Rose from E. & S.

Card to Rose from E. & S.

The description on the envelope is that an ordinary playing card when passed in front of the hand, changes into a flower. It is hard to believe that anyone ordering this through the post would be impressed when it arrived. E. & S. was a name used by Ellisdons.

Improved Devil’s Own Card Trick

Improved Devil’s Own Card Trick

This is said to be the Professional Edition. The envelope containing the trick says ‘The only trick cards on earth enabling you to perform what heretofore had been considered an impossibility’. Read the rest of the description on the envelope to see if you agree. Complete with instructions.

The Disappearing Spots

The Disappearing Spots

Four three spot cards are show. First they change into four Aces, and finally they are shown to be blank. Complete with instructions. The envelope containing the trick has the initials L D on it, for Lewis Davenport, confirming that the trick was supplied by Davenports.

Ormond McGill’s “The Stars Won’t Tell”

Ormond McGill’s “The Stars Won’t Tell”

The following description comes from the envelope in which the trick was sold. Three “Cutie” Zodiac Cards are placed in the Astrologer’s Tent. One Disappears! The Watchers think they are Wise, and How They Bite on the Sucker Finish. It’s a Sockeroo . . . BUT THE STARS WON’T TELL!

This sucker trick was distributed by Thayer’s Studio of Magic. Complete with instructions.

The Great Hindoo Trick Cards

The Great Hindoo Trick Cards

The performer shows the four Eights of a pack, which change into the four Twos. They then change into four red cards, folowed by four black cards. Complete with instructions. The envelope and instructions have E. & S. on them, confirming that the trick was from Ellisdons.

Riddle Match by Chris Wardle

Riddle Match by Chris Wardle

Six riddle joke cards and six answers are mixed, as dictated freely by a spectator. Yet, when the cards are turned over, each riddle has been solved and is a perfect match with the answer card. Complete with instructions.

Do As I Do Surprise

Do As I Do Surprise

This is a packet trick using a spectator which has a surprise finish. The illustration explains the routine from Southwest Magic Supplies, Bideford, England. Complete with instructions.

Magik Musik by Robert Harbin

Magik Musik by Robert Harbin

The magician explains that he has six playing cards on which are printed the titles of six popular songs. The cards are shuffled and a member of the audience takes one and looks at the tune on it. Immediately the band starts playing that tune. Davenports publicity for the trick tells us that it has been presented by Robert Harbin at the Savoy Hotel with Geraldo’s Band and was a great success. Complete with instructions.

‘Demon’ Cocktail Cards

‘Demon’ Cocktail Cards

The performer shows nine cards having well-known drinks printed on each. One is selected by the audience and by merely touching the card with his finger, and tasting it, the performer is able to name the drink. Note the Davenport Demon on the back of the cards. Complete with instructions.

The Astonishing Changeable Cards

The Astonishing Changeable Cards

The performer shows the four Eights of a pack, which change into the four Twos. They then change into four red cards, followed by four black cards. Note that the red envelope in which Davenports sold the trick has a fancy border in which little demons spell out the words THE DEMON SERIES. Complete with instructions.

Magic jigsaw playing card

Magic jigsaw playing card

This item could be presented as a puzzle or a magic trick. Five pieces of a playing card are assembled to make the back of the card. When the pieces are turned over and the face of the card is reassembled, only four pieces are needed.