Other Ephemera

This section includes all types of ephemera other than Posters & Showcards and Programmes & Handbills.

The collection is particularly rich in ephemera relating to the Davenports, the Maskelynes and Will Goldston.

Savage Club House Dinner, David Devant in the Chair, 6 March 1915. Copy of menu card

The Savage Club was, and in 2020 still is, a gentleman’s club based in London. This item is a copy of the menu card when Devant was presiding. The artwork is signed by Harry May Hemsley. Hemsley knew Devant well and it is worth looking at high magnification at the many amusing sketches that Hemsley has taken from Devant’s supposed life. Devant often used Hemsley to provide him with cartoons which he used for newspaper advertisements. The second illustration, a framed menu card, was on display on the wall at the Savage Club in London in 2019.

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The Magicians’ Club 1930 Banquet photograph

The annual dinner took place on 26 January 1930 at the Hotel Victoria, Northumberland Avenue, London. The hand written caption below the photograph incorrectly refers to the Northumberland Hotel. Louis Gautier is standing at the back, just left of centre. There is a brief description of the evening in ‘The Magician Monthly’, February 1930.

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Society of American Magicians Certificate of Membership for The Magicians’ Club. 1934

This certificate, awarded in 1934, is rather unusual in that the descriptive text refers to a magician worthy of becoming a member, rather than a club such as The Magicians’ Club. I am grateful to Tom Ewing, the national historian for the S.A.M. for searching their records in 2020 to confirm the signatories names as W.H. McCaffrey (president) and Royal Vilas (secretary). Tom’s search did not reveal any other organisation that had been awarded membership of the S.A.M.

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‘The Stage and Television Today’, 14 May 1987

‘The Stage’ is a must-buy for all those in the UK involved in theatre and show business. This issue includes a 9 page magic supplement. The supplement gives a good feel for the people and issues which were felt to be significant in magic at the time.

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Caricature of John Davenport

Drawn by Josie Camus when attending the wedding reception of Jeremy and Sara Bond in Cambridge on 7 April 2012. Jeremy Bond is known professionally as JezO.

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Caricature of Anne Davenport

Drawn by Josie Camus when attending the wedding reception of Jeremy and Sara Bond in Cambridge on 7 April 2012. Jeremy Bond is known professionally as JezO.

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Bow and Bromley Institute publicity handout for Maskelyne and Cooke

Undated but must be 1873, some time after Maskelyne and Cooke’s debut at the Egyptian Hall in May 1873. The small print tells us that they are ‘now on a short Provincial Tour, previous to re-opening for a permanency at the Egyptian Hall London in November.’ The Bow and Bromley Institute is in east London.

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‘The Theatrical Programme’ featuring Dr Lynn, 18 February 1875

Dr Lynn is pictured on one side, with a very flattering article about his magic and his manner on the reverse.

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Advertisement for Maskelyne and Cooke at the Egyptian Hall, with Mr Walter Pelham

At the bottom of this item is an advertisement which mentions Walter Pelham’s Illustrated Journal, 15 May 1880.

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Newspaper review of Maskelyne and Cooke’s show at the Egyptian Hall. 1882

This is a newspaper review from around 20 February 1882. The year 1882 is written on the front and the date 20 February is mentioned on the back. The review is of Maskelyne and Cooke’s show including the sketch ‘Mrs Daffodil Downey’s Light and Dark Séance’. The latter opened on 18 February 1882, according to the George Jenness book on the Egyptian Hall.

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