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

Novelties, Toys, Games & Jokes

Sometimes toys and games can also be considered as puzzles. If you are interested in these, also try searching the Puzzles section.

‘Moving head’ green dragon optical illusion

‘Moving head’ green dragon optical illusion

This is an amazing illusion in which, as you walk around a room looking at the dragon, it turns its head so that it appears to be following you. The design was downloaded from the web and constructed by John Davenport circa 2008. The design was originally produced for Gathering for Gardner 3 in Atlanta, Georgia, USA 16-18 January 1998. Copyright 1998 Binary Arts Corporation. It was inspired by the work of Jerry Andrus.

‘Changing Pages’. An exhibition catalogue on moveable and pop-up books

‘Changing Pages’. An exhibition catalogue on moveable and pop-up books

This book has itself an interesting design feature. The book was the catalogue for a touring exhibition from The Collins Gallery, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow. The tour started in Glasgow on 10 October 1998 and finished in Cheltenham in November 2000. The catalogue includes a brief but good introduction to moveable and pop-up books over the centuries.

M. C. Escher Book of Boxes

M. C. Escher Book of Boxes

This book is full of pre-punched cardboard pages, printed in colour, from which the box shapes can be pressed out and folded. Published in 1998 by Benedikt Taschen Verlag GmbH.

Bunny Bill origami item

Bunny Bill origami item

This is from page 130 of Robert E Neale’s book ‘Folding Money Fooling’. The book is Copyright 1997 by Robert Neale. Published by Kaufman and Company. John Davenport folded this bunny from a £10 note. See the book for the folding details and how you can make the rabbit apparently appear in the hat.

‘Heart Homily’ origami item by Robert E Neale

‘Heart Homily’ origami item by Robert E Neale

This is from page 46 of Robert E Neale’s book ‘Folding Money Fooling’. The book is Copyright 1997 by Robert Neale and published by Kaufman and Company. John Davenport folded this heart from a £10 note. See the book for the folding details and the story which this heart allows you to tell, as you make it change its orientation.