This is a showy illusion in which a giant chocolate box is shown first empty, then full of giant chocolates. The box is closed again and, when reopened, there is a lady inside. Photographs of the illusion and background details have been on the Davenport Collection website for some time (N826). We can now share an AI enhanced video of a performance at the 1982 Pentacle Club Convention. The performer is John Whitmore, assisted by Chris Kostecki and Teresa Wallman. John and Chris were both members of the Cambridge Pentacle Magic Club.
Click on Details if you would like to download a PDF of this e-news.
E-newsletters like this one are sent out four times a year, highlighting recent additions to the website. If you’d like to be added to the mailing list, please contact the curator. The September 2023 issue included:
– Newsreel of the 1938 British Ring Convention.
– Radio dice box.
– The Great Modern Psuedourgos Dr Lynn.
– Is it just a puzzle or an entertaining trick?
– The Oswald Williams Noah’s Ark Illusion – now also on film.
– And have you seen . . . Eddie Dawes in his own words.
To see all the other e-news, click on Website e-news.
The Noah’s Ark shown in this film is the Oswald Williams illusion which the Davenport family purchased in the 1930s. The illusion has rarely been performed since that time. The performance shown here was in the Gala Show at the First Pentacle Club Magic Convention held at Churchill College, Cambridge on 29 June 1980. It was performed by Pentacle Club member John Whitmore. John was a school teacher, which was very useful because the illusion requires a large rehearsal space and he was able to make use of the school hall. The show was compered by Jack Delvin.
This was designed by magician and Pentacle Club member Chris Wardle. The person following the instructions will always land on the colour lilac, no matter what colour they initially choose.
The Cambridge Pentacle Club was founded in 1919. Michael Colley has written the story of its first 100 years, making extensive use of the Pentacle Club archive and his own research. Until the 1960s the Pentacle Club was solely a university club. In the magic world its best-known undergraduate member was Alex Elmsley.
Michael’s book covers not just members, but also the well-known magical personalities who came to lecture at the club or perform in shows. Download the PDF and join Michael on his journey through time.
This trick was a gift from friend and magician Tony Middleton in 2015. Tony said that he saw Peter Killworth do this trick at a Cambridge Pentacle Club evening. Tony asked him where it came from and Peter said he had built it. Peter agreed to make one for Tony, and this is it. The magician has one of a number of cards selected and then lays them down on the table. The wrist strap can be put on the helper, or could be worn by the magician who is holding the helper’s hand. When the hand passes over the chosen card, the meter goes off screen.
Lewis Davenport and his first wife, Julia, had some success with this act in 1904-09. It was a fast-paced act and, unusually for the first decade of the 20th century, both Lewis and Julia performed the magic. Anne’s talk follows their progress and focuses on the tricks that made up the act. Click below to read how the act developed and what was in it.
Growing up in the Davenport family, Gus was surrounded by magic performances and the manufacture and sale of magic. Fortunately, he embraced it. This short article describes Gus the man and the personality and skills that led him to particular styles of performing.
This was a Cambridge Pentacle Club show on 24 February 2019, in the Club’s centenary year. The charity show was in aid of The Red Hen Project. The performers were not listed on the poster, but were Jezo, Dr Bondini, Will Bearcroft and Chris Kostecki.
This is one of a pair of posters designed to advertise the show in a shop window. To attract attention the display included a flashing light bulb with no visible means of power reaching it. See also poster N738. John Davenport was one of the acts on the bill.
This is one of a pair of posters designed to advertise the show in a shop window. To attract attention the display included a flashing light bulb with no visible means of power reaching it. See also poster N739. John Davenport was one of the acts on the bill.
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