The photographs are of Arthur Margery, Herbert Milton, HRH Princess Mary at Milton’s performance, Robert Harbin, John Mulholland, Arnold Crowther and Leslie Wilson. The artwork appears in the book next to page 37.
Artwork
This large, full colour advertisement was presumably for display. Dennis F Harle was born in 1920, so this item is probably from the 1940s, or late 1930s at the earliest.
Unknown artist. The artwork was produced as a display showcard, because there is a cardboard prop at the rear to allow it to support itself on a flat surface. Note the initials WG at the top, standing for Will Goldston. It’s possible that it was made for one of the sales outlets organised by Goldston within department stores.
Unknown artist. This is an outline design for a bijou stage at The Magicians’ Club in London. The design in the centre of the proscenium arch is a rough representation of the Magicians’ Club logo of a sphinx lying in front of a stepped pyramid.
Unknown artist. This is a design for a stage cloth painted in oils. The intended size is 16 feet 9 inches width by 13 feet in height. Note the famous names of magicians in the design at the left and right hand edges. The artwork is stamped Will Goldston Ltd.
Unknown artist. The artwork was reproduced as part of a large order form for the book ‘Great Magicians Tricks’ collected by Will Goldston, 1931.
The artwork is signed S.T.C. Weeks. According to the web, Sydney Thomas Charles Weeks (1878-1949) was a painter in oil and watercolour. He was also a successful commercial artist, producing illustrations for magazines and advertising posters. Weeks exhibited at the Royal Academy from 1934-47.
Unknown artist.
Unknown artist.
Unknown artist.
The signature in the bottom right hand corner is ‘Elcock 14’, presumably 1914. The illusion “Biff” was first presented at St. George’s Hall in 1913, and “Walking Through a Wall” in 1914.
At the bottom of the artwork it reads: Sketched at The Magic Circle Theatre, London. It is signed De Vega 1914.