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

Clocks or watches

The Time Machine. Brown leather strap

The Time Machine. Brown leather strap

Although this can be used as a normal watch, it also helps you perform an amazing trick. Tell a spectator that you are going to make a time prediction by changing the time on the watch. With the back of the watch facing the spectator, the watch is held out in the open by the strap, proving that the predicted watch time will not be tampered with or readjusted. The spectator is asked to name a time of day, to the exact minute. The watch is handed to the spectator revealing an exact match to the time named by the spectator. Created by Rob Stiff, www.MagicMakersInc.com. Complete with instructions.

The Master’s Time Machine. Version 2: Stainless Steel

The Master’s Time Machine. Version 2: Stainless Steel

Although this can be used as a normal watch, it also helps you perform an amazing trick. Tell a spectator that you are going to make a time prediction by changing the time on the watch. With the back of the watch facing the spectator, the watch is held out in the open by the strap, proving that the predicted watch time will not be tampered with or readjusted. The spectator is asked to name a time of day, to the exact minute. The watch is handed to the spectator revealing an exact match to the time named by the spectator. Created by Rob Stiff, www.MagicMakersInc.com. Complete with instructions.

Multiplying watches

Multiplying watches

The magician mysteriously produces a number of pocket watches. This version is probably the one sold by Davenports. The manufacturer is not known, although the likely source is Germany.

Davenports alarm clock production

Davenports alarm clock production

The six clocks have been designed so that they may be produced from a small space, such as a gentleman’s hat. Note that each clock face has on it a Davenport Demon head close to the 6 o’clock hour.

Large divination clock – wood

Large divination clock – wood

A spectator secretly sets the hand of the clock to an hour of her choosing and then slides the cover over the clock to hide the clock face. On taking the clock back, the magician is able to divine the correct hour to which the clock was set. Once the possession of Cambridge magician Claude Perry.

Zero Gravity Flat Clock

Zero Gravity Flat Clock

Copyright Kikkerland Design. The battery powered design is most unusual. The long minute hand functions in the normal way. However the short hour hand is printed on the white circular background, which itself rotates once every twelve hours.

Novelty spiral clock

Novelty spiral clock

The short hand is the minute hand. The long curved hand sweeps out the hours. The current hour is at the position where the curved hand intersects the vertical hour numbers. A sticker on the box says it was designed and made in the UK by Robert Darwen www.ideasintime.co.uk.

TimeSpan clock with original box

TimeSpan clock with original box

When the vertical stem is pulled to one side and released, it vibrates backwards and forwards and the time appears suspended in mid-air. Purchased in 1997. Complete with original box and instructions. The box says Copyright Hoffman Products, Int’l.

Ticking watch box

Ticking watch box

A watch is locked inside the box, where it can still be heard ticking. The watch is then produced from elsewhere. The box is well constructed and finished, with inlaid wood and mother of pearl on the outside, and purple velvet and paper on the inside. There is a mirror on the inside of the lid.

Bakelite cover for the Bluff Watch, with a Davenport demon logo

Bakelite cover for the Bluff Watch, with a Davenport demon logo

The magician asks a person to set the hand on a clock to an hour and then place the Bakelite cover on top so as to hide the face. The magician takes the watch back and mysteriously reveals the hour to which the watch was set. Unfortunately the collection only contains the Bakelite cover, but by kind permission of Malcolm Norton we also illustrate the trick from his own collection.

Novelty mouse clock

Novelty mouse clock

This clock, which has a removable glass cover, is meant to represent a cheese dish. As the clock ticks a small mouse moves backwards and forwards apparently nibbling a piece of cheese. Just below the numeral 6 on the clock dial is the word GERMANY.