Not all of these pens were given out in 2012 because this one was in the goodie bag for attendees of the 7th European Magic History Conference in Turin, Italy in 2017.
Non-apparatus
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.
Copyright 1995 by Redstone Press, London. The description on the back of the box reads: ‘Here is an enchanting box of surprises, drawn from the fascinating and hyperbolical history of magic and conjuring. Open the box to discover an astounding compendium of rare graphics and picture cards, amazing tricks and illusions, jugglings and jokes.’ That description is about right. Compiled by Daniel Stashower.
This is an interesting advertising application of the magic square. As it says on the label: Each row, each column and each diagonal adds up to 60, the average contents of each box. Made in Sweden.
Davenports traded from 39/41 New Oxford Street from the end of 1938 to 1942. The stamp reads: L. Davenport, 39/41 New Oxford St., London W.C.1.
Lewis Davenport’s stage act in the 1930s included a trick in which Mickey Mouse was produced. This badge was on the front of the family car on the radiator, as may be seen from the photograph of the car being hoisted onto a cross channel ferry in the 1930s.
Magician Paula Baird (Paula Slade), a good friend of the Davenport family, kept the cork from a bottle of sparkling wine which was part of her 69th birthday celebration. Her note kept with it reads: ‘Cork from bottle when I spent my 69th birthday with kids and Shirley. It was super. I even had a cake with one candle!! 27/5/87.’ At this time Paula lived in retirement in Norwich, England. For safe keeping, she had rolled up her note and tucked it into the wire around the cork. The cork was found with Paula Baird’s effects following her death. In 2022 these items were passed to Paula’s grandchildren.
Siegfried presented this to John and Anne Davenport when they visited the Siegfried & Roy show at The Mirage, Las Vegas, with Norm Nielsen.
British magician Cliff Townsend gave this to John and Anne Davenport in August 1981. On the front of the bone china plate he had stuck the roundel from the cover of The Magic Circular from the June and July, 1959 issue. It shows George Davenport on the right welcoming Dr Harlan Tarbell to the Annual Banquet as the Hon. Editor John Young looks on.
Friend of the family, magician and Punch & Judy man Bryan Baggs made this plaque as a gift for John and Anne Davenport.
This crest was kept by Gus Davenport who served on the destroyer HMS Keppel during WW2. The crest is made from wood from a packing case – wartime shortages! The motto translates as: Do not give in to evil.
The magician Paula Baird (Paula Slade) clearly put a great deal of effort into gathering and collating this collection. Although unrelated to magic, the fact that Paula collected these items gives a private glimpse into the personality of one of the most successful British female magicians of her day. She was a lovely lady and a good friend of the Davenports. In 2022 these items were passed to Paula’s grandchildren.