W.F. Frame, the Man U Know, was a Scottish comedian who took concert parties on tour in Scotland and northern England. Lewis and Julia worked with him for two seasons: a 13-week Lowland tour in 1907 and a 3-week Highland tour in 1908. Julia and Lewis Davenport contributed two acts to the 1907 tour: The Davenports (Magicians and Illusionists) and Doo and Dare (Eccentric Comedy Jugglers). This actual programme was saved by Lewis Davenport. The reverse side of the programme, also illustrated here, shows blue crayon crosses against both of these acts. Lewis often put such crosses against items he wished to highlight.
The postcard shows Lewis with painted-in red thimbles on his hands. The message side of the card (also illustrated) is addressed to ‘Mr Hardeen, Palace Music Hall, Walthamstow, London’. The message reads ‘This week Grand Bolton. Dear Sir, If you have a photo P.C. [post card] of yourself to spare I should be pleased to receive one for my album. Sincerely yours, L Davenport’. The rather faint writing below the photograph of Lewis reads ‘From Lewis Davenport. Dealer & maker of magical apparatus. 30, Riles Rd, Plaistow, E. Send stamp for list of tricks & books’.
The bill includes The Devonports lightning magicians and illusionists: Everything at their fingertips: No time to talk. The correct name of the act was The Davenports. It consisted of Lewis Davenport and his first wife Julia.
A double-sided postcard advertising the bill for W.F. Frame’s 1907 Vaudeville tour of Scotland. The postcard is not dated, but Lewis & Julia Davenport were part of this tour in 1907 around the Scottish Lowlands. They “doubled” on this bill as ‘Davenports’, magicians, and ‘Doo & Dare’, jugglers.
Cut the postcard into 3 pieces. Where does the 16th card go when the position of the two lower pieces are reversed? The postcard advertises Martinka & Co., a magic shop in New York City.
‘The Illustrated London News’ of 4 May 1907, page 673, carried this rather impressive photo montage of the legal wrangle. The case garnered much press coverage at the time. Further details are often given in books on British magic history which cover this period.
Page 2 of this item includes: ‘Patrons are respectfully requested to book their seats in advance to avoid disappointment’. This shows that the item is an advertising piece rather than a programme. Although this item is undated, the acts match those on the programme for December 1907. The first illustration shows the two inside pages, and the second shows the front and back of the item. The acts listed are Joad Heteb; Owen Clark; Barclay Gammon; ‘The Magical Master’ play; ‘Spectres of the Sanctum’ sketch.
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