In the 1980s Fergus Roy, husband of Betty Davenport, conceived the idea of a TV magic series which was aimed at children, but which was also to be of interest to adults. The idea was adopted by Thames Television who called the series Illusions. Each programme featured a large illusion performed by actor Adam Wide. This Chocolate Box Illusion is one of two in the Davenport Collection. This clip, in colour and with sound, comes from the Illusions show, Series 2, Programme 1 in 1985.
Davenports owned the magazine Abracadabra at this point. This Abracadabra poster was used by Bill and Roy Davenport to advertise their show at the 1985 Edinburgh Fringe.
The cup and saucer came with an instruction booklet, the rear cover of which includes ‘Royal Kendall (sic) English Bone China, Hudson & Middleton (Longton) Ltd, Stoke-on-Trent. Copyright H&M(L) Ltd 1985. Note that this cup and saucer is a very close copy of the one that Gus Davenport put out, Ref. no. N1077.
Purchased by John Davenport in Denmark in 1985. Battery operated.
Originally commissioned by Richard Stupple, the painting was completed by Peter in 1985. A postcard of Richard Stupple is at the top. It just so happens that a postcard of Lewis Davenport is visible in the middle.