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

Other Ephemera

This section includes all types of ephemera other than Posters & Showcards and Programmes & Handbills.

The collection is particularly rich in ephemera relating to the Davenports, the Maskelynes and Will Goldston.

Martin Chapender postcard

Martin Chapender postcard

The original photograph was signed by Chapender prior to it being re-photographed and converted into postcard format. There is no message written on the back of the postcard.

Martin Chapender postcard

Martin Chapender postcard

The original photograph was signed by Chapender prior to it being re-photographed and converted into postcard format. We do not know the name of the person who sent the card (the handwriting is not obviously that of Chapender), but the message on the front is amusing: As it is such a short time since we met, I have nothing to say except “Don’t Giggle” H. The card was addressed to Miss Nellie Purdy, 68 Mulgrave Street, Liverpool.

Martin Chapender brochure

Martin Chapender brochure

Chapender (1879-1905) was, by all accounts, a very accomplished magician. This brochure directs bookers to the Maskelyne and Cooke’s Entertainment Bureau. J.N. Maskelyne thought sufficiently highly of him to put him in charge of the last Egyptian Hall season, at the time when J.N. was absorbed with the move of Maskelynes to St. George’s Hall. The seven images around the central image on page 3 all have the same background. Item N3292 confirms that the photographer was Richard Brown of 35 Bold Street, Liverpool.

Collins’ Royal Entertainers postcard

Collins’ Royal Entertainers postcard

Stanley Collins (1881-1966) ran a concert party in Deal. This is a postcard he sent to Edgar Heyl in 1948. His message on the back reads ‘This was my own Concert Party at Deal for Summer of 1910. Stanley Collins’. This postcard is not in the Davenport Collection. It was available on eBay in 2017 and the photograph shown here is off the eBay website. Edwin A. Dawes, in his book Stanley Collins – Conjurer, Collector and Iconoclast, published by Kaufman and Company in 2002 writes: ‘Entertainments in Deal at that time were in the capable hands of a Mr. Charles W. Collins (no relation of Stanley) who had pioneered the cinematograph in the town and was managing director of Deal and Walmer Amusements Limited’. Although Stanley organised the Concert Party, Eddie makes the point that the Collins of the title of the postcard was Charles W. and not Stanley.

Stanley Collins brochure

Stanley Collins brochure

The cover of this well produced publicity brochure describes Collins (1881-1996) as an Entertainer, Society Conjurer and Chinese Juggler. The inside pages, also illustrated here, describe other skills such as Juvenile Entertainer and Ventriloquist. It was very common for entertainers to offer a wide range of skills in the early 20th century. Collins’s story is a fascinating one, told well in the book by Edwin A. Dawes: Stanley Collins – Conjurer, Collector and Iconoclast, published by Kaufman and Company in 2002.

Stanley Collins postcard

Stanley Collins postcard

Stanley Collins (1881-1996) became a major figure on the UK magic scene. He gained early success as a Society Conjurer and Entertainer. His story is a fascinating one, told well in the book by Edwin A. Dawes: Stanley Collins – Conjurer, Collector and Iconoclast, published by Kaufman and Company in 2002.