Magician Paula Baird, a good friend of the Davenport family, kept the cork from a bottle of sparkling wine which was part of her 69th birthday celebration. The cork now resides in the Davenport Collection. 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.
Paula Baird
The magician Paula Baird 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.
Growing up in the Davenport family, Gus was surrounded by magic performances and the manufacture and sale of magic. Fortunately, he embraced it. This short article describes Gus the man and the personality and skills that led him to particular styles of performing.
This is an ink jet printer copy made from an original poster.
Piffard and Robinson Productions Ltd. in association with Maskelyne and Devant Ltd. present Christmas Magic. The bill includes Jasper Maskelyne.