9.2 Arthur's Sixty Magical Years
Well, actually Arthur enters his sixtieth magical year in 2005 but rather than wait until January we celebrated on Thursday November 18, fairly close to the date of his original initiation show on November 1. As Arthur said, “At my age I want to be sure I am at the celebration!” And we can have another one next year.
In 1945 when HMC President, Ernest Connolly (of Connolly Shield fame), and about ten other members watched Arthur’s audition act they would have no idea that here was a young man destined to become internationally known for his writing, his creativity in dreaming up new effects and his knowledge of magical history. In those days HMC met at The Lord Collingwood public house (no longer in existence, but not far from The Sailmakers). Arthur performed Vanishing Wand, caused a thought of card to vanish from an envelope and appear in a matchbox, vanished a cigarette, changed a cigarette to a ribbon and a silk to a ball. Despite a slight slip – a wand tip fell from the wand shell as Arthur was screwing it up - Arthur was unperturbed, he picked it up and vanished it with a French Drop, and reproduced the wand. He was accepted into membership.
At this celebration of Arthur’s tremendous achievement, HMC President, Eddie Dawes introduced the evening by describing Arthur’s many talents and mentioned some of the awards that Arthur has received. Eddie acknowledged the enormous contribution that Arthur has made to the development of many young magicians. The evening was divided into two parts – the first consisted of presentations by some of Arthur’s friends performing tricks that Arthur had selected.Arthur called it, Tricks I Remember.Eddie Dawes was first on with Visible Penetration by Charles Waller from Greater Magic – one of Arthur’s early magical books. In this effect a silk, representing Houdini “escapes” from the prison of a glass covered with a larger silk. Arthur spoke about the background to his writing The Joe Smith Mysteries and his liking for monologues. He invited Bernard Reubens to perform The Indian Rope Trick and Richard Morrell to perform Joe in London. Then followed a blindfolded card divination effect by Arthur, sans glasses. Arthur is credited with starting the magical Elastic Band movement and Ray Burrell presented Stargazer with elastic bands to mark this. One of Arthur’s favourite tricks – Selbit’s Blocks was shown by Michael Harrop. A regular visitor to our Annual Dinner and old friend of Arthur, Irwin Wallace, had made the long trek from Penrith, in Cumbria, to be present. Irwin paid tribute to the hospitality, help and friendship he and his friend Alan Workman had received from Arthur over the years. Irwin and Alan had appeared on television with Arthur at the time of a book launch of the Dawes and Setterington Book of Magic, and we were able to view the video of the broadcast.Malcolm presented Tom Harris’s version of Gasometer, lighting a gas mantle with his breath! Arthur has had a great interest in Houdini and invited Jon Marshall to perform his Siberian Chain escape and Seven Keys routine with patter about the famous German Houdini Libel trial.Finally Derren Litten, having driven up specially from London, performed an excellent Book Test.
After the break it was “My Latest Trick” and Arthur showed several of his latest creations, some published and some shortly to be seen in Abra.They included Four Aces, a Jumbo Card routine and Word upon Word - a trick with alphabet cards (to appear in the January 2005 Linking Ring). After a trick with a tube and ball was explained, Arthur showed Colorite, published recently in Abra and followed-up by Phil Goldstein. From The Oracle Arthur presented Calendar Cards. The Card Gadget and Spin a Ring completed the lecture demonstration second half. Elsie was present and Arthur thanked her for her support and help over the years.The evening can be summed up by Derren’s comments, he said, “I wouldn’t have missed this night for the world. I’ve known Arthur and Elsie since I was ten and a magical beginner. I have received and valued their kindness, help and magical advice. I had to be there.” Those who were enjoyed an outstanding and entertaining night and Eddie thanked Arthur, and the performers, on behalf of the members.
In 1945 when HMC President, Ernest Connolly (of Connolly Shield fame), and about ten other members watched Arthur’s audition act they would have no idea that here was a young man destined to become internationally known for his writing, his creativity in dreaming up new effects and his knowledge of magical history. In those days HMC met at The Lord Collingwood public house (no longer in existence, but not far from The Sailmakers). Arthur performed Vanishing Wand, caused a thought of card to vanish from an envelope and appear in a matchbox, vanished a cigarette, changed a cigarette to a ribbon and a silk to a ball. Despite a slight slip – a wand tip fell from the wand shell as Arthur was screwing it up - Arthur was unperturbed, he picked it up and vanished it with a French Drop, and reproduced the wand. He was accepted into membership.
At this celebration of Arthur’s tremendous achievement, HMC President, Eddie Dawes introduced the evening by describing Arthur’s many talents and mentioned some of the awards that Arthur has received. Eddie acknowledged the enormous contribution that Arthur has made to the development of many young magicians. The evening was divided into two parts – the first consisted of presentations by some of Arthur’s friends performing tricks that Arthur had selected.Arthur called it, Tricks I Remember.Eddie Dawes was first on with Visible Penetration by Charles Waller from Greater Magic – one of Arthur’s early magical books. In this effect a silk, representing Houdini “escapes” from the prison of a glass covered with a larger silk. Arthur spoke about the background to his writing The Joe Smith Mysteries and his liking for monologues. He invited Bernard Reubens to perform The Indian Rope Trick and Richard Morrell to perform Joe in London. Then followed a blindfolded card divination effect by Arthur, sans glasses. Arthur is credited with starting the magical Elastic Band movement and Ray Burrell presented Stargazer with elastic bands to mark this. One of Arthur’s favourite tricks – Selbit’s Blocks was shown by Michael Harrop. A regular visitor to our Annual Dinner and old friend of Arthur, Irwin Wallace, had made the long trek from Penrith, in Cumbria, to be present. Irwin paid tribute to the hospitality, help and friendship he and his friend Alan Workman had received from Arthur over the years. Irwin and Alan had appeared on television with Arthur at the time of a book launch of the Dawes and Setterington Book of Magic, and we were able to view the video of the broadcast.Malcolm presented Tom Harris’s version of Gasometer, lighting a gas mantle with his breath! Arthur has had a great interest in Houdini and invited Jon Marshall to perform his Siberian Chain escape and Seven Keys routine with patter about the famous German Houdini Libel trial.Finally Derren Litten, having driven up specially from London, performed an excellent Book Test.
After the break it was “My Latest Trick” and Arthur showed several of his latest creations, some published and some shortly to be seen in Abra.They included Four Aces, a Jumbo Card routine and Word upon Word - a trick with alphabet cards (to appear in the January 2005 Linking Ring). After a trick with a tube and ball was explained, Arthur showed Colorite, published recently in Abra and followed-up by Phil Goldstein. From The Oracle Arthur presented Calendar Cards. The Card Gadget and Spin a Ring completed the lecture demonstration second half. Elsie was present and Arthur thanked her for her support and help over the years.The evening can be summed up by Derren’s comments, he said, “I wouldn’t have missed this night for the world. I’ve known Arthur and Elsie since I was ten and a magical beginner. I have received and valued their kindness, help and magical advice. I had to be there.” Those who were enjoyed an outstanding and entertaining night and Eddie thanked Arthur, and the performers, on behalf of the members.
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