On November 14, Jim Hagy gave his well-received Dazzled By Diamonds: Evanion and Houdini presentation at NEMCA. I recently acquired a copy of this 28 page monograph that was produced in 2005 with his presentation at the British Library.
Jim’s presentation was based on his upcoming new and enlarged edition of his ground-breaking book, 1985 Early English Conjuring Collectors James Savren and Henry Evanion. Thanks to the generosity of Gary R. Frank, I have number 97/200 of the 1985 editon.
And now that Jim Hagy’s new and enlarged editon 2020 Early English Conjuring Collectors James Savren and Henry Evanion has been released, I have number 129/500 and highly recommend it. Details and how to order can be found below:
We are pleased to announce the release of this new edition exploring the
famed story of Houdini’s relationship with these two early English
magicians. The updated, limited and numbered edition is 200 pages
produced in full color with more than 85 illustrations. The format follows
our recently released Fair Tricks, The Magicians at the Columbian
Exposition, Chicago 1893.
Available in limted edition by contacting: reginaldscotbooks@comcast.net
EARLY ENGLISH CONJURING COLLECTORS: JAMES SAVREN AND
HENRY EVANION
Of the many legends concerning Harry Houdini’s collection of historical magic
and theatrical material, none may be as renowned as his acquisition of playbills
and ephemera from Henry Evanion. Evanion was not only an obsessive collector
of both theatrical and general ephemera of 19 th century London, he enjoyed a
long career as a performing magician including appearances for English royalty.
Houdini’s published recollections told only a small part of Evanion’s story as
Harry unquestionably knew it. Early English Conjuring Collectors traces
Evanion’s fit in the Houdini narrative, the Evanion legend crafted by Houdini
himself, and the broader reality of the life, performing career, and collecting
habits of Evanion and fellow magician, collector, and friend, James Savren.
Jim Hagy has been interested in conjuring history for more than 55 years. He
has written extensively about 19 th and early 20 th century performers, including
biographies of Henry Evanion, James Savren, William Henry Young, and Edwin
Dearn. He is most recently the co-author (with his spouse, Sage) of Fair Tricks:
The Magicians at the Columbian Exposition, Chicago 1893. He has also been the
editor and publisher of Perennial Mystics and its predecessor publications for
collectors and is a Member of the Inner Magic Circle (London). In real life, he is
Distinguished Lecturer in Residence at Loyola University Chicago and founder
and director of The Rooftops Project for the international charitable sector.
ACCLAIM FOR THE 1985 FIRST EDITION OF EARLY ENGLISH CONJURING
COLLECTORS:
“It is writings such as this which will make future collectors bless [Jim’s] name. If
you are a collector then it is a must for your library. If you are just an interested
magician you’ll derive pleasure from the anecdotes and descriptions of the life
and times of a magician working in that period in England.” Billy McComb, in
Genii, The Conjurors’ Magazine
“James Hagy has produced a most valuable addition to the biographical literature
of magic and his delightful monograph is unreservedly recommended.” Dr.
Edwin A Dawes, in The Magic Circular
“The picture of Evanion the collector comes alive . . . entertaining, carefully
researched, and fully annotated.” James Alfredson, in Magicol
“An excellent monograph….” Dr. John Henry Grossman, in The Magic
Circular
“I can now join the magic collectors who doubtlessly have already expressed
their appreciation of your contribution to the sum total of our knowledge . . . in a
well-crafted exposition.” Dr. Leonard N. Beck, The Library of Congress
“I am most impressed . . . it has given me a terrific insight into the fascinating
history of Evanion. It is an outstanding treatise…” John Salisse, Member of the
Inner Magic Circle (London)
“I enjoyed the Evanion/Savren book very much . . . . Congratulations on a job
well done!” Ricky Jay
