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David Devant

David Devant

(22nd February 1868 - 13th October 1941)

Born in Highgate, London, England. Stage name since 1885 of David Wighton, son of Scottish landscape artist James Wighton. Learned around age 15 from a book. Debut in 1885. Pro illusionist and manipulator. In 1905 taken on as partner by J. N. Maskelyne. First president of The Magic Circle 1905-06. Gave Royal Command Performances 1912 and 1913. Left partnership with Maskelyne in 1915 to go on own. Teacher of Arthur Ainslie, etc. In 1920 retired from stage by illness (paralysis agitans) but continued as writer and teacher.

Prolific inventor, including "Artist's Dream" (1893), perhaps "Color Change" (1893), the "Vest Servante" (around 1893), "Birth of Flora" (1895), "Mascot Moth" (1905), and "Vanishing Motorcycle" (1913).

Coauthors: Nevil Maskelyne

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David Devant
Magic Made Easy by David Devant

An excellent selection of tricks by no other than David Devant. From his introduction:

I have always maintained that the art of the conjurer is closely allied to that of the actor, but with this difference: the actor selects a character and impersonates it. He has all the advantages of a proper dress, suitable to the character he is playing, of beautiful scenery, and music, and lighting, and the various other little things which are comprised in the theatrical word “effects.” The actor has all these aids to assist him in persuading people that the man they see is not the actor, but...

$10
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David Devant
The Best Tricks and How To Do Them by David Devant

David Devant's books are some of the best books on conjuring ever written. This one is no exception. There is so much wisdom and advice in them. Following it is bound to make you a better magician, particularly if you are relatively new to this performing art, or if you are struggling to have success with it.

From the insightful introduction:

One way of discovering the worth of a trick is very simple. Test it by performing it to an audience. If the trick passes that test it is a good trick. All the tricks described in this book have been tested in that way and have passed the test. I have...

$9.50
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David Devant
My Magic Life by David Devant

This is David Devant's autobiography. On top of his personal recollections he included three chapters on how to perform magic, and six chapters on the history of magic.

  • Publisher's Note
  • Foreword
  • Introduction
  • Pictures Of My Early Life
  • CHAPTER I. My Introduction To Magic
  • CHAPTER II The Hot Pudding And The Vanishing Lady
  • CHAPTER III Mixing Magic With Midgets
  • CHAPTER IV My Attack On London
  • CHAPTER V I Appear With Maskelyne
  • CHAPTER VI The First Animated Pictures
  • CHAPTER VII Magical Sketches
  • CHAPTER VIII A Feast Of Magic
  • CHAPTER IX Magic And The Public
  • CHAPTER X Secrets Of Magic ...
$15
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David Devant
Secrets of My Magic by David Devant

From the foreword by Jeffery Atkins:

To a true lover of the Magic Art, the name of David Devant conjures up every conceivable facet of illusion. He was truly the Master of his craft, and as long as the art of deception continues the name of David Devant will live.

  • Publisher's Note
  • Foreword
  • INTRODUCTION THE ETHICS OF EXPOSURE
  • CHAPTER I CARD MAGIC
  • CHAPTER II CARD MAGIC (continued)
  • CHAPTER III BILLIARD BALL MAGIC
  • CHAPTER IV BILLIARD BALL MAGIC (continued)
  • CHAPTER V FLOWER MAGIC
  • CHAPTER VI OPENING ILLUSIONS
  • CHAPTER VII MECHANICAL MAGIC
  • CHAPTER VIII FAMOUS ILLUSIONS REVEALED
  • CHAPTER IX MORE...
★★★★★ $15
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David Devant
Tricks For Everyone by David Devant

Clever conjuring with common objects. Illustrated with 134 photographs.

From the introduction:

The following chapters will be found to be practical lessons in conjuring. Many people have the erroneous idea that if they know how a trick is done they are quite capable of presenting it to an audience. I have always found that a very little experience will show such persons that the mere knowledge of the secret of a trick is not of much value to a beginner unless it is accompanied by some simple instructions showing him the best way of using his knowledge. Therefore, I shall not merely give...

$6
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David Devant
Lessons in Conjuring by David Devant

This is an obscure but extremely fine lesson in conjuring. It is true that it was written as an introduction for the neophyte, but it is a gem of a book of great value to absolutely anyone regardless of their experience.

The text is very modest - no 'latest novelty' or 'top secret'. Just solid sensible counsel about standard, albeit classic, items from Devant's repertoire. Devant is not simply saying what you might want to hear, he is telling you what he has found to be important. He is treating you the way he would treat a private student. For a book this is quite unusual. Most authors hold...

$7
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David Devant
Woes of a Wizard by David Devant

Woes of a Wizard was written by David Devant before he was partner to J. N. Maskelyne in his famous Egyptian Hall in London. Devant became a partner after George Cooke, Maskelyne's former partner had left the enterprise. Devant was a natural choice as he was fast becoming the top magician in England. But at the time of this publication he was, as Paul Daniels says, "a jobbing magician." His base was just outside London, and he traveled the country repeatedly giving shows for society and in the Music Hall. In his famous book, now happily made available once again, he relates the stories that every professional...

★★★★★ $12
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Nevil Maskelyne & David Devant
Our Magic by Nevil Maskelyne & David Devant

Two things are noteworthy. One, it is a must read book for magic theory interested. Two, it has a 20 page bibliographical index of card tricks. This includes sleights as well. Anybody doing research on card moves or routines should have this index. It makes searching a lot easier. And this index might point you to interesting books you have not heard about or which are not in your possession.

Paul Fleming wrote:

For almost half a century, "England's Home of Mystery" in London was the "capital" of the magic world; and for a considerable portion of that period the active operation of this little theater...

★★★★★ $12
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