A Bit of Magic in the State History Collection
Explore a selection of magic paraphernalia from the State History’s collection and take a look behind the curtain of magicians and their magic
'Flying Saucers Over Australia' trick card (1920/1940) by Harold WatsonHistory Trust of South Australia
The Wizard Watson
The just over 30 items in the collection belonged to magician Harold John Watson. He was born on 20 March 1900 in Meadows. Besides his career as a school teacher in South Australia, he was fascinated by magic research and became a semi-professional magician. Known as 'The Wizard Watson' he had his own branded props to entertain the audience with mystery and excitement in his shows.
Adelaide Magicians' Club
In the nineteenth century, magic shows became popular as a form of entertainment, with audiences willing to pay for the shows and the establishment of magic clubs.
Harold Watson was an initiator of the Adelaide Magicians' Club in 1920. The Australian Society of Magicians had been founded in Sydney on 15th January 1907.
The Adelaide branch of the Australian Society of Magicians (ASM) continues today and uses a former air raid shelter in Torrensville as their clubroom and museum. The club provides a ‘forum for magicians to gather and discuss their art and also a training ground where young magicians can get help and advice in developing their skills.’
Magical notes and props
Included in the Harold Watson collection are a number of notebooks and scrap papers containing Watson’s collection of magic tricks. In 1925, he published a 16-page pocket booklet, called Whims, Wiles, and Wizardry.
A closer look at Harold’s props reveals clues to the mechanisms of what is behind the magical tricks. We will keep them a secret as not to ruin the mystery of magic for you. In fact, magicians swear an oath of secrecy and ‘promise never to reveal the secret of any illusion to a non-magician unless that one swears to uphold the oath in turn.’ However, you can read more about magical tricks in one of Will Alma's magical magazines from the 1930s. They have a section on new tricks, ideas and suggestions. The magazines are available online on Trove.
Another component of Harold’s shows was paper tearing. In his collection of note books is a copy of Albert Briggs’ ‘Paper tearing made easy’.
Introductory words of the booklet state, ‘the tearing of designs from paper is an art that is easily mastered. It not only provides entertainment, but novel table mats for the home can easily be made’. Harold added his own notes and newspaper clippings about the art of paper tearing to this booklet.
Have a look at this photograph of Harold Watson and his paper tearing art.
Paper Tearing Scrap Book (Page) (1920s)History Trust of South Australia
Why not and try some new wall decorations for your home. Follow the instructions from the newspaper clipping ‘Decorate your room’.
Selected references
Australian Society of Magicians website
Bombshelter Magic - The Meeting Place for Adelaide Magicians
Harold J. Watson magic file, State Library of Victoria
State Library of Victoria research guide: Magic & magicians
What is the Magician's Oath and why is it important?
Credits
All images from the History Trust of South Australia State History collection, CC-0 license
