Early English Conjuring Collectors: James Savren and Henry Evanion

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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.

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