Featured Collector

Edwin A. Dawes

Magician, Biochemist & Historian

Edwin A. Dawes (b. 1925) was a distinguished biochemist, magician, and one of the most influential magic historians of the 20th and 21st centuries. His lifelong passion for conjuring and scholarly research made him a leading authority in the field of magic history, contributing extensively to the preservation of its rich heritage.

Dawes’ groundbreaking contributions include his long-running column A Rich Cabinet of Magical Curiosities in The Magic Circular, which explored rare and fascinating aspects of magic’s past. His meticulously researched books, such as The Great Illusionists and Charles Bertram: The Court Conjurer, remain essential reading for collectors, historians, and enthusiasts.

Beyond magic, Dawes was a highly respected biochemist, serving as a professor at the University of Hull and authoring numerous scientific publications. His dual expertise in science and magic gave him a unique perspective, allowing him to analyze the art of illusion with academic rigor.

Recognized with numerous honors, including the Magic Circle’s prestigious John Nevil Maskelyne Award for literary excellence, Dawes’ legacy continues to inspire magicians and researchers worldwide. His contributions to the magic community endure through his extensive writings and archival work.

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From the Edwin A. Dawes Collection

Rapping Hand, ca. 1930

J. Bartl, Hamburg, ca. 1930. A beautifully painted composition hand that mysteriously taps out answers to questions—once for “yes,” twice for “no.”
Silk Pistol, ca. 1900

A silk handkerchief vanishes from the funnel when the trigger is pulled. Nickel plated funnel and vintage pistol; overall length 11 ½".
Card Rise Box, ca. 1909

Oldham: Michael Heriot, 1909. Small wooden chest with brass handles finished in brown and green, into which a pack of cards (from which several have been chosen) is dropped. The box opens of its own accord minutes later, and the chosen pasteboards rise from within. With original key.
Bibliographie de la Prestidigitation

From the libraries of Stanley Collins and Edwin A. Dawes. Bookplates and pictorial wrappers, illustrated, 188 pages. Chips to spine and some wear to cover, otherwise in good condition.
Nest of Boxes. Circa mid-1900s

The magician vanishes a small coin and then shows the box; after removing several progressively smaller closed boxes nested within, the coin is found to have reappeared inside the smallest box. Six circular boxes with matching lids, finely turned in wood.
The Winder Sale of Old Conjuring Books and Personal Letter

Number 219 of a limited edition of 250 signed and numbered copies. This sale of Winder's conjuring books was a watershed event in the magic collecting community and changed the hobby significantly. Author Trevor Hall analyzes not only the sale prices achieved, but the relative rarity of the books themselves. Includes a personal letter from Trevor Hall to Edwin A. Dawes.
Ernest Sewell Cabinet of Conjuring Tricks

No. 3 Size. London, circa 1930s. Vintage British magic set includes metal, wooden, and paper props. Tricks such as coin and silk vanishing cylinders, enchanted ball bag, vanishing candle, linking rings, appearing flower, coin production box, pull, gimmicked playing cards, and several others. Small instruction booklet.
A Contribution to Conjuring Bibliography

English Language 1580 to 1850 (inscribed and signed). Baltimore: Edgar Heyl Conjuring Books, 1963. First edition. Number 17 of 300 copies. Inscribed by the author on the title page: For Dr. Edwin Dawes, with the sincere regards of Ed Heyl.
Ball Vase and Hammer

London: Inzani-Henley Magic Co. Ltd., [ca. 1968]. A black ball vanishes from a turned wooden vase when hit by a wooden mallet, and can be made to reappear in a different location. Mallet 6 ½” long. Original box and instructions. Near fine.
Ink to Goldfish

Tinten Pokal. London: Inzani-Henley, 1964. An etched glass vessel on a nickel-plated base is seen full of ink. Visibly, the black liquid becomes clear water with two goldfish swimming about inside. Based on the Klingl design.
Talking Skull. Circa 1940

Papier-mâché skull mounted on a glass column atop a wooden plinth clicks its jaw in answer to questions, once for “yes” and twice for “no.” With unusual camera/flashbulb trigger mechanism in the base used to operate the device. Height 11 ¾”. Chipping to paint, otherwise very good condition.
Silk Pedestal, ca. 1930s

Berlin: Conradi, 1930s. Tall nickel-plated stand on which a cut crystal tumbler rests. A handkerchief vanishes, only to reappear in the glass isolated on the pedestal. Spring-loaded mechanism in good working order. Includes a finely made bottomless glass with plug by Willmann.