Benedict, T.C. Hugall (English, 1873 Ð 1955). A

Benedict, T. C. Hugall (English, 1873 – 1955). A Nineteenth Century Notebook – Noted Magicians and Their Illusions. London, 1892 – 96. 64-page manuscript + index. Signed, dated, and addressed twice on the flyleaves by Benedict. 8vo. Brown cloth with the author’s calligraphic title label laid down. Being the second of a sum of 13 such conjuring notebooks Benedict kept, beginning in 1887 and continuously added to throughout his lifetime, according to Stanley Collins (see Linking Ring, V36 N2, Feb. 1957). This notebook contains detailed accounts of the magic and showmanship, including patter transcriptions, of ten nineteenth century magicians whose performances the young Benedict attended, among them Charles Morritt, David Devant, Servais Leroy, Sandro Vio, Arthur Strode, Dr. Holden, Louis Duprey, Hercat, and others. The first entry, on Morritt, covers 11 pages and documents two of the magician’s 1892 performances, at Egyptian Hall and Princes’ Hall, the programs including The Mystery of the Handkerchief, The Cornucopian Hat, The Magic Billiard Ball Illusion, and Brilliant Card Problems. Another Morritt performance in January 1894 is documented in a later three-page entry. Ten pages are devoted to Devant’s performances at Egyptian Hall in June 1895 and 1896. Leroy’s August 1896 show at London’s Tivoli Theatre is described over two pages. The other performers make up the remainder of the journal.Neatly handwritten with clear demarcations between performers and performance dates, B