Evanion Collection facts for kids
The Evanion Collection is a super cool collection of old papers and printed items from the Victorian era. It was put together by a famous magician, ventriloquist, and comedian named Henry Evans. He was known by his stage name, 'Evanion'.
Contents
What's in the Evanion Collection?
This amazing collection has about 5,000 different items! The British Museum Library bought it in 1895. It's like a time capsule showing what life was like in Victorian England.
Posters and Shows
- You can find posters from popular Victorian shows. These include posters from Music Halls, Palaces of Variety, Theatres, and Circuses.
- Imagine seeing posters for famous performers like Marie Lloyd, Dan Leno, and the magic duo Maskelyne and Cooke! Evanion himself also has posters in the collection.
Everyday Life and Ads
- The collection also has old advertisements and price lists. These show what people bought, like clothes, food, medicines, and things for their homes.
- There are also trade catalogues and cards. They give us a peek into daily life in England during the second half of the 1800s.
Tickets to Events
- You'll even find old tickets! These were for all sorts of events, like plays, horse races, interesting talks, and big exhibitions.
Harry Houdini's Excitement
The famous escape artist Harry Houdini was incredibly excited when he first saw parts of the collection. He said it was like being "dazzled by a sudden shower of diamonds." He felt like he had found priceless treasures he had been searching for!
Many items from the original collection that were about magic were later bought by Houdini. Today, these special magic items are kept at the Harry Ransom Humanities Research Center at the University of Texas at Austin.
Images for kids
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Henry Evans in 1904.
