Arthur Ainslie

Arthur Ainslie (1871-1940), born Wellesley Pain, was a performer and author who possibly was a ghost writer for many magic books.

Biography

He appeared at Maskelyne's Theater on many occasions presenting, in addition to his own, many effects performed by his idol, David Devant. He was the first, in 1913, to do the production of a dog from a made-up kennel.

Ainslie would pose "Unsolved Problems" in The Magician Monthly magazine outlining magical effect he'd like to do, usually adding "but I haven't the slightest idea how it can be done." Ainsley generated many ideas in this way, one of which turned into the trick performed by both Clive and Noel Maskelyne as "The Man who carried a Bag."

Many of his published effects can be found in the series put out by Percy Naldrett.

Books

• Water Wizardry (1922)

References

• THE WORLD'S FAIR, SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 10th, 1940.
• Abracadabra Vol. 54 (1972)