Isaac fawkes

Isaac Fawkes (b?, d 1731) was an eighteenth century English conjuror and showman. He rose to fame in the 1720's and become a popular cultural figure, the name 'Fawkes' becoming synonymous with the skillful conjuror and depictions of him appear in engravings by William Hogarth. Despite his contemporary fame, his first name was forgotten until his will rediscovered by Houdini in the Records Office of Somerset House in London in 1904.

Fawkes is frequently associated with the annual Bartholomew and Southwark Fairs in London, where his booth was a great attraction. His act consisted of conjuring, contortionism and the exhibition of mechanical devices made by the famous clockmaker Christopher Pinchbeck, with whom he had a longstanding collaboration.

It is said that when Fawkes died, he left a sum of £10,000. He was suceeded by his son, who continued the collaboration with the Pinchbeck family, though did not enjoy the popular success of his father.

References

1. The Unmasking of Robert-Houdin. Harry Houdini. The Publishers Printing Co, New York (1908).
2. Isaac Fawkes: Fame and Fable. Edwin Dawes. Anlaby Press, Hull (1979).
   
3. Isaac Fawkes: Surprizing Dexterity of Hand. Ricky Jay. Jay's Journal of Anomalies; volume 2, number 3 (Fall 1995)
   
4. The Annals of Conjuring. Sidney Clark. Serialised in The Magic Wand (1924-8).
   
5. Southwark Fair News Items. Bob Read in The Annals of Conjuring by Sidney Clark (Eds Edwin Dawes & Todd Karr). The Miracle Factory, Seattle (2001) pp 531-5.
   
6. Fawkes Notices. Todd Karr in The Annals of Conjuring by Sidney Clark (Eds Edwin Dawes & Todd Karr). The Miracle Factory, Seattle (2001) pp 537-46.