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Valentine Augustus Walker
- See also: Henry Barton Turner, The Wizard of the Army.
| Valentine Augustus Walker | |
 (1918) | |
| Born | February 15 1890 England |
|---|---|
| Died | March 18, 1969 (age 79) |
Valentine Augustus Walker (February 15, 1890 - March 18, 1969) born in England, was an English magician, escape artist and illusion designer. He served in the navy and billed himself as the "Wizard of the Navy".
Biography
Also known as "Val Enson", Walker is credited as the designer of the Radium Girl[1] illusion and John Bull Straitjacket[2], which was created as a challenge to Houdini in 1926.
His escapology started while serving in the Royal Navy[3] by escaping from a Standard Issue Navy Tool Chest[4] on board HMS Invincible.
He repeated this escape on the 20th August 1920 from the deck of the 'Northampton' (The Sea Scouts Training Ship) in front of General Sir R. Baden-Powell and Mr Nevil Maskelyne.[5]
He Returned to the stage in 1938 with The Aquamarine Girl[6] but unfortunately World War II closed most Theatres shortly after and Walker never performed again.
References
- ↑ http://www.flickr.com/photos/109352745@N04/sets/72157637913599165/
- ↑ http://www.houdini-connections.co.uk/4-info/Topics/sj-John%20Bull.htm
- ↑ http://www.flickr.com/photos/109352745@N04/11117793176/
- ↑ http://www.flickr.com/photos/109352745@N04/10994826495/
- ↑ http://www.flickr.com/photos/109352745@N04/sets/72157637891164016/
- ↑ http://www.flickr.com/photos/109352745@N04/sets/72157637886058703/