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Evanion
Evanion (c. 1832-1905), born Henry Evans in South London, was a society conjuror who presented a variety of tricks with humor.
From an early age Evanion was interested in magic, perhaps inspired by the acts at the Vauxhall Pleasure Gardens where his father ran a refreshment bar.
His shows were an assortment of magical effects, illusions, juggling and ventriloquism presented rapidity with trick following trick.
Evanion performed before members of the Royal Family including Queen Victoria, the Prince of Wales (later Edward VII) and Princess Alexandra. He exploited this in his publicity material using the title "Royal Conjuror" for the rest of his career.
Evanion collected a variety of material relating to entertainment including posters, handbills, trade catalogs, tickets and advertisements. In 1895, the elderly and impoverished Henry Evans sold most of it (5000 items) to the British Museum.