T. Nelson Downs collection, 1899-1938

Brown University Library, Special Collections
Box A, John Hay Library
Providence, RI 02912
Tel: 401-863-2146
E-mail: hay@brown.edu

Published in 2010

Collection Overview

Title:	T. Nelson Downs collection
Date range:	1905-1938
Creator:	Downs, T. Nelson (Thomas Nelson), 1868-1938
Extent:	1.1 linear feet
Abstract:	Thomas Nelson Downs was a self-taught magician, specializing in coin tricks, who over the course of his career, performed in vaudeville acts all over the country, owned a vaudeville house, sold magic supplies, and wrote several books of magic instruction. This collection contains his correspondence with fellow magician Edward "Tex" McGuire, documentation of tricks or "effects", patents, advertisements, news clippings, photographs, and show programs.
Language of materials:	English
Repository:	Brown University Library, Special Collections
Collection number:	Ms. 2010.013

Scope & content

This collection contains correspondence, particularly with fellow magician Edward "Tex" McGuire, notes on how to create effects, patents, advertisements, clippings from papers and magazines, letterheads, manuscripts of chapters from his books, cards, photographs, and programs from selected performances.

Access Points

Subject Topics

• Magicians
• Card tricks
• Coin tricks

Subject Topics

• Performing Arts

Arrangement

The materials are divided into the following series:

• Series 1: Correspondence
• Series 2: Effects
• Series 3: Patents
• Series 4: Advertisements
• Series 5: Christmas Cards
• Series 6: Clippings
• Series 7: Miscellaneous
• Series 8: Photographs
• Series 9: Programs

Biographical note

Thomas Nelson Downs was born in Marshalltown, Iowa, the youngest of six children. Downs never had any formal training in magic, but by the age of 12, he had become an expert in card and coin manipulation. In September 1895, Downs quit his job as a railway telegrapher and launched a career in magic.

At the peak of his career, Downs traveled frequently, and performed at royal courts. While performing his tricks, he could palm up to 60 coins at a time. One of his most famous tricks was "The Miser's Dream", in which he seemed to pull countless coins out of the thin air. In 1912 Downs moved back to Marshalltown where he opened a vaudeville house and sold magic equipment. Downs wrote several books on magic before and after his retirement. His first book, Modern Coin Manipulation, was published in 1900 and is still issued in reprints today. His other books include The Art of Magic and Tricks with Coins.

Access & Use

Access to the collection:	There are no restrictions on access, except that the collection can only be seen by prior appointment. Some materials may be stored off-site and cannot be produced on the same day on which they are requested.
Use of the materials:	Although Brown University has physical ownership of the collection and the materials contained therein, it does not claim literary rights. Researchers should note that compliance with copyright law is their responsibility. Researchers must determine the owners of the literary rights and obtain any necessary permissions from them.
Preferred citation:	T. Nelson Downs papers, Ms. 2010.013, Brown University Library.
Contact information:	Brown University Library, Special Collections Box A, John Hay Library Providence, RI 02912 Tel: 401-863-2146 E-mail: hay@brown.edu

Administrative Information

ABOUT THE COLLECTION
Acquisition:	Transferred from the Smith Magic Collection. Acquisition information unavailable.
ABOUT THE FINDING AID
Author:	Finding aid prepared by Gaelen Adam.
Encoding:	Finding aid encoded by Gaelen Adam 2010 March 30
Descriptive rules:	Finding aid based on Describing Archives: A Content Standard (DACS)

Additional Information

Related material:

This collection is related to the Smith Magic Collection

Inventory

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