Guide to the H. Adrian Smith Magic Objects collection, 1771-1984

(bulk 1904-1982)

John Hay Library, University Archives and Manuscripts
Box A
Brown University
Providence, RI 02912
Telephone: Manuscripts: 401-863-3723; University Archives: 401-863-2148
Email: Manuscripts: hay@brown.edu; University Archives: archives@brown.edu

Published in 2015

Collection Overview

Title:	H. Adrian Smith Magic Objects collection
Date range:	1771-1984, (bulk 1904-1982)
Creator:	Smith, H. Adrian (Harold Adrian)
Extent:	25 linear feet
Abstract:	The Smith Magic Objects Collection consists of a number of objects pertaining to magic, collected by Smith over the course of his life. It includes memorabilia from other magicians, various awards and trophies, games, cards, magic tricks, and props for magic performances. There are also a number of wands, as well as a number of decorative objects with a magical theme.
Language of materials:	English
Repository:	John Hay Library, University Archives and Manuscripts
Collection number:	Ms.2011.001.objects

Scope & content

The Smith Magic Objects Collection offers a rare look into the life of a practicing magician. The collection contains a number of the objects and props employed in Smith’s performances, most of which are in good condition. Additionally, the collection contains a number of objects belonging to other prominent magicians that were collected by Smith during his lifetime, including items that were previously owned by Howard Thurston and Harry Kellar. Many of the magic tricks include detailed instructions, and some are still in their original packaging. Others appear to be homemade. A practitioner of close-up magic, Smith owned a number of decks of cards, props for sleight of hand tricks, and silk cloths. He also owned a number of wands, constructed for various purposes from different materials.

Of particular interest are the various awards and commemorative objects in the collection. Although not remembered as a famous magician, Smith made a name for himself in his own right. He was one of the few people to ever achieve the presidency of both the International Brotherhood of Magicians and of the Society of American Magicians. He was also a member of a number of smaller organizations pertaining to magic and magic collecting. His collection contains a number of medals, trophies, and buttons, representing these affiliations, most of them dated with reference to the conference at which they were obtained. The collection also contains a number of decorative objects of a magical nature. There are a number of porcelain statuettes featuring rabbits and magicians, as well as several decorative boxes and two heavy mugs carved to resemble skulls. There are also several objects that appear to be innocuous, but contain hidden abilities; one, a bronze statue of a french conjuror, has moveable pieces, enabling the conjuror to actually “perform” his trick. This magician appears several times within the collection, once as a trophy, and another time on a holiday card.

Of special significance is the Keller head, a large, delicate prop used in the famous “Blue Room” illusion by Harry Keller. The head is a remarkable likeness of the magician’s own, and was used to allow him to move to another area of the trick while appearing to remain in the same place. Its presence in this collection is remarkable; it is a valuable piece of magic history.

The objects in this series fall into a number of categories, but most pertain to magic tricks and were used in performances. There are a number of props and small tricks with instructions for close-up magic, including decks of cards, coins, and various balls. There are also a number of wands of various sizes and materials, some commemorative. Other objects in the series include magical memorabilia, various items that represent magicians or certain tricks that were not used in performances. Many more items appear unrelated to magic, but have been maintained because their significance is not apparent. These include several cribbage boards because Smith was a avid cribbage player. Several items once belonged to prominent magicians, and were acquired by Smith for his personal collection of memorabilia.

Series 1: Props, Supplies, Tricks. The first subseries contains props, supplies, and tricks. All items that would have been part of a performance are included in this. Included are various tubes and bottles used for vanishing, eggs, chalkboards, scarves, and other assorted items.

Series 2: Wands. The second subseries contains the various wands found in the collection.

Series 3: Coins, Medals, Jewelry. The third subseries contains coins, medal, and jewelry. A number of the coins were not used in magic, but reflect his interest in coins. The medals are from various magicians’ organizations in recognition of Smith’s membership and contributions. The jewelry includes pins featuring magical subjects, such as a rabbit in a hat.

Series 4: Games and Cards. This subseries contains cribbage boards and other games found in the collection. It also contains a number of decks of cards, including several trick decks used in performances.

Series 5: Memorabilia. This contains memorabilia, including mostly photos, trophies, and letters.

Series 6: Objects. This includes various objects found in the collection that were collected by Smith. Many are related in some way to magic.

Access Points

Subject Names

• Kellar, Harry, 1849-1922
• Thurston, Howard, 1869-1936

Subject Organizations

• International Brotherhood of Magicians.
• Society of American Magicians.

Subject Topics

• Badges
• Commemorative coins
• Magic tricks -- Equipment and supplies
• Magic tricks -- Handbooks, manuals, etc.
• Magic tricks -- History
• Magicians -- United States

Document Types

• Correspondence

Subject Topics

• Performing Arts

Arrangement

The objects have been divided into six series and are stored according to size. Each object was assigned a unique item number.

• Series 1: Props, Supplies, Tricks
• Series 2: Wands
• Series 3: Coins, Medals, Jewelry
• Series 4: Games and Cards
• Series 5: Memorabilia
• Series 6: Objects

Biographical/Historical note

H. (Harold) Adrian Smith was born in Providence, Rhode Island, on September 17, 1908 to Alvin H. Smith and Jennie Bryant. He became interested in magic as a young boy, and his magic performances helped to pay for his tuition to Brown University. He earned a B.Sc. in Electrical Engineering, graduating in 1930 and continued performing as a magician throughout Southern New England. Smith married Anna Fuller, and moved to North Attleboro, Massachusetts, in 1934. In 1941 Smith enlisted in the U.S. Army and was assigned to the Quartermaster Corps, serving on the Okinawa campaign. He was discharged in 1946, and immediately resumed his magic career.

An avid collector of magic memorabilia, Smith also became an internationally known bibliographer of conjuring literature and author of four books on conjuring and mnemonics. In the course of time, the H. Adrian Smith Collection of Conjuring Books and Magicana become one of the finest private collections of magicana in the world. A frequent contributor to books and periodicals in the United States and abroad, he served as editorial consultant to The Journal of Magic History and was elected to the Magic Hall of Fame in October 1976. Mr. Smith was a member of the Inner Magic Circle of London; national president, Society of American Magicians from 1940-1941; international president, International Brotherhood of Magicians in 1948; past president New England Council of Magicians; and past president, New England Magic Collectors Association. In 1988, he became one of the first recipients of the William Williams Award presented in recognition of his many years of outstanding service to Brown University Library. Upon his death in 1992, Smith bequeathed his library, including his personal correspondence and photographs, to Brown University. He is buried in the Smith family plot at Riverside Cemetery in East Providence, Rhode Island.

Citation: Books at Brown, Volume 34, 1987

Access & Use

Access to the collection:	Collection is open for research; access requires at least 24 hours advance notice.
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:	H. Adrian Smith Magic Objects collection, Ms. 2011.001, Brown University Library.
Contact information:	John Hay Library, University Archives and Manuscripts Box A Brown University Providence, RI 02912 Telephone: Manuscripts: 401-863-3723; University Archives: 401-863-2148 Email: Manuscripts: hay@brown.edu; University Archives: archives@brown.edu

Administrative Information

ABOUT THE COLLECTION
Acquisition:	Gift of the estate of H. Adrian Smith in 1992.
ABOUT THE FINDING AID
Author:	Finding aid prepared by Meghan Sullivan-Silva.
Encoding:	This finding aid was produced using the Archivists' Toolkit 2015-07-15
Descriptive rules:	Describing Archives: A Content Standard (DACS)

Additional Information

Inventory

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