The Order of the Magi, the Manchester Magic Society

The following is a temporary box list. The collection is awaiting full cataloguing.

Golden Jubilee Exhibition (1959) display material, mounted on card, including original and copy photographs of early honorary members and officers, including Chung Lee Soo and wife, and Houdini; photographs of the society's Council members, 1921, the Golden Jubilee celebrations, local dignitaries and the general public looking around exhibitions at Manchester Central Library, members and spouses at annual dinners and events, 1940s and 1950s; text of presidential address on the admitttance of new members; cuttings from The Wizard, 1909, relating to the establishment of the society; material relating to Harry Whitely of Manchester; catalogue of Waite's magic shop, Manchester; 'badge silk' handkerchief made for members (Oversize item).

Minutes, 1914-1931 (3 volumes) (Box 1)

Minutes, 1931-1947 (3 volumes) (Box 2)

Minutes, 1948-1969 (2 volumes) (Box 3)

Minutes, 1969-1987 (2 volumes) (Box 4)

Album of photographs of visits to other magic societies (Box 5)

Album containing leaflet for intending members, 1909; photographs including members of the society, Presidents, conference group, council members, members of other magic clubs, circa 1909-1941; signed photographs of individual magical entertainers from various countries, including Chung Ling Soo (Box 5)

Letter relating to the founding of the society, 4 Feb 1909, 1 framed item (Box 6)

Miscellaneous photographs and papers, including papers relating to inter-Society Quiz, 1978; Jubilee Souvenir booklet, 1959; and 'Magic in Manchester', historical notes by Bayard Grimshaw. (6 folders) (Box 6).

Correspondence, 1974-1985, relating to membership, competitions, premises at Moston Methodist Church, celebrations, the 'Magi' magazine, insurance and other subjects (1 file); 'The Great Levante' photograph and publicity sheet; Order of the Magi Junior Section newsletter, 1982 (1 folder); statements of accounts, 1919-1960s (1 folder); miscellaneous items, including catalogue of books, 1919 and notes on Robert Houdin (1 folder); miscellaneous papers including newspaper cuttings, 1914; letter on headed notepaper, first edition of monthly circular The Magi, May 1910, papers relating to Golden Jubilee Committee minutes (1 folder) (Box 7)

Correspondence relating to the 1959 Golden Jubilee Exhibition at Manchester Central Library; The Annual Show, at the Library Theatre, 1960; and the Week of Magic, 1961 (3 folders) (Box 8)

Programmes for society , meetings and events, with other printed material, including menus, tickets and programmes for meetings of other societies, 1910-1980s (8 folders) (Box 9)

Album of photographs taken during Golden Jubilee celebrations, 1959, with 2 additional loose photographs, 1921; miscellaneous loose photographs (Box 10)

Papers relating to Golden Jubilee Exhibition at Manchester Central Library, 1959 (1 folder); membership lists, 1933, 1979 (1 folder); correspondence, 1970s 91 folder); miscellaneous items including a circular relating to the Golden Jubilee, newscuttings, and a copy of a 1911 cartoon showing a monthly meeting (1 foler); publicity posters, membership forms and certificates, rules and miscellaneous items (1 folder) (Box 11)

Albums of photographs of competitions, performances etc. at Annual Day of Magic, 1981-1983 (3 photograph albums) (Box 12)

The Magi monthly circular (Boxes 13-17 and one large cardboard box, all unsorted. Many possibly for return to the society, as Local has a set with some gaps at 791 M10)

Related Material:Copies of the society's monthly circular, the Magi, are held by Local Studies (ref: 791 M10)