Wherefore are thou Uncle Eric?

[Olde Crone]

This is really tenuous....Jasper Maskelyne, grandson of Archie Maskelyne (who was in partnership with David Devant) did a razorblade swallowing trick in his early career.

OC

[Anstey Nomad]

Hmm, possibly not as tenuous as you seem to suggest.

[Anstey Nomad]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0rQ8uA2TXfY

That's it. 'Uncle' Eric was captured by the Leicester Mercury at the 'pulling them out of his mouth on a string' stage.

[Olde Crone]

Blimey AN, it's a long time since one of my wild guesses has actually been right, lol.


So, um, the scrapbook cutting you saw of "Uncle Eric" was actually Jasper Maskelyne then?

OC

[Olde Crone]

Hm. Does the name Eric Mason ring any family bells? Eric Mason, aka The Great Masoni, appeared on the final Maskelyne and Devant performance at Hastings in 1951. (Another long shot based on the name Eric!)

OC

[Guinevere]

Curiouser and curiouser.

In FMP British newspapers there are 678 articles about Jasper.

And 67 for The Great Masoni

[Mary from Italy]

"Eric Mason as The Great Masoni presented a good illusion show and also did a memory act with his wife Shan. He can be seen to this day in a cameo appearance in the classic film comedy Passport to Pimlico."

http://www.google.co.uk/url?url=http...PJC2SQGzOtBy5A

[Mary from Italy]

OK, not the same person as Uncle Eric:

"The Great Masoni (d.1977) was a British magician who was married to a Miss Wong Tai Shan. He began performing before World War I."

http://www.geniimagazine.com/magicpedia/Masoni

[Olde Crone]

Miss Wong Tai Shan was born Audrey M Wong, parents Siung Wong and Maud Weitzel.

I agree, this Eric Mason is not Uncle Eric. Apologies for the sidetrack.

OC

[Anstey Nomad]

An interesting avenue nonetheless, even though, like most of my avenues, it's actually a cul de sac.