I.B.M. British Ring 9th Annual Convention 1939

The 9th Annual Convention of I.B.M. British Ring No.25 takes place 7th–9th July 1939 in Southport, Lancashire, with Convention Headquarters at the Queen’s Hotel and the Saturday entertainments at the Floral Hall. Under the presidency of the Ring’s Founder, Oswald Rae, the weekend opens with a Civic Welcome and Afternoon Tea in the Floral Hall Annexe, outside attractions by Lenz, Oswald Rae and Miss Esme Levante, a Reception at Headquarters and the Opening Dinner and Programme of Magic; continues with the Competition for the British Ring Shield, the Official Group Photograph, a Magical Matinee for Kiddies of All Ages, the Grand Magical Entertainment topped by The Great Levante & Company, and a Midnight Cinema Show; and closes on Sunday with the Annual General Meeting, the Farewell Luncheon and Presentation of Prizes, and an Impromptu Magical Entertainment.

The British Ring welcomes members and visitors to its Ninth Annual Convention, held at Southport with Convention Headquarters at the Queen’s Hotel. The Souvenir Programme opens with a portrait of Oswald Rae, Founder and President of the British Ring, and the programme is issued under his presidency. Further portraits introduce “Raoul” (Ralph Chart), a member of the Ring and Convention Committees and of the Reception, and The Great Levante, Vice-President of the Ring, Editor of “The Budget” and a performer at the Saturday Evening Show. Oswald Rae welcomes everyone to the Ninth Convention. Mr. Malcolm Stuart is Box Office Manager for the I.B.M.; Mr. Ralph Chart and Mr. N. H. Hames are in charge of reception; and the programmes are under the direction of Stage Manager Ernst Burwell and Harry Kaye.

The Convention opens on Friday 7th July at 4pm with a Civic Welcome and Afternoon Tea in the Floral Hall Annexe. At 5.15pm, in the Floral Hall Gardens, Lenz presents “Buried Alive”; at 5.45pm Oswald Rae will attempt a Blindfold Walk; and at 6.15pm, at the Sea-Bathing Lake, Miss Esme Levante performs an Underwater Escape. At 8pm the President and Mrs. Rae hold a Reception at Headquarters, and at 8.30pm the Opening Dinner and Programme of Magic take place at the Queen’s Hotel. The Opening Dinner menu is Potage Breton; Fried Fillet Sole and Lemon; Grilled Lamb Cutlets and Tomato; Roast Chicken, Bacon & Bread Sauce with French Beans and New & Roast Potatoes; and Golden Pudding and Fruit Salad. In Part I of the Programme of Magic, presented by The Mahatma Circle of Magicians, Oscar Paulson is compère, introducing Carl Du Verne (President M.C.M.) with Magic, Kardette with Manipulative Magic, Austin Mitchell with Tricks and Tales, The Salamans as Mentalists and Ted Summerfield with Merry Mysteries. Part II is presented by The British Ring, I.B.M., and features Lester Sharpe (Southport Magic Circle), Cedric in “Calling All Cards”, Semah, The Southport Wizard, Sydney in “Sleightly Sophisticated” and John Ramsay in “Ayrial Magic”, with stage direction by Morris Ross. Throughout the three days, L. Davenport & Co. open The Demon Den at the Queen’s Hotel, where the latest tricks and jokes are demonstrated.

Saturday 8th July begins at 10.30am with the Competition for the British Ring Shield and other prizes, open to members only, with the shield to be held by the winner for one year. Competitors are limited to seven minutes, with a warning from the Stage Manager after six minutes, and points are awarded for Entertainment Value, Presentation and Originality; the names of the Judges are announced before the Competition commences, and those wishing to enter must give their names to the Hon. Secretary or Mr. Ralph Chart before 10am. First prize is the British Ring Shield, presented by the Ring, with apparatus to the value of £2/2/0 from any dealer present, presented by John Ramsay; second and third prizes are apparatus to the value of One Guinea each from the Demon Den, presented by Percy Hodgson and by Ralph Chart (Raoul); the fourth prize is The Flying Gas Mask, presented by Ralph Francis; and the fifth is apparatus to the value of 10/6 from any dealer present, presented by Deveen. Further prizes are offered by Messrs. Wm. G. Stickland, Levante, Oswald Rae and Harry Kaye should entries warrant it. The Official Group Photograph follows at 12.30pm.

At 2.45pm the Floral Hall presents a Magical Matinee for Kiddies of All Ages, with Oswald Rae as M.C. After an overture by Arthur Jacobson’s Bijou Orchestra the programme features Walter Wandman (Magic from the Highlands), Edward W. Beal (“Magic that Entertains”), Professor Woodley (“Sorcery from Southampton”), Djinn and His Magic (Konjuring for the Kiddies), Percy Press in a Modern Version of the old favourite Punch & Judy, Wm. G. Stickland, The Wessex Wizard (O.K. Toots!), Douglas Swanson & Donald (“Partners in Fun”), Patillo & Pesco (Acrobatic Nonsense) and John Warrender, The Scottish Magician, closing with The King.

In the evening the Floral Hall hosts the Grand Magical Entertainment (listed at 7.45pm in the Programme of Events and at 8.0pm on the entertainment’s own programme page). After the overture by Arthur Jacobson’s Bijou Orchestra the first half presents Levante’s Mystic Maids, Stanley Marelle (The Midland Wizard), Daphne (The World’s Youngest Magical Entertainer), Oswald Rae presenting “Sawing Thru’ a Woman”, Fred Carter (“The Gay Deceiver”) and Deveen (“The Distinguished Deceiver”) and His Two New York Blondes. After the Interval and a Selection by the Orchestra come Miss Hensie Rocotta and The Mystic Maids, Eric P. Wilson (“One Good Turn Deceives Another”), Patillo & Pesco (Acrobatic Nonsense), Eric Williams, “The Whimsical Wizard” (under supervision of the Vet.), and, as the finale, The Great Levante & Company, closing with The King. At midnight a Cinema Show of Past Conventions and Other Films of Magical Interest is presented by Eric Williams and Harry Kaye.

The Convention closes on Sunday 9th July. At 10.30am the Annual General Meeting and Election of Officers is held; the meeting will start promptly and is for members only. At 1pm the Farewell Luncheon and Presentation of Prizes by the President takes place; the menu is Potage Pompadour; Fried Whiting & Tomato Sauce; Roast Leg of Lamb & Mint Sauce with Peas and New and Roast Potatoes; Stewed Rhubarb and Custard or Rice Pudding; and Cheese & Biscuits. At 3pm an Impromptu Magical Entertainment brings the Convention to a close.

The President and Officers of the British Ring sincerely hope that all the members and visitors will have a thoroughly enjoyable time, and take the opportunity of thanking all who have contributed towards making the Ninth Convention a success. They especially thank the Mayor and Mayoress; T. E. Wolstenholme (Publicity Manager); Councillor Barber and the Publicity Committee; the donors of prizes for the Shield Competition; J. Milton Woodward for once more supplying the badge ribbons; and the Press. Thanks are also due to the artistes at the various entertainments, the stewards and programme sellers, Mr. Ernst Burwell and the assistants of the Great Levante, Mr. Malcolm Stuart (Box Office Manager for the I.B.M.), Mr. Ralph Chart and Mr. N. H. Hames in charge of reception, the Judges for the Shield Competition, and the members of The Mahatma Circle of Magicians for their contribution towards the Friday Evening Show.

The Souvenir Programme also carries greetings from members and friends. Bill & Poppy Stickland, The Wessex Wizard, send their best wishes to magical friends in this country and overseas, and announce Wm. G. Stickland’s next book, to be published shortly, from “The Wand”, Dudsbury Crescent, Ferndown, Dorset. Greetings come from Eric Williams & His Ma of Ledbury; Cedric (“Calling All Cards”); Milton Woodward (“The Master of Modern Mystery”) and Millicent Cooper; R. Fitzgerald (“Fitz”) of London, S.E.8, who quotes Victor Hugo — “It is through Fraternity that Liberty is saved”; H. Essler Kessen of Blundellsands, Liverpool; John Gambling of Cambridge; Harry Kaye of Bush Hill, N.21; Edgar H. & Aileen Reid of Crosby, Liverpool; Malcolm Stuart, Manager of the Great Levante; Morris Ross and His Magic Box of Enfield; John Ramsay of Ayr; Percy Hodgson of Croydon; Raoul of Horsham; Li Chung Soo, The Mysterious Chinese Conjurer (Edmund Younger of Kenton, Newcastle-on-Tyne); Harry & Nellie Howarth of Rawtenstall, Lancashire; Bofeys & Lady of Cheltenham; Lucille; The Great Levante & Family (“How’s Tricks”); “Zeanit”, B.B.C. Television Illusionist and The Magical Diminuerist; and Oscar Paulson of Liverpool. The Souvenir Programme also carries advertisements from John Douglas (the “Wunda Cabinet”) and from L. Davenport & Co., whose Demon Den at the Queen’s Hotel is open for the three days of the Convention.