author
Ellis Stanyon
1870–1951
A practical magician and prolific teacher of conjuring, he helped make sleight of hand more accessible to ordinary readers at the turn of the 20th century. His books and long-running magic periodical left a lasting mark on amateur and professional magicians alike.
1 Audiobook
About the author
William Ellis Stanyon was an English professional magician, magic dealer, author, and publisher, born in 1870 in Leicestershire and active for many years in London. He became known not just for performing, but for explaining magic clearly and patiently, turning complex tricks into lessons that readers could actually follow.
He is especially remembered for editing and publishing Stanyon's Magic, a periodical that ran for many years in the early 1900s and aimed to popularize sleight of hand. He also wrote instructional works such as Magic, reflecting his reputation as a careful teacher as much as an entertainer.
For readers today, Stanyon stands out as one of those early figures who helped preserve practical stage and close-up magic in print. His work offers a window into the culture of conjuring in Britain and shows how strongly he believed that the craft could be studied, shared, and enjoyed.