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Val.walker New user 5 Posts |
Hello to All,
I am Val Walker, grandson of the illusionist and escapologist Valentine A Walker. I am in the process of collating and digitising my grandfathers story from our family archives. It will be a long and slow job, but once complete I intend to make all the information (except private (family type stuff) or secret (magicians code)) available on a website dedicated to him. We have a huge amount of stuff, but I am sure that there must be masses more out there. Could I please ask if any members that have anything relating to Val in their collections could they please share these with us so that I can make the information as complete as possible. I would also be interested in making contact with the family of Jeff Atkins to try and locate the whereabouts of the Radium Girl cabinet that Val loaned him. I have loaded a couple of pictures to Flickr that may be of interest to members: The Tank in the Thames 1920: http://flic.kr/s/aHsjMNdJRf The Radium Girl Cabinet 1968: http://flic.kr/s/aHsjMQcJ3a The John Bull Straight Jacket (sorry for the poor quality, but these were from slides of the original pictures. I'll update them with the originals as soon as I find them! http://flic.kr/s/aHsjMNg2Ph Regards Val Walker Southsea England **** I've cross posted this in Grand Illusions, All Tied Up and New Members, If this is a problem, please delete as appropriate, thanks**** |
Ian McColl Inner circle 1493 Posts |
Hi
Mr Walker. Many thanks for putting you post here and letting me know about your website. In the 1980’s Chris Gower (UK) introduced me to exploits of your grand father and his tank escape. For many years after, Chris and I wrote letters and ideas back and forth on it. I believe your father was the only other person to know the secret (has he passed it on to you?) I really liked the idea that the lid was bolted shut and tighten by spanners and was left for some months after the escape (with the scouts?) and no-one ever worked it out. A great and grand escape back in the days when there was really mystery to the art. Thanks Ian McColl
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Val.walker New user 5 Posts |
Hi Ian
Good to hear from you. Were you in conversation with Kelvin (my father)? If so, your letters will be in one of the boxes in my study! My father passed away in 2003, but he did not take the secret with him Does Chris Gower use this forum or do you have a contact for him? thanks Val |
Nadzri.Harif New user 54 Posts |
Val,
saw your post over in the grand illusions section. I've always been interested in the classic look of escapes and illusions. the project you're doing is an awesome initiative and I'm sure it's one your Grandfather would be proud of. good luck! looking forward to seeing more of the finds. regards, Nadzri |
Lin_ New user 70 Posts |
Wow! Thanks for your great works.
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magicofCurtis Inner circle Los Angeles 2545 Posts |
I enjoyed looking at the photos.
Awesome work Val.walker.
Curtis Lovell II
http://www.CurtisLovell.com http://www.MagicofCurtis.com www.facebook.com/curtislovellii Los Angeles, California - U.S.A. |
Roslyn Inner circle UK 3405 Posts |
"Wizard in Chief" ... Love it!!!
The Magic Cafe account of The Conwy Jester, Erwyd le Fol formerly known as Roslyn Walker.
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WEASEL DANDAW Regular user 133 Posts |
Val,
Chris Gower does use this forum, but he is away touring Europe for the next couple of years. I try to speak with him at least once a week, but as the wifi signal isn't great, it's not always a success. I will tell him to check out this thread & to contact you. I see you are in Southsea, I live in Poole & my sister is in Southsea. May be we could meet up sometime. Dan |
Val.walker New user 5 Posts |
Thanks Dan and all that have PM'd me. I am now in direct contact with Chris Gower.
I'm still looking for anything Val related so please let me know if you have anything. Thanks Val |
Ian McColl Inner circle 1493 Posts |
The information I have is articles from the ‘Magic circular’ Two pages that list his exploits by year and then a story on the tank.
I also have a few pages (marked page number 331) on the John Bull SJ. Both articles have photos. Now that you have made contact with Chris, you will see what I have. May I ask, does the tank still exist?
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gmeister Inner circle 1588 Posts |
Quote:
On 2013-11-27 11:21, magicofCurtis wrote: I agree. Fascinating! |
jay leslie V.I.P. Southern California 9498 Posts |
Funny how lay people probably look at the first three Tank photos and think "Oh look. They put a nice sign inside the lid so everyone can read what the escape is about":)
Jay Leslie
www.TheHouseOfEnchantment.com |
Val.walker New user 5 Posts |
Thanks to everyone who has been in touch so far. I've been busy building the website and it is now on line
http://www.valwalker.com There is loads more info for me to process and load up to the site, but a lot is up already. Please, if you have or know anyone who has, ANYTHING Val Walker, I'd really like to hear from you. I am not a member of any other Magic forums, so if you are, please feel free to cross post the link to the website for me. Thanks Hope you enjoy it! Val |
Darkart New user Glasgow 98 Posts |
Like the site and content, some great photos there.
Impossible is just another level of difficulty
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mark2004 Loyal user UK 215 Posts |
A marvellous trove of information and great photos. I hope it helps to bring renewed recognition for Val Walker and his inventive talents.
I would love to hear more about the Aquamarine Girl as that was an act I was entirely unaware of until your work brought us this material. Also, it would be good to see more about the later re-creation of the Radium Girl that was made for Jeffrey Atkins. |
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