Recently I read somewhere about a magician in the vaudeville/night club era who performed with borrowed items.
Anyone know his name? I read so many books I can't recall where I saw it.

Yes, I read that same thing... but I cannot recall it either.

Interesting fact; U. F. Grant detailed a similar act and how to do it in a manuscript booklet many years ago. It was called the Challenge Magic Act.
He told you what to load your pockets with so that you could do an act with anything.
A Belt, elastic necktie, etc; were things you carried on you and he told you how to use them in various ways (instead or a rope or conventional props)

Added interesting fact: Ricky Jay tried to do that act but ultimately gave up on it's potential for some reason!

I had the UF Grant booklet. Mark Kornhauser did it at colleges by collecting items in a box but had a few ringers added just in case, one being the vanishing coat hanger using a hanger made out of pliable solder.