FAUCETT ROSS
Ross was a member of the "Secret Six" from 1940 and the New York "Inner Circle". Faucett also performed magic at fairs and carnivals.
**** If anyone has any photos or info about Faucett that they would like me to post, please contact me ****
FAUCETT ROSS
(November 19, 1900 - May 18, 1987) Faucett Ross became a professional magician in the 1930s. He was a native and lifelong resident of St. Joseph, Missouri and a veteran of the US. Army in WWII. His grandfather, R.H. Faucett, founded the town of Faucett, Mo. Faucett entertained many celebrities and Presidents Wilson, Roosevelt and Truman. He considered T. Nelson Downs his mentor.
In 1933 Dai Vernon was at the world trade fair in Chicago, and 1934 he worked with Faucett Ross. Faucett became a close friend of Dai Vernon. He helped Dai prepare his Ten Card Problems (1932) Also known as $20 Manuscript or DeeVee Manuscript and stage his Harlequin Act. Ross is also responsible for organizing and co-authoring almost all the Dai Vernon's material in print at the time.
Faucett said that there are two standard tricks he did best; the Egg Bag ( taught to him by vaudeville magician Hyde Johnston) and the Thirty Card Trick.
Faucett had many friends in magic and it was estimated that during the course of his life he wrote over 20,000 letters.
He was awarded an honorary lifetime membership with the Academy of Magical Arts.
BOOKS : Magic With Faucett Ross by Lewis Ganson (1975) * Dai Vernon’s Ultimate Secrets of Card Magic contains contributions by Faucett Ross * The Art of Close Up Magic Vol. 1 by Lewis Ganson includes contributions by Faucett Ross * The Art of Close Up Magic- #2 includes contributions by Faucett * Dai Vernon wrote his book "Revelation" with his dear friend Faucett Ross.
Faucett Ross Was one of John Carney's mentors. In John Carney's book "The Book Of Secrets" the book "Magic with Faucett Ross" is mentioned in his Reading Required section; "Magic with Faucett Ross, one of my favorite books, contains many practical, audience-tested routines for the satge from my early mentor and friend. Faucett understood the meaning of a good effect and was skilled at transforming standard trick, through routining and fresh combinations, created great magic for entertainment."
In 1975, The Wichita Conclave was formed, the conventions featured many of the greatest magicians of the 20th Century which included: Joe Berg, Jay Marshall, Faucett Ross, Dai Vernon, Fred Kaps, Flip, Kuda Bux, a young Lance Burton, and David Copperfield and of course many others.
From the book "Phantoms of the Card Table" By David Britland, Gazzo; "Cardini reported that he had met Faucett Ross In Kansas City. Ross was both a friend of Vernon and Downs though not as expert in sleight of hand or as interested in gambling methods as they were."
During the early 80's Jay Vincent of Kansas City, and others, sponsored a Close-up Weekend at St. Joseph, Missouri for Faucett Ross. This was in April of '82 and featured Dai Vernon, Charlie Miller, John Carney and a host of friends. It was such a blast that a very young David Sandy jumped on the wagon and duplicated a second celebration for Ross in '83 with a new title: Faucett Ross Honorary Magi-Fest. He brought in some of the same personalities plus Petrick & Mia, Shimada, Slydini, Mike Caveney, Paul Harris, Bob Little and scads of others. Stuffed with activities and terrifically friendly people, but not too crowded, made this, probably, the most enjoyable convention this writer ever attended.
Dai Vernon Book Of Magic inscribed to Faucett Ross from Harry Stanley
Here is the Dai Vernon Book Of Magic. This is inscribed to Faucett Ross from Harry Stanley. See rest of pictures below...
