talkmagic.co.uk

Strangely he's very much like another typical English actor Sid James who had a 'typical East End' accent. Both were born in South Africa!

Looking at the Wikki page for Bob:

He developed a number of new tricks, including the Neon Light and the now ubiquitous Zig Zag Girl. His lesser known inventions include the Aztec Lady, The Blades of Opah, and Aunt Matilda's Wardrobe.

Much of his inventive genius was put into written form and he is known as one of the most prodigious authors on the subject of magical effects. However, although Harbin was brilliantly creative in the field of magic he was not a particularly good writer and his friend and associate Eric C Lewis has stated that many of Harbin's titles were ghost written for him.

And of the Atzec Lady illusion:

Professional magician, Christopher Woodward, is the current holder of the exclusive performance rights to The Aztec Lady having purchased them from the Harbin estate after the inventor's passing. He still owns the original Aztec Lady apparatus built by Harbin and he also owns Harbin's original Aunt Matilda's Wardrobe illusion.

Yes very interesting indeed.. He was also a dap hand at Origami.

I picked up a copy of one his origami books at a second hand bookshop yonks ago - must dig it out and try a few models, might keep my grandson amused!

To see someone like Bob performing is a breath of fresh air, no attitude or 'edgy' stuff but nothing there to convey geekiness - all the things which many seem to think is the only way to present magic.

I was watching some programmes about Roy Orbison last week and one of the contributors was Bruce Springsteen who is a lifelong fan and presented Roy with awards. Bruce said that irony of it all was that Roy just stood on stage, played guitar and sang. Full stop. Most other performers needed to leap around like crazy to get the same level of reaction and applause from an audience! I reckon people like Robert Harbin and David Nixon are a lot like that, no need to be OTT just let the magic do all the talking.

Do you think anyone else will join in this conversation or should we just get a room ?

Very true words sir.. I have a friend at work, who is Maltese, and he makes amazing animals with his origami skills.. I also remember a programme that was on the TV many years ago and they use to show you basic skills involving origami, sadly could never get the hang of it.

mr invisible wrote:Very true words sir.. I have a friend at work, who is Maltese, and he makes amazing animals with his origami skills.. I also remember a programme that was on the TV many years ago and they use to show you basic skills involving origami, sadly could never get the hang of it.

Another interesting thing I found was his hand puppet he used (FUZZ) Was created by Rolf Harris.. http://www.turnipnet.com/whirligig/index.htm" Just type Robert Harbin and it will take you there.