Richard Valentine Pitchford

 There is magic in the air, in Mumbles. 

Richard Valentine Pitchford
In other sources regarding the birth of Richard Valentine Pitchford, was born on 24th November 1895, however, in Milbourne Christopher publication The Illustrated History of Magic (2005), the wrong year of 1899 has been used.  So, lets put the record straight, that the 24th November date is correct.  Born Richard Valentine, son of Commercial Traveller, Richard Valentine Thomas and Alice Maude Skinner.  They were living at this time at George Bank.  However, the parents didn’t register the birth until the 13th January 1896.

Richard Valentine Pitchford
birth certificate

However, Richard’s whereabouts are uncertain he is next mentioned in the 1911 Census, when he now Aged 18, is residing in a hotel, in Central Cardiff.  Richard who is a Servant, but his occupation within the hotel is a Billard Maker.

1911 Census

Richard enlisted during the First World War, and whilst in the trenches he practiced card manipulations. During his time out in the Front Line, he developed to perform card tricks whilst wearing white gloves!  Having been injured during a battle, and recovering at hospital, Richard, his hone his magic skills and practice his sleight of hand.

After the war, 1919, we next find Richard living at 36 King Edward’s Road.

Electoral Registers 
36 King Edward's Road, Swansea West
1919

Harry Houdini
Richard travelled to Australia during the 1920s, to after failing to establish himself as stage magician with the British variety, whilst here in Australia, Richard used the name Val Raymond before changing it to Cardini.   Whilst performing he wore a tuxedo, cape, top hat, and white gloves.   An advert that he placed advertising his master of card manipulation also paid homage to the famous magician of the era, Houdini.

MV Aorangi
Richard now under the name of name Cardini, departing on the MV Aorangi from Sydney, Australia and arrived at Vancouver, Canada, arriving April 1926. Cardini, performed whilst in Canada, before entering the USA.  Whilst in Chicago, he met Swan Walker, who became his lifelong assistant.  Their marriage took place, 23rd April 1927, Maine.  The following year, they had the first of two children, Richard Lon, 1928 and Carol Cardini, 1940.

Canada, Incoming Passengers Lists
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
1926

Cardini was a success as audiences and other magicians hadn’t seen a performance like this before. Cardini’s act incorporated magic tricks which included sleight of hand, gestures and appearances and disappearances of objects.  The act which had precisely timed pieces of music.  The act became a skit.

1939, Richard applied for an Immigration Card, whilst he travelled without children to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.  The immigration card shows that’s he was born in S. Wales and has an addition photograph.  1940, Richard, arriving at Ellis Island, having travelled on Uruguay.  Richard home residence was New York.  The papers indicate that Richard has now US Citizenship

Immigration Card
Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
1939

In the UK, the rules of census returns having to be closed for a hundred years.  The next one now that will be released will be the 1951.  1931, census was destroyed and 1941 one wasn’t undertaken due the Second World War.  However, in the USA, the records have been released. 

At the time of the 1940 United States Federal Census, which was carried out on the 1st April, Richard and family were resident at 166 Street, Queens, New York.  However, no occupation is listed.  The place of birth states that Richard was born in Wales. A decade later, 1950.  This census was undertaken on the 1st April, Richard’s residence was 817 Jackson Street, Babylon, Suffolk, New York.  Equally no occupation is listed, and his place of birth of birth is listed as Illinois.

United States Federal Census
1940

United States Federal Census
1950

At the time of the Second World War, a Draft Registration Card has been produced.  Richard now aged 43.  His home address is 1885 Street, Jamaica, Queens, New York.  His occupation is listed as Theatrical Business.  His place of birth is listed at Mumbles.

Second World War
Draft Registration Card

Theodore Hardeen
1945, Richard became the President of the Magician’s Guild.  This guild was founded by its first president, Theodore Hardeen, who died during 1945.

The only rare footage of Richard performing as Cardini is from the magic television show Festival of Magic broadcasted 1957.

Three years later, 1960, the Magic Circle, honoured Richard with the Silver Wand Award.

November 1973, Richard, died.  His residence had been 12525 Street, Ulster, New York. Richard whose career as Cardini lasted half a century. 

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Strombus

Image
 What secrets lie on the seabed? The coordinates 51 34 33N 03 58 21W indicates where the bow of the DS  Strombus lies of the seabed. 51 34 33N 03 58 21W Location of the bow of the  DS  Strombus GoogleMaps DS  Strombus The DS  Strombus  was originally built as a Tanker, by Armstrong Whitworth & Co., during 1900, for Anglo Saxon Patroleum Co., London.  During 1925, was sold to Cia Ballenera del Peru, Peru, and was renamed as Callao .  During 1926, sold again to Hvalf, A/S Africa , Tonsberg, where renamed as DS  Strombus  and was converted as a Whale Factory. March 1940, DS  Strombus , arrived at South Georgia.   Later that month or April, departed South Georgia and travelled independently to Freetown, Sierra Leone, arriving on May 15 th . May 17 th , DS  Strombus , joined Convoy SL 32, departing Freetown for Liverpool, however, detached from the Convoy on the 19 th , and travelled to New Orleans, having tra...
Read more

Langland Bay - 19th December 1945

Image
 The Second World War is over, VE Day has been ‘celebrated’ during May 1945, followed by VJ Day, that August. Miles M.50 Queen Martinet RH123 However, 19 th December 1945, over the sea at Langland, a Miles M.50 Queen Martinet RH123 of the 773 Squadron, Fleet Air Arm, Royal Navy was lost over the sea at Langland. Flight RH123, took off from Woodley Aerodrome, Reading, Berkshire flying to RAF Manorbier, Pembrokeshire, when it suffered from fuel problems and had to ditch into the sea. Woodley Aerodrome, Berkshire  credit - Google Maps Woodley, Berkshire was a village of little significance, however, during 1929, that the 100-acre Woodley Aerodrome first opened. Jack Phillips and Charles Powis first started the business, The Phillips and Powis Flying School .   1932, the aircraft designer, F. G. Miles came to Woodley to establish the newly Aircraft Workshop. The name changed to Miles Aircraft Ltd by 1943. Years before the outbreak of the Second World War, pilots Charle...
Read more

RMS Lusitania - Swansea connections

Image
RMS  Lusitania May 2024 will mark the 109 th anniversary of the sinking of RMS Lusitania .  RMS  Mauretania Launched by the Cunard Line during 1906, Lusitania was the largest ship until the completion of Mauretania three months later.   Lusitania was awarded the Blue Riband during 1908 for the fastest Atlantic crossing, after her second voyage when Lusitania arrived at Sandy Hook, after being at sea for 4 days, 19 hours and 53 minutes. Captain William Thomas Turner 1915, 7 th May whilst on her 202 nd voyage trans-Atlantic crossing from New York to Liverpool, captained by William Thomas Turner was sunk after the German U-boat U-20 commanded by Walther Schwieger fired a torpedo 11 miles off the Old Head of Kinsale, County Cork, Ireland.     Abroad were 1,962 passengers and 696 crew.   The Cambrian Daily Leader 8th May 1915 The torpedo hit the Lusitania on the starboard bow, and moments later a second explosion erupted within the Lusitani...
Read more