Robert Harbin (born Edward Richard Charles Williams; 12 February 1908 – 12 January 1978) was a South African-born

magic Magic or magick most commonly refers to: * Magic (supernatural), beliefs and actions employed to influence supernatural beings and forces ** ''Magick'' (with ''-ck'') can specifically refer to ceremonial magic * Magic (illusion), also known as sta ...

ian and author. He is noted as the inventor of a number of classic illusions, including the '' Zig Zag Girl''. He also became an authority on

origami ) is the Japanese art of paper folding. In modern usage, the word "origami" is often used as an inclusive term for all folding practices, regardless of their culture of origin. The goal is to transform a flat square sheet of paper into a ...

Career

The young Edward first got interested in magic after an unknown ex-serviceman appeared at his school with a magic show later described as "rather poor". Williams came to London at the age of 20 and began by working in the magic department of

Gamages Gamages was a department store in Holborn, London. Trading between 1878 and 1972, it was particularly well known for its toy and hardware departments. History Gamages began life in 1878 in a rented watch repair shop and, after quickly becoming ...

toy shop. He began performing in

music hall Music hall is a type of British theatrical entertainment that was most popular from the early Victorian era, beginning around 1850, through the World War I, Great War. It faded away after 1918 as the halls rebranded their entertainment as Varie ...

s under the title "Ned Williams, the Boy Magician from South Africa". By 1932 he was appearing in the ''Maskelyne's Mysteries'' magic show in various London theatres. He was the first British illusionist to move from stage performing to television, appearing in the BBC TV show ''Variety'' in 1937''The Times'', "Broadcasting", 9 February 1937, p.9, col. A and numerous times after the war when the BBC resumed broadcasting. 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. In 1953 Harbin appeared in a minor part as a magician in the film '' The Limping Man'', produced by

Cy Endfield Cyril Raker Endfield (November 10, 1914 – April 16, 1995) was an American film director, who at times also worked as a writer, theatre director, and inventor. Born in Scranton, Pennsylvania, he worked in the New York theatre in the late 1930s ...

. In 1953, Harbin and a friend of Endfield,

Gershon Legman Gershon Legman (November 2, 1917 – February 23, 1999) was an American cultural critic, folklorist, and author of '' The Rationale of the Dirty Joke'' (1968) and ''The Horn Book: Studies in Erotic Folklore and Bibliography'' (1964). Early life ...

(1917–1999), discovered a common interest in the Japanese art of paper-folding. Harbin wrote many books on the subject, beginning with ''Paper Magic'' (illustrated by the young art student, the Australian

Rolf Harris Rolf Harris (30 March 1930 – 10 May 2023) was an Australian musician, television personality, painter, and actor. He used a variety of instruments in his performances, notably the didgeridoo and the Stylophone, and is credited with the inventi ...

who in the middle of the project, caught the origami idea and contributed several intricate models himself) in 1956, and was the first President of the

British Origami Society The British Origami Society is a registered charity (no. 293039), devoted to the art of origami (paper folding). The Society has 700 members worldwide and publishes a bi-monthly magazine called "British Origami". They also have a library which is ...

. He was the first Westerner to use the word

for this art-form. He also presented a series of origami programmes for ITV in its "Look-In" magazines for children in the 1970s. Robert Harbin - Golders Green Crematorium

Robert Harbin - Golders Green Crematorium

There is a commemorative plaque dedicated to Harbin at

Golders Green Crematorium Golders Green Crematorium and Mausoleum was the first crematorium to be opened in London, and is one of the oldest crematoria in Britain. The land for the crematorium was purchased in 1900, costing £6,000 (the equivalent of £136,000 in 2021), ...

in London.

Publications

On origami

*''Paper Magic: The art of paper folding'', Oldbourne, 1956, ASIN B0000CJG8R *''Paper Folding Fun'', Oldbourne, 1960, ASIN B0000CKUYQ *''Secrets of Origami, old and new: The Japanese art of paper-folding'', Oldbourne, 1963, ASIN B0000CM4YW *''Teach Yourself Origami'', Hodder, 1968, *''Origami 1: The Art of Paper-Folding'', Coronet, 1969, *''More Origami, The art of paper-folding no.2'', Hodder, 1971, *''Origami 2: The Art of Paper-Folding'', Coronet, 1971, *''Origami 3: The Art of Paper-Folding'', Coronet Books/Hodder, 1972, *''Secrets of Origami'', Octopus, 1972, *''Origami: Art of Paper Folding (Teach Yourself)'', Hodder, 1973, *''Origami - A Step by Step Guide'', Hamlyn, 1974, *''Have Fun with Origami'', ITV, 1975, *''Origami: Art of Paper Folding (Illustrated Teach Yourself)'', Picture Knight, 1975, *''Origami A/H'', Hodder Arnold, 1976, *''Origami 4'', Robert Harbin, 1977, *''Have Fun with Origami'', Severn Ho., 1977, *''Origami: Art of Paper Folding (Coronet Books)'', Hodder Headline Australia, 1977, *''New Adventures in Origami'', 1982, Harper & Row,

On magic

*''Something New in Magic'', Davenport, 1929 *''Psychic Vision'', Davenport, 1930 *''Six Card Creations'', Davenport, 1930 *''Demon Magic'', Davenport, 1938 *''How to Be a Wizard'', Oldbourne, 1957, ASIN B0000CJUT3 *''How to Be a Conjuror'', Sphere, 1968, *''Magic of Robert Harbin'', C.W. Mole and Sons, 1970 – This was published with a run of only 500 copies, after which Harbin had the plates destroyed. *''Magic (Illustrated Teach yourself)'', Treasure, 1983, *''Magic (Illustrated Teach Yourself)'', Knight, 1976, *''The Harbin Book'', M. Breese, 1983, * ''Harbincadabra, brainwaves and brainstorms of Robert Harbin .e. N. Williams From the pages of Abracadabra, 1947–1965'', R. Harbin *''Magic Marches On'' (Harbin's fabled "Lost Book") included in Davenport Story Series – Vol 2, Davenport

Other subjects

*''Waddington's Family Card Games'', Elm Tree, 1972, *''Waddington's Family Card Games'', Pan, 1974, *''Party Lines'', Oldbourne, 1963, ASIN B0000CLQIH *''Instant Memory: The Way to Success'', Corgi, 1968,

References

External links

* * *
Robert Harbin page
at ''Whirligig'' 1950s TV Nostalgia site * * (video) {{DEFAULTSORT:Harbin, Robert 1909 births 1978 deaths British magicians Origami artists Deaths from cancer in England Golders Green Crematorium Academy of Magical Arts Creative Fellowship winners Academy of Magical Arts Masters Fellowship winners