Francis Haxton

Francis Haxton (1908? - January 30, 1995) was a building engineer by trade and an amateur card magician. He contributed material to many magical journals such as Pentagram, Linking Ring, Tops. New Phoenix. Pallbearers Review, Hugard's Magic Monthly, Ibidem and Abra. He created the false count with cards bearing his name, Haxton Count.

Haxton met Stewart James who was posted in England while serving in the armed forces during World War Two. The two became friends and they continued to correspond when he went back to Canada. He was also good friends and corresponded with Milt Kort.

Haxton was part of a small group of magical neighbors in the 1950s that got together, meeting once a month at each others houses. Named "The Six", the original members were Haxton, Peter Warlock, Jack Avis, Dr. Nicholls Harley, Eric de la Mare and Brian McCarthy.

Haxton and his close friend Peter Warlock developed an act called "The Diabolos." In this, Francis took the part of Diabolo the magician with Peter, in the role of a woman, acting as his inefficient assistant, Deb. Magicians loved it so much that they were prompted to do another act called "Rudie and Trudie, the Tyrolean Tricksters."

Francis was involved with many magical societies during his lifetime. He was a Past President of the British Ring of the I.B.M., a Gold Medalist of the London Society of Magicians, Vice President of the Zodiac Magical Society, a member of the Inner Magic Circle and the Leicester Magic Circle.

Books

• My Best Card Trick, Edited by Harry Baron (Ridgmount Books, 1953). A collection of card tricks by Jack Avis, Francis Haxton, Al Koran, Gus Southall, Joe Stuthard, Edward Victor, and Peter Warlock.