ABOUT US

My Background

My fascination with Chung Ling Soo began in 1997 when I purchased a magical scrapbook and out fell a coaster bearing an image of Chung Ling Soo. I was fascinated. It all started when I acquired this scrapbook at a Christies Auction in London. It was an auction catalogue on pop music memorabilia. One lot had a series of letters of Houdini and the next lot was comprised of photos and the scrapbook. I left bids on the items and bought both lots. The scrap book was compiled by someone who attended Eton School in the 1890's and who lived in Paris. I learned he would travel to London and visit the Ritz to watch magic shows. The scrapbook was made of newspaper cuttings as reminders of the great shows he had seen. I used the scrapbook as my study to get into the magic circle and wrote a thesis on it. I then started to investigate the posters of Chung Ling Soo and I was told that they cannot be bought as they rarely come onto the market. I was thus compelled to try to acquire the most complete collection of posters ever formed. There are approximately 70-80 different known posters, of which I have 95%. I also collect photos, letters and anything to do with this fascinating magician. I have a unique portrait miniature and a stage outfit worn by Chung Ling Soo in my collection.
- Stephen
stephen.chunglingsoo@gmail.com