Kaye, Hamilton, 1921 - 2006
Dates
- Existence: 20 May 1921 - 25 December 2006
Biography
Born Ronald Kaye on 20 May 1921, he was known as Hamilton Kaye for magic shows and for his magic business. He also used other performing names such as Wizard Kaye, Ron Dalmo and briefly as Milton Kaye.
Ron Kaye was born in Sheffield, at Rock Street, Pitsmoor. His parents were both teachers and his father eventually became head teacher of Hillsborough School. His family moved to Crosspool in the early 1930s, where they bought a newly built semi-detached house for £550 and Ron became a pupil at the newly opened High Storrs School.
At the age of four Ron was taken to see a variety show at the Sheffield Hippodrome. He was startled when 'The Great Carmo' appeared in a flash and ran back up the aisle shouting 'I'm going home'. It was at this point that he fell in love with theatre, music hall and especially with magic. He began performing magic to family and friends, church socials and garden parties as well as other small audiences. He produced plays and organised New Year Dances at Ranmoor Church Hall. During the early years of the war he was a member of the 'Steel City Stars', a group of semi-professional entertainers that performed variety shows in many local venues including Sheffield City Hall.
Later in the war he served in the RAF and was posted to India and Ceylon (now Sri Lanka) where he was a member of ground crew servicing flying boats and bombers. During this time he took part in and produced concert parties for fellow servicemen.
On his return home he worked first in the laboratories at Sheffield University, then for the Sheffield Corporation Water Department, later the Yorkshire Water Authority. He was introduced to his future wife Marion, a nursery nurse, by his cousin Molly. He and Marion were married in 1953 and with their two children the family moved to Dronfield in 1960 where Marion ran a nursery school for many years.
Ron had a lifelong passion for magic and increasingly built a reputation in the local area as a conjuror and children's entertainer. He was a voracious collector of magic and also ran a magic business supplying tricks and his specialty flash paper and string. He was able to concentrate even more on magic when he took early retirement from the Water Authority. In 1982/3 he served as President of the British Ring of the International Brotherhood of Magicians.
Ron actively pursued his passion for magic until a few months before his death attending magic events. Ron passed away on Christmas Day 2006, age 85.
Found in 71 Collections and/or Records:
Hippodrome, Chesterfield Poster, Week Commencing 17 December 1951
Poster of the programme of performances at the Hippodrome, Chesterfield. R.L. Productions present Christmas Fayre: Wal and Eddie Read – Kings of Melody, Swifty – Trick Cyclist, Eileen Winterton – Comedienne, Molicia – Contortionist, Franklyn and Yorke – Slickster, Max Manzer – Marionette Marvel, Hamilton Kaye – Amazing Deceptionist, Clifford Kempshall – Vocalist.
Horace Goldin Creator of Wonders Promotional Book, c1930 - 1939
Promotional book for magician Horace Goldin, "Creator of Wonders;" circa 1930s, illustrated cover, 24pp.
International Brotherhood of Magicians Convention Banquet Programme, 23 September 1949
Southport. Programme of after dinner entertainment. Contains three pages of autographs, 8pp.
International Magic Show Programme, 8 - 13 May 1950
International Magic Show. Crochet, Dutch Illusionist, Jeremy Bergmann of USA, Magic with Laughter, Viggo Jahn, Magician, The Amazing Fogel, Mind reader, Willane, Magic and Laughter, Edeling, Illusionist, Eric James and George Middleton Pianos in Harmony. Contains photographs of the acts, 6pp.
Jean de Merry Promotional Card, c1970 - 1979
Rough set promotional card for ventriloquist, illusionist and presenter Jean de Merry, circa 1970s; with black and white photograph.
Ken Pumfrey Promotional Card, c1980 - 1999
Promotional card for magician Ken Pumfrey. Red print, illustrated, with fold-out flap.
Leeds Empire Programme, Weeks Commencing Monday 7 April and Monday 17 March 1952
Features Kalanag the magical entertainer with Gloria, 8pp.
Leicester Magic Circle Two-Day Convention Programme, 23 - 24 March 1968
20pp.
Magic Circle Sale Daily Mirror Newspaper Cutting, 27 October 1952
Cutting of a report from a Magic Circle Sale in the Daily Mirror, 27 October 1952.
Michael Scott Magic Act Promotional Card, c1950 - 1999
Promotional card for a magic act by Michael Scott, late twentieth century; black and white photographs, 4pp.
Milton Kaye the Great Magical Humorist Promotional Leaflet, c1950 - 1999
Promotion leaflet for magician Milton Kaye, "the Great Magical Humorist," late twentieth century.
Mixed Grill Army Variety Show Programme, 2 - 3 August c1940 - 1959
4pp.
Murray Smith the Magical Raconteur Promotional Programme, c1940 - 1959
Promotional programme for magician Murray Smith, "The Magical Raconteur; "circa 1940s - 1950s, with photographs, 4pp.
North Peckham Club Nights Handbill, Saturday 9 July 1955
Handbill for North Peckham Club Nights. Madame Rane, Clairvoyant, Hamilton Kaye, Magician, Rides and shows. Printed by Coates & Wilkinson Limited, Green Lane, Sheffield. Blue print.
Northern Magic Circle President's Dinner and Cabaret Menu, 29 October 1988
Includes details of toast and cabaret performance held on the occasion. Hamilton Kaye is recorded as performing at the event. On the reverse there is list of past presidents of the Northern Magic Circle. 2pp.
Officers' Lounge Events Programme, 9 June 1943
Includes the Great Dalmo, an illusionist, 4pp.
Oughtibridge Church Hall Grand Concert Handbill, Thursday 20 February 1947
Handbill for Oughtibridge Church Hall Grand Concert by the Choral Society. Hamilton Kaye the fascinating deceptionist. Printed by J F Hinchliffe & Sons, Typos, Deepcar, Sheffield.
Oughtibridge Parish Church, 'A Grand Garden Party' Programme, Saturday 9 September 1950
Includes a performance by Hamilton Kaye, 4pp.
P. C. Sorcar World's Master Magician Magic Show Programme, 1951
Programme for Protul Chandhra Sorcar at Regal Theatre, Bombay, including a detailed history and photographs, 20pp.
P. C. Sorcar World's Master Magician Magic Show Programme, 1951
Programme for Protul Chandhra Sorcar at Regal Theatre, Bombay, including photographs, 4pp.