All of my collectables are special, and the vast majority have been collected in person when I have approached artists. Many have stories and special memories that should be shared. In this new series of blog posts, I will talk about my collectables, stories, and special memories.
The actual interactions with artists are often just as meaningful and memorable as the signed collectables. This week I share details about my Richard Jones collectables.
Richard Jones
Richard Jones is famed as the very first magician to win BGT, and he was also the only magician to have won until this year. Our paths have crossed at his shows and magic conventions since 2018. I’ve seen him perform most years, and I am booked to see the 2025 tour this month.
While I have been able to get a few photos/selfies, my favourite photo is last year’s “Masters of Deception” photo, also with Alex Jesson and Marc Oberon.
Over the years, I have had many other special interactions. A favourite and memorable experience was booking Richard for a magic club lecture and I had the opportunity to introduce him and thank him for the session via Zoom.
In 2023, I was also able to go to his lecture at BMC, which was excellent. A very popular lecture with many present.
I do, of course, have many signed items, but one collectible that is likely harder to find is a challenge coin that I acquired from Richard. These are coins that the military distribute with an insignia or emblem to honour service members. The coin is personalised and has the Magic Circle logo on the reverse. I have this on display in a cabinet in my office. I also found stored away a sheet detailing the significance of the challenge coin.
Other signed items include magic sets, notes, and even a signed Soldier of Illusion cap. The cap was kindly gifted by Richard and signed in 2024 in Rugby.
I have quite a few signed tour posters and probably more autographs of signed items by Richard than any other artist in my collection. All the posters were collected from 2018, and I expect to add to this collection when I get the next tour poster this month when I see the latest show.
Though I have collected signed cards for about four years, my signed playing card by Richard was only gained last year. I realised he was missing from the collection and asked him to sign it. When getting him to do this for me, he admitted that he wished he had started such a signed playing card collection himself.
For the Magic Seats website, Richard has featured many times. More so than any other artist and is listed for 10 reviews. I have reviewed many of his shows and I even had the opportunity to interview him (here).
An earlier magic set by Richard, that is quite large and of good quality, was released earlier in his career. Of course, it is also signed. Some very nice and good-quality items are in the set.
I do tend to also keep other mementos, whether thank-you notes, and even some used large playing cards that featured in a show at Corby. One of the notes even mentions the coin, and I do carry it sometimes. I will definitely take it to the next show.
Lastly, I have included some extra additional photos collected, including a private performance for VIP ticket holders (Lighthouse Theatre, Kettering) and some of my daughter nearly 7 years ago when we went as a family to see the show back in 2018.
The photos of my daughter capture Richard entertaining her. She was amazed and it was quite the memory.
I think that summarises most of my memories and signed items. No doubt I may have forgotten something but everything is always stored safely. A couple of the signed posters also feature on my office wall.
Next week, look out for part four of this series, which will share stories about some of my favourite signed playing cards and learnings.
