Cardini (Richard Valentine Pitchford). Important Group of Eight Letters from Cardini to Danny Dew. Including both ALSs (6) and TLSs (2), spanning 1961 - 73, Cardini discusses a wide range of subjects, including both gossip of the era, and in particular the manufacture, purchase, and production of various reels, as well as material made by Jon Martin, the famous London mechanic and builder of magic apparatus. In the earliest letter, Cardini says of Martin, “I was Martin’s first customer, I met him at De Biere’s funeral and he made mea ll of De Biere’s effects, Rising Cards, Bird Cage both square and round, etc. Frakson got to hear about it, and had Martin make him the above tricks he even found out about my tailor. I could tell you many dirty things Frakson has done." Other letters detail the hook-ups, design of, and construction of various reels – mouth, shoe, finger, take-up, and more. Two letters include diagrams in Cardini’s hand outlining the use or operation of these devices. One ALS fills eight pages in Cardini’s hand, and two have attached addendums regarding reels and their use in block capitals, also in Cardini’s hand. He mentions several other magicians by name, including Vernon (“I am quite sore at Vernon giving all these pet effects of everybodys, Stanley making up the cups and now Tannen the rings, and giving the secrets of others in his lectures at Tannens.") Flosso, and Al Sharpe. Other matters discussed include retirement, home and family life, tours across the United States, and extensive commentary on Jon Martin and his products. Four original mailing covers addressed in Cardini’s hand included. Most written on 4to sheets, signed “Dick" or “Dick & Swan." Cardini was a reluctant and infrequent correspondent; his letters are uncommon if not truly scarce.