Obituary: Patrick Page. Magician

Born: 1929 in Dundee. Died: 15 February, 2010, in London. Aged 81.

IN THE business of magic, Patrick Page was considered a living legend. Indeed, Derren Brown described Page as "a genius of our craft and a famously generous person". Other members of the Magic Circle – the governing body of magicians – said Page's death had "left a void in magic, that will be impossible to fill".

Page had an ability to make a trick look simple, come alive in front of you and maintain the interest of an audience through his engrossing chatter and slickness of hand. He took you in and left you confused, entertained and enthralled.

He was known throughout the business as immensely likeable a man of courteous charm, but his deep knowledge of magic – its technical demands and its history – gave him a very special place and a particular authority among his colleagues.

Page made a definite impact as soon as he came on stage. With his distinguished grey hair, and often wearing the kilt and Highland black jacket, he started a trick. Despite his years in the south, he never lost his Dundee accent and there was a pronounced burr in his patter as he did his tricks.

On other occasions he appeared in flamboyant top hat, patterned waistcoat and a smart tie. There was always a broad smile and a relaxed charm about his stage presence, to which audiences responded. When Page asked for a volunteer from the audience hands shot up.

Patrick Page was the youngest of six children and was brought up in Dundee but moved to London to work in Davenport's Magic Store in London's Covent Garden where he worked for 15 years – rising to become the firm's manager. He is remembered there as someone who took immense care to answer questions and explain routines to both professionals and those who were starting out in magic. He delighted in demonstrating variations to standard tricks and was always willing to explain, or talk someone through, a new trick they had just bought.

Betty Davenport, whose family established the store in 1898, said: "He was a brilliant magician, capable of demonstrating every trick in our shop. We loved having him work here."

During his time there, Page was already establishing himself as a performing artist. He appeared, for example, on the very popular BBC Saturday night television show as a guest of the magician David Nixon.

He worked with Paul Daniels in the 1970s and was a consultant on the James Bond movie Casino Royale, in which games of cards were integral to the plot. Page also had a cameo role was an adviser in the 2007 UK film Magicians, starring comedians David Mitchell and Robert Webb.

Page became a professional magician in the mid-Sixties and soon established himself on the circuit. He was also asked to write books and his first publication, The Big Book of Magic, is considered the authoritative work among magicians. Many of his books were translated into various languages and sold well abroad. This commercial side of his career was expanded further when he brought out several DVDs demonstrating the technique of tricks and showing how they could best be performed.

Page avoided a high profile in public, but his expert skills ensured he was constantly sought out for advice by his colleagues.

Simon Drake, of Channel 4's House of Magic, was only eight when he first met Page and he has often acknowledged the influence he had on his career. Latterly, Page had helped Drake with various routines and, despite ill-health, he worked on the Gadget Show that Drake has just filmed for transmission next month.

Drake said: "Pat helped with the routines for the Gadget Show only the week before last. He was a huge figure in the world of magic and his knowledge and experience will remain unequalled. The team here will miss his wonderful close-up magic."

Page lectured widely at magicians' conventions, where he was always a popular guest. A few years ago, he went on after a young colleague had somewhat struggled with a stage full of apparatus. Page came on stage with minimum fuss and courteously called the previous act back on to take a bow. Then, with just a pack of cards, he provided 30 minutes of copybook magic and got a standing ovation.

Professionals recognised his technique – many have spoken warmly of his sharp skills in a variety of magic tricks but he also created some which are now standard – for example, the "Topit", a swift and smart vanishing trick he devised in the Seventies.

The TV magician, Wayne Dobson, was asked recently who, for him, was the top magician. He replied immediately: "Patrick Page. A brilliant all-rounder and a wealth of information, he also has numerous methods for doing anything."