BOB Read's childhood fascination with magic tricks and practical jokes may have got him into trouble when he was a boy, but now this passion has enabled him to travel the world and look at history and art from his own unique angle.

Last month, Bob, of Regal Way in Kenton was invited to Chicago to address members of the oldest book club in America, the Caxton Book Club, on his specialist subject: The Oldest Trick in the Book.

What began as an sideline in schoolboy sorcery has brought him from winning television's New Faces talent contest in 1976 to making a lifetime study of the art of conjuring, and, most specifically, the famous cup and ball act.

This straightforward deception with three beakers and three small balls is, according to Bob, history's most illustrated trick of all.

"It is classic performance art," said Bob, who worked in the fibre and textiles industry and then PR before retiring last October to focus on writing his book on the magic trick's history.

"It has been used through the years to focus attention on everything from trades and occupations to landscapes, costumes and, especially, political caricatures. Not only is this trick described in Greek letters from the third century, but it is the oldest illustrated magic trick, surviving in manuscripts from the 15th century."

Bob's home displays an abundance of well-preserved artwork depicting the "wandering deceptionist" with his cup and ball trick, and his studies have taken him to the USA, France, Holland, Spain, Italy, Denmark, Japan and, later this year, Australia.

He is also a dab hand at conjuring, as he showed me with some dexterity.

"The trick itself embodies the principles of magic - entertainment and deception - but it's very simple," said Bob.

The presentation in Chicago called on Bob's own natural ability as a performer as well as his specialist knowledge.

"I have always been fascinated by the psychology behind magic and conjuring," he said. "The art of giving a speech is not unlike performing - it's the same as anybody doing an act. I've had an interest in magic and show business since I was ten, but I'd never had a great urge to pursue it."

Bob's research on the trick's background has spanned over 30 years. The fruit of his labour is currently neatly arranged in many files, forming the manuscript for his book, which, when completed, will be printed by a publisher in Germany.

"I haven't identified a particular readership, I just started writing this because I was interested in it," he said. "I do it because it's a passion of mine. Every bit of information is new for me. I've learned more about the French revolution than I ever did at school, and it gives me a chance to explore underrated places in London, France and America.

"I learn more about places and people, as well as the history of fashion, images and newspapers.

"It has the facility to open up ages that you knew nothing about, and worlds that you didn't even know existed.

"If you are really interested, it's not just about the trick but about the worlds it leads to."