The mystery of how a professional magician’s box of 1930s tricks ended up at auction is a step closer to being solved.

A person claiming to be a close family member of Marvo the Master of Modern Magic contacted our sister paper the Kentish Express claiming the ex-virtuoso’s scrapbook accidentally wound up in an auction lot.

It comes after entertainer Ashley White began his search for Marvo – real name John Weaver-Smith – whose life works ended up in the crate, which was bought for £18.

The box contains a trove of 50 tricks, a handwritten instruction manual and intricate scrapbook detailing the magician’s career from 1940-1980.

Included were letters from the Magic Circle, newspaper cuttings from across the UK and numerous thank you letters and pay cheques for performances.

And after the Express published a story on the puzzle, the paper was contacted by someone claiming to be Mr Weaver-Smith's daughter.

She wrote: “I am emailing in response to an article written in the Kentish Express about my late father John Weaver-Smith and his box of magic tricks.

“It would appear that amidst sorting out auction lots, some items were mistakenly overlooked.

“We were somewhat surprised to hear that a collection of our father's personal items were left with his magic tricks and wanted to politely ask Mr White, if he would consider returning the scrap book, photo and more personal information to me, his daughter so that they could remain within the family.

“We are happy that he can gain some entertainment from our fathers tricks, as I know he would be delighted that they were being enjoyed by a fellow magician.”

Mr Weaver-Smith lived in Chequers Park in Wye and Ball Lane in Kennington, near Ashford, between 1967 and 1980, his scrapbook documents show.

And last week Bob Kemp, 71, a retired engineer at Ashford’s Batchelors food factory, was shocked to discover Marvo was also a boss at the plant.

Mr Kemp, from Kennington, who worked with Mr Weaver-Smith at the Willesborough Road plant around the 1970s, wasn’t sure if he was still practising magic at the time.

Ashley White, 36, of Risborough Way in Cheriton, a resident singer at the Grand Burstin Hotel in Folkestone, said he is happy to return the personal effects.

“I hope to keep the scrapbook for a little bit longer so I can continue the search for Marvo.

“They can have it back - I’m just hoping they will help me find out more about the magician.

“What kind of performer was he? Why did he give up being a magician?

“There is so much more we don’t know yet.”