Thurston The Great Magician – 1910

 When he retired in 1908, Harry Kellar was the most famous magician of his time. When he retired, he passed his mantle over to Kellar publically stating that “Thurston will be the greatest magician the world has ever known”. Always ready to self publicise Thurston began to include the words on his magic publicity posters. The tribute appears at the bottom of this Thurston Magic Poster dating from 1910. The poster also includes other imagery that was prevalent in Kellar’s posters, but even more so. So that Thurston can write in his book, a trio of sprites kneel down to support it on their backs. The Devil is grinning, on Thurston’s left shoulder, whispering advices for Thurston to write down. There are more sprites at the front of the poster, teasing and annoying one another and a set of more studious looking imps analysing a book on a table.

Howard Thurston was the greatest magician and showman of his time. His Wonder Show of the Universe was a prestigious theatre extravaganza that toured America – and was anticipated as much as Barnum’s Greatest Show on Earth.

Thurston would amaze audience members right before their eyes, with a 30-member troupe of dancers and assistants. They traveled by an eight-car train filled with more than 40 tons of illusions, scenery, animals, costumes, and they stunned audiences with a two-hour performance twice a day overflowing with music, humour, colour, and the stunning impact of a master magician. Setting a blueprint for Magicians to come, his act included levitating a Princess in mid-air; making a horse disappear; sawing a woman in half, pulling cards, fish and doves out of thin air; and making a lady disappear, and reappear in a box after impaling her with 11 swords.

Our posters are carefully and professionally created from vintage originals. Whilst great care is taken in the production of these posters, we also try to maintain a vintage feel, so there may be small imperfections, fold marks, scuffs, tears or marks that were part of the original poster master. If these do appear they should be visible on the larger views of the item on this listing. The originals of many of the posters we offer can cost many thousands of pounds, so whilst these posters look great, especially framed and mounted on a wall, they are intended as a fun, affordable reproductions and not intended fine art prints.

The 50x70cm version has been specially produced to be used in conjunction with Ikea’s 50x70cm Ribba picture frame which currently retails for around £12. So you can bag a print and frame for a great price.