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3 sheet 1) Who was P.T. Selbit
Full name: Percy Thomas Tibbles
A major British illusionist and rival to Harry Houdini
Best known for inventing the “Sawing a Woman in Half” illusion (1919), one of the most influential tricks in magic history
2) The “Mighty Cheese” Illusion
Not as historically documented as his major illusions, but clearly part of his theatrical repertoire
The imagery suggests:
A transformation or compression illusion
Possibly a comedic “grotesque transformation” act (common in vaudeville-era magic)
The exaggerated red face and physical struggle imply spectacle over elegance—designed to grab attention quickly
3) Design & Printing
Printer credit: David Allen & Sons Ltd., London (visible lower left)
Style:
Bold typography (“P.T. SELBIT’S”) for name recognition
Cartoonish yet slightly unsettling figures
Warm, muted palette with a striking red focal point
This is characteristic of British theatrical posters of the Edwardian / early interwar period
4) Cultural & Visual Tone
Mix of:
Humor (working-class pub setting, exaggerated characters)
Violence / spectacle (men forcing a body into an object)
This aligns with early 20th-century entertainment marketing, where:
Shock value = ticket sales
Posters needed to communicate instantly from a distance |
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