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One sheet magic poster, titled
"Carter the Great: Secrets of the Sphinx," was created circa 1923–1926 to advertise the world tour of American stage magician Charles Joseph Carter (1874–1936).
Historical Significance
The poster was a direct response to the global obsession with Egyptology following the 1922 discovery of King Tutankhamun's tomb. It promised audiences the "Secrets of the Sphinx" and "Marvels of the Tomb of Old King Tut," capitalizing on the cultural "Egyptomania" of the era.
Key Details:
Artist/Printer: It was produced by the Otis Lithograph Company of Cleveland, Ohio.
Imagery: The design features Carter in a pith helmet riding a camel, surrounded by mystical elements like the Sphinx, spirits, and devils.
Original Format: Some original versions were massive eight-sheet billboards (roughly 80" x 106") designed to be wheatpasted onto buildings to announce the show's arrival. |
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