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8 sheet magic poster iconic vintage poster features the magician
Grover George (1887–1958), an Ohio native who performed under the stage name "George, The Supreme Master of Magic".
The History of the Poster
The artwork was created around 1924–1929 by the Otis Lithograph Company in Cleveland, Ohio. It was intended to promote George's "Triumphant American Tour," which he hoped would establish him as a premier act in the United States after a highly successful multi-year tour of Cuba, Central, and South America.
However, the tour was largely derailed by the legendary magician Howard Thurston, who viewed George as a threat. Thurston used his influence to pressure theater managers, threatening to never perform at their venues if they booked George. This forced George to perform in second-rate theaters and eventually led him to return to South America, where he spent the rest of his life.
Because the American tour never fully materialized, thousands of these pristine posters were never used. They were discovered decades later, in the 1980s, stored in a barn in Berlin, Wisconsin, which is why so many high-quality originals and reproductions exist today.
Visual Elements
The poster is celebrated for its "Golden Age" lithographic style, featuring:
George himself in a classic tuxedo, seemingly "streaming" a deck of cards from his hand.
Exotic Imagery: Symbols of "Oriental mysticism" and "Egyptian mystery," including the Sphinx, pyramids, and camels.
Supernatural motifs: Demonic imps, skeletons, and a "menacing devil" to evoke a sense of otherworldly power.
The "18 People" Claim: A common marketing tactic of the era to emphasize the grand scale of the production. |
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