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Magic poster horizontal one sheet, The image is a poster for Harry Kellar, a famous American magician from the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Known as the "Dean of American Magicians," Kellar was a trailblazer in the golden age of magic and a predecessor and mentor to Harry Houdini. The elaborate promotional posters featuring imps and devils, such as the one pictured, were a key part of his marketing strategy, hinting at supernatural powers to entice Victorian-era audiences.
The poster depicts scenes from some of his illusions, such as the levitation of a woman and the magician appearing to deal with demonic figures while reading a large book. Kellar's illusions, which relied more on mechanical tricks and grand stage designs than sleight of hand, included "The Levitation of Princess Karnac," "The Nested Boxes," and "The Vanishing Lamp". He retired from the stage in 1908 and passed his title to his successor, Howard Thurston. |
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