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This poster commemorates an 1864 performance by the magician Dr. Hugh Simmons Lynn at the Salt Lake Theatre
(referred to on the poster as "Brigham Young’s Great Theatre
") in Salt Lake City, Utah.
The Venue: Salt Lake Theatre
Affectionately known as "Brigham's Playhouse
," the Salt Lake Theatre
was a cornerstone of early Utah culture.
Construction: Dedicated in March 1862, it was the largest building in Utah at the time, costing approximately $100,000.
Architecture: The interior, featured in the poster’s illustration, was designed by E.L.T. Harrison and modeled after London's Drury Lane Theatre.
Capacity: It seated roughly 1,500 people and was considered one of the finest playhouses in the American West.
Legacy: The theater operated for 66 years before being razed in 1928 to make way for a telephone building. Today, a replica housing the Daughters of Utah Pioneers Museum is located nearby.
The Performer: Dr. Hugh Simmons Lynn
Born Hugh Washington Simmons, Dr. Lynn
was a world-traveling illusionist who specialized in "Oriental" and "Occidental" magic.
The Show: His 1864 appearance in Salt Lake City occurred during a three-month trek across the Wild West.
Connection to Brigham Young: During this visit, Lynn famously played a practical joke on Brigham Young involving a "magical" pair of boots that appeared to be identical to Young's own custom-made pair.
Career: Lynn eventually became a major rival to the famous magician J.N. Maskelyne in London. |
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