$16,000
Thurston, Howard. Thurston. Kellar’s Successor. Invested with the Mantle of Magic. Cincinnati: The Strobridge Litho. Co., 1908. The poster captures a historic moment on the stage of Ford’s Theatre in Baltimore, when Thurston was presented with Kellar’s “mantle” of magic. Soon after, Thurston became the most prominent magician in America, with his show eventually becoming known as a “National Necessity.” 28 x 38". Minor restoration in borders and old central fold; A-. Rare. While Thurston paid Kellar to succeed him and take over his show and tour route – well established by Kellar, who, since 1896 had been the best-known magician in the United States – he lived up to the role not long after assuming it. The men toured together for one season, through 1907 and 1908, and this poster captures a moment during their final performance together, when Kellar finally retired from the stage. The event was celebrated by magicians far and wide, and commemorated in the public press. Thurston made considerable changes to Kellar’s show once fully in charge of it, but retained a few Kellar specialties – including the spectacular levitation illusion – not only as a way of linking his show to Kellar’s, but because the illusions themselves were truly astounding.
Auctioneer:
Potter & Potter
Date:
2016-06-25
