Sold for:
$2,600

Anderson, Professor. (John Henry Anderson) Professor Anderson for a Few Nights Longer. [London], 1857. Striking two-color letterpress broadside bearing a central woodcut of Anderson holding a magnet over the head of a young boy. The balance of the poster is filled with humorous and descriptive text. 20 x 30". Repairs to left margin not affecting text, old central fold; A-. Arguably the greatest self-promoter in the history of magic, Anderson (1814 – 1874) found innumerable ways to keep his name before the public and advertise his show. He frequently used the medium of the gift show – as advertised here – to draw patrons to theatre, but he also had pats of butter with his portrait on them distributed to homes and taverns near where he was appearing, among other promotional devices. When necessary, he fictionalized stories of his accomplishments, but more often found clever ways to word his advertising, or create a startling happening in the towns where he performed. He also fancied himself an actor, though his prowess as a thespian was considerably less than his ability as a conjurer. He frequently performed the lead role in Robb Roy, and built two theaters which he hoped to operate in perpetuity, but both of them cost him his fortune. Known far and wide as the “Great Wizard of the North,” Anderson was Scottish by birth, toured the British Isles constantly, and also brought his show to Canada, America, and Hawaii around the time of the Civil War.


Potter & Potter

Auctioneer:
Potter & Potter

Date:
2016-06-25

Archived auctions similar to Anderson, Professor. (John Henry Anderson) Professor Down arrow


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Anderson, Professor (John Henry Anderson). Anderson. 100 Costly and Useful Presents.Philadelphia: The Leisenring Printing House, 1867. Striking pictorial broadside bearing a bold woodcut of the Read more…


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Anderson, Professor (John Henry Anderson). Professor Anderson St. James's Hall Handbill. London, ca. 1869. Pictorial handbill bearing an engraving of Anderson atop the globe, the Read more…


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Anderson, Professor (John Henry Anderson). Professor Anderson St. James's Hall Program. London, ca. 1869. Letterpress bi-fold program with decorative embossed borders stamped in blind, featuring Read more…


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Anderson, Professor (John Henry Anderson). Program of John Henry Anderson, Wizard of the North. Circa 1865. Handsome letterpress program for the great Scottish magicians farewell Read more…


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Anderson, Professor (John Henry Anderson). Two Wizard of the North Envelopes. Circa 1860s. Pre-addressed letterpress envelopes for Anderson, the larger example exclaiming the conjurers worldwide Read more…


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Anderson, Professor (John Henry Anderson). Cabinet Card Portrait. [Cincinnati]: Landy Studio, circa late nineteenth century. Fine antique silver print portrait of the magician, on mount, Read more…


Auctioneer:
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Date:
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Anderson, John Henry. Professor Anderson’s Great Entertainment. The World of Magic and Second Sight. (London): J.W. Last, 414, Strand, ca. 1850s. Letterpress program handbill for Read more…


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Hellis. Professor Hellis’s Extra Catalogue of Conjuring Tricks and Magical Apparatus. London, ca. 1880. Printed wrappers bound in one-quarter leather over marbled boards, spine gilt Read more…


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Anderson, John Henry. The Wizard’s Polka, Signed by John Henry Anderson. New York: S.C. Jollie, 1851. Sheet music with handsome lithographed portrait of the great Read more…


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Sold for:
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Anderson, John Henry. Professor Anderson and Frederic Maccabe broadside. London: John King & Company, ca. 1867. Letterpress double-sided broadside (9 ¾ x 15”) with copious Read more…


Auctioneer:
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Date:
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