$2,200
Fu-Manchu (David Bamberg). Fu-Manchú. N.p., n.d. (ca. 1930). One-sheet (28 x 39 ¼") color lithographed poster bearing a striking and artistic bust portrait of Fu-Manchu, his hands reaching toward the viewer of the image, with bats in the background. Folio folds prominent, but overall good condition. Linen backed. Rare. David Bamberg was the last magician in the Bamberg dynasty. His father, Okito, taught him the craft, as well as the art of hand shadows. Born in England, Bamberg was raised in New York, and on the road, where he sometimes participated in his father's shows. He adopted the name Fu Manchu in Buenos Aires in 1929, and scored his greatest theatrical successes in Latin America. He was perhaps best known in Mexico, where he starred in six feature films. In Argentina, he broke box office records with his full-evening illusion show. David Bamberg retired to Argentina where he spent his final years teaching magic, and operating a magic shop that bore his name, the Centro Magico Fu Manchu. He died in 1974. The design of this poster was used —significantly modified — to advertise one of his Mexican movies, El Espectro de la Novia.
Auctioneer:
Potter & Potter
Date:
2011-03-26
