Feature Points
- VINTAGE PRINT REPRODUCTION: Historic reproduction of 1910 Thurston the Great Magician Poster. Printed on archival-grade paper that resists fading and discoloration for over 100 years. Perfect for home, office, or gallery display.
- PREMIUM GALLERY PAPER: Heavyweight fine art paper with non-reflective matte finish eliminates glare while delivering museum-grade appearance and lasting durability.
- PROFESSIONALLY RESTORED: Each image is digitally restored by our art specialists to remove age-related deterioration while preserving authentic historical details and character.
- BORDERLESS DESIGN: Artwork prints edge-to-edge for a seamless, gallery-ready appearance. Ships protected in rigid tube packaging to prevent damage and ensure perfect condition upon arrival.
- MADE IN USA: Our multi-step restoration process and quality control ensure each print meets professional standards. Every reproduction is individually inspected before shipping.
Additional Information
Printed by the legendary Strobridge Lithographing Company of Cincinnati and New York in 1910, this spectacular color lithograph advertises Howard Thurston - the most famous stage magician in America during the early twentieth century. The poster bears a remarkable endorsement from Harry Kellar himself: "Thurston is the greatest magician the world has ever known."
Born in Columbus, Ohio in 1869, Thurston ran away from a difficult childhood to join the circus before becoming mesmerized by the French magician Alexander Herrmann's stage show. After years perfecting card manipulation - earning the title "King of Cards" - he toured the world from 1904 to 1907 performing before international audiences and royalty before returning to America as Kellar's chosen successor.
On May 16, 1908, at Ford's Theatre in Baltimore, Kellar formally passed his magician's wand to Thurston in a ceremonial transfer of the title "Dean of American Magicians." Thurston's traveling show became the largest in vaudeville history, requiring eight railroad cars to transport his elaborate props, illusions, and stage equipment across the country for nearly three decades of continuous touring.
This reproduction preserves a masterwork of American theatrical lithography from the Strobridge company, whose vivid circus and magic posters remain among the most celebrated examples of commercial printing art ever produced. Prized by collectors of magic memorabilia and vintage Americana, it captures the golden age when stage illusion was the nation's most spectacular form of live entertainment.
