Magic Show Posters

The art of lithography was going strong at the dawn of the 20th century, and this is particularly visible in the magic show posters of the era. These colorful advertisements were just the thing to catch the public’s eye and provide a tantalizing look into the amazing spectacle that awaits. It’s interesting to see how many use imagery of ghosts, skeletons and devils… especially devils. The posters often imply that the magician has learned from, or is directed by, a host of demons. (Images of a devil literally whispering into the magician’s ear were common) The spiritualism movement was popular in the 19th century, and with it an interest in Ouija boards, mediums and seances, so magicians invariably portrayed their abilities as having other-worldly origins.

Tagged as: Magic