Blackstone Oriental Nights

A Chicago native, Harry Blackstone (born Harry Bouton, 1885-1965) began his career around 1910, often performing escapes that put him in direct conflict with Harry Houdini. As president of the American Association of Magicians, Houdini refused Blackstone membership to the organization. Nonetheless, Blackstone succeeded in becoming one the biggest names in magic. He made his home in Colon, Michigan for nearly 30 years.

This poster scene provides a sense of the mystery and wonder of far-off lands that the Blackstone stage show evoked. A companion poster is similar in style and presents a scene of Blackstone’s adventures in Africa, a continent that, in fact, Blackstone never visited.