Dante Mystery Review

August Harry Jansen (1883-1955) was born in Denmark, but moved to the United States at age six. Like many others, Jansen became enamored with magic after witnessing a performance by Alexander Hermann. He started performing professionally in 1900 with moderate success, and put together a world tour just one year later. Catching the attention of leading magician Howard Thurston, Jansen was invited to incorporate his show into Thurston’s own traveling company. Thurston dubbed Jansen “Dante” and the two toured the U.S. together from 1923-1927. After a joint world tour in the mid-1930s, Dante left Thurston to launch out on his own.

Foregoing Thurston’s name recognition, the poster is meant to emphasize Jansen’s success as Dante in his own right. Like many other images of the time, Dante is shown with a small red imp on his shoulder who seems to be whispering the secrets of magic into his ear.