Literally running away from an unhappy childhood to join the circus, Howard Thurston (American 1869-1936) became the most famous magician of his time, succeeding even Harry Houdini. His career started in one of the circus’s sideshows, along with another magician who would become famous in his own right, Harry Keller. After Thurston’s enormous success in Europe, he and Keller traveled together during Keller’s farewell tour. Eventually he was labeled Keller’s successor. This dynasty of magicians continues to this day with the Baltimore Assembly of the Society of American Magicians being known as Kellar-Thurston No. 6.
The full color window card was printed for a show that unfortunately never took place. Suffering a stroke from which he would never fully recover, Thurston was unable to fulfill his performance obligation