Herrmann, Alexander | Alexander Herrmann's variety show for 1880

Herrmann, Alexander

The Great Herrmann and his Wonderful Specialties 1880. [Cincinnati & New York: Strobridge,] 1880

Tinted lithograph poster (26 1/4 x 17 7/8 in.; 668 x 455 mm). Overprinted at top in blue, "Grand Opera House"; trimmed close, costing imprint and top portion of overprinting. 

In addition to a fine central portrait, Hermann is figured holding the quintessential magic prop, a white rabbit, as well as performing his Decapitation and Spirit Cabinet acts. For the 1880 season, Herrmann expanded his act into a full variety show, and other performers on the bill are also pictured: ventriloquist Val Vose, the Lorellas, the Onofri Bros., and an acrobatic dancing act.

Presumably the name of the local venue being played—in this instance some town's opera house—could be overprinted at the top margin of the poster by any handy job printer. For instance, the Slaight copy in the McCord Museum is overprinted in blue, "Gaiety Theatre, Week Commencing Monday, Oct. 25."

REFERENCE:

Exemplars, p. 34–5; Illusions 181; cf. Magic, p. 282, for a chromolithograph issue of the poster