Magic Advertising

A DigitalNZ Story by Mike Kmiec

Professional deception? Truth in advertising.

advertising, magic, magician

Image: Carter, Master magician, Opera House, Monday Feb[ruary] 17, [1908. Programme cover double spread].

Carter, Master magician, Opera House, Monday Feb[ruary] 17, [1908. Programme cover double spread].

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Grand Opera House, Wellington: The Great Nicola, world's master magician. Nicola beats the fakirs of India at their own game. Season commencing Saturday, December 24th [1938].

Grand Opera House, Wellington: The Great Nicola, world's master magician. Nicola beats the fakirs of India at their own game. Season commencing Sat...

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: World tour direct from America. Virgil, world-famous magician and company, featuring Julie, America's sweetheart of magic. Printed by W E Smith Limited, Sydney. [ca 1952].

World tour direct from America. Virgil, world-famous magician and company, featuring Julie, America's sweetheart of magic. Printed by W E Smith Lim...

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Grand Opera House [Wellington]: Com[mencing] Saturday, Dec[ember] 24. Nicola and his brilliant company. World's master magician, never before a show like this. Wright & Jaques Ltd. [1938].

Grand Opera House [Wellington]: Com[mencing] Saturday, Dec[ember] 24. Nicola and his brilliant company. World's master magician, never before a sho...

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Grand Opera House: The amazing Mr Rooklyn from London, internationally famous magician. A host of new and unbelievable mysteries plus Vaudeville featuring Australia's foremost comedian, Joe Lawman and full supporting company. Comm[encing] Friday, Jan. 7 [1949]

Grand Opera House: The amazing Mr Rooklyn from London, internationally famous magician. A host of new and unbelievable mysteries plus Vaudeville fe...

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Opera House Wellington :Commencing at the matinee Easter Saturday April 12th. The Great Levante and his magical extravaganza, Hows Tricks / Rob[er]t Kemp [del]. Central Printing Co. (Chas Sowden) Ltd Burnley. [1941].

Opera House Wellington :Commencing at the matinee Easter Saturday April 12th. The Great Levante and his magical extravaganza, Hows Tricks / Rob[er]...

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Grand Opera House :Chang in person. "A trip to Hades". First tour of New Zealand by arrangement with J C Williamson Theatres Ltd. Seven nights only! Com[mencing] Saturday, June 24th at the Matinee. 1939. Printed in Australia by Victory Publicity Pty Ltd.

Grand Opera House :Chang in person. "A trip to Hades". First tour of New Zealand by arrangement with J C Williamson Theatres Ltd. Seven nights only...

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Opera House [New Plymouth] :The Great Levante and his magical extravaganza "How's tricks". Opera House June 4th, 5th. Direct from Kingsway Theatre, London, Theatre Royal, Sydney, King's Theatre, Melbourne / A E Claxton. Central Printing Co. (Chas Sowdon) Ltd, Burnley [1941].

Opera House [New Plymouth] :The Great Levante and his magical extravaganza "How's tricks". Opera House June 4th, 5th. Direct from Kingsway Theatre,...

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Artist unknown :Nicola the man who knows. Is he man? Is he devil? Sees all. Tells all. Knows all. Ask Nicola anything. / R.P. Melbourne [1938].

Artist unknown :Nicola the man who knows. Is he man? Is he devil? Sees all. Tells all. Knows all. Ask Nicola anything. / R.P. Melbourne [1938].

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: On stage! Baffling! Magic of the mind and hands, the Amazing Mr Rooklyn. First time in New Zealand theatrical history 2 world famous personalities together! The Eminent Van Loewe. Highlights of hypnotism. [1953].

On stage! Baffling! Magic of the mind and hands, the Amazing Mr Rooklyn. First time in New Zealand theatrical history 2 world famous personalities ...

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Civic Theatre (Christchurch?) :Introducing the long-awaited, sensational and incomparable "Escalante", mass hypnotist, in Sensations of 1957. Civic Theatre Thursday June 27th, Friday June 28th, Saturday June 29th. Uproarious pandemonium with "Escalante". 1957.

Civic Theatre (Christchurch?) :Introducing the long-awaited, sensational and incomparable "Escalante", mass hypnotist, in Sensations of 1957. Civic...

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Opera House Wellington :Friday January 7th. The amazing Mr Rooklyn from London. 100 laughs! Thrills! Mysteries! [1949]

Opera House Wellington :Friday January 7th. The amazing Mr Rooklyn from London. 100 laughs! Thrills! Mysteries! [1949]

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Grand Opera House: English Amusements presents "Blue Velvet", a magical revue starring The amazing Mr Rooklyn from London. Watch his fingers. Supported by celebrity vaudeville and international lovelies. Grand Opera House Wellington. Com[mencing] Friday, January 11 [1946]. Wright & Jaques Ltd., Albert Street, Auckland.

Grand Opera House: English Amusements presents "Blue Velvet", a magical revue starring The amazing Mr Rooklyn from London. Watch his fingers. Suppo...

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Artist unknown :Coming ... the Great Benyon presents "Bam-Boo-Zalem". [1955?].

Artist unknown :Coming ... the Great Benyon presents "Bam-Boo-Zalem". [1955?].

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Grand Opera House: First time in New Zealand theatrical history ... 2 world famous personalities together. The Amazing Mr Rooklyn, magic of the mind and hands [and] the Eminent Van Loewe, highlights of hypnotism. Sensational! Baffling! Hilarious! Grand Opera House, April 20th to May 2nd [1953].

Grand Opera House: First time in New Zealand theatrical history ... 2 world famous personalities together. The Amazing Mr Rooklyn, magic of the min...

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Gaiety Theatres (Australia), in conjunction with Martin, Doohan & Carroll, proudly present Tex Morton, "the greatest and most versatile entertainer of our time" on stage in person. 3 complete shows in one! Singing! Shooting! Hypnotism! [1950].

Gaiety Theatres (Australia), in conjunction with Martin, Doohan & Carroll, proudly present Tex Morton, "the greatest and most versatile entertainer...

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Grand Opera House, Wellington :Commencing Saturday, May 30th. Long Tack Sam [and] 20 talented celestials, every one a star! With Nee-Sa Long, exotic dancers Mascotte & Maurice from the Follies Bergere [sic], Paris ... [1936].

Grand Opera House, Wellington :Commencing Saturday, May 30th. Long Tack Sam [and] 20 talented celestials, every one a star! With Nee-Sa Long, exoti...

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: "Press notices, Evening post" ... [Advertising flyer for magicians Vernon S Raymond and Charles M Howard. 1906].

"Press notices, Evening post" ... [Advertising flyer for magicians Vernon S Raymond and Charles M Howard. 1906].

Alexander Turnbull Library

Newspaper

Page 2 Advertisements Column 2 (NZ Truth, 17 August 1918)

National Library of New Zealand

Image: Magicians for television

Magicians for television

State Library of Victoria