THE FAK HONGS c. 1895

Fak Hong was a magician who performed in the 1890’s-1930’s era. He frequently partnered with another magician known as The Great Chang (real name Juan Pablo Jesorum). They toured together as “Chang and Fak Hong’s United Magicians.” Their shows had an Asian/Oriental theme, with posters advertising performances like “A Night in Tokyo.” Fak Hong and Chang were renowned throughout Europe and toured extensively. This is a unique, vintage, and authentic stone lithograph from 1898. The posters were often printed in Spain and Germany, with some created by lithographer E. Mirabet and Adolph Friedländer Printing Company. Their performances included illusions and spectacles, with some posters featuring demonic or mystical imagery. Fak Hong also performed solo as well as with Chang. Their shows were part of the wave of Asian-themed or Asian-inspired magic acts popular in the 19th & 20th century. While specific details about Fak Hong’s life or individual illusions are not provided, it’s clear he was a significant figure in the magic performance scene of this era, particularly in Europe. Many business professionals work their “magic” to secure new business for themselves and for their firms.  These include corporate lobbies, business and doctors’ offices, real estate brokers, agents and staging companies for residential and commercial properties for rent, sale or lease. This framed 30 inches wide by 39 inches tall 1895 lithograph poster was printed by the Adolph Friedländer Printing Company, a famed German lithographer of posters and a publisher from Hamburg, Germany. His company produced posters for artists, magicians and circus, and vaudeville performers. Carl Hagenbeck, a customer and friend of Friedländer, was a German merchant of wild animals who supplied many European zoos, as well as P. T. Barnum, and was known as the creator of the modern zoo with animal enclosures designed to be more like their natural habitat.