Otis Lithograph Co., Cleveland OH – c. 1926

“The Modern Priestess of Delphi” is a famous magic poster featuring Carter the Great, a renowned American stage magician who lived from 1874 to 1936. Here are the key points about this poster. It was created for Carter the Great’s magic shows and depicts a mind-reading priestess with a crystal ball.  The poster was printed in 1926 by the Otis Lithograph Company. It’s a large format poster, described as a “three-sheet”. The imagery includes themes related to ancient Egypt, with mentions of “the secret of the Sphinx” and “marvels of the tomb of old king Tut.” Its tagline reads “Your Mind is an Open Book to Her,” referring to the priestess’s supposed mind-reading abilities and captures the essence of mind-reading acts popular in magic shows of the era.  The poster is considered a classic example of early 20th-century magic advertising and is notable for its striking visual design and mystical themes. It is a stone lithograph. This poster represents a significant piece of magic history and continues to be popular among magic enthusiasts and vintage poster collectors. The “Modern Priestess of Delphi” poster featuring Carter the Great is considered iconic for several reasons. It was created for Carter the Great, one of the most famous American magicians of the early 20th century. It was printed in 1926 by the renowned Otis Lithograph Company, known for producing high-quality theatrical posters. It features striking and dramatic imagery, including a mind-reading priestess with a crystal ball, as well as elements like the Sphinx and Great Pyramids of Egypt. The poster is large and visually impressive, being a “three-sheet” poster measuring approximately 44 x 80 inches framed. It combines themes of ancient mysticism (the Oracle of Delphi) with modern stage magic, creating an intriguing juxtaposition. The poster exemplifies the golden age of magic advertising and theatrical poster design in the early 20th century. Its enduring popularity is evidenced by its presence in museum collections like the McCord Museum. Perfect for corporate lobbies, homeowners, real estate brokers, agents and staging companies. Guaranteed authentic and original, it has been linen-back, protected with museum acrylic and is framed.