A Magical Tradition

February 10, 2005 3:09 PM

Imps imparting the secrets of magic : a visual history of a recurring motif through 19th Century magicians' posters. via Airbag : Longboard
posted by elphTeq (11 comments total)

That's excellent, and very impressive for having all those images lined up. My favourite ;)
posted by carter at 3:24 PM on February 10, 2005

Great find, thanks.
posted by interrobang at 3:43 PM on February 10, 2005

very cool--love the typography too
posted by amberglow at 3:52 PM on February 10, 2005

These images bring book three of Robertson Davies' Deptford Trilogy to life in my mind's eye, even though the posters and books relate to different time periods. True magic is timeless, perhaps?
posted by elphTeq at 4:05 PM on February 10, 2005

The posters are great. I am surprised, though. In very few of the pictures did the magician/ necromancer look as if he were listening.
posted by gesamtkunstwerk at 4:19 PM on February 10, 2005

Nice find. Oddly, I understand exactly what you mean about these posters and Davies' World of Wonders (the third novel in the trilogy) Those books really get into your head.
posted by vacapinta at 5:03 PM on February 10, 2005

Great link! Thanks! Quite interesting.
posted by tomplus2 at 10:30 PM on February 10, 2005

Not just 19th century, even though Ricky Jay may wish he were.
posted by crunchland at 10:36 PM on February 10, 2005

Neat-o links thanks!!

But Imps don't impart Magic, they impart Magick..

Subtle but different..


Don't throw your butts in the urinal,

For they are subtle, and quick to anger.

Don't meddle in the affairs of wizards,

It makes them soggy, and hard to light.
posted by Balisong at 11:16 PM on February 10, 2005

Great link!
posted by homunculus at 11:43 PM on February 10, 2005

Fine.
posted by breezeway at 1:14 PM on February 11, 2005