Howard Thurston (1869–1936) was a stage
magician from
Columbus, Ohio. After an unhappy childhood, he ran away to join the circus, where his future partner
Harry Kellar also performed. Thurston was deeply impressed after he attended magician
Alexander Herrmann's magic show and was determined to equal his work. He eventually became the most famous magician of his time, with a show so large that eight train cars were required to transport it.
Lithograph: Strobridge Litho. Co.; restoration: Adam Cuerden