This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 10/28/2023
DAVENPORT, Ira Erastus (1839–911). COMING! THE ONLY SURVIVING BROTHER OF THE WORLD RENOWNED DAVENPORT BROTHERS. Circa 1899. Letterpress broadside printed on thin pink stock advertising a forthcoming personal appearance of the elder Davenport brother, the duo that made apparent spiritualistic phenomena into popular entertainment. 16½ × 8½". Old folds visible, two tears reinforced at verso with remnants of Davenport-Webb letterhead.
This performance is advertised as “bordering on the supernatural,” though the brothers would blur the line between entertainment and genuine spirit phenomena throughout their career, a tactic that helped propel their worldwide rise to fame. William Davenport died in 1877 while the brothers were on tour in Australia, bringing their tour to an abrupt halt. Ira Davenport and his former manager revived the brothers’ act in 1895 with little success; this broadside most likely was produced to advertise a lecture demonstration by Ira.