This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 2/24/2024
CARMO (Harry Cameron, 1881 - 1944). Carmo. Opening the Door of Mystery. Bradford: W.E. Berry, ca. 1910. Three-sheet lithograph in two colors bears a full-length portrait of Carmo, a giant key held in one hand, his body somewhat transparent. His shadow appears on the door beside him as a horned devil, and behind the portal is a menacing demon. 88 x 40”, with over-coloring at old folds, sheet breaks, and in margins; B/B+. The only example of this poster with which we are acquainted. This poster was used as the frontispiece illustration for The Great Illusionists (1979).
Carmo’s career began as a juggler in his native Australia, but after developing a relationship with Servais LeRoy (and working on his show), he moved to England, added stage illusions to his act, and became a magician of some note. Eventually, Carmo developed a full evening’s show and began incorporating animals into the production. This rare poster was produced before the final stage of his career began. In the late 1920s, Carmo established his own mammoth circus. Sadly, the show was plagued by one tragedy after another, including a devastating fire that nearly ended his career, and despite more than one effort to restart the venture, Carmo ended up performing at the end of his life as he had at the beginning – as a single or double act at fairgrounds and in circus tents.