This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 8/17/2024
SEMON, Zera (1847 – 1901). Pair of Zera Semon Broadsides. Includes: One-color pictorial letterpress broadside on yellow colored paper advertising a gift show by the American magician, ventriloquist, and puppeteer. Halifax: Halifax Printing Co., [ca. 1890s]. Bearing an engraved image of a standing devil figure leaning against a framed portrait of Semon, designed by George William Melville (1856 - 1928), with the performer’s name in block letters resembling tree trunks. 24 ¼ x 7”, in old shrink-wrap. Creases, scattered tears and losses, dampstain to upper right corner. — One-color pictorial letterpress broadside playbill, on light-red colored paper, advertising a performance by “the original Zera Semon with his marionette minstrels and novelty company.” Bearing a wood-engraved bust portrait of Semon, also designed by Melville. The poster touts: “everything new, bright and sparkling with intelligent and refined humor.” Mounted to board and trimmed to 19 ¾ x 7”. Light warping, tears, minor chipping.