ROBERT-HOUDIN, Jean Eugène (1805 – 71). Theatre Robert-Houdin Souvenir Fan. Paris, ca. 1845. Pictorial paper souvenir fan with gilt edge, distributed to audience members at the famous Theatre Robert-Houdin in Paris. The recto bears an image of the entrance to the famous magic theatre with audience members of all types clamoring to enter; the verso is printed with French verses regarding many of Robert-Houdin's most famous tricks (Second Sight, the Orange Tree, etc.). Wooden ribs. 11" wide when open. Rightmost portion of image a skillful replacement likely from another fan, rubbing and wear at ribs, image obscured on verso where repaired, possibly lacking one wooden rib.A variety of souvenir fans were created to advertise the Theatre over the span of its existence, this being an early example. Many appeared in the Cone of Abundance, and effect in which a large cornucopia was first shown empty, and then a seemingly unending stream of articles and souvenirs was produced from within, including miniature sheets of music and these paper fans. Both Robert-Houdin and his successors produced articles in this way for distribution to spectators.