Freaks: A World Renowned Necromancer

An 1880s magic broadside for Prof. H.B. Reynolds

Here is a lovely late 19th-century magic broadside for the conjuring and freak show of Prof. H.B. Reynolds, “world renowned sorcerer, necromancer and magician.”

The broadside’s large wood engraved illustration shows Prof. Reynolds performing on stage. He is surrounded by a panoply of winged demons, birds, magic equipment, a playing card spitting devil head, and a boiling cauldron. The broadside declares:

…Startling is his Sorcery of calling forth from any desirable source, true flesh and blood, covered with nature’s raiment, BREATHING, MOVING and LIVING Creatures as perfect and natural as made by the hand of nature.

A highlight of Prof. Reynolds’ act was his escape from a locked and sealed structure after having been bound in 100 feet of knotted cord.

The illustrated broadside measures almost two and a half feet tall. Its over-the-top text describes the wonders of Prof. Reynolds’ act:

Skeptics of Holy Writ have denounced their Skepticism as they behold demonstrated in this Nineteenth Century the Original and more Marvelous Illusions than was ever performed by the Ancient Egyptians or the Necromancer of India.

Prof. Reynolds could even pluck gold and silver coins out of thin air:

His Marvelous Powers of Conjuring is Manifested by merely asking or moving his hand that his desires are complied with. So strange aud [sic] yet so oracle is PROF. REYNOLDS that the mints of the earth are subject to his command, he has only to reach forth his hand and grasp as mnch [sic] gold and silver coin as his heart desires.

Two blank spaces appear on the broadside, one above the wood engraving and the other below the imprint.These were intended to be filled in, by hand, to indicate the place and the date of Prof. Reynolds’ performance, “his first and only tour through the Country.” Admission charges and performance times are provided.

In stunning condition, a lovely 19th century magic show advertising broadside. The Providence, Rhode Island “What Cheer” imprint, seen at the bottom of the broadside, anecdotally is in reference to when Roger Williams was addressed by the Narragansett Indians in 1636 thus: “What cheer, Nétop [Friend].” The expression eventuallym became the official motto of the city of Providence, Rhode Island.¹

What We Are Talking About — [Prof. H.B. Reynolds] Coming! Prof. H.B. Reynolds The World Renowned Sorcerer, Necromancer and Magician! Will Appear in [Blank Space]. Freaks that would dim the vision of Herrmann, Debary Ben Alli, Herchel, Coball, and Geurner, will be performed by Prof. Reynolds, it Being his first and only tour through the Country[caption title]. Providence, R.I.: What Cheer Print [c.1880s]. [1]p. Illustrated Broadside. 28¾ x 10¼ inches. Lavender wove paper. Wood engraved illustration, 6¼ x 7¾ inches, signed “Jackson’s Print.” Near fine. [3724674]

1. White, Notes and Queries, A Medium of Intercommunication for Literary Men, General Readers, Etc. No. 65. March 25, 1893. p237.

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