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Untitled

Central Printing Co. (Chas Sowden) Ltd.

From the collection of Victoria and Albert Museum

Dominant colour

Untitled is a work by Central Printing Co. (Chas Sowden) Ltd., held at Victoria and Albert Museum.

Who painted this?: Central Printing Co. (Chas Sowden) Ltd.
Where can I see it?: Victoria and Albert Museum

About this work

This poster advertises a magic trick. The Great Levante was an Australian stage magician famous in the 20th century. The trick shown here is called the £1000 Steel Trunk Mystery. The poster promises a locked trunk with no way out. Yet the magician switches places with his assistant inside it. This was part of Levante’s live shows around the world. Look up the Victoria and Albert Museum next.

The story of this work

Overview

The poster consists of three printed sheets designed to be assembled vertically, with the top sheet displaying the performer's name, the middle featuring an illustration of his head, and the lower sheet showing a metal trunk marked by a large question mark and the text "£1000 STEEL TRUNK MYSTERY! WEIRD UNIQUE THRILLING." The poster advertises the Great Levante's illusion act, where he allegedly swapped places with his assistant inside a locked trunk.

Read the full account in the museum source.

About the artist

Artist

Central Printing Co. (Chas Sowden) Ltd.

Chas Sowden spent his days running Central Printing Co. in Sydney, where he turned everyday jobs into little experiments with type and ink. He once printed a leaflet so flimsy it doubled as a shopping list—still bright…

See the richer artist page