Kellar lithograph poster created by the Strobridge Lithographing Company, 1900. Magic has a long history of being associated with the devil and the dark arts. The explosion of devilish advertisements took place when magicians moved from using simple printed playbills to elaborate full color lithographs. Harry Kellar (July 11, 1849 - March 10, 1922) was an American magician who presented large stage shows during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. He was often referred to as the "Dean of American Magicians" and performed extensively on five continents. One of his most memorable stage illusions was the levitation of a girl advertised as the "Levitation of Princess Karnack". He married Eva Lydia Medley, a coronet player, in 1887. She played a part in many of his upcoming illusions, but she also provided music for the shows. He retired in 1908, and allowed Howard Thurston to be his successor. Kellar was often visited by other magicians, notably including Harry Houdini. He died in 1922 at the age of 72 from a pulmonary hemorrhage brought on by influenza.