Original Memorabilia from the Allakazam Archives Collection:
VERY RARE - ORIGINAL "New York Worlds Fair 1964-1965 Corporation" Poster (Copyright 1963) for The General Cigar Hall of Magic. This venue hosted the 7th Most Popular Live Attraction at the Fair, 2 years running. The show was created by Mark Wilson, star of "The Magic Land of Allakazam."
This is a large, 30"x40" Poster. Its condition is NEAR MINT - NEW/OLD STOCK. It's been stored rolled since printed in 1963, with only sleight wearing on the edges that were on the end of the protective tube. This is a recent warehouse find. This poster comes from magician Mark Wilson's personal collection. Mark produced the live show that was performed in the Hall of Magic and picked up this poster from the General Cigar offices in 1963. Many famous magicians were influenced by this show, including David Copperfield. Mr. Copperfield saw the show many times as a young man.
The reason this poster is so rare, is because they were printed for the NY Metropolitan Transit Authority as subway and bus stop posters. Once used, the NY-MTA posters were destroyed. This poster was never sold at the Fair. That's why Mark Wilson has the only known surviving originals. This is an Extremely Rare Poster. It has been authenticated by the Curator of the Queens Museum at the Flushing Meadows grounds of the original NYWF.
The background is based on the work of Bob Peak, although the rest of the layout is done by an unknown artist. The "Copyright" notice at the bottom shows it was printed by Robert Moses' NYWF Corp. in 1963, prior to the opening of the fair. The same art was used in other ways for post cards and magazine ads. But this large printed poster was never distributed to the public, making it quite a special and unique discovery! The retro style of the family attending the fair, the Unisphere, and the "Smoke Rings" (part of the General Cigar planned attraction) all represent a bygone era, and a real treasure for any collector or fan of World's Fairs.
Please write us with any questions. We will maintain it in it's pristine "Rolled" condition and Ship it to you by USPS in a sturdy tube. Mark Wilson is currently 90 years old, and quite healthy. If you would like it autographed, please specify that when you place your order. Don't miss this opportunity to own an incredible piece of NYWF and Magic history!
Proceeds from the sale of this poster go to the preservation and maintenance of the Allakazam Archives, dedicated to the digitization of the pioneering work of Mark Wilson and Nani Darnell in the world of Magic.
Image Notes:
This is a 56 year old poster in amazing condition! Printed with durable ink on sturdy bond paper. It's been stored away from sunlight, so if there is any aging it is only on the edges of the rolled ends, and perhaps a slight bit along the exposed back portion that was the outside part of the roll. But the printed front of the poster is in Mint or Near-Mint condition. This is a phenomenal find! And, there are no other sources that I have found for these original prints!
Get your's now, because when it's gone..IT'S GONE!
Features:
- 1ORIGINAL PRINT
- 2Stored in Mint or Near-Mint condition for 56 years!
- 3Original color - no fading
- 4Officially printed by the 1963 New York World's Fair Corporation
- 5“Certificate of Authenticity,” issued by the Allakazam Archives
- 6Made in the USA
© Greg Wilson – All Rights Reserved
Additional Information:
Frame | None | ||
Dimensions | 30” Wide x 40” Hig | ||
Artist | 1963 New York World's Fair Corporation | ||
Media | Printed Paper | ||
Origin | Compilation of artists | ||
Genre | NY Metropolitian Authority Mass Transit Poster | ||
Category | Memorabilia, Collectable, New York World''s Fair |

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Yes, I remember traveling from my home in Pittsburgh to New York City in Summer 1964 with my family to the NY World’s Fair. I remember the buttons and still have one that says “meet me at the the smoke ring” which introduce you to the hall of magic. There were two”the” words. Either a mistake or an optical illusion that perhaps Mark Wilson contrived. As a 9 year old I loved magic and the Magic Land TV show. Your site is a real trip down memory lane from nicer times.