THURSTON, Howard (1874 – 1936). Thurston’s Vanishing Horse ...

THURSTON, Howard (1874 – 1936). Thurston’s Vanishing Horse Blanket. Circa 1925. A patterned flannel blanket with red borders, leather and cloth straps, and sewn on block capital lettering on both side panels reading “Thurston’s Vanishing Horse.” On stage, Thurston’s horse, “Beauty” was raised in the air on a platform along with a rider. At the shot of a pistol in the magician’s hand, the horse and rider visibly vanished from view. Blanket Approximately 55 x 34” (folded). A few small holes, faint haze of red dye offsetting, but well preserved and intact. A unique artifact from a short-lived feature of the Thurston show, presented during its heyday as the greatest touring magic show in America.This blanket was most likely used to advertise the Thurston show. As with other presentations of the Vanishing Horse (by Blackstone and others) and the Disappearing Donkey of Charles Morritt, the animal was led through the streets where the show appeared to help promote the production. The blanket was given by Thurston to the owner of a farm where Beauty, the Arabian Steed from his show, was boarded, and was passed to the current owner by descent.