Hypnotism & Telepathy 1913 Indian Playbills Starring The American Hypnotist The Great Duncan

A small group of three items all related to the American hypnotist The Great Duncan comprising:

A 1913 playbill for the “Alcazar” Cinema in Kalbadevi (Bombay) starring The Great Duncan “Hypnotism and Telepathy all previous merriment eclipsed. Roars - Shrieks - Screams”, illustrated with an eerie photograph of him putting a young lady under his spell. The bill also included “Miss Maxine Hewitt in new mind marvels. The Lady who defies scientists, mystifying the whole Universe”. Approx. 184x437mm., loss to upper edge and upper left side, small peripheral tears, horizontal creases and some age soiling. 

An original page removed from “The Briton” newspaper of Bombay dated August 17th 1913 which contains a highly complimentary review of the above show and which seems to have taken Bombay by storm. The packed house witnessed members of the audience being made to do “amusing antics” whilst under his spell such as dancing in a variety of skirts. He also seems to have put Miss Hewitt under his spell whilst she performed tasks from the audience given in silence. It is also illustrated by the same photograph mentioned above. Approx. 345x508mm., small peripheral tears, age yellowing and creasing.

A c.1913 playbill for the Grand Opera House in Calcutta starring “America’s Greatest Hypnotist The Great Duncan, a whirl of fun 60 laughs a minute Duncan controls the laugh market, Hypnotism! Spiritualism! Catalepsy!”, illustrated with a more modest photograph. The bill also included Miss Maxine Hewitt. Undated, though would appear from the same tour as the other acts in the first bill appear in this show as well. Approx. 195x460mm., loss to upper edge, peripheral tears, creasing and age spots. 

Sadly, there appears to be no information available online about The Great Duncan, nor any of his publicity ephemera catalogued.