MÉLIÈS, Georges (1861 – 1938). Theatre Robert-Houdin. Soirées Fantastiques Program. Paris, ca. 1913. Pictorial program advertising the show produced by this film pioneer at his own theater on the Boulevard des Italiens in Paris. The three-part show featured the Cinematographe Artistique of Méliès, the magic tricks of M. Legris, and a demonstration of spiritualistic phenomena. Pale blue printed wraps. Includes a biography of Méliès, and the internal rear wrapper advertises his film laboratory and magic shows. Original pale blue silk ribbon binding retained; very good. Contemporary date in pencil on rear wrapper. A rare and important program for this seminal figure in the history of filmmaking.

Drawing on his experience as a conjuror, Méliès invented many special effects and techniques now considered standard. His fruitful and wild imagination manifested itself in hundreds of classic films, most now lost to history. Pictures including A Terrible Night, the Vanishing Lady, and his seminal Trip to the Moon, remain timeless classics, the latter hailed as one of the most significant and iconic silent movies of all time.