"Klaw & Erlanger's Stupendous Production, Dramatized by William Young. 'The sun of India is in thine eyes and in the corner of thy mouth. Egypt has sent its love sign." 

This beautiful turn-of-the-century poster advertises a play about a Jewish man in the Roman empire who has to escape from slavery. The detailed image of a scene from the play sets up expectations for elaborate sets and stunning costumes. This play was made into a movie in 1925 and later in 1959. The play itself was a huge hit -- it began in 1899 at the Broadway City in New York City and by the end of its showing in 1920, it had been played at theaters across the world. 

Printer: the Strobridge Litho Co