This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 2/25/2023
ALEXANDRE, Nicholas Marie (Alexandre Vattemare, 1796 – 1864). MEMOIRS AND ANECDOTES OF MONSIEUR ALEXANDRE, THE CELEBRATED DRAMATIC VENTRILOQUIST… London: Printed for John Lowndes, 36, Bow Street, Covent Garden, 1822. One-quarter morocco over marbled boards with matching marbled endsheets, ruled and titled in gilt with six spine compartments. Engraved frontispiece portrait and ten hand-colored plates of Alexandre as different characters. Two sections with separate title pages. 12mo. Frontis. browned, binding rubbed but sturdy, Boston Public Library deaccession mark to reverse of first title page, else very good. Toole Stott 9. Vattemare was trained as a surgeon but never completed his schooling; it was reported that after making the cadavers speak – thanks to his early mastery of the art of ventriloquism – he was forced to leave school. Even so, his talent for “belly talk” made him famous and wealthy and afforded him many luxuries. Instead of performing with a puppet, Alexandre presented plays in which he acted as dozens of different characters, each with a distinct voice. He used his fame and wealth to promote libraries, culture, and many philanthropic efforts.