This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 8/17/2024
FLOCKTON, John (d. 1794). Collection of Five Flockton Playbills. [London, ca. 1770s]. Small letterpress broadsides advertising four different programs of Mr. Flockton’s mechanical puppet show billed as “The Italian Fantoccini” (“Macbeth,” “Midas,” “The Padlock,” and “The Rival Queens”). The text states the magician “will also display his amazing art of dexterity of hand, different from all pretenders of the said art,” along with vocal performances, to conclude “with a grand and amazing piece of Breaking Machinery never exhibited before called Merlin: Or, the British Enchanter.” Possibly all printer’s proofs. Largest trimmed to 9 ¾ x 8”. Old inked marks to bills, small scattered losses, chipping and spotting. With: One-color letterpress playbill advertising a “Most Grand and unparalleled Exhibition” by Mr. Flockton. This performance was to conclude with his “inimitable Musical Clock, which at first View presents a curious Organ, that will play several select Pieces of Music, composed by the best Masters.” 8 ¾ x 5 ¾”, trimmed close.Flockton, more a puppeteer and general showman than a famous conjuror, was said to be the mentor of Gyngell, who inherited his show upon Flockton’s death. He was one of the many performers who exhibited at the annual London Fairs, where he used magic tricks to draw a crowd to his booth in which he exhibited a trained monkey, his puppet show, and his mechanical clock as a sort of proto-automaton.