This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 8/17/2024
POHL, Anton (d. 1837). Archive of Documents and Broadsides Related to the Armless Calligrapher. Twenty-one printed and manuscript documents and advertisements regarding Pohl, a man born without arms who exhibited himself and could not only write with his feet, but perform otherwise ordinary tasks with is legs and toes, including sewing and weaving. Included are manuscript documents and certificates from across Europe, spanning 1800 – 1827; a handwritten and printed passport issued in Finland, and dated August 4, 1827; a letterpress German silk playbill with Eagle device at top (fragile and soiled with tiny losses); broadsheet advertising an appearance by Pohl (Hungarian, 1820s); several printed handbills for Pohl’s appearances (Swedish, Prussian, and Russian; in the latter appears the statement that in order to prevent unpleasant impressions regarding Pohl’s “unnatural” appearance, he was to wear false arms and shoulders); a bound document regarding Pohl SIGNED by privy counselor and police director Franz Edler con Siber, permitting Pohl to perform in Habsburg territory; and other manuscript documents regarding this armless wonder, many with original blind stamped or wax seals of the issuing parties. Folio and smaller, with expected age-related wear. A fascinating trove of documents related to this armless entertainer.