This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 8/17/2024
SMITH, George. Memoirs and Anecdotes of Mr. Love, the Celebrated Ventriloquist. London: Printed for John Lowndes, 1831. Plain modern blue wraps. Fine engraved frontispiece shows Mr. Love “in his popular comic lecture” standing behind a table with two other men. Frontis. (an insert), [i – iii], iv – vi, [7], 8 – 48. 12mo. Near fine. Folding paper case. RARE. Sold together with a very similar work by Smith, Memoirs and Anecdotes of Mr. Love, the Polyphonist, one gathering of 12pp., in a larger format, ca. 1835.
A rare chapbook for one of the first ventriloquists (often billed as a “polyphonist”) to appear on London’s stages. The last leaves of the book includes comments from the press regarding Love’s performance, indicating that these pamphlets were most likely sold after his shows as a form of extra income for Love, and also as an advertisement.