This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 8/17/2024
[VENTRILOQUISM]. Five Hand-Colored Engravings of Messr’s Matthews and Yates. British, 1820s. Well-rendered engravings, some being frontispieces from chapbooks, showing the characters portrayed (and imitated) by this early ventriloquist and pantomimist, and his performing partner, including: Mr. Matthews in the Whole of his Characters in Invitations & the City Barge – Messrs. Matthew & Yates, In All Their Characters – [Mr. Matthews in the] Rogueries of Nicholas – Mr. Yate’s [sic] Portraits & Sketches – Mr. Yates’ Reminiscences. 7 ¼ x 8 ¾” and slightly smaller, with four delicately hand colored. Minor chips and folds, but very good overall.Frederick Henry Yates (1797 – 1842) met the famous and successful impersonator and ventriloquist Charles Matthews (1776 – 1835), in 1817. Yates became an actor on Matthews’ suggestion and went on to manage London’s famed Adelphi Theatre. The two performed together in the 1820s.