The Ricky Jay Collection Part III

[CHINESE MAGICIANS]. Wan Sing! The Great Knife-Thrower. Philadelphia: Brown’s Steam-Powered Job Printing Office, 1853. One-color letterpress playbill advertising a show at the Walnut Street Theatre featuring several Chinese performers. On the bill were “double-jointed Chinese dwarf” Chin Gan, Tuck Quy, Chong Moon, Wan Nuy, Tong Ming, Ar Hee, Yan Yow, Wan Sing, Am Oy (Achuen “Grace” Amoy Eaton 1846 - 1922), Lo Pu, and Loi Pha. The troupe’s act included acrobatics, balancing objects, knife-throwing, tight-rope walking, and fire eating. See Christopher’s Panorama of Magic (p. 123) for the playbill of the following night’s performance. 19 ¼ x 9 ½”. Linen backed. Repairs to small losses at top, writing on upper and lower right corners, chipping, toning.