The Ricky Jay Collection Part III

[CONTORTIONIST]. Wm. Powers. Baltimore: Samuel and John Adams, 1789. One-color letterpress broadside playbill advertising shows by William Powers, “a Lad of only 14 Years of Age, lately arrived from London” who would “perform a Variety of very extraordinary Feats of Activity” to take place at a Baltimore coffeehouse. In addition to detailing Powers’ various gymnastic and contortionist skills, the early American playbill indicates that this young performer also “shews, with great activity, how a porpus [sic] tumbles in the sea.” Tickets were even sold with a money-back guarantee: “If the performance is not done agreeable to the above, the money will be returned before any person leaves the room.” Framed and matted to 18 ½ x 12”. Repairs to creases, small tears, abrasion, soiling and toning. Possibly laid down or reinforced, but not examined out of frame. See Exemplars, (p. 320), and Extraordinary Exhibitions (pp. 54 - 55).