Potter & Potter Auctions
Live Auction

The Ricky Jay Collection Part III

Sat, Aug 17, 2024 12:00PM EDT
Lot 139

[CONTORTIONIST]. Wm. Powers. Baltimore: Samuel and John Ada...

Estimate: $2,000 - $4,000

Bid Increments

Price Bid Increment
$0 $5
$30 $10
$100 $25
$500 $50
$1,000 $100
$2,000 $200
$5,000 $500
$10,000 $1,000
$20,000 $2,000
$50,000 $5,000
$100,000 $10,000
[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 ? 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).