Potter & Potter Auctions
Live Auction

The Ricky Jay Collection

Sat, Feb 25, 2023 12:00PM EST
Lot 322

SPINETTO, Antonio. Grand Exhibition of Performing Canary Bi...

Estimate: $500 - $1,000

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
SPINETTO, Antonio. Grand Exhibition of Performing Canary Birds. New York: Jos. A. Frateas & Co. Printers, [1847]. Pictorial letterpress broadside with two elaborate woodcuts depicting the remarkable feats of Spinetto?s trained birds. In one, the trainer blows a trumpet as the canaries both pull and ride in a chariot and coach; in the other, they act out military drills including the firing of a miniature cannon and a mock execution. The descriptive program lists 21 parts of the program, one of which features a bird sitting in a chair and smoking a pipe. 15 ? x 6?. Dampstains, folds, and one tiny loss at intersecting folds. See Exemplars, p. 268. The pictured execution was a featured portion of the program titled ?The Death of Marshall Ney.? All the canaries were, according to the broadside, ?dressed in appropriate uniform? while performing.