A collection of printed material.

5 rare ephemeral items. 1. Large tinted lithograph of Blondin’s Gigantic Arena265 x 420 mm. apparently separately printed by W.S. Johnson, Nassau Steam press, St. Martin’s Lane, London, showing the large canvas enclosure erected for performances. Possibly produced for the Crystal Palace perfmance of 1860. 2. Bifolium, 280 x 215 mm. printed first page only with a detailed schematic of the tightrope on which he would perform. 3. Unused takings sheet, 205 x 265 mm. 4. Photographic stereocard view of Blondin’s first crossing of Niagara, with description of the feat on the verso. 5. Business card 40 x 75 mm. for “The Hero Chevalier Blondin of Niagara.” Charles Blondin [1824 - 97] was a French tightrope walker and acrobat who made his name when he crossed the Niagara Gorge on a tightrope in 1859 and a number of times thereafter, often with different theatrical variations: blindfolded, in a sack, trundling a wheelbarrow, on stilts, carrying a man (his manager, Harry Colcord) on his back, sitting down midway while he cooked and ate an omelette, or standing on a chair with only one of its legs balanced on the rope.

Product Info

Publisher: c. 1860 and later.

Type: Used

Binding: Softcover

Seller Info

MichaelKempBookseller

Address: 19 Adelaide Gardens Sheeness, Kent

Website: https://michaelkemp.co.uk

Country: United Kingdom